Moodle Course Guide

QUARTER 1

JOURNALISM
 Journalism 7 – Course Guide

LESSON 1: Discuss the Types and

Functions of Journalism
INTRODUCTION

What I Need to Know?

Image Source: https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/flat-journalism-round-concept-

vector-21582873

Learning Objectives:

In this lesson, you will be able to define and discuss the different types and functions of journalism.
After going through the lesson presentation and exciting activities along with it, you will be able to:

1. Define what journalism is;

2. Identify the types of journalism;

3. Distinguish the functions of the different types of journalism;

4. Write a short paragraph explaining the important role of the various types and functions of journalism
in our society.

What is New?
What Is Journalism?
Journalism refers to the activity of collecting, compiling, and delivering fact-based news and
other related information to the general public in an unbiased manner. The term “journalism” also
describes the occupation—more commonly known as a journalist. This occupation is responsible for
gathering news from various sources (like media, tipsters, inside sources, and eyewitnesses) then
presenting it to the public through a media outlet, either in print, online, on television, or radio.

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The purpose of journalism is to research and report events that impact people’s lives and
society in different ways. Different types of journalism cover various aspects of life that impact society,
appeal to assorted audiences and have varying requirements for objectively reporting facts.

A Short History of Journalism

The earliest known journalistic product was a news sheet circulated in ancient Rome: the Acta
Diurna, said to date from before 59 BCE. The Acta Diurna recorded important daily events such as
public speeches. It was published daily and hung in prominent places. In China during the Tang dynasty,
a court circular called a bao, or “report,” was issued to government officials. This gazette appeared in
various forms and under various names more or less continually to the end of the Qing dynasty in 1911.
The first regularly published newspapers appeared in German cities and in Antwerp about 1609. The
first English newspaper, the Weekly News, was published in 1622. One of the first daily newspapers,
The Daily Courant, appeared in 1702.

The Philippine Press: Its Initial Pages

The first Philippine newspaper was established in 1811. Del Superior Govierno was published
with the Spanish Governor General himself as editor. Its intended readers were the local Spaniards and
therefore the content was primarily news from Spain. The first daily newspaper, La Esperanza (1846),
also catered to the Spanish elite. It dealt with non-controversial subjects such as religion, science, and
history. The best edited newspaper, Diario de Manila, was suppressed by the Governor General after
38 years of publication, allegedly for inciting the Filipinos to rebel against the Spaniards. Meanwhile,
the first local publication was El Ilocanowhich started in 1893 while the first publication for and by
women, El Hogar was published in 1893.

Over the years, news has evolved its platform to various forms such as radio, magazine,
television, etc., and has come to what we know of journalism is today.

DEVELOPMENT

Types of Journalism
It is a common scenario in the morning that while drinking a cup of coffee or enjoying our favorite
breakfast, we either watch over the television or listen over the radio to keep us up to date with the
latest news happening here in our country and abroad. Arguably, there is not a day that we will not
stumble upon a news article either by print or digital platforms.
Today, as smartphones changed our life drastically it also transformed the way we scope for
the latest and hottest news, bringing the world under the scroll of a screen. Though most of us are
aware of the basic meaning of what Journalism is and how important it is in our society, we are still
unaware of its different forms that encompass the mediums through which we receive. The following
are the common types of journalism and the career prospects they offer as you continue your journey
on being a full pledged journalist.

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Image Source: https://leverageedu.com/blog/types-of-journalism/

1. Print Journalism

With Print Media being the most traditional types of Journalism, it is mainly concerned with the
practice of reporting news and related content through newspapers, magazines and periodicals. In
earlier times, newspapers were the most powerful medium for those wanting to voice certain issues that
are prevalent in society.

2. Online Journalism

Online journalism reports facts through internet media, such as digital newspapers, blogs or social
media. All kinds of information are freely available on the internet, but sources are not always
credible. Online journalists create and deliver content that aligns with the traditional journalism
practices of objectively reporting the facts of a situation or event. Online journalism allows reporters to
quickly deliver information to audiences through online media without delays for print layout,
processing and delivery or broadcast time slots.

In the contemporary world, even the ordinary man can record a piece of any event on their mobile
phone with average camera quality and post it online. There is a plethora of career prospects that you
can avail in this emerging specialization of Online Media/Digital Media or New Media are, Social Media
Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, Content Curator, Digital Journalist, amongst others.

3. Tabloid Journalism

A rather exaggerated form amongst the copious types of Journalism, tabloids are mainly referred
to like those stories which have been sensationalized and at times, falsified to seek the attention of
readers. Depicting more of a gossipy version, it concerns with a celebrity-focused form of Journalism
which stays more on the edge of overemphasized, fabricated and bizarre content. In the earlier days, it
was popularized with graphic crime stories, gossips and astrology columns targeted at those seeking
leisure through news and it developed into full-fledged media outlets disseminating news for the sake
of entertainment, concerned with the celebrity world and veiled under the popularized notion of
paparazzi.

4. Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism involves thoroughly researching a topic to expose evidence and deliver
findings of figures or organizations to a wider audience. Investigative journalists conduct in-depth
research and use various tactics to collect information. After collecting and evaluating evidence,
investigative journalists write comprehensive reports to expose the subject and provide evidence to

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support their conclusions.

This type of journalism often requires more time to plan, prepare and research, and is typically a
longer form to fully report details of research, findings and conclusions. Investigative journalism can be
both print and broadcast media. An example of investigative journalism includes researching
businesses to determine whether they promote fair practices.

5. Watchdog Journalism

Watchdog journalism is a genre intended to guard society against illegal activity or inefficiency from
societal powers, such as corporations and politicians. It is similar to investigative journalism in that the
intent is to uncover and expose wrongdoing. Watchdog journalists monitor the activities of large
companies and influential figures and report activities that may have negative impacts on society. This
type of journalism helps ensure societal powers remain accountable for their actions.

6.Photojournalism

Rather than using words to tell a story, photojournalism is the art of taking pictures to tell news
stories—whether it’s a shot of a burning building, a melting glacier, or a group of people in a warzone.
Photojournalism shoots can either be candid, heat-of-the-moment reporting, or can occur under calmer
circumstances, where the journalist documents action like daily life or environmental changes.

7. Broadcast Journalism

Broadcast journalism reports information to the public through media such as radio and television.
Branches of broadcast journalism include sports, weather, traffic, news and entertainment. Broadcast
journalism can also take the form of investigative, watchdog and opinion types. Broadcast journalism
can include reading the report without corresponding video, narrating a report with a related video
playing in the background or conducting a report in the field while capturing live video.

8. Opinion Journalism

Opinion journalism reports on a topic using subjective ideas rather than objective facts. Opinion
journalists report stories from their own perspective, including their own thoughts and biases. Opinion
journalism is unique from other types because the writer can include their viewpoint. It can be important
to recognize the difference between opinions and facts. Opinion journalism is useful in helping people
understand their own opinions and values as well as to develop a fuller picture of reality when
consuming reports from multiple perspectives.

9. Sports Journalism

Sports journalism focuses on the subject of athletic news. Sports journalists report scores, standings
and rankings for different teams or athletes in different sporting events. Sports journalism can take the
form of a specific genre such as investigative or opinion styles. It can be both print and broadcast media.
Sports commentating is a form of sports journalism in broadcast and online journalism.

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10. Trade Journalism

Trade journalism reports on a particular industry or field. Trade journalists detail movements and
developments in business that impact people involved in that field. It includes industry-specific news for
products such as oil, metals and agriculture as well as business sectors, such as travel, finance and
healthcare. Trade journalists process and report on substantial amounts of information regarding
market conditions of the trades they cover.

11. Entertainment Journalism

Entertainment journalism relates to the current events of popular figures and trends. Entertainment
journalists report on the entertainment business, including celebrities, movies, television, books and
events. Entertainment journalists may cover movie premiers and awards ceremonies as well as news
about the entertainment industry. This type of journalism can take the form of different genres and is
common in print, digital and broadcast media.

12. Political Journalism

Political journalism focuses on government, politics and political candidates. It covers different
segments of political activity, such as local, national or international news. Political journalists often
report on the activities of elected officials, political processes and the results of political work. It includes
reporting political news and conducting investigative and watchdog reporting to ensure that the public
has access to information about political activity. Political journalists may also report news in the form
of the opinion journalism genre. Political journalism applies to print, digital and broadcast media.

ENGAGEMENT

What is More?
In order to check whether you have learned something from what you studied, answer the following
learning tasks prepared for you. Answering these will also help you remember more and clarify things
you might have misunderstood.

These learning tasks are required activities. This means that the grades you will get from these activities
will be recorded by your teacher. You can only answer/submit these activities once so make sure that
you checked and studied all the learning resources provided.

Each learning task has its own set of instructions. Read carefully and make sure to follow all instructions
given.

Learning Task 1.1: True or False

Directions: Distinguish the functions of the different types of journalism by studying the statements
below. Write TRUE if the statement is correct, and FALSE if not.

______________1. Political journalism focuses on government, politics and political candidates.

______________2. Guarding the society against illegal activities of societal powers is the main function
of tabloid journalism.

______________3. Print journalism is the most traditional type of journalism.

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______________4. Being a social media manager is one of the careers you can take if you specialize
in online journalism.

______________5. Social media journalism is the art of taking pictures to tell news stories

______________6. Journalism refers to the activity of collecting, compiling, and delivering fact-based
news and other related information to the general public in an unbiased manner.

______________7. Political journalism focuses on government, politics,and political candidates.

______________8. Entertainment journalism involves thoroughly researching a topic to expose

evidence and deliver findings of figures or organizations to a wider audience.

______________9. News about the latest boxing match of Manny Pacquiao is an example of sports
journalism.

______________10. Broadcast journalism reports information to the public through media such as
radio and television.

Learning Task 1.2: Identifying types of journalism

Directions: Study each picture below. Identify what type of journalism is shown by each of the picture.
Write your answer on the space provided.

1. ______________________

Image Source: https://www.magzter.com/PH/BULGAR/Bulgar-

NewspaperTabloid/Newspaper/595042

2. ______________________

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Image Source: https://www.magzter.com/PH/BULGAR/Bulgar-

NewspaperTabloid/Newspaper/595042

3. ______________________

Image Source: https://photography.lovetoknow.com/image/251315

4. _______________________

Image Source: https://i1.wp.com/www.starmometer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/The-Buzz.jpg

5. ________________________

Image Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/tvpatrol

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Learning Task 1.3: Matching Type

Directions: Match Column A with Column B. Write the letter of the correct answer on the space provided
before each number.

COLUMN A COLUMN B

_____ 1. Journalism that focuses on government, politics and A. Tabloid Journalism

political candidates
B. Broadcast Journalism
_____ 2. Rather than using words to tell a story, it is the art
of taking pictures to tell news stories C. Photojournalism

_____ 3. Reports information to the public through media D. Political Journalism

such as radio and television
E. Online Journalism
_____ 4. Journalism that reports facts through internet
media, such as digital newspapers, blogs or social F. Entertainment Journalism
media
G. Opinion Journalism
_____ 5. It is where journalists report stories from their own
perspective, including their own thoughts and biases H. Trade Journalism

_____ 6. It is where journalists report on the entertainment I. Watchdog Journalism

business, including celebrities, movies, television,
books and events. J. Sports Journalism
_____ 7. In this type of journalism, journalists detail
movements and developments in business that K. Investigative Journalism
impact people involved in that field.

_____ 8. It is a genre intended to guard society against

illegal activity or inefficiency from societal powers,
such as corporations and politicians.

_____ 9. Journalism that focuses on the subject of athletic

news.

_____ 10. A rather exaggerated form amongst the copious

types of Journalism

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ASSIMILATION

What I have learned?

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Congratulations! You have finish learning another lesson module.

Remember that when you read, you will be exposed to many and different kinds of information that are
sometimes too difficult to process and understand. When this happens, you have to develop ways to
become a strategic reader for you to achieve your reading purpose in the most effective and efficient
way.
Transcoding information, or transforming a text to its other possible form is one way to become a
strategic reader. Doing this will make you remember more and understand more.

To complete this module, here is the last task that you need to accomplish.

Learning Task 1.4: My Reflection

Your reflection can tell us what you have learned in the lesson, what you have realized, and even what
you have felt while doing the tasks you accomplished for this lesson.

⚫ Learning the different types and functions of journalism will help you understand the role they play
in the society and will help you prepare in your career as journalist. In your opinion, explain the
importance of journalism in our society.

⚫ Of all the types of journalism, which of these appeal to you the most? Why?

Share your reflection and answers to these questions by completing the statements below.

My journey through this lesson enabled me to learn _______________________ .

It made me realize that ______________________________________________ .

I, therefore, commit to ______________________________________________ .

In order to share your answer, click the button you will see on the lower-left
corner of the page.

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References:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/journalism. Retrieved August 23, 2021

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-journalism#what-is-journalism. Retrieved August 23,

2021

https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-cultural-
disseminationscd/communication/the-print-media-a-tradition-of-freedom/ Retrieved August 23,
2021

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