JRN 2500: Take-home midterm

DUE: Email ([email protected]) a Word document with your answers by midnight on Monday, Oct. 19. I will not accept any midterms that arrive after that time.

Do not use Wikipedia for any of these answers. I will be referring to related entries and will mark off heavily if I see similar wording. Answers should be found in your class notes and readings.

Short answers: Three to four sentences. Each answer is worth 10 points.

 1. Define the term “watchdog” media. How is it embedded in the profession’s Constitutional beginnings and the role the news media play in furthering democracy.

What does the term “Fourth Estate” refer to?

1. Define the term “watchdog” media. How is it embedded in the profession’s Constitutional beginnings and the role the news media play in furthering democracy.
2. What does the term “Fourth Estate” refer to?
3. Edward Snowden has been described as a traitor and a hero. Explain the reasoning behind both labels and why news organizations would publish clearly classified information.
4. What specific steps can journalists take to try to reach the ideal of “fair and balanced” reporting?
5. How did news organizations adapt their operations as more and more people accessed information through the Internet?
6. Referring to The New York Times’ profile of Arianna Huffington (assigned reading), describe some of the ways that The Huffington Post built a huge audience as a relatively new player in the news business. How has the site been more successful in the digital world than older, traditional news outlets?
7. Define the term “24-hour news cycle” and describe several ways in which it makes reporting the news more difficult.
8. What is a “beat” reporter? Describe the role beat reporters play in shaping what news stories get covered.
9. Why is it important for journalists to clearly identify their sources and be as transparent as possible in explaining where and how they obtained their information?
10. How does “undercover reporting,” as used by Barbara Ehrenreich in “Nickel and Dimed,” violate established principles in journalism?

Hi all,

I wanted to email you today to introduce myself and tell you I’m looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, Sept. 2, which will be the first time we meet in person.

I don’t have a specific assignment for you yet, but it would be helpful if you took some time before Wednesday to closely follow the news — either by reading a few news websites, watching a TV news show or even picking up a newspaper or news magazine.

In this course, The Individual and the News in the Information Age, we will study and discuss the role of journalism and journalists in our technology-driven society. In order to do this effectively, you will all need to keep up with the news of the day, and what better time to start than now.

I will be adding all of you to our class blog, so look out for an email from Blogs@Baruch in which you will have to click a link to confirm your place. Once on the blog, you will find the syllabus.

See you all on Wednesday, 4:10pm in Room 7-160.

Best,

Prof. Haller