Journalistic Communication: Functions, Language, and Characteristics

Understanding Journalistic Texts

Journalistic texts, aimed at informing about current events and topics of general interest, are included in the so-called mass media. However, informing is not their sole purpose, as they also incorporate reviews, opinions, or criticisms about certain behaviors, events, and attitudes.

These texts possess very heterogeneous characteristics, offering information on national, international, local, sports, cultural, educational, and economic topics. They are fundamentally divided into sections, accommodating the expression of opinion.

Both the sender (the media outlet, though the text is written by a journalist) and the receiver (the audience) are collective entities. The relationship between sender and receiver is unidirectional; there is no direct response because the journalistic channel (e.g., written press, sound waves for radio, or the internet) dictates this role. In terms of code, written texts use linguistic signs, while oral texts use spoken language. These are often accompanied by photographs, graphic design, and sound resources.

Key Functions of Journalistic Texts

1. Representative Function: This is the dominant function in journalistic texts, as the primary purpose of the press is informative. Texts should strive for objectivity, though neutrality and complete objectivity are often very difficult to achieve.

2. Appellative Function: Media outlets employ communication strategies and resources to capture readers and listeners, often aiming to guide them towards a particular ideological perspective. This function is evident in certain texts, such as opinion pieces or sports commentary.

Characteristics of Journalistic Language

Journalistic language, particularly for informative content, is characterized by its aspiration to be validated by any type of reader. Key characteristics include objectivity, clarity, correctness, and simplicity. However, these characteristics can vary significantly depending on the genre and content. Opinion genres, for instance, allow more room for the individual style of the writer, and it is not uncommon to find authentic pieces of literature within them. Literary journalism often employs rhetorical devices to enhance expression and refer to reality metaphorically.

Common Issues and Constraints in Journalistic Language

Journalistic texts sometimes exhibit characteristics of administrative or political speech, using long or derived words, circumlocutions, or unintelligible/mysterious terminology. Conversely, colloquial language can also be frequent, with informal word choices or linguistic twists that affect the text's formality.

An important constraint on journalistic language is the speed with which journalists must write and translate agency teletypes. This often leads to certain linguistic gaps or tendencies, such as:

• Conditional use for rumors (e.g., 'allegedly,' 'reportedly')
• Substitution of prepositions or prepositional phrases that are not characteristic of standard language
• Extensive use of foreign words
• Various types of neologisms
• Abundance of acronyms and clichés/stock phrases