Mass Media and Journalistic Communication Fundamentals

Mass Media: Channels of Information Transmission

Mass media channels transmit information of general interest to the public.

Primary Media Channels

• Radio: Auditory means (spoken word, music).
• Television (TV): Audiovisual medium, often incorporating written language and high-fidelity sound.
• Internet: The most recent medium, transmitting written, graphic, and multimedia information.
• Graphic Media (Print): Uses writing and illustrations (e.g., newspapers, magazines).

Key Characteristics and Functions of Media

Essential Media Characteristics

• Immediacy: Providing information in real-time, focusing on current events.
• Universality: Collecting and disseminating worldwide news.
• Diversity: Nearly any subject can become the object of media coverage.

Primary Media Functions

Media serves multiple functions, including informative, critical, formative, and entertainment roles.

Participants in the Communication Process

The Issuer (Source)

Issuers include various entities such as companies, journalists, and sometimes even recipients (through user-generated content or reviews). Some media outlets also include internal reviews or critiques.

The Recipient (Audience)

The audience is varied. Some readers are satisfied with general press reviews, while others require specialized articles demanding concentration and specific knowledge.

Media Intention and Purpose

Media intention is varied, ranging from the simple goal of informing to the complex goal of persuading or selling by creating specific states of opinion around facts. The predominant linguistic functions are referential (informing) and conative (persuading).

Linguistic and Non-Linguistic Elements in Journalism

Tone and Register

Pitch (Tone)

The tone depends heavily on the subject matter. For example, economic or health issues usually require a normal, objective writing style. However, reporting on normal life events may sometimes incorporate ironic touches.

Registration (Language Register)

Journalism primarily uses standard language, though technical terms are often necessary depending on the topic.

Linguistic Elements in Newspapers

• Word Use: Denotative use of words.
• Style: Standard and formal register, clear and simple syntax.
• Grammar: Predominantly uses the indicative mood.

Non-Linguistic Elements

These elements enhance understanding and visual appeal:

• Images, photographs, and illustrations.
• Diagrams, graphics, and tables.
• Various typographical elements (fonts, sizes).
• Information organized in multiple columns.
• Specialized use of website features (for digital media).

Understanding Journalistic Genres

Journalistic genres are typically divided into two main categories:

Informative Genres

• News Report
• Feature Report (Reportage)
• Chronicle

Opinion Genres

• Article (Signed Opinion Piece)
• Editorial
• Column
• Interview

The News Story: Definition, Process, and Structure

Defining the News

A news story implies presenting something new. Journalists convey events they deem important, recognizing that not every event qualifies as news.

The News Production Process

1. An informant interprets the event (the fact).
2. The event is evaluated, and a decision is made regarding its newsworthiness.
3. The story is finally included in an informative series or chain.

Features of Newsworthiness

Factors determining if an event is newsworthy include:

• Currency: How recent the event is.
• Proximity: Geographic or emotional closeness to the audience.
• Impact: The surprising nature of the case.
• Players: The prominence of the people involved.
• Novelty: The uniqueness of the event.
• Human Interest: Emotional aspects.
• Subject Matter: Coverage of sports, culture, or entertainment.

News Structure (Inverted Pyramid)

News stories typically follow a structured format:

Headline

Sums up the theme concisely. It must be striking, clear, and concrete. It is often complemented by an antetítulo (kicker/pre-headline) and a subtítulo (runner/deck).

Lead (Heading or Entry)

The first paragraph or lines immediately following the headline. It collects the most important elements (the 5 Ws) of the news story.

Body

Contains the full details and background information of the news.

The Chronicle Genre

The chronicle is an expanded narrative of a story, positioned midway between a straight news report and a feature report (reportage). It is based on a specific event.

• The reporter acts as a witness to the events, narrating them along with their context and circumstances. The reporter is the spectator, not the protagonist.
• Chronicles often employ a more literary and entertaining style than standard news.