Mastering Journalistic Genres and Media Communication

The Nature of Journalistic Articles

Journalistic articles are those disseminated through the media. These are defined as channels through which information on events of interest to a community is transmitted.

The Figure of the Issuer and Information Sources

In journalistic texts, the figure of the issuer is complex, as it may involve an information company (private or public) that belongs to the media outlet which disseminates the news and serves as the source of information. The most prominent sources of information include news agencies, press offices, and the journalists who write the information.

The Receiver and Communication Channels

Regarding the receiver of the news, we must note that the information is aimed at a broad, heterogeneous, and indeterminate audience. This type of communication is unidirectional because no response is expected from the receivers. The channel can be visual, auditory, or audiovisual.

Linguistic and Iconographic Codes

The codes used depend on the channel. The linguistic code is essential, but it is often accompanied by the iconographic code (pictures accompanying text), the icon-acoustic code (used in radio or television jingles), and paralinguistic elements (non-core).

The Triple Role of Journalism

Journalism plays a triple role: to inform (broadcasting novel factual information of general interest, where the predominant function of language is referential), to form an opinion (influencing and manipulating the receptors' views, where the conative function is used), and to entertain the public.

Classification of Journalistic Genres

Information Genres

Depending on the nature and purpose of the message, journalism identifies three types of genres. Information genres are those that fulfill the essential role of providing information in an objective manner. Their most characteristic linguistic features are clarity, brevity, objectivity, and correctness. Within this type of genre, we find:

• The News Story: An objective account of information of interest that does not involve the issuer, characterized by novelty and interest.
• The Report: A comprehensive account of events related to the news.
• The Interview: A dialogue between a journalist and a character.

Opinion Genres

Opinion genres are those that value information and offer the subjective opinion of the issuer. Their most characteristic linguistic features are those of nonfiction texts. Within this genre, we find:

• The Editorial: An unsigned article expressing the opinion of the newspaper on an issue.
• The Opinion Article: Shows the view of a journalist about a topic. When this article is short and written periodically by the same person, it is a column.
• Letters to the Editor: Expressing the viewpoint of readers.

Hybrid Genres

Finally, hybrid genres are those that combine information and opinion. Within this genre, we find:

• The Chronicle: An exposure of facts giving the journalist's personal interpretation.
• Criticism: A genre where cultural information is provided by a specialist.