Understanding Journalism
- Lynette Sheridan Burns - University of Western Sydney, Australia
"Beautifully written, clearly structured and brings the professional experience of a seasoned journalist to help readers unravel the complex issues confronting journalism in an age of digital media... deserves a place on every reading list about journalism and in every newsroom"
- Bob Franklin, Professor of Journalism Studies, Cardiff University
The new era of Google, Twitter and Facebook has fundamentally shifted the journalist’s relationship with the audience. User-generated content is both a source for professional journalists and a direct competitor for a reader’s attention. To navigate these new realities, it is imperative for journalism students to master skills in cross-platform writing, and understand the implications on their communication decisions.
This Second Edition of Understanding Journalism tackles these changes head-on. It integrates media and cultural theory with the step-by-step development of writing skills to give students the techniques and the savvy they need to succeed.
Bigger and better, this new edition includes:
- A brand new chapter on who journalists are in the social media age
- Reorganization of skills chapters to bring writing and editing to the fore
- Full coverage and examples on Twitter, social media and SMS formats
- In-depth exploration of the ethical issues raised by new media platforms
- All new exercises, case scenarios and further readings
It is the essential guide for all students of journalism.
Lynette Sheridan Burns' second edition of her classic text is beautifully written, clearly structured and brings the professional experience of a seasoned journalist to help readers unravel the complex issues confronting journalism in an age of digital media. Understanding Journalism deserves a place on every reading list about journalism and in every newsroom.
Professor Lynette Sheridan Burns is a global pioneer in applying the 'reflective practice' approach to journalism education - teaching students how to report effectively within ethical boundaries. In this new edition of Understanding Journalism she takes that approach into the Web 2.0 environment in an accessible yet scholarly way. Sheridan Burns shows reporters how to engage with other citizens on social media while ensuring their multiplatform journalism techniques and ethics set them apart from a rising tide of amateur gossip mongers. This book sets the standard as the truly international primer for journalists.
Sheridan Burns doesn’t offer recommendations but instead poses questions that prompt the journalist to better comprehend his or her work. What are the facts? Are there any questions that remain unanswered? Is there another angle to the story? What are my ethical concerns? Can I clearly and fully justify my thinking and my decision? These are the sort of thought-provoking inquiries that the author prompts us to reflect upon – to critically reflect upon... Summing up, this is a very interesting book that I am sure will be useful to journalism students and to all those people who, as Sheridan Burns, vindicate that journalism – critical journalism – plays a crucial role in society.
This is an excellent book and is required reading for the serious student of journalism. Great academic and industry sources.
This book is great for the level learners I have and will be useful to them in this course and if they go on to study journalism futher
An interesting text for students interested in developing their understanding of how today's journalists operate.
Essential for students wishing to understand key issues in journalism.
Some good insights into the profession.
Sage College Publishing
