The document discusses sources for news and source considerations for journalists. It identifies two types of news sources: primary definers like politicians and experts who frame issues, and secondary definers like the public who comment on issues. Journalists rely on a limited number of reliable sources they contact regularly through calls or their contact books. They have power to choose sources and perspectives but news also comes from a wide range of organizations and events.

1. ? ? ?

2. CHAPTER 4 Where does news come from?

3. Sources and Source Considerations Call News Access Two Kinds of Definers Power Contacts

4. Sources and Source Considerations

6. Allan Bell: ideal news source = news actor Herbert Gans: "source should be efficient"

7. Journalists ... … use a limited number of same types of source … use other journalists and other media

8. Source Considerations Past suitability Productivity Reliability Trustworthiness Authoritativeness Articulateness

9. Brian Whittle: … a good journalist is NEVER off-duty … other sources are not aware that they are sources … a good journalist will not rely on stories arriving “gift-wrapped”

10. Call

11. Call … regular inquiries to a range of agencies … valid and valuable way of generating a copy … provide a regular supply of stories ( e.g. weekly or daily paper and broadcast newsroom)

12. Contacts

13. Contact Books … alphabetical list of sources with: … names and titles … contact numbers (ALL)

14. … Call … Feed … Update … Back-up Copy What to do to maximize the use of a contact book:

15. News Access

17. News Access Stuart Hall: “ The structure of access to the media is systematically skewed in relation to social categories.”

18. Two Kinds of Definers

20. Primary Definers Secondary Definers Set the limit of discussion by framing what the problem is e.g. politicians, employers, police, experts Choose what to report on public

21. Power

22. Power Journalists retain the power to: … choose between sources … include or exclude certain perspectives

23. Where does news come from?

24. Academic Journals Adverts Airports Ambulance and Fire Brigade Service Anniversaries Armed forces

25. Art Groups Campaigns Chambers of Commerce and/or Trade Charities Colleagues Consumer Groups

26. Council Departments Court Hearings Cuttings or Diaries Email Lists Entertainment industry Eyes and Ears