This document is from a JOU 1000 Introduction to Journalism class. It discusses the topic of Chapter 6 - Watchdog journalism. The document provides context about watchdog journalism, including that it is supported by the First Amendment and allows the media to monitor the powerful. However, concerns are raised about corporate ownership of news outlets and whether journalists can still independently monitor power when credibility has eroded. The document gives examples of watchdog journalism and keys for practicing good watchdog journalism, such as original reporting and focusing on the public's interests. Students are instructed to complete a discussion board submission on watchdog journalism.

1. JOU 1000
Introduction to
Journalism
Professor Michael Rizzo
Director, Journalism Program
Division of Mass Communication
College of Professional Studies

2. JOU 1000
Introduction to
Journalism
Previous Class – March 19
Broadcast news writing

3. JOU 1000
Introduction to
Journalism
TODAY’S CLASS
Chapter 6 - Watchdog journalism

4. RECAP
Make your news script complement
the video seen at the time the
scripted words are spoken
Write concisely
Introduce SOTs properly
Write unusual or potentially
mispronounced names or words
PHO-NET-A-CAH-LEE so they will
be spoken correctly

5. Chapter 6
Monitoring the powerful
Watchdog function of the media is
supported by the First Amendment
“Were it left to me to decide whether we
should have a government without
newspapers, or newspapers without a
government, I should not hesitate a
moment to prefer the latter.”
-Thomas Jefferson

6. Modern concern: corporate
ownership of news outlets
owns
owns
owns

7. [In an era of conglomerates owning
news outlets] Can news organizations
still practice independent journalism?
Can journalists still expect to
independently monitor power when
their credibility with the public has
eroded?
Excerpted from The Editorial Eye by Jane T. Harrigan and Karen Brown Dunlap

8. Pew Research Center, U.S. Media Polarization
and the 2020 Election: A Nation Divided

9. The fact that the White House has a YouTube
channel, Twitter feed and Tumblr account
should not be mistaken for it being open or
transparent. Nor is journalism enhanced if
journalists begin to limit themselves largely to
material officially released rather than going out
and digging. That puts far too much control of
the flow of information in the hands of
powerful institutions.
Excerpted from www.poynter.com, The Danger of Journalism that Moves Too Quickly Beyond Fact

10. Politicians from Franklin Roosevelt to Bill
Clinton to Donald Trump have complained
about the media, which means the press is
doing its job. Journalists are watchdogs—not
cheerleaders. They ignite dialogue on essential
issues. They share the truths that powerful
people would rather conceal. They are the force
that holds our leaders accountable for their
actions.
Excerpted from www.charleskochinstitute.org/issue-areas/free-speech-and-toleration/importance-of-a-free-press

11. Examples of watchdog journalism
Both these articles can be found under the
Content Tab for our course in BlackBoard

12. Watchdog does not always mean
“attack dog” – showing successes
reflects a watchful news media too
This article can be found under
the Content Tab for our course in BlackBoard

13. Keys for good watchdog journalism
• Proactive coverage with a skeptical,
investigative attitude in every story
• Original reporting
• A focus on the public’s interests – for
what is going right and what is suspect
• Interaction with audiences of a news
organization: viewers, readers and
followers

14. Keys for good watchdog journalism
• Following a journalism Code of Ethics
• Ongoing watchdog pursuits – not just
during ratings periods for broadcast or
special editions for print or highly
marketed sections for digital
Adapted from www.Poynter.com Watchdog Culture: Why You Need it, How You Can Build it

15. Make sure you have read Pages 171-176
of the textbook
Now go to the March 23 2020 Class
Assignment – Discussion Board
Submission on watchdog journalism
under the Assignments Tab for our course
in BlackBoard.
Remember: post a THREAD in the
Discussion Board – do not submit your
answer under Assignments.