Journalism Studies 20 Header
Horizontal Rule
Home Button
Print Journalism Button
Electronic Journalism Button
On Assignment Button
Objectives Button
Units Button
Glossary Button
Links Button
FAQ Button
site map button

A Web of Ideas
Module 2, Activity 4.2 - Diversity in Web Journalism
Student Page
(teacher lesson for this page)

Introduction:

Today there is only one task - you become the reporter who investigates the role of on-line journalism.

Activities:

Task One - Reporting on Reporters
You will be creating a two to four page feature article or an in depth (4 - 6 minute) broadcast story on the concept of the wide variety of news options available on the web. Your story must cover:

  1. How computers and the internet in specific have changed the world of news.
  2. How an internet story is not exactly like either a print story or a broadcast story.
  3. How reliable web journalism is in three areas:
    • Is it fact or opinion?
    • Is it high quality?
    • Is it objective?
  4. What legal limitations affect web journalists.
  5. If it is true that on-line journalism allows for the voices of many different group in the news.
  6. Why more and more Canadians rely on on-line journalism as their primary source of news.
list Start by making a list of what you need to find out to answer the questions, then organize your list.

You are responsible for working through all the stages of reporting from choosing the focus for the story, to researching the story, writing the copy, proofing and revising, and finally preparing for publication. Each part of the process will be assessed by you using a checklist. Make sure you complete the checklist, because your teacher may chose to mark it.

While there are a series of prepared links designed to get you started, you need to expand your sources beyond the basic starting point suggested by this site.

Objectives:

You will be able to
- recognize how computers and desktop publishing are used in commercial journalism
- identify the conventions of the electronic media
- evaluate the quality and reliability of various forms and examples of journalism
- distinguish fact from opinion
- understand the legal limitations on the media
- evaluate the concept of objectivity
Resources:

- list of links to read
- Checklist for self-assessment
The links are a starting point for research, just as the computer is. Remember, the internet is only one source of information. monitor

I Need More Information On:

Timeline:

  • Day 1 - Read assignment and rubric, go to suggested links and do background research.
  • Day 2 - Conduct in depth research by doing an effective internet search and interviewing average people regarding internet news use
  • Day 3 - Focus the story and create a basic outline, start the writing. Review how to write features or create a script for broadcast if necessary. Start Writing.
  • Day 4 - Write and revise.
  • Day 5 - Proof and Publish.
 
   

Last Updated
May 24, 2005

This page best viewed in IE 6.0 or later, and 800x600 screen resolution.