Wednesday May 14, 2008

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CCJ Books

The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect

Completely updated and revised
"The most important book on the relationship of journalism and democracy published in the last fifty years." – Roy Peter Clark, The Poynter Institute

We Interrupt This Newscast: How to Improve Local News and Win Ratings, Too

Just Released
A landmark study on what people watch and why. The most exhaustive study ever of local TV news -- what helps ratings, what drives viewers away, and what editorial approaches and story-telling techniques most influence viewership.

Limiting Legal Risk

John C Abell, February 1, 2008

The Knight Citizen News Network provides a handy, wallet-sized (well, not really) set of rules by which any decent journalist should abide -- if for no other reason that doing so will lessen the chances you'll be hauled into court.

Since the rules are spiffed up in a nifty Flash presentation that you really do have to see to appreciate we do not breach fair use by re-printing all of the rules here.

And, besides, you should already know these by heart already anyway:

  1. Check your facts
  2. Avoid virtual vendettas
  3. Obey the law
  4. Weigh promises
  5. Reveal secrets selectively
  6. Consider what you copy
  7. Learn recording limits
  8. Don't abuse anonymity
  9. Shun conflicts of interest
  10. Seek legal advice

Now, for two important bits of housekeeping.

One rule that isn't here: give credit where credit is due. We heard about this presentation via Buzz Machine, so thanks to Jeff Jarvis.

And, in the interest in full disclosure, as you see at the bottom of every page: like the Knight Citizen News Network, CCJ is funded by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

J-Tools

CCJ has collected some of journalism's best ideas, strategies and techniques to help journalists and citizens alike.

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