News and Information Gathering

• • What is news gathering?
  • Key new rounds
  • How to research
  • Law and ethics
  • Investigative traditions
  • Turning information into news
  • The life of a news story
  • Advanced news writing
  • The role of journalism in a Westminster democracy
  • The future of journalism

You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:

• GRF-LHS157-Research and Writing for Journalism
• GRF-CMM18-News and Politics (No longer available)

• GRF-CJR200-News Writing and Ethics

Others

Not suitable for incarcerated students.

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

News and Information Gathering is a practical examination of the realities of news research and news gathering in the key rounds, or specialist reporting areas that exist in real newsrooms around the world. These include reporting tasks such as media conferences and reporting court and council. The key journalistic rounds of crime and courts, politics and parliaments, councils, health and education, social issues, sport and leisure, economics and finance, science and specialties and consumer affairs will be covered.

Working with an experienced teacher you will complete practical news gathering and writing tasks. You will meet deadlines, reflect on ethical issues, apply your understanding of media law and gather news across a range of fields. The online forum component of the subject encourages you to relate your practical work to the relevant literature in the area and discuss your views with your peers. Delve into the challenges and constraints of journalistic research. In this subject you will explore difficult and complex decisions within the professional environment. You will also be presented with opportunities to work through practical problems.

The subject encourages you to develop a systematic approach to information gathering that reflects your own style and interests. While producing a range of news writing assignments, you must meet tight deadlines, confront ethical uncertainties and work across a range of fields. While studying this subject you will develop your ability to locate, evaluate and use information in a range of contexts and to display a nose for news and a professional demeanour.

• News Story (20%)
• Court Report (20%)
• Business Story (20%)
• Major Investigation (40%)

For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).