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This is the complete lecture note for MCM 104 Introduction to News Writing. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Course code: MCM 104 Course title: Introduction to News Writing Course credit load: 2 Units Series 1 Foundations of News and Reporting Series Outline Part 1 (1.1): Understanding News 1.1.1 Definitions of News 1.1.2 Historical Perspectives on News 1.1.3 The Role of News in Society Part 2 (1.2): Elements and Values of News 1.2.1 News Values and Virtues 1.2.2 Key Elements: Timeliness, Proximity, Impact 1.2.3 Human Interest and Novelty Part 3 (1.3): The Reporter and News Writing 1.3.1 Qualities of a Good News Writer 1.3.2 Ethical and Legal Considerations 1.3.3 Identifying and Developing News Stories Introduction News is central to how societies communicate, share information, and make sense of events around them. Every day, people rely on news to stay informed about politics, economics, culture, and community life. For a journalist, understanding the foundations of news is essential, because it shapes the way stories are identified, written, and presented to the public. This Series sets the stage for your journey into news writing by helping you grasp what news truly is, why it matters, and how it is reported. The aim of this Series is to equip you with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to define news, recognise its essential elements, and appreciate the role of the reporter in shaping accurate and ethical reporting. We shall commence this Series by exploring the meaning of news, its historical development, and its role in society. Next, we will examine the elements and values that make a story newsworthy, including timeliness, proximity, impact, and human interest. Finally, we will wrap up by focusing on the qualities of a good reporter, ethical and legal considerations, and the practical process of identifying and developing news stories.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: SLO 1.1 define news and explain its historical development and societal role, SLO 1.2 analyse the elements and values that determine newsworthiness, SLO 1.3 evaluate the qualities of a good news writer and apply ethical and legal considerations in reporting, SLO 1.4 demonstrate how to identify and develop news stories for publication. 1.1 Understanding News 1.1.1 Definitions of news The term news refers to information about recent events or developments that are of interest to the public. News is characterised by its immediacy, relevance, and ability to inform or influence audiences. It is not simply any information, but rather content that meets specific criteria of timeliness, significance, and public interest.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure 1.1 Definition of news in context Short description: A simple diagram showing “news” at the centre, connected to timeliness, relevance, and public interest. Fill in the blank: News is defined as information about ______ events or developments that are of interest to the public. 1.1.2 Historical perspectives on news Historically, news has evolved from oral traditions and handwritten bulletins to printed newspapers, radio broadcasts, television reports, and now digital platforms. Each stage of
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS development reflects changes in technology and society, but the core purpose of news has remained the same: to inform people about events that affect their lives. Plate 1.1 Historical evolution of news media An image showing progression from handwritten bulletins to newspapers, radio, television, and digital platforms. Fill in the blank: The evolution of news has moved from oral traditions and handwritten bulletins to ______ platforms. 1.1.3 The role of news in society
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS The role of news is to inform, educate, and sometimes entertain the public. It provides citizens with the knowledge they need to make decisions, participate in civic life, and understand their environment. News also acts as a watchdog, holding institutions accountable and ensuring transparency in governance. Function Description Inform Provides timely, accurate, and relevant data about local, national, and global events to help citizens make daily decisions. Educate Goes beyond the "what" to explain the "why" and "how," providing context, historical background, and complex analysis. Entertain Offers human-interest stories, features, sports, and cultural news that engage the audience's emotions and provide leisure. Watchdog Acts as a check on power by investigating and exposing corruption, injustice, or inefficiency in government and private institutions. Box 1.1 Functions of news in society A single-column table listing functions such as informing, educating, entertaining, and acting as a watchdog. Fill in the blank: One of the key roles of news is to act as a ______, holding institutions accountable. Pilot questions 1.1 Which three qualities best define news? What is one major difference between historical and modern news dissemination? Identify one function of news in society. Why is timeliness considered an essential element of news? What role does news play in ensuring transparency? 1.2 Elements and Values of News 1.2.1 News values and virtues News values are the criteria that determine whether an event or issue is newsworthy. These include timeliness, significance, proximity, prominence, human interest, and novelty. Virtues of
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS news refer to qualities such as accuracy, fairness, and balance, which ensure that reporting maintains credibility and trust. News Values (What makes it news?) Journalism Virtues (How should it be reported?) Timeliness: Events happening right now or in the immediate past. Accuracy: Verifying facts and ensuring the truth is presented correctly. Proximity: Events that happen close to the home or interests of the audience. Objectivity: Maintaining a neutral distance and avoiding personal bias. Impact/Consequence: How many people are affected and how seriously? Integrity: Acting with honor and resisting pressure from outside interests. Prominence: Stories involving well-known people, places, or brands. Accountability: Taking responsibility for errors and correcting them publicly. Conflict: Struggles between people, nations, or opposing ideas. Fairness/Balance: Representing multiple perspectives and diverse voices. Novelty: The unusual, the bizarre, or the "first" of its kind. Independence: Staying free from the influence of advertisers or politicians. Box 1.2 Key news values and virtues A single-column table listing values (timeliness, significance, proximity, prominence, human interest, novelty) and virtues (accuracy, fairness, balance). Fill in the blank: One of the most important virtues of news is ______, which ensures credibility and trust. 1.2.2 Key elements: timeliness, proximity, impact Timeliness means that news must be current and relevant to the moment. Proximity refers to the closeness of an event to the audience, either geographically or emotionally. Impact measures how strongly an event affects people’s lives, decisions, or emotions.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure 1.2 Key elements of news A diagram showing timeliness, proximity, and impact as three overlapping circles. Fill in the blank: News that affects people’s lives directly is said to have strong ______. 1.2.3 Human interest and novelty Human interest stories appeal to emotions, often highlighting personal experiences, struggles, or achievements. Novelty refers to unusual or unexpected events that capture attention because they break routine. Together, these elements add depth and variety to news coverage.
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