Dear Colleagues,
Anyone with an interest in alternative media might find the following new
book of interest:
*What's the Point of News? A study in ethical journalism*
https://www.palgrave.com/gb/book/9783030399467
There is a brief introductory video here:
https://twitter.com/sheffjournalism/status/1255120591423787008
Further details are below for those who require them.
All the best,
Tony Harcup.
*Reviews:*
“Tony Harcup’s re-imagining of news and re-thinking of news values is bold
and innovative yet simultaneously based on empirical research on
innovations that actual journalists have undertaken. His solution,
therefore, is both practical and ethical, showing a pathway to a journalism
that really does serve the public interest. His use of feminist theory,
especially feminist standpoint epistemology, is the most sophisticated I've
seen in journalism studies. Everyone interested in journalism - scholars,
practitioners, critics, students - should read this book.”
*- Linda Steiner, Professor of Journalism, University of Maryland, USA.*
“At a time of unprecedented turbulence for journalism, this book makes a
ground-breaking contribution by asking the fundamental question: What is
news for? Challenging received understandings of news values, the book
develops the idea that news should, first and foremost, serve the public
good. Essential reading for scholars, students and practitioners of
journalism.”
*- Karin Wahl-Jorgensen, Professor of Journalism Studies, Cardiff
University, UK.*
“The news media is facing a serious crisis that is driving an incredibly
damaging democratic deficit. Tony Harcup analyses the news, its meaning,
its point and some of its impediments. He concentrates on why journalists
produce news – whatever its uses – and avoids popular, if important,
distractions such as fake news. I have no hesitation in recommending this
book to practitioners and students.”
*- Chris Frost, Professor of Journalism, Liverpool John Moores University,
UK.*
*What's the Point of News? A study in ethical journalism* by Tony Harcup
(2020), published by Palgrave Macmillan:
- * Explores what journalism might become if practised alongside a
commitment to ethical listening and active citizenship;
- * Challenges dominant news values in theory and practice by drawing on
feminism and other forms of critical thinking;
-
- * Proposes an alternative set of contemporary news values based more
on ideas of social justice than on chasing clicks.
This book questions whether the news we get is as useful for citizens as it
could, or should, be. This international study of news is based on
re-thinking and re-conceptualising the news values that underpin
understandings of journalism. It goes beyond empirical descriptions of what
journalism is to explore normative ideas of what it might become if
practised alongside commitments to ethical listening, active citizenship
and social justice. It draws lessons from both alternative and mainstream
media output; from both journalists and scholars; from both practice and
theory. It challenges dominant news values by drawing on insights from
feminism, peace journalism and other forms of critical thinking that are
usually found on the margins of journalism studies. This original and
engaging contribution to knowledge proposes an alternative set of
contemporary news values that have significant implications for the news
industry, for journalism education and for democracy itself (it says here).
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