The Basic Principals Of Journalism: Who, What, When, Where, Why

Dailynichetimes1
6 min readNov 5, 2022

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The Basic Principals Of Journalism: Who, What, When, Where, Why

In its simplest form, journalism can be defined as the gathering and dissemination of information about current events. Journalism is a vital part of any democratic society as it helps to keep people informed about what is happening around them.

The basic principles of journalism are who, what, when, where, why, and how. These principles are the foundation upon which all journalism is based. They are used to provide information to the public clearly and concisely.

The who, what, when, where, why, and how of a story are often referred to as the “Five Ws”. To be a successful journalist, it is essential to be able to answer these questions. Keep reading to learn more about the basic principles of journalism!

Journalism is the public activity of providing people with news. The key element of journalism is that it is based on facts that have been verified. This means that journalists have a responsibility to ensure that the information they provide is accurate and objective.

The basic principles of journalism are who, what, when, where, and why. These are the elements that journalists must consider when they are writing a story.

Who is the individual or organization that is responsible for the news? What is the event or issue that is being reported? The when is the time at which the event took place or the issue began. The where is the location where the event took place or the issue is taking place. The why is the reason why the event took place or the issue is taking place.

By considering these elements, journalists can ensure that they are providing accurate and objective information to the public.

Who is your audience? Basic Principals of Journalism

When it comes to journalism, one of the most important things to consider is your audience. Who are you writing for? What are their needs and interests? Answering these questions will help you determine the best way to communicate your message.

There are a few different types of audiences you might write for, such as the general public, a specific group or community, or experts in a particular field. Each type of audience has different needs, and it’s important to tailor your content accordingly.

Once you know your audience, you can begin to formulate your message. What do you want to communicate? What information do your readers need? Keep your audience in mind throughout the writing process, and you’ll be able to create content that satisfies their needs.

Knowing your audience is crucial for journalists. This seems like a simple concept, but it is one of the most important principles of journalism. After all, if you don’t know who your audience is, how can you hope to communicate with them effectively?

There are a few different ways to think about your audience. First, consider the demographics of your audience — their age, gender, race, etc. This will give you a general idea of who you are talking to. Second, think about what your audience cares about. What are their interests? What issues are they passionate about? Knowing what your audience cares about will help you to choose the stories that will resonate with them.

Finally, it is also important to consider the size of your audience. Are you writing for a local newspaper with a small readership? Or are you releasing a product in China, where awareness is growing but trust and experience are still lacking? It may sound counterintuitive, but the bigger the overall market you have to reach, the less intensive your cultural analysis needs to be.

What is the story about? Basic Principals of Journalism

The basic principles of journalism are truth, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness, and public accountability. The practice of journalism involves acquiring, analyzing, producing, and presenting news and information. Additionally, it is a byproduct of these actions.

Journalism can be distinguished from other activities and products by certain standards, which vary depending on the country and the context in which it is practiced. These standards provide a framework within which journalists can operate and offer guidance on the proper conduct of their profession.

The basic principles of journalism are:

- Truth: Journalists should be honest and truthful in their reporting.

- Accuracy: Journalists should strive to report the facts accurately.

- Objectivity: Journalists should report the facts impartially.

- Impartiality: Journalists should not allow their personal beliefs to distort their reporting.

Every journalist knows there are three questions to answer in every story: who, what, and why. But there’s more to it than that. To tell a good story, you also need to know when and where the story took place, as well as how it unfolded.

If you can answer these six questions, then you have the basics of a good story. Keep in mind, however, that there is no one formula for a good story. The best stories are the ones that are unique and innovative, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

As you continue your journey as a journalist, keep these six questions in mind. They will help you create stories that are both informative and entertaining.

When will the story take place? Basic Principals of Journalism

The answer to this question depends on the type of story you are trying to tell. If you are reporting on current events, then the story will take place in the present. If you are writing a feature story, the story will take place in the past. And if you are writing an opinion piece, the story will take place in the future.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. But in general, these are the basic principles you should follow when deciding when your story will take place. By understanding the different ways you can tell a story, you will be able to choose the best way to communicate your message to your audience.

One of the first decisions a journalist must make is when to set the story. This choice is dictated by many factors, such as the newsworthiness of the story, the availability of sources, and the timeline of events.

The story must take place within a certain context to be understood. For example, a story about a new law would be difficult to understand without first explaining the current law. This is why journalists must establish the when of the story.

There are three general principles that journalists use to determine when to set a story: recency, proximity, and timeliness.

Recency is the idea that the closer the story is to the present, the better. This is because audiences are more interested in stories that are happening now or have just happened.

Proximity is the idea that stories that are happening close to the audience are more interesting than stories that are happening far away. This is because audiences can relate to stories that are happening in their backyard more than stories that are happening on the other side of the world.

Where will the story take place? Basic Principals of Journalism

The answer to this question largely depends on the type of story you are trying to tell. If you are reporting on a local event, then it makes sense to focus your story on that specific area. However, if you are trying to write a feature story about a more general topic, then you may need to expand your search to different geographical locations.

No matter what type of story you are trying to write, there are a few basic principles of journalism that you should always keep in mind. These principles include accuracy, fairness, balance, and objectivity. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your story is well-rounded and unbiased.

The setting of a story is important for several reasons. The location can help to set the tone and atmosphere of the piece, and it can also influence the events that take place. For example, a story set in a dark and isolated forest is likely to be very different from a story set in a bustling city.

When choosing a location for a story, it is important to consider what kind of mood you want to create and what kind of events will take place. Will the story be suspenseful or light-hearted? Will there be a lot of action or more dialogue? Once you have a good understanding of the story you want to tell, you can begin to narrow down your choice of location.

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