Synopses & Reviews
The Book That Every Citizen and Journalist Should Read
“What this book does better than any single book on media history, ethics, or practice is
weave . . . [together] why media audiences have fled and why new technology and megacorporate ownership are putting good journalism at risk.” Rasmi Simhan, Boston Globe
“Kovach and Rosenstiels essays on each [element] are concise gems, filled with insights worthy of becoming axiomatic. . . . The book should become essential reading for journalism professionals and students and for the citizens they aim to serve.” Carl Sessions Stepp, American Journalism Review
“If you think journalists have no idea what you want . . . here is a book that agrees with you. Betterit has solutions. The Elements of Journalism is written for journalists, but any citizen who wonders why the news seems trivial or uninspiring should read it.” Marta Salij, Detroit Free Press
The elements of journalism are:
* Journalisms first obligation is to the truth.
* Its first loyalty is to citizens.
* Its essence is a discipline of verification.
* Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.
* It must serve as an independent monitor of power.
* It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.
* It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant.
* It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.
* Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience.
Synopsis
In this groundbreaking and highly praised handbook, award-winning journalists Bill Kovach and Tom Rosentiel synthesize three years of research, surveys, interviews, and public forums on how to establish ethical standards and restore trust between those who create the news and those who consume it. It is the first book in half a century to outline a theory of journalism and is one of the most provocative and important books ever written about the news. It is already being used in news-rooms and classrooms around the country.
About the Author
Bill Kovach is the chairman of the Committee of Concerned Journalists. Tom Rosenstiel is director of the Project for Excellence in Journalism. They are the authors of Warp Speed: America in the Age of Mixed Media.