Principles of American Journalism: An Introduction

by Stephanie Craft, Charles N. Davis

In a rapidly changing media landscape, what becomes of journalism? Designed to engage, inspire and challenge students while laying out the fundamental principles of the craft, Principles of American Journalism introduces students to the core values of journalism and its singularly important role in a democracy. From the First Amendment to Facebook, Stephanie Craft and Charles N. Davis provide a comprehensive exploration of the guiding principles of journalism―the ethical and legal foundations of the profession, its historical and modern precepts, the economic landscape, the relationships among journalism and other social institutions, and the key issues and challenges that contemporary journalists face. Case studies, discussion questions and field exercises help students to think critically about journalism’s function in society, creating mindful practitioners of journalism and more informed media consumers.

With its bottom line under assault, its values being challenged from without and from within and its future anything but certain, it has never been more important to think about what’s unique about journalism. This text is ideal for use in introductory Principles of Journalism courses, and the companion website provides a full complement of student and instructor resources to enhance the learning experience and connect to the latest news issues and events.

Genres: Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Ethan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Exceptionally boring, awkwardly written. Had to read for a class. As someone who generally enjoys many textbooks, I found this one to be hard to sludge through.

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see poor reviews, and perhaps this is nostalgia from my first days as an early journalist, but I love it. I think the book perfectly shows some of the key elements when considering the bones of the journalistic process.

Boring, in some ways, but still interesting from the perspective of a green journalist at the time. Will continue to have this on my shelf.

[Savvy Behn · Rating 2 out of 5]

More interesting than Elements of Journalism.

[Jimmy Blakemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Principles of American Journalism: An Introduction" by Stephanie Craft is a well-written and informative book that provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and values that underlie the practice of journalism in the United States.

One of the things that sets this book apart is its focus on the ethical considerations that journalists must take into account when reporting the news. Craft provides a clear and concise explanation of the principles of accuracy, fairness, and objectivity, and she discusses the importance of these values in maintaining the integrity of the profession.

One thing to note, however, is that this book is not a how-to guide for writing journalistic articles. While it provides an excellent overview of the principles and values of journalism, it does not delve into the technical aspects of writing news stories.

Overall, "Principles of American Journalism: An Introduction" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about the principles and values that guide the practice of journalism. While it may not teach you how to write journalistic articles, it provides a solid foundation in the principles of ethical and responsible journalism.