Principles of American Journalism

by Stephanie Craft, Charles N. Davis

Designed to engage, inspire, and challenge students while laying out the fundamentals of the craft, this textbook introduces readers to the core values of journalism and its singular role in a democracy. From the First Amendment to Facebook, this popular textbook – now in its third edition – provides a comprehensive exploration of the guiding principles of journalism and what makes it unique. Authors Stephanie Craft and Charles Davis cover the profession's ethical and legal foundations, its historical and modern precepts, the economic landscape of journalism, the relationships among journalism and other social institutions, and the key issues and challenges that contemporary journalists face. They also discuss the current ambiguities and transitions – economic and technological – occurring in the field, from nonprofit news sites to social media’s effects on journalism. Filled with relevant case studies, exercises, and discussion questions that encourage critical thinking about journalism and its role in society, this book helps students become better-informed media consumers as well as more mindful practitioners of journalism. The companion website features chapter-by-chapter flashcards, quizzes, and annotated weblinks for students and a separate instructor resource section that features sample test questions, PowerPoint slides, sample syllabi, and chapter-by-chapter activities and discussion questions.

Genres: Nonfiction

232 pages, Hardcover

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.