JOUR1111
Annotated Bibliography
Sarah Clarry
28th October 2011
Annotated bibliography
Using the framework of Harcup and O’Neill’s 2001 definition of news values this annotated bibliography aims to display what angles or pathways are taken in displaying an important news story across three differing news mediums. The current news story focused on in this annotated bibliography is the earthquake in Turkey. This article will examine a news story from SBS radio, an article from ABC news and a video from BBC: News Europe.
Harcup, T. (2009). Journalism: Principles and Practice: Second Edition. London: SAGE Publications.
Tony Harcup is an author, editor and researcher whose two main works ‘The Ethical Journalist’ and ‘Journalism’ have become staple texts for most universities. A major milestone in Harcup’s career was in 2001 when he and fellow researcher O’Neill revisited the news values of Galtung and Ruge and adapted them for a more modern audience. On page 39 Harcup states that his selection of news values ‘are an attempt to update and develop an earlier taxonomy of news values’ (Harcup, 2009). In his book Harcup writes about the way journalists decide on what is newsworthy and what angle should be taken on a particular story. Chapter three in particular focuses on the way gatekeepers, news frames, news pegs, news values and the construction of the news all play a part in the selection process. In the text Harcup backs up all his arguments with examples, quotes and citations throughout the text. He also offers the reader with opinions from other researchers that do not agree with his ideas and responds to their claims. Harcup uses the studies of ‘Randall’ and ‘Galtung and Ruge’ to further his points on newsworthiness by using elements of their studies in his own. At the end of each chapter Harcup provides a summary of the chapter, questions to make sure the text has been understood and further reading suggestions.
Ross, M. (2011, October 27). Despair and hope among Turkish quake survivors. ABC News, Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-27/aid-worker-on-turkish-earthquake/3603530
Monique Ross is a journalist for ABC News Online and has been working there since 2009.
The author in this piece presents the preliminary facts upfront stating the magnitude of the quake and the death toll. To help readers locate the geographical location, a map of Turkey is provided to readers with markings of the affected areas. After the introduction the focus is then shifted to the recovery efforts of the people. These are displayed though a series of pictures taken of the locals trying to rebuild their lives. The pictures are taken by the director of international disaster relief, David Darg, which gives the pictures credibility. Under each image is a small description of the image and following this are quotes from David Darg on the situation in Turkey. An Example is as follows:
Photo: Turkish children laugh in a tent city in Ercis (Flickr: David Darg, Operation Blessing)
“But at the same time you see these kids in the camps and some of them still manage to put on a smile and remain joyful. It’s pretty amazing when you see the hope on people’s faces after everything they’ve been through.” David Darg
This article uses its images to inspire hope in its readers and sympathy for the badly injured. It is informative and appeals to the reader’s sentiment.
Twomey, Enda. (Reporter). (2011, October 24). CCTV shows moment when earthquake struck Turkey [Video Footage]. BBC: News Europe, Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15437414
Enda Twomey is a reporter for BBC news and previously covered the London Bombings. Enda Twomey specializes in coverage of world news through both audio and visual mediums.
This video provides the viewer with video footage through street cameras of when the earthquake hit turkey. It shows terrified citizens congregated in the middle of streets and other running from their houses. Twomey provides a voice over as the video plays stating the death count, the magnitude of the quake and the amount injured by the falling rubble. The information is presented in a serious manner befitting the situation with no sign of stress in the voice. This video provides its viewer with very close insight into what happened in Turkey and gives a very bleak outlook. This piece constructed as a more emotive piece than informative. The language used in the piece acts as a description set in the present tense.
“ As the earthquake takes hold trees begin to shake and crowds of terrified people begin to rush onto the streets” Enda Twomey
This language gives the viewer a feeling of being in the disaster and the idea that this is occurring right now. The video is used in this way to shock the viewer and gain a reaction.
Atkinson, Clare. (News Speaker). (2011, October 27, 11.02am). Latest Radio Bulletin [Radio News Bulletin]. SBS radio one, Retrieved from http://www.sbs.com.au/radio/
Clare Atkinson is a Sydney based journalist who currently works for SBS radio- World News.
The speaker provides the listener with an informative view on the earthquake in Turkey. The speaker uses the geographical information to give the reader a better idea of location stating the worst affected area in the city of Van (Ercis), as well as stating the magnitude and the amount believed to be injured and dead. The speaker furthers this news by mentioning the help of the neighbouring Israelis and their aid efforts. The speaker provides information about the diplomatic tensions from previous events between the countries and provides the listeners with an excerpt from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which gives credibility to the story. This use of a famous and powerful voice in the radio bulletin brings the story up to another level. This Bulletin approaches the natural disaster in a diplomatic and informative manner that leaves the reader feeling satisfied that the information they are receiving is credible and correct.
By completing this analysis of each of the news stories it is evident that each had a different intention and accordingly used a different angle to its news story. The ABC story sought to inspire hope and sentiment in its reader. The story in Turkey is original newsworthy for the fact it is classed as ‘Bad News’ and ‘Surprise’ news. (Harcup & O’Neill, 2001). The ABC article ads to this two more news values: ‘Good News’ and ‘Follow-ups’. (Harcup & O’ Niell) Because the issue has already been a big news story the fact that this is a follow increases its newsworthiness. The fact that this story gives the reader positive overtones as well as negative can also increase its newsworthiness because everyone likes to see a happy ending.
The video clip from Enda Twomey sought to shock audiences with footage of the earthquake occurring. By doing this the video emphasises on the fact that the earthquake is bad news which increases its newsworthiness.
The SBS radio Bulletin gave its listeners all the facts. It was informative and to the point giving the listeners confidence in the news. The radio bulletin used ‘The power elite’ to increase the newsworthiness of the segment (Harcup & O’Neill, 2001). The segment used the speech of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to highlight some of the efforts being made by other nations to help turkey in its struggles.
APA STYLE REFERENCE LIST
Atkinson, Clare. (News Speaker). (2011, October 27, 11.02am). Latest Radio Bulletin [Radio News Bulletin]. SBS radio one, Retrieved from http://www.sbs.com.au/radio/
Harcup, T. (2009). Journalism: Principles and Practice: Second Edition. London: SAGE Publications.
Ross, M. (2011, October 27). Despair and hope among Turkish quake survivors. ABC News, Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-27/aid-worker-on -turkish-earthquake/3603530
Twomey, Enda. (Reporter). (2011, October 24). CCTV shows moment when earthquake struck Turkey [Video Footage]. BBC: News Europe, Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15437414