The Elements of Journalism

What Newspeople Should Know

Sep 21, 2009

Whether blogging or writing for newspapers or magazines, The Elements of Journalism, provides information that is an indispensable tool for quality writing.

The Elements of Journalism is not a how-to book about writing but rather emphasizes what good journalism is. According to the authors, Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, "Journalism provides something unique to a culture: independent, reliable, accurate and comprehensive information that citizens require to be free."

The Precepts That Define The Elements of Journalism

The Elements of Journalism use nine precepts:

Journalism's first obligation is to the truth.
Its first loyalty is to the citizens.
Its essence is the discipline of verification.
Its practioners 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.the

In a review published in the 2009 summer issue of the The Pew Charitable Trusts journal, the authors are quoted as saying:

"Others may say this list is nothing new. To the contrary, we discovered that many ideas about the elements of journalism are wrapped in myth and misconception. The notion that journalists should be protected by a wall between business and news is one myth. That independence requires journalists to be neutral is another. The concept of objectivity has been so mangled it now is usually used to describe the very problem it was conceived to correct."

Description of Challenges Facing Journalists

The Elements of Journalism describes some of the problems, articulates the values, outlines the risks and offers understandable and practical ways to respond to the difficulties of the present state of journalism. It captures the shortcomings, subtleties, and possibilities of modern journalism.

According to former journalist and presidential speech writer William Safire, "Don't ever think of becoming a reporter, editor, columnist or influential blogger without reading this modern classic." Former TV anchor Roger Mudd has listed it as one of the top five books on "the press at work."

David Talbot, Salon.com editor-in-chief has said, "In an age when partisan rancor and ratings-driven showmanship have crowded out the more subtle virtues of solid journalism, Tom Rosenstiel and Bill Kovach provide a timely refresher course in the importance of press fundamentals. They remind us that at its best, journalism is a high public calling, and all those who practice it have a deeper obligation to their readers and viewers that to the demands of the market."

The Elements of Journalism has been described by in the American Journalism Review as having "...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...."

Kovach, Bill and Tom Rosenstiel. The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect. New York: Three Rivers Press 2001, revised 2007.