Reviewing Lesson 5

In Review, here are the concepts we covered in Lesson 5:

• The Opinion Journalist is given permission to go beyond gathering factual information.
  

• An Opinion Journalist’s job is to select key facts and assemble an argument…to brandish an opinion. In responsible news organizations, a select few journalists are permitted to do the unthinkable: Arrange and select the facts and evidence in order to support one side or the other.
  

• The Journalist's Code of Ethics, published by the Society of Professional Journalists sets the rules for Opinion Journalists as such:

  • ​Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting.

  • Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.

  • Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.

  • Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
    

• Opinion journalism is valuable because

  • It gives you new insights

  • It challenges your assumptions

  • It helps you make a decision or judgment

  • It provides a public forum of ideas for the public to consider
    

• Opinion journalism should carry labels such as:

  • Editorial

  • Reporter’s Notebook

  • Op-Ed Contribution

  • News Page Column

  • Review

  • News Analysis

  • Take
    

• It also carries a particular tone and language, including:

  • First person statements ("I believe... I think...."

  • Tone of sarcasm and irony

  • Exaggeration / Superlatives

  • Parody of an issue or person
    

• Opinion Journalism is Valuable When:

  • You are well-informed.

  • You are open-minded.

  • You are an active, not passive consumer of news.
    

• Unlike opinion journalism, which emphasizes evidence-based conclusions, mere assertion is a cluster of assumptions in search of validation. Belief and Emotion trump evidence in this sphere.