RESPONSIBLE

JOURNALISM
AP Azlison Guilabo Bawang,
Faculty, College of Arts & Sciences, University of the Cordilleras
 Journalist’s Creed
 I believe in the profession of Journalism.
 I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the
full measure of responsibility, trustees for the public; that acceptance of lesser
service than the public service is a betrayal of this trust.
 I believe that clear thinking, clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental
to good journalism.
 I believe that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true.
 I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare
of society, is indefensible.
 I believe that no one should write as a journalist what he would not say as a
gentleman; that bribery by one's own pocket book is as much to be avoided as
bribery by the pocketbook of another; that individual responsibility may not be
escaped by pleading another's instructions or another's dividends
 Journalist’s Creed
 I believe that advertising, news and editorial columns should alike serve the best
interests of readers; that a single standard of helpful truth and cleanness should
prevail for all; that supreme test of good journalism is the measure of its public
service.
 I believe that the journalism which succeeds the best-and best deserves success-fears
God and honors man; is stoutly independent; unmoved by pride of opinion or greed
of power; constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always
respectful of its readers but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is
unswayed by the appeal of the privilege or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give
every man a chance, and as far as law, an honest wage and recognition of human
brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely
promoting international good will and cementing world-comradeship, is a
journalism of humanity, of and for today's world.
Journalism Ethics
 Moral principles in writing and reporting
 Philosophy pertaining to values governing human
conduct in writing or delivery of information
Three things that guide ethics
 Beliefs and conviction: when you know
something’s just not right.
 Values: Ideals, customs, that are bound to provoke
emotional response.
 Morals: generally accepted customs of right and
wrong in a given society.
FAIRNESS
 The coin has many sides
 Present these sides
 News writing is devoid of personal stand, and even
if it was an editorial, both sides should still be
given ample voice
Objectivity
 The task is to report the facts not make a comment
on them
 You let the readers decide what to think
 Unbiased
Right of Reply/Rebuttal
 Allow a person/group being criticized to respond in
the same story
 After a criticism (negative), always present an
explanation or a reply of the criticized party.
 Interview everyone involved in the story
 Ways to ethical journalism
 Do not betray trust. Let a source know he/she is being interviewed
and if it’s ok to print his thoughts.
 Is it news or is it public relations? Is the purpose to relay facts?
 Is it fair, balanced?
 Beware of hurting people. Consider their privacy.
 Use of appropriate language
 Do not accept gifts in exchange for a favorable story
 Do not report an activity you are involved in (negative)
 Always verify. Check and double check.
Grice’s Maxims
 Maxim of Quality
 Be Truthful
 Do not say what you believe to be false.
 Do not say that for which you lack adequate
evidence.
 Maxim of Quantity
 Quantity of Information
 Make your contribution as informative as is
required (for the current purposes of the exchange).
 Do not make your contribution more informative
than is required.
 Maxim of Relation
 Relevance
 Be relevant.
 Maxim of Manner
 Be Clear
 Avoid obscurity of expression.
 Avoid ambiguity.
 Be brief
 Be orderly.
 Legal Stuff
 Plaigarism-"the wrongful appropriation, close imitation,
or purloining and publication, of another author's
language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions, and the
representation of them as one's own original work.“
 Libel- Identification of a person, defamation of that
person, publication of the article
THE BASICS OF
NEWSWRITING
The ABC’s of News writing
 Accuracy
 Brevity
 Clarity.
 Accuracy
 MANILA, Philippines -- The main cast in
the controversial $329-million contract for
the National Broadband Network (NBN)
project has all been haled to the Office of
the Ombudsman, facing criminal
complaints with resigned Commission on
Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos Sr. as
the latest addition.
 Always check numbers, spellings of names,
who said what, and the other basic facts of any
story. A reporter's job is to find out what is
going on, then write a story that's interesting
and informative. Accuracy always comes first
Brevity
“The inclement weather caused classes to be
suspended from every level which on all cities in
Metro Manila yesterday.”
 Each word in your story should do a job. If not,
take it out.
 Get to the point.
 Say it just once.
 Don't be redundant
 Bad weather caused the suspension of classes
yesterday on all levels in Metro Manila
Clarity
 Two more opposition members at the House
of Representatives came out on Tuesday to
confirm that they had been approached or
offered projects to support the impeachment
complaint against President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo
 Clarity starts before you write. Clarity starts with
complete, competent reporting. You should
understand your subject so completely that your
story leaves it crystal-clear in the reader's mind. Your
story should leave no questions unanswered. Avoid
jargon. Explain anything that wouldn't be obvious to
the average person.
News Basics
Inverted
Pyramid

Josh LLiam
Garado
In daily newspapers, most
news stories are written in
the traditional form--the
inverted pyramid form (the
order of decreasing
importance).
Inverted Pyramid
Most important facts
Next most
important
Next most
important
Next
The first paragraph of a news
story contains the most important
information.
This is called the Summary Lead, because it
summarizes the most important facts
gathered about the story.
 Reasons for the Inverted Pyramid:
•Makes reading easier and faster
•Enables the hurried reader to get all the important
facts in a very short period of time
•Satisfies curiosity in a logical way
•Makes page makeup easier
•Makes the work of the copydesk easier
 Characteristics of a good Summary
Lead
•Briefest possible summary of a story, usually no
more than 25 words.
•Includes only those Ws and H that are important.
These usually include the What, Who and sometimes
When, and sometimes the So What.
What are the Ws and H
•Who
•What
•When
•Where
•Why
•How
 Characteristics of a good Summary
Lead
•Usually only one paragraph but may be more. It is
easier to read two short paragraphs than one long
one.
•Usually starts with the feature of the story, the
most important fact.
 Characteristics of a good Summary
Lead
•Quickly summarizes in the first few words the most
important fact of the story.
•The What is usually the most used feature of a lead,
followed closely by the Who. (The Who should be
used only when the name itself is clearly the most
important fact.)
 Characteristics of a good Summary
Lead
•Usually avoids beginning with such words
or phrases as a, an, at a meeting, yesterday,
last night, last week, recently, days of the
week, according to, in the opinion of; it is,
was, will be; there is, was, will be.
 Characteristics of a good Summary
Lead
•It is broken into two sentences or two
paragraphs when too much important
information would make an excessively long
sentence. Shorter sentences and paragraphs
are easier for a reader to grasp quickly.
Poor:
The seniors’ dominance in the literary
musical competitions came to an end on
March 2 when the freshmen defeated
them in the over-all gold medal tally
seniors, 45-44, medals as the results
were announced after the oration finals.
Better:
A new champion was crowned in this
year’s literary musical competition.
The Freshmen edged the Seniors, 45-44
in the over-all gold medal tally.
The lead tells the most
important part of the story,
and the body of the story
gives the other facts in
decreasing order of
importance.
Summary lead
Most important facts

Next most
important
Next most
Body of the
story important
Next
Through alternating direct quotes
(which contain opinions, feelings
or information that cannot be
measured by some standard) and
transitional statements (which
contain facts), the reporter tells the
story.
What is a transition?
Transitions are words or
phrases which keep the
story flowing smoothly
and let the reader know
you are either talking
about the same thing as
before or you have
changed subjects.
What is a transition?
•Word or phrases such as
meanwhile; also; nevertheless;
accordingly; at the same time
•Repetition of a word or phrase
from a previous paragraph
•Use of a synonym for a key word
from a previous paragraph
 Summary Lead
Direct Quote
Alternating paragraphs of
quoted opinions, feelings or Fact
thoughts and factual Direct Quote
transitions Fact
Direct Quote
Fact
Direct Quote
Fact The last paragraph
should be a direct
DQ quote.
Example of a typical
News Story
The Summary Lead:
Students who are chronically tardy to
class may find themselves suspended if
a policy being considered by the faculty
is passed.
Quote #1:
“Being on time is a virtue,”
Principal Maria Cruz said.
“Students today, however,
don’t seem to think it is
important.”
Transition #1:
The faculty discussed the policy
on Feb. 8 and will bring it up
again in March.
 Quote #2:
“It is about time the school did
something about the tardy
problem,” Pedro Macho, social
studies teacher, said. “It has gotten
so bad that more students are out in
the hall than in class.”
 Transition #2:
The proposed policy states that students
will be considered tardy if they enter
the room after the bell has rung. The
tardy will be unexcused unless an
excuse signed by the guidance
counselor is presented to the teacher.
 Quote #3:
“Too many students are still wandering
around in the halls or using the
restrooms when the tardy bell rings,”
Bob Ong, a sophomore P. E. Teacher
said. “Teachers have asked that these
students receive some sort of penalty.”
 Transition #4:
That penalty would come in the form of
a 30-minute detention to be handled by
the teachers, according to the new
policy.
 Quote #5:
“We would also be rewarding those
students who regularly get to class on
time and who set a good example,” Ong
said.
 Transition #5:
Ten percent “punctuality points” would
be averaged into a grade at the end of
each quarter if a student has fewer than
three unexcused tardies. If a student has
three or more unexcused tardies, the
punctuality points would not be given.
 Quote #6:
“There would be some tougher
penalties for those who don’t seem to
understand that we mean business with
this new policy,” Ong continued.
 Transition #6:
By the fourth unexcused tardy, a
student would be referred to the
principal’s office and the parent or
guardian would be notified. One-day
suspensions would result if the student
continues to be tardy.
 Quote #7:
“The proposed policy provides the
incentive to students to be in class on
time,” Cruz said.
 Transition #7:
Administrators hope that the new
policy, if adopted, will eliminate the
majority of unexcused tardies, which
have been numbering in the hundreds
each day.
 Final Quote
“The policy change is a step in the right
direction,” Ong said. “It’s a positive
program to deal with a negative
problem.”
 Summary Lead
Direct Quote
The lead told readers a new Fact
tardy policy was being Direct Quote
considered by the school board Fact
and that students who did not
Direct Quote
comply might be suspended.
Fact
Direct Quote
Fact

DQ
 Summary Lead
Direct Quote
It summarized the most Fact
important facts: Direct Quote
Students might be suspended if Fact
they are tardy all the time if the Direct Quote
new policy goes into effect. Fact
Direct Quote
Fact

DQ
The body gave further Summary Lead
details about the
proposed policy, using Direct Quote
facts about tardies and Fact
opinions from various
Direct Quote
sources to tell the story.
Fact
Direct Quote
Fact
Direct Quote
Fact

DQ
Let’s start at
the beginning
with … LEADS.
 Let’s talk about

Leads
 Lead:
Most important information. Focus on newest
information. Focus on the future.

Question to ask yourself:

What do my readers need to know most???
LeadsMost straight news leads
should be summary leads.
That means they summarize
the 5 Ws and H of the story,
starting off with the most
important W or H.
 Types of News Leads:
Rarely use these...
“Who lead” - begins with a person. The person
is usually not the most important fact of the story.

“When lead” - begins with time. Rarely is the

time the most imporant factor.

“Where lead” - begins with the place. Hardly

ever is where the most important factor.
 Types of News Leads:
Use these often...
“How lead” - begins with the how of the story.
Used often.

“Why lead” - begins with the cause the story.

Used often.

“What lead” - begins with the fact of the story.

Used often.
Who lead
Principal Maria Cruz announced Tuesday that students will no
longer be allowed to leave campus for lunch due to excessive
tardies.

President Noynoy Aquino will make a brief appearance at the high

school Thursday after giving a speech at the Baguio City Hall.
When lead
On Tuesday Principal Maria Cruz announced that students will no longer be
able to leave campus for lunch.

On Saturday President Noynoy Aquino will speak to the senior class about
how important community organizing and volunteering are to the country.
Where lead
Avoid where leads
At the faculty meeting on Tuesday, Principal Maria Cruz announced that she
has ended the off-campus lunch policy.

Maybe … probably yes.

In the principal’s office, the senior class brought in 50 dozens of roses to
express their appreciation to the faculty on teacher’s day.
How lead
Through a person to person campaign
effort, freshmen Gilbert Castillo won the
SSG election to become the youngest
governor in the school’s history.
Why lead
Because they wanted to carry on the
tradition, four seniors streaked across the
football stadium during the homecoming
pep rally wearing a paper leis and tennis
shoes.
What lead
The Harry Potter series and Lord of
the Rings series will be removed
from all school libraries this school
year.
Let’s talk about

Direct
Quotes
Direct Quotes:
 Should be linked to the transition/lead before them. The quote should
elaborate on the transition.
For example:
President Noynoy Aquino will make a brief appearance at the high
school Thursday after giving a speech at the Baguio City Hall.
“He is coming as a favor to me,” Principal Maria Cruz said. “We
worked together in Tarlac as community organizers. I hope he gets a
chance to speak to some seniors about what they can do for their country.”
Direct

Quotes:
Should not repeat the transition/lead before them.
For example:
President Aquino will make a brief appearance at the high school
Thursday after giving a speech at the Baguio City Hall.
“ After speaking at the Baguio City Hall, the president will come to the
high school for a short appearance,” Principal Maria Cruz said.
Direct Quotes:
 Can be longer than one sentence.
Should have attribution after the first sentence of
the quote.
Attribution should be: Noun then verb.
For example:
Correct - senior Bob Rodriguez said.
Incorrect - said senior Bob Rodriguez.
Do not place two people’s direct quotes next to
each other without a transition.
Let’s talk about

Transitions
TransitionsHold the story together. Link
 VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

the paragraphs together.

Can be fact, indirect quote or a partial quote.
For example - FACT TRANSITION:
(lead) Principal Mario Macho will speak to seniors Friday about his
experience as a prisoner of war.
(Direct Quote)“Seniors will learn a lot about duty and commitment when
they hear Principal Macho,” Guidance Counselor Ike Soriano said. “We are so
excited that he agreed to speak about his experiences.”
(Fact Transition) During the Vietnam War, Principal Macho was a war
correspondent to the Phillipine Free Press and became a prisoner of war for five
years.
Transitions
Can be fact, indirect quote or a partial quote.
For example - INDIRECT QUOTE TRANSITION:
(lead) Principal Mario Macho will speak to seniors Friday about his
experience as a prisoner of war.
(Direct Quote)“Seniors will learn a lot about duty and commitment when
they hear Principal Macho,” Guidance Counselor Ike Soriano said. “We are so
excited that he agreed to speak about his experiences.”
(IQ Transition) Soriano said he was moved after hearing Principal Macho
speak about his imprisonment.
Transitions
Can be fact, indirect quote or a partial quote.
For example - PARTIAL QUOTE TRANSITION:
(lead)Principal Mario Macho will speak to seniors Friday about his
experience as a prisoner of war.
(Direct Quote)“Seniors will learn a lot about duty and commitment
when they hear Principal Macho,” Guidance Counselor Ike Soriano said.
“We are so excited that he agreed to share his experiences.”
(Partial Quote Transition) Soriano said he “had tears in his eyes”
when he heard the principal speak about his imprisonment.
 The T/Q formula
Soriano said he “had tears in his eyes” when he heard the
Principal speak about his imprisonment.
“It is amazing what this man survived,” Soriano said. “He was
tortured daily, but every day he told his fellow prisoners to hold their
head high. Someone was coming for them.”
Principal Macho said the experience was a “living hell,” but he
never gave up hope.
“I knew I would make it back to Philippine soil one day,” he said.
“Hope is always alive, and that is a huge part of my message to our
students.”
Transitions
Use transitional words to help with the flow (as
needed): After all, Also, Finally, In addition,
However, Otherwise, Then
For example:
In addition to speaking about his experience
as a prisoner of war, Macho also plans to talk to
students about the importance of voting.
 Transition/Quote Formula
Let’s Review … Lead:
Most important information. Focus on newest

What types of leads information. Focus on the future.

Following a
should you use more? Additional Information:
transition, what
Important information not found in the lead.
Sometimes not needed. should a direct
Linked Side Notes: quote do?
1) Each box is
Direct Quote:
Where should Connects to the additional information or lead.
Use more than one sentence.
a new a para-
graph.
2) Story
you place the should flow
from most
attribution for Transition:
Next important fact or opinion for the story . important to
What can a
Use transition words to help story flow . Transi- least important
a direct quote? Linked
tion can be a fact, indirect quote or partial
quote.
information.
transition be?
Direct Quote:
Connects to the first transition. Use more than
one sentence. Do not repeat the transition in the
quote. DQ should elaborate on the transition.
DQ should give details, opinions, etc.

What is the purpose

How many Transition:
Next important fact or opinion for the story .
of the transition?
Use transition words to help story flow . Transi-
sentences can Linked
tion can be a fact, indirect quote or partial
quote.

a direct quote Direct Quote:

Connects to the second transition. Use more

be? than one sentence. Do not repeat the transition

in the quote. DQ should elaborate on thetransi-
tion. DQ should give details, opinions, etc.

and so on... until the story is complete

Checklist for News Stories
 Are the most important and recent facts first?
 Is the story accurate? Are the sources identified fully?
 Are the paragraphs short?
 Is the sentence structure varied in the story?
 Is the story neat and double-spaced so that it is easy to read?
Does your story flow? Did you use the transition/quote formula?
 Did you use active voice?
Pitfalls to Avoid
 Editorializing - Keep your opinion out of the story
 Using first and second person - Keep yourself out of the story.
Common error “our school”
Messy handwriting, poor grammar and spelling
 Paragraphs too long
 Misspelling names in the story
Trying to use all of the information
Exercise: turn these facts into a news story
 Who: Ogie Dpogi
What: topped the 2009 Board Exams for Doctors
 When: results were announced August 27, 2010
Where: Dpogi graduated at the Ateneo school of medicine, permanent resident of La Trinidad.
How: “I sacrificed my social life, watching movies, and surfing the internet for one full year to concentrate on my
review”
Other facts: Dpogi’s borad exam rating: 90.7%
12,673 exam takers nation-wide; 5678 passed
Dpogi is a graduate of UC Lab, he belongs to batch 2002
The other topnotchers: Percy Guanzon Balderia, University of the Philippines Manila – 89; Nikki Doreen So
Angbue Te, UST – 88.33; Gwenalyn Gail Capistrano Garcia, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical
Ctr. – 88.17; James Philip Garces Esteban, UP Manila – 87.92; Michael Conrad Luz Tongol,  UST – 87.83; Paul
Vincent Tio Co, Cebu Institute of Medicine – 87.75; Karen De Villa Hernandez,  UP Manila – 87.67; Kristianne
Emmanuelle Rayo Bagaoisan, UST – 87.50; and Rozelle Jade Ramirez Javier also of UST with 87.42 percent
passing rate.
SPORTS WRITING
 Among the different sections of a newspaper, the sports page perhaps has the
widest range of readership. Survey shows that 95% of male readers read the
sports page. This is because sports stories are more interesting to read due to
the action and rivalries of opposing teams
which are vividly and colorfully written.

 The rivalry between schools and intramurals teams brings thrill and
excitement to the student readers.

 Sports writing is livelier because the writer deals with physical motion and
action. The use of strong words/ action words and the vivid description of the
skirmishes between opponents that carries the readers to the exact place and
time.
 Know the rules of the game
 Develop the ability to detect the strength and weaknesses of the
team
 Know coaches and players
 Be an accurate observer
 Take notes quickly without losing the sequence of the play
 Be fair and unbiased
 Use the specialized language of the game (sports lingo)
 Be original as possible
 Coverage Story – this is a report on the outcome of
the game, how it was played including the
highlight/s.
 2. Advance Story- presents the facts of the coming
event, the line-ups and list of competing teams
 Background Story – a sports feature informing the readers what lies
behind the coming event, its significance, teams previous records,
strategies and personalities.
 Titleholder UC Jaguars (4-1) collides today with title-hungry UB Cardinals
(3-2) in a game predicted to be a cliffhanger and bursting with emotions.
 Prediction Story – makes a fearless forecast based on logical analysis of
information. The story is based on research, observation of practices and
interviews with players and coachers.
 If last year’s performance and this year’s workouts translate into action, UC
Jaguars are on their way to their fourth consecutive BBEAL championship
title, according to Mr. Ponce Y. Martin, coach of the volleyball team.
 Sports stories follow the structure of straight news, that is, the inverted pyramid
structure – this means that the facts are presented from the most important to the
least important.

 However, sports news is different because it uses a special vocabulary which

throbs with action. Creativity and imagination are employed in describing
action.

 At present, featurized treatment of sports news is becoming (increasingly) popular.

Unconventional or novelty leads such as staccato, quotation, question…
 The traditional sports lead consists
of the 5Ws and 1H. it may play up
any of the following:

 1.Significance of the game

2.Spectacular play
3.Hero of the game
4.Unusual circumstances
5.Human interest
SLU Navigators in rousing win; PMA cadets, Jaguars clash today
by Jogin Tamayo

Three teams out to challenge defending champions University of Baguio Cardinals won their respective
basketball inaugural matches at the start of the 2010 Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League.

With a simple but festive formal opening by host Benguet State University, teams from all nine
participating colleges and universities marched and paraded in their official colors highlighted by dance
numbers led by two-time NCC national runner-up University of the Cordilleras dance group.

The BSU Wildcats will host the UB Cardinals, UC Jaguars, St. Louis University Navigators, UP College
Baguio Maroons, Pines City Colleges Warriors, Philippine Military Academy cadets, Baguio Central
University Eagles, and the Cordillera College Admirals.

The Admirals, Navigators, and the Jaguars started their debut with guns ablaze as CCDC blasted La
Trinidad neighbor BSU, 81–49.

The SLU Navigators, last year’s runner-up to the Cardinals, steamrolled past a hapless PCC squad, 107–
53. Veteran Alvin Bustos led the Bonifacio dribblers with a personal high 16 points while newcomer Hans
Acosta scored 24 points.
 So fired up was coach Dac Dacanay’s wards  that SLU allowed PCC to score nine points in the first quarter
entering the second quarter with a 29–9 advantage.

The UC Jaguars, led by veterans Jeremy Balagot (15) and Sandy Perdido (10), methodically marooned the UP
Maroons, 115–59. Sophomore Jopson Dail led the scorers the charges for the Jaguars with 18 markers while
rookie Darwin Valmonte chipped in 14 points. Balagot had 15 points while Perdido had 10.

Defending champions UB also scored lopsided victories against BSU last Sunday in both the men’s and
women’s categories.
BCU and PCC will try to get back on the winning track today, they clash at 1 p.m. at the UC gym with BSU
and UC facing UP and PMA, respectively.

In volleyball, the hosts made up for its loss in basketball with a convincing victory against UP in four sets.
BSU bowed to UP in the tightly fought first set, 27–29, but later swept the last three sets, 25–16, 25–15, 25–
13.

The CCDC spikers later toyed with the BCU squad with a 3–0 (25–14, 25–10, 25–22) victory.  The UB Lady
Cardinals also started on a high note with needing only 48 minutes to dispose the PCC volley-belles in three
sets, 25–9, 25–11, 25–6.

Basketball games will also be played at the CCDC Gym on Aug. 23 and 24 starting at 4 and 2:30 p.m.,
What is a striking headline?
-The headline of a sports coverage story should tell right
away who or which team won over whom or whose team(
and whenever appropriate or applicable, by what score).
-Appropriate action words should be used to indicate who
won depending on how the event unfolded
Examples:
 Beermen dump Gins, 106-93
 Fil-Am sprints for gold in 100m,
sets new record in SEA Games
VERBS USED IN SPORTS WRITING
English Filipino
Bag Nakamit
Grab Dinurog
Harvest Napasakamay
Sweep Namayani
Triumph Namayagpag
Clinch Nanguna
Take Nasungkit
English Filipino
Claim Naghari
Cop Winalis
Seize Nasulot
Reign supreme Naagaw
Rule Nagkampeon
Hack out Nanalo
English Filipino
Blank Hinagupit
Overwhelm Ginulantang
Outsmart Nilupig
Outclass Hiniya
Destroy Pinaluhod
Demolish Pinabagsak
Knock out Nagapi
Shock Naungusan
Shame nilupig
Prevail over Nakopo
Snatch Humakot
Pocket Bumandera
Capture Umani
Romp away Nakuha
Bring home Naibulsa
Chalk up naangkin
Beat Dinurog
Rip Pinulbos
Batter Ginapi
Nip Pinatulog
Overpower Pinatumba
Crush Pinataob
Pulverize Pinadapa