We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

What is news?

Lucinda D. Davenport, Jeremy Steele, Eric Freedman, David Poulson, Joe Grimm, and Joanne C. Gerstner

This course will guide you through the basic elements of professional journalism and the news values and ethics of covering real-world issues and events. The overview and examples of the types of news coverage helps introduce the different types of journalism, such as social media, multimedia, print, visual and broadcast, and how professional journalists effectively use each format.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to the Michigan State School of Journalism!

You will learn about the School of Journalism, our award-winning faculty and the world-class atmosphere of Michigan State University. We are a special place, where amazing things happen every day.

Earning and keeping trust

In every module of this course, we will go deeper into journalistic values and ethics. In many ways, these values are what distinguish journalism from the many other kinds of content. You will learn how to move beyond creating content to creating journalism through understanding and using these values.

Connecting with audiences and communities

You will learn how to reach your audience and community as a journalist, by exploring news reports, interest and importance, and values and ethics.

Forms of journalism and their purposes

Understanding the ways journalism happens is just as important as knowing how to do it. There are many different types of journalism, as our world is filled with so many things to communicate about: sports, cars, celebrities, movies, war, business, real estate, pets, art...if you can name it, you can do journalism about it.

Journalism happens in interesting ways

Journalists are working in new and exciting places such as social media. Technology has allowed the profession and journalists to do their jobs in innovative ways. You will learn about how technology impacts journalism, and best practices for blogs, Twitter, Instagram, Periscope, WeChat, Facebook and other realities of engaging in social media.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by expert instructors with a strong reputation in journalism and news coverage

Introduces core principles of journalism and professional ethics

Covers multiple forms of journalism (e.g., social media, multimedia, print, broadcast)

Emphasizes the importance of earning and keeping trust in journalism

Practical examples and best practices for using social media tools like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

May require prior knowledge or experience in journalism concepts and practices

Save this course

Save What is news? to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

Reviews summary

Journalism fundamentals

Learners say this course is largely positive and well received as an introductory resource for journalism. It is engaging and full of informative presentations, readings, and activities on the ethics and types of journalism. Many reviewers found the instructors to be knowledgeable, relatable, and supportive.

Assignments are helpful for practicing journalistic skills and receiving feedback.

"Important to understand how to develop a story / news, respecting the good practices of journalism, in addition to the structure that a story / news should have, especially to hold the reader's attention / involvement."

"A very good assignment on considering ethics in journalism."

The course is well-structured and easy to follow.

"Clear, pleasant voices, perfect video lengths, and availability of transcripts help the learning process."

The course places a strong emphasis on the ethics of journalism.

"Not only does it moulds us within ethical framework but also helps to judge the news content and journalists around us and hence, filter out shoddy piece of fiction that gets circulated in the name of journalism."

The instructors are knowledgeable, experienced, and enthusiastic about journalism.

"Ph.D. Lucinda D. Davenport, Instructor Joe Grimm, and Sports Journalist in Residence Joanne C. Gerstner."

"The values professed by the teachers of the Michigan State University are very simple and at the same time very clear."

Ethics are a core component of this course and are presented in a clear and helpful way.

"Fundamental principles of journalism are real pillars on which to stand in order to properly document, collect and share true, verifiable and complete information in its community."

"Great first step towards the new dynamic world of ethical News."

The course content is comprehensive and covers a wide range of journalism topics.

"Very thorough introduction to what news is."

"Covers the types of news and provides an introduction into generating and refining ideas for news articles."

"Well-structured and well documented with case studies that guide the students and allow them to understand the current challenges in the profession of journalism in the age of social networks and new technologies."

For those with some experience in journalism, this course may be too basic.

"Too basic."

"The course met my expectations and was much better in fact. It was informative and opened several new doors to Journalism. I believe this will be a great stepping stone for my career and thank Michigan State for granting me this opportunity."

"but what was taught was very basic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in What is news? with these activities:

Read 'The Elements of Journalism' by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of the core principles and values of journalism by reading and reflecting on this classic work.

View The Elements of Journalism, Revised and Updated... on Amazon

Show steps

Read and summarize key chapters of the book
Discuss the book's concepts and their relevance to contemporary journalism

Organize and Review Course Materials

Show steps

Regularly review and organize notes, assignments, and readings to enhance comprehension and recall of course materials.

Show steps

Review lecture notes and readings
Summarize key concepts and ideas
Create flashcards or concept maps

Review Journalism Ethics

Show steps

Review the ethical principles of journalism, such as accuracy, fairness, and objectivity, to deepen your understanding of the foundations of professional journalism.

Browse courses on Journalism Ethics

Show steps

Read and summarize key articles on journalistic ethics
Identify and discuss common ethical dilemmas faced by journalists

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Learn Multimedia Storytelling Techniques

Show steps

Explore tutorials and online resources to develop skills in storytelling through various multimedia formats, such as video, audio, and data visualization.

Show steps

Identify and follow online tutorials on multimedia storytelling techniques
Experiment with different multimedia tools and platforms

Create a News Article on a Local Issue

Show steps

Report on a local issue or event by researching, interviewing sources, and writing a news article that adheres to journalistic standards of accuracy and fairness.

Browse courses on News Reporting

Show steps

Identify and research a newsworthy local issue or event
Gather information through interviews, observations, and document review
Write a news article in the inverted pyramid style, including a strong lead, supporting details, and quotes from sources
Edit and revise the article for clarity, accuracy, and conciseness

Discuss Current Events with Peers

Show steps

Engage in regular discussions with peers to share perspectives, analyze news events, and reflect on the role of journalism in society.

Show steps

Meet with peers to discuss current events and news stories
Share different perspectives and viewpoints
Analyze the credibility and reliability of news sources

Produce a Social Media Campaign for a Non-Profit

Show steps

Design and implement a social media campaign to raise awareness and support for a local non-profit organization.

Browse courses on Social Media Marketing

Show steps

Research and identify the target audience and their social media behavior
Develop a social media strategy, including content calendar and engagement plan
Create engaging and informative social media content
Monitor and evaluate the campaign's performance and make adjustments as needed

Contribute to Open Source Journalism Projects

Show steps

Engage in open-source journalism projects, such as data analysis, fact-checking, or collaborative reporting, to gain practical experience and contribute to the field of journalism.

Show steps

Identify open-source journalism projects
Contribute to data collection, analysis, or reporting
Collaborate with other journalists and researchers

Career center

Learners who complete What is news? will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists represent organizations to the public, and help to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders. They need to be able to understand the needs of both the organization and the public, and to communicate effectively with both groups. This course helps students to develop a strong understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and explores the different types of journalism and their purposes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Broadcast News Analyst

Broadcast News Analysts present and analyze news events for television or radio audiences. This course gives students a background in professional journalism and the elements of effective storytelling, as well as an understanding of journalistic values and ethics. Students will explore the forms of journalism and their purposes, and may be able to apply their knowledge to their own broadcast analyses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Broadcast News Analyst

Media Relations Specialist

Media Relations Specialists represent organizations to the media, and help to build and maintain relationships with journalists. They need to be able to understand the needs of both the media and the organization, and to communicate effectively with both groups. This course helps students to develop a strong understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and explores the different types of journalism and their purposes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Media Relations Specialist

Reporter

Reporters research, write, and edit news stories for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. They must be able to find and verify information, and to write clearly and concisely. This course helps students to build a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and explores the different types of journalism and their purposes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Reporter

Photojournalist

Photojournalists use photographs to tell stories. They work for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets, and their work can be found in print, online, and on television. This course helps students to develop the skills they need to become effective Photojournalists, including an understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and the ability to use photography to tell stories.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photojournalist

News Producer

News Producers are responsible for the day-to-day production of news content for television or radio stations. They work with reporters, editors, and other staff to ensure that news stories are accurate, fair, and engaging. This course helps students to develop the skills they need to become effective News Producers, including an understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and the ability to manage a team of journalists.

See salaries and explore the career path for News Producer

News Director

News Directors oversee the production of news content for television or radio stations. They are responsible for deciding what stories are covered, how they are covered, and when they are aired. They must have a deep understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and be able to effectively manage a team of journalists. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills they will need to become effective News Directors.

See salaries and explore the career path for News Director

Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and present news stories for print, broadcast, or online media. They must know how to research and fact-check, and how to write clearly and concisely. This course helps students to build a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and explores the different types of journalism and their purposes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers are responsible for managing an organization's social media presence. They create and curate content, engage with followers, and track the results of their efforts. This course helps students to develop the skills they need to become effective Social Media Managers, including an understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and the ability to use social media to effectively communicate with audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software, hardware, and other products. They must be able to understand complex technical information and translate it into clear and concise language. This course may be useful for students who want to become Technical Writers, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to write clearly and concisely.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Web Content Writer

Web Content Writers create and edit content for websites. They must be able to write clearly and concisely, and to understand the needs of their audience. This course may be useful for students who want to become Web Content Writers, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to write clearly and concisely.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Content Writer

Editor

Editors oversee the production of written content for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. They work with writers, reporters, and other staff to ensure that content is accurate, fair, and engaging. This course may be useful for students who want to become Editors, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to effectively manage a team of journalists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Public Affairs Specialist

Public Affairs Specialists represent organizations to government officials and the public. They need to be able to understand the needs of both the organization and the public, and to communicate effectively with both groups. This course may be useful for students who want to become Public Affairs Specialists, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to effectively communicate with audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Affairs Specialist

Speechwriter

Speechwriters write speeches for public figures, such as politicians, business leaders, and celebrities. They need to be able to understand the needs of their audience, and to write speeches that are clear, concise, and engaging. This course may be useful for students who want to become Speechwriters, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to effectively communicate with audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speechwriter

Marketing Specialist

Marketing Specialists develop and implement marketing campaigns for businesses and organizations. They need to be able to understand the needs of their target audience, and to develop and implement effective marketing strategies. This course may be useful for students who want to become Marketing Specialists, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Specialist

Reading list

We've selected 21 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in What is news? .

The Elements of Journalism, Revised and Updated 4th...

Save

Classic in the field of journalism and provides a comprehensive overview of the essential elements of the profession. It valuable resource for students and professionals alike.

What is news?

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Journalism fundamentals

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses