8.1 8 Journalism and media VOCABULARY: the media SPEAKING In this unit 8.1 BREAKING NEWS 7a Look at some of the expressions used by the 11 Work in groups. You are producers of a speakers. What do you think they mean? 30-minute news programme with an audience Grammar ■ verb patterns a sound bite broadsheets chequebook journalism demographic of 18–35-year-olds. The headlines ■ prepositional verbs circulation figures libel laws media coverage below are the possible stories for today’s edition of the programme. Follow the steps below. Vocabulary ratings war spin the tabloids viewing figures ■ the media 1 Discuss the possible content of each story and ■ people in the media 7 b Match the meanings with the expressions in decide how interesting they would be for your ■ idioms with keep Exercise 7a. viewers. Scenario a) the number of newspapers sold 2 Choose five for your programme. You may also ■ Sailing close to the wind b) the number of people who watch a broadcast include one extra item of ’breaking news’ (your own idea). Study skills c) popularity battles with rival channels / networks 3 Decide a running order for the stories. ■ research skills / programmes d) official rules governing what you may say about 4 Decide how much time will be spent on each story. Writing skills Will it contain an interview? If so, who will you ■ a features article for a people in print interview? magazine or newspaper e) present a positive view of something to influence people 5 Present your ideas to another group. f) paying people for information A g) amount of time / space given to a subject h) very short part of speech or statement GOVT TO CRACK DOWN B In journalism there has always been a tension between getting it first and getting it right. i) the ‘popular press’ ON NET CRIME Ellen Goodman (b. 1941) American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist j) quality newspapers / the ‘quality press’ FLOODS TOLL RISES SPEAKING 2 b Which statements in Exercise 2a do you agree READING C MINISTER QUITS with? Which are the most important? Discuss your 1 In small groups, discuss the following questions. reasons with a partner. OVER COVER–UP 8 a Read the newspaper headlines. What do you D 1 ‘Newspapers will soon be a thing of the past.’ Do 3 a What are the following people’s roles in the think the stories are about? you agree with this statement? Why / Why not? media? Discuss your ideas with a partner. tv stars split to wed 8 b Which headlines refer to: E 2 Where do you get the news from, e.g. TV, a) editor e) reporter newspapers, radio, the Internet? Why? 1 losing a job? b) anchor f) correspondent MOVE TO CURB JUNK FOOD SALES 2 a rescue? a Complete the gaps in the statements with the c) publisher g) paparazzo 2 3 new rules / laws? words in the box. d) producer h) columnist F 4 an investigation? NATIONAL SPEED LIMITS bias deadline privacy record 3 b In your opinion, is working in the news media 5 a planned reduction in something? SET TO CHANGE G scoop sources speculation an attractive profession? Why / Why not? 6 death? PM PLEDGES TAX CUT A good news journalist … 7 a romance? LISTENING 8 an argument / fighting? 1 never misses a . H CAT SAVES OWNER FROM BLAZE 2 respects the of public figures. 4 2.15 Listen to six people working in the media 9 Answer the following questions. 3 deals in facts rather than . talking about their jobs. Which part of the news 1 Which tenses / verb forms are used? media do you think they work in? Why? 4 will do almost anything for a or to 2 Which time do they refer to? I Olympic chief in vote rigging row break a story. a) print media 3 What do you notice about the language used in the J 5 always identifies their . b) broadcast media (TV / radio) headlines? MURDER PROBE: POLICE QUIZ MODEL K 6 allows people to speak off the to protect themselves. 5 a Listen again. What do you think their jobs are? 10 Rewrite the headlines as full sentences . FOOTBALL BOSS AXED Choose one of the job titles (a–h) from Exercise 3. 7 reports honestly, objectively and without A The government is going to take strong action against crime on the Internet. 5 b What difficulties with their job does each speaker mention? UN urged to act over L 6 Which job would you most like to do? Why? new clashes 80 UNIT 8 Journalism and media Journalism and media UNIT 8 81 8.2 HOT OFF THE PRESS HOT OFF THE PRESS 8.2 READING Simon Jenkins, 4 Find and underline adjectives in the text which GRAMMAR: verb patterns The Guardian mean the following: 1 What qualifications and training do you 1 based on opinions and feelings rather than on facts 7 Look at the following list of common verb think are needed for a career in journalism? (paragraph A) patterns. Look at Track 2.16 on page 182 and A Journalists are creatures of nature 2 clearly expressed with no wasted words (para. B) underline the different verb patterns. 2 a Read the article and choose the best sub- not nurture. The profession develops from instinct, from a peculiar way of 3 1 Verb + infinitive with to heading. very bad (para. B) seeing and describing the world. It 4 extremely useful (para. C) 2 Verb (+ object) + infinitive may be objective in practice but it is 3 Verb + infinitive without to According to Simon Jenkins, the best journalists are subjective in motivation. 5 unnecessary (para. C) great writers with an extensive knowledge of the 6 carelessly expressed (para. D) 4 Verb + -ing English language and a solid training in how to write. B Journalism is expressed in the written or spoken word, but I have 7 hoping to be successful at something (para. F) 5 Verb + preposition + -ing never regarded that as its essence. 8 not restrained in any way (para. G) 6 Verb + object + preposition + -ing The technical skill is that of creating clear and succinct sentences, which 5 Paraphrase the following sentences from the 8 What is the difference in meaning between the Are journalists born or made? According to Simon any profession should inculcate. This article in simple English. two sentences? Jenkins, while the basics can be taught, first there has to can be taught and should be part 1 I absorbed his maxims like mother’s milk. 1 Y ou don’t want them to stop reading . be an intense curiosity about the world and a love of the of any core curriculum. Its absence written word. from so much of written English nowadays, from users' manuals 2 I watched colleagues floundering as they sought to 2 You don’t want them to stop to read. to student exam questions to government white papers, is fashion stories … deplorable. I sometimes think a well-produced newspaper is 9 a Which of the verb patterns in Exercise 7 above that last redoubt of clear English. There is no talent for such do the following groups of verbs belong to? LISTENING 2 b Read the article again and answer the technique. While some people pick it up quickly, it must be a) likes or dislikes acquired, as must a skill at playing the piano. Like many ingénue following questions. b) recommendations journalists, I acquired it first in the trial and error of a student 6 a 2.16 Listen to an experienced journalist talking 1 What does the writer find upsetting in written newsroom and then went on to a more formal training, in my to a group of students and answer the questions. c) intentions English these days? case with the Times Newspapers. 1 What advice is given to those who want to go into d) thought 2 What does the writer compare learning the C The latter's Educational Supplement, then integrated with the journalism by: Can you think of any other verbs which belong technique of writing clear English to? main paper, possessed two invaluable bits of equipment. One a) Joseph Pulitzer? 9 b to the four groups in Exercise 9a? 3 Which parts of speech did the writer’s sub- was a source of stories, the politics of education, to which little b) the speaker? editor like and which did he not like? harm could be done by my reporting. The other was a ferocious ➥ Language reference and extra practice, pages 148–149 Irish sub-editor. He would score through superfluous words, 2 What current topic in journalism is the speaker 4 Where did the writer learn how to write clear underline bad grammar and mercilessly spike articles, leaning going to look at towards the end of the talk? 10 Use the correct verb pattern to complete English? back in his chair, removing his glasses and asking the classic sentences 1–9 in your own words. Then compare 5 What do the best journalists do when they question of any journalism teacher: ‘Now, what is it you are 6 b Listen again and complete the gaps in the your sentences with those of a partner. extracts. meet an exciting person or visit a beautiful really trying to tell me?’ 1 I don’t mind . place? 1 I’d like to congratulate you on receiving the ‘Best D I absorbed his maxims like mother's milk. Never begin a 2 My parents persuaded . 6 What are the most important qualities for paragraph with ‘it’. Make every paragraph a single idea.