The Functions The Functions of a Journalistof a Journalist

Jade BradleySeptember 8, 2008

3rd Block/ Digital JournalismMs. Moore

ObjectiveObjective• To learn the functions of a journalist• To learn how these functions are applied to a

journalist’s daily life• To review the functions of a journalist

Political FunctionPolitical Function

The political function of a journalist is to be the watchdog of the government. For example, the 2008 election is being carefully noted. In one article, announcers said John McCain considers himself a “maverick” when others in the Democrat party disagree with his statements. This story shows the political side of a Republican’s view of themselves, and how the Democrats respond to their answer. It is a journalist’s job to try and get information that would be helpful for people to decide who they will vote for.

Economic FunctionEconomic FunctionThe economic function of a journalist is to inform the

material welfare of humankind. An example of this would be how the unemployment rate jumped up to 6.1 percent in August. That is an important matter, especially for those who need a job. Some jobs like working in an assembly line or being phone operators are given to people overseas. A journalist needs to keep up with matters that may dramatically change society, such as the economy.

Entertainment FunctionEntertainment FunctionThe entertainment function of a

journalist is to cover the industry-specific news while targeting general audiences beyond those working in the industry itself. An example would be writing a review about a movie. Movies are mainly made to entertain people, and they report the feedback from media productions and celebrity status. The purpose of having entertainment is to entertain others. So it is a journalist’s job to fulfill the need to talk about celebrities and the entertainment world.

Record Keeping FunctionRecord Keeping FunctionThe record keeping function of a journalist is to get down the

information so they can inform audiences about different records. An example of this would be discovering a new concept of delivering mail through the Internet. It’s called earthclassmail.com. Journalists can inform people of new records and old records, especially when a record seems to be missing sometimes. Mail is essential to people because it’s like a document that they need for future references, and they can prove they have their mail because what they receive may be considered a record.

Agenda- Setting FunctionAgenda- Setting Function

The agenda- setting function of a journalist is to have large influence on audiences by choosing newsworthy stories through mass-news media. They don’t have to tell an audience what to think, but they could tell an audience what to think about. For instance, a agenda-setting function would be the presidential election. Both candidates expressed what they would do if they are president. This is important because it can make someone think about how exactly do they want their country to change. So this can make them become more proactive in choosing their next president.

Social FunctionSocial FunctionThe social function of a

journalist is to be the watchdog for the social environment. Example of this would be like the 40th anniversary party for Calvin Klein. This is a big social event and many people will want to get the scoop on it. That’s where a journalist comes in. It is their job to report what happened at the event. When they hear about the Calvin Klein party, the audience wants to know what went on. So journalists should have something to write about as soon as the event is over.

Marketplace FunctionMarketplace FunctionThe marketplace function of a

journalist is to inform an audience about the marketing of society, and influence them in what they consume in. For example, St. Émilion wants to reinstate their wine because the wines are getting low scores in tasting tests. Wine is something out on the market that can potentially endanger their sales. So what a journalist needs to do is to report on the things that are doing well and are doing not so great on the market.

Sentry FunctionSentry Function

The sentry function of a journalist is to keep watch for an anticipating event. For example, the Georgian attack. They now have sentry posts. It’s no telling with where this situation may lead to. The media is blaming Russia for those attacks. Not only is the media blaming Russia, but George Bush as well. Because this is a situation that may need to be followed up, a journalist should try to keep up with the story as much as they can.

ReviewReview• Name two functions that featured politics in

this slide show.• What is the function that can review about

celebrities and movies?• Name five other functions of a journalist.

Articles Provided by:Articles Provided by:Political- Falcone, M. (2008, September 8). New Obama Ad Challenges ‘Original

Mavericks’. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com

Economic- Uchitelle, L. (2008, September 5). U.S. Jobless Rate Rises Past 6%, Highest Since’03. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com

Entertainment- Ordoña, M. (2008, September 1). ‘Disaster Movie’ Movie Review. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com

Record Keeping- Pogue, D. (2008, September 3). On Internet, You’ve Got (Paper) Mail. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com

Agenda- Setting- Harwood, J. (2008, September 8). Weighing Economic Plans to Attract Swing Voters. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com

Social- Trebay, G. (2008, September 8). The High Line Steps Out For a Night. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com

Articles Provided by:Articles Provided by:Marketplace- Lewine, E. (2008, August 15). Classified Matters. The New York Times.

Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com

Sentry- Savage, C. (2008, August 21). Bush links Georgia, terror fight. Atlanta Journal- Constitution. Retrieved from http://www.ajc.com

Slideshow(2007, March 14). The New York Times.

Retrieved fromhttp://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/03/14/world/14georgia_slideshow_5.html

Information Provided by:Information Provided by:Miscellaneous Information- Entertainment journalism. (August 28, 2008.) In

Wikipedia online. Retrieved September 8, 2008 from http://www.wikipedia.org/

Watchdog journalism. (July 12, 2008.) In Wikipedia online. Retrieved September 8, 2008 from

http://www.wikipedia.org/ Economics. (2008). In Dictionary online. Retrieved September 8, 2008 from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/economics Agenda-setting theory. (August 4, 2008.) In Wikipedia online. Retrieved September 8, 2008 fromhttp://www.wikipedia.org/ Sentry. (2008.) In Dictionary online. Retrieved September 8, 2008 from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sentry