Functions of the Press Review What are the

Functions of the Press

Review What are the current problems newspapers are facing? What types of journalism are doing well right now?

Functions of the press �The press is thought to have 7 functions, or responsibilities, which might also explain why they exist. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The Political function The Economic function The Sentry function The Record-Keeping function The Entertainment function The Social function The Marketplace function

The Political Function “Watchdog of the government” Reporters provide information about politics and the activities of the government. One goal is to help people form their own political decisions. A second goal is to prevent abuses of power or wrongdoing by government officials.

Examples of the Political Function Watergate Election coverage

The Economic Function The press provides information about products, goods & services, and businesses. Examples: advertising, business section of any major newspaper, articles on the current economic section

The Sentry Function Reporters work to keep the public informed of current and upcoming problems. The press reports on issues that are likely to happen, not just on what has already happened. Example: Housing sales in July plunged to their lowest level in more than a decade. Possible stories: the effect on homeowners, what this means for new development

The Record-Keeping Function Journalists provide a record of what happens every day on the local, state, national and international levels. Examples: Sports scores, obituaries, hurricane coverage

The Entertainment Function The lighter side of the news. The goal is to provide a diversion from the seriousness of the news. Examples: comic sections, celebrities, movie or food reviews

The Social Function Journalists give people things to discuss in social situations. The press creates a community where people can share news back and forth. Example: “Did you hear about Allen’s football team? ” “Did you read about Hurricane Irene? ”

The Marketplace Function The press is regarded as the marketplace of ideas. Papers are a place to voice concerns or present solutions and to review decisions/options. Examples: Blogs, letters to the editors, posting comments online to stories

Today’s Assignment Goal: Working with a group, create a poster collage with 2 -3 examples of stories that fulfill your group’s chosen function. Use the magazines and newspapers provided to clip out examples of images and stories that are published because of your function. Glue on poster. Make sure to title your poster and include your names. Objectives: We will begin to identify key functions of the press in various journalistic texts. We will become familiar with newspapers and magazines.

Discuss Share examples of types of stories that fulfill each function. Which function do you think is the most important?

Name That Function

The lighter side of the news Entertainment Function

Watchdog of the government Political Function

Letters to the editor Marketplace Function

Stories about the recession Economic Function

The score of the Ranger game Record Keeping Function

Creating a sense of community Social Function

Comics Entertainment Function

A story over the dangers of air pollution Sentry Function

Blogs Marketplace Function

Informing the public of upcoming problems Sentry Function

Reports of a major crime Record Keeping Function

“Did you read about. . . ” Social Function

Celebrity Gossip Entertainment Function

Stories about President Obama Political Function

The Business section of a newspaper Economic Function

A story about the potential decline of the housing market The Sentry Function

A story over Le. Bron James Entertainment Function

Stories about the withdrawal of troops from Iraq Record Keeping Function

A story about President Obama’s stance on the withdrawal of troops Political Function