The Universal Journalist

This is a new edition of the world's leading textbook on journalism. Translated into more than a dozen languages, David Randall's handbook is an invaluable guide to the 'universals' of good journalistic practice for professional and trainee journalists worldwide.

Irrespective of language or culture, good journalists share a common commitment to the search for truth, often in difficult circumstances. David Randall emphasises that good journalism isn't just about universal objectives: it must also involve the acquisition of a range of skills that will empower journalists to operate in an industry where ownership, technology and information is constantly changing. This acclaimed handbook challenges old attitudes, procedures and techniques of journalism where they are seen as cynical and sloppy.


Introduction

1. What Makes A Good Reporter?

2. Limitations of Journalism

3. What Is News?

4. Where Do Good Stories Come From?

5. Research

6. Handling Sources, Not Them Handling You

7. Questioning

8. Reporting Numbers and Statistics

9. Investigative Reporting

10. How To Cover Major Incidents

11. Mistakes, Corrections and Hoaxes

12. Ethics

13. Writing for Newspapers

14. Intros

15. Construction and Description

16. Handling Quotes

17. Different Ways To Tell A Story : News v features / How to write everything from a fly-on-the-wall piece to a backgrounder

18. Comment, Intentional and Otherwise

19 How to Be a Great Reporter

Reading for Journalists

Index