1. Objectivity and impartiality: Conventional journalism emphasizes objectivity, which means striving to present news stories and information in an unbiased and impartial manner. Journalists are expected to separate their personal opinions and biases from their reporting and to present facts without taking sides.
2.Fact-checking and accuracy: Conventional journalism places a strong emphasis on accuracy and the verification of facts before publishing or broadcasting news. Journalists are expected to thoroughly research their stories, verify sources, and ensure that the information they present is accurate and reliable.
3. News values: Conventional journalism follows certain criteria or news values when selecting and prioritizing news stories. These values typically include factors such as timeliness (being the first to report a story), significance (the impact of the story on a large number of people), proximity (the geographical closeness of a story to the audience), human interest (the emotional appeal of a story), and conflict (stories involving struggle or controversy).
4. Inverted pyramid structure: Conventional news stories are often structured in an inverted pyramid format, where the most important and relevant information is presented at the beginning of the article, followed by less crucial details. This structure ensures that readers can grasp the main points of a story even if they skim through it quickly.
5. Print, broadcast, and digital formats: Conventional journalism encompasses various media platforms, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and more recently, digital media such as websites and social media. Each medium may have its own specific conventions and reporting styles, but the fundamental principles of journalism remain largely consistent across platforms.
6. Gatekeeping: Conventional journalism involves a process of "gatekeeping," where editors, producers, or news directors make decisions about which stories to publish or broadcast and how to present them. This process is guided by editorial policies, ethical considerations, and the perceived interests of the audience.
7. Professional ethics and codes of conduct: Conventional journalism is guided by a set of ethical principles and codes of conduct, such as the Society of Professional Journalists' (SPJ) Code of Ethics. These codes emphasize honesty, fairness, independence, and the protection of sources.
While conventional journalism has been the dominant form of journalism for a long time, it has also faced challenges and criticisms, particularly in recent years, with the rise of digital media and the proliferation of misinformation. Despite these challenges, conventional journalism remains an important source of reliable news and information, upholding its commitment to truth, accuracy, and public service.