Whether you want to know about the latest stock market fluctuations or hear from an expert on a specific topic, live news can bring you up-to-the-minute updates. It’s easy to stream the news online through sites like Pluto TV (Dr. Sanjay Gupta fans, rejoice!) or Haystack News (available on all major streaming devices). You can also watch Fox 11 LA and Cheddar News for free through a web browser or on a compatible device like Roku.
A strong news story starts with a powerful lead that answers the key questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. Skilled reporters know that a great lead isn’t just a list of facts; it sets the scene and makes readers want to learn more. The readings, discussions and assignments in this course help students acquire the skills to identify a newsworthy event and its essential elements, gather information efficiently and place it in a meaningful context – often under tight deadlines.
All news stories are based on information painstakingly gathered, verified and checked again. But “truth” is elusive, and journalists have a hard time separating what matters from the mundane. The readings, discussions and assignments in the course help students hone their judgment to separate truly newsworthy events from routine happenings that may seem important until they discover how the local budget meeting could reshape a neighborhood. They’ll also learn how to assess whether a story’s source material is trustworthy, how it’s reported and what kind of attribution is used.
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