What's the Point of News?

Tony Harcup is Senior Lecturer in Journalism at the University of Sheffield, UK. He worked as a journalist within mainstream and alternative media before becoming a teacher, researcher and author. His books include the Oxford Dictionary of Journalism (2014); Alternative Journalism, Alternative Voices (2012); and Journalism: Principles and Practice (2015), which has been translated into several languages.

“Tony Harcup’s book What’s the Point of News? could be the first time many people will be forced to wholly examine the ethics of how journalism works. It’s so valuable to see passing thoughts, discussions I’ve had on Twitter or things that some journalists are actively trying to change spelt out and backed up with evidence. These conversations have always been vital but with traditional media losing power to social media, we need them more than ever.” (Robyn Vinter, Media North, Issue 7, June, 2020)

• 1. What is the Point of News?.- 2. Contextualising News Values: a Review of the Literature.- 3. Alternative Values in News Reporting.- 4. Ethical Journalism for the Public Good.- 5. Power and Agency in the News Industry.- 6. Six Stories and a Headline.- 7. The Point of News: Conclusion and Implications.