Various Faces of Reality

The concept of "true and unbiased news" is an undisputed ideal of serious news journalism worldwide and therefore the basic principle for news agencies in all democratic societies. However, it took a long time until modern news agencies were established. The articles in this book discuss this fascinating process. They are based on the symposium "The Various Faces of Reality," sponsored by the APA-Austria Presse Agentur, reflecting the development of "Values in News (Agency) Journalism" between institutional constraints and visions of press freedom. The wide range of the articles--from the origins of journalism and "news visionaries" during the twentieth century up to journalism after World War II and during the Cold War--provides an excellent insight into the history of newsmaking, Additionally, The Various Faces of Reality contributes to the current discussion about different forms of organization of news agencies (especially in CEE-countries), based on a historical analysis of various structures of news agencies and their development. Included is a discussion of high-ranking participants at the Journalistic Matinee on "'True and Unbiased News' in Times of 'Good' and 'Evil'--News Writing after September 11." Contributors include Siegfried Weischenberg, Wolfgang Duchkowitsch, Wolfgang Pensold, Philomen Schonhangen, Louis D. Boccardi, Kent Cooper, Jurgen Wilke, Michael Nelson, Terhi Rantanen, Oliver Boyd-Barrett, and Johann P. Fritz. The Various Faces of Reality will be mandatory reading for anyone interested in communications, media studies, and especially the history of modern news journalism.