(Disclaimer: This content has been compiled by the students from various sources. These notes are to be used purely for academic purposes. No copyright infringement intended. The blogger will not be responsible in any manner whatsoever, regarding the authenticity of the information included in the notes.)
DEPARTMENT: B.A. (Hons) Journalism
SEMESTER: I
PAPER: INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM
UNIT: I
TOPIC: ATTRIBUTION, BREVITY, ON-RECORD, OFF THE RECORD
Time Period: The mentioned topic was discussed in class in the second week of December, 2022.
ATTRIBUTION
In journalism, journalists are opined to write news stories that are educating, informing, entertaining, and persuading others. News stories are real-life situations therefore it is factual. It is real so journalists are to report on accurate news.
Journalists rely on a range of sources to get the facts that are based on evidence or proof. Thus, they are expected to provide shreds of evidence for whatever they are reporting. In journalistic writing, these shreds of evidence come in the form of videos, pictures, recordings, quotes, and ATTRIBUTIONS.
Attribution simply means telling your readers where the information in your story comes from, as well as who is being quoted.
Generally, attribution means using a source’s full name and job title if that's relevant. Information from sources can be paraphrased or quoted directly, but in both cases, it should be attributed.
EXAMPLES:
SOURCE (PARAPHRASE)
William Tale, a police official, said the murder case is very unusual.
SOURCE (DIRECT QUOTE)
“This murder case is so out of the box. I’ve never seen anything like this”, said William Tale, a police official.
Direct quotes should be surrounded by quotation marks and include the source’s exact words. Paraphrased statements and indirect quotes should not be placed in quotation marks.
IMPORTANCE OF ATTRIBUTION
Attribution is very important in media writing; it helps to establish an objective tone and adds credibility to an article. One must not keep out readers in the dark and hence attributing the information adds extra weight to it. Attribution gives stories a perspective. It tells readers how we know what we know. It is important to give credit to the person or group who spent the time researching and writing in order to provide that information. It allows readers to find the source later if they want to read it themselves.
Learning the critical role attribution plays within the craft is one of the true building blocks necessary to become a strong, ethical reporter and hence Effective use of attribution is a matter both of journalism ethics and of strong writing.
Buttry goes on to note: "Attribution is a key ingredient in any story’s credibility”.
Attribution is an important aspect of reporting, yet there exist situations where it should be avoided. Following are the cases when it's not needed.
FACTS– Facts that are universally accepted like, Sun rises in the East, do not need any proof thus do not need to be attributed. In cases where we as a journalist have witnessed an event ourselves, there the question of attribution does not arise at all. Also, whenever something is way too evident to be quoted, attribution is not necessary.
OPINIONS– There is no alternative to attribution when statements made are opinions. The exact balance of attribution depends on the kind of story you are writing or the material you can use. If the statements are reliably factual throughout, you only need to attribute occasionally. If, however, the story is heavy with opinion or unreliable statements, you should attribute at least once every two sentences.
Attribution becomes even more important in the world of media because listeners and readers have a tendency to believe everything as truth. So, in order to differentiate facts with opinions, attribution in opinions is a necessity.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ATTRIBUTION
In his book News Reporting and Writing, journalism professor Melvin Mencher outlines four distinct types of attribution:
1. On the record: All statements are directly quotable and attributable, by name and title, to the person making the statement. This is the most valuable type of attribution.
Example: "The U.S. has no plans to invade Iran," said White House press secretary Jim Smith.
2. On Background: All statements are directly quotable but can't be attributed by name or specific title to the person commenting.
Example: "The U.S. has no plans to invade Iran," a White House spokesman said.
3. On Deep Background: Anything that is said in the interview is usable but not in a direct quotation and not for attribution. The reporter writes it in their own words.
Example: Invading Iran is not in the cards for the U.S.
4. Off the Record: Information is for the reporter's use only and is not to be published. The information also is not to be taken to another source in hopes of getting confirmation.
In conclusion, attribution in journalism plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and credibility of news stories. By properly attributing information to its sources, journalists can maintain the public trust and provide with a clear understanding of where the information came from. Effective attribution helps to ensure that journalism remains a trusted and reliable source of information in an ever-changing media landscape.
Attribution, while also ethical, serves as a sort of armor for journalists. We make it clear: it’s not our words, it’s the words of this person or agency.
BREVITY IN JOURNALISM
INTRODUCTION
There is a great power in words, as long as you don’t hitch them all together.
Brevity is a highly prized attribute of communication in journalism often associated with clarity which is a major goal in communications. It is the quality or state of being brief in duration. When applied to writing, it means using as few words as possible to communicate a message or idea. This can be done through the use of short sentences, active voice, and specific language.
BREVITY: The power of saying more with less. The civic argument for the “Smart Brevity” style is that it’s the sort of “just the facts” kind of journalism that is needed to cut through partisan noise.
However, Brevity does not mean sacrificing quality or accuracy. A journalist must still be able to tell a story and provide context in a limited amount of space. But with practice, it is possible to communicate effectively without being wordy. Thus, brevity should be proportional, neither leaving out anything necessary nor including more than is needed.
For e.g. - Write less, say more' is the slogan of US digital news outlet Axios. It has created a writing style called 'smart brevity' to help readers scan for the information they need and go about their busy lives.
IMPORTANCE
1. In a fast-paced world, journalism must be concise to be effective.
2. Brevity is one of the most important attributes of written or spoken discourse. Brevity avoids “static, unnecessary information”.
3. “Brevity is confidence, length is fear”; if journalists ramble, it is usually because of the absence of command over the information, lack of actual effort in collecting facts and any wrong agenda. This makes the news material less trustworthy. Hence, brevity indirectly increases faith and credibility.
4. In the age of social media, where people are bombarded with information, brevity is more important than ever. A well-written article with a clear and concise message is more likely to be read and shared than one that is long and rambling.
5. Brevity is a central component for achieving clarity, which is the primary goal of written communication.
Brevity in journalism is a crucial aspect of effective news reporting. By focusing on clear, concise writing, journalists can deliver the most important information to their readers in a straightforward, easily and digestible manner. Brevity in journalism allows readers to quickly grasp the essence of a story, and stay informed about the world around them.
ON AND OFF THE RECORD
INTRODUCTION
We often hear the term ‘On the record’ and ‘Off the record’ in our daily life. When used correctly, these phrases can help navigate sensitive topics, lend credibility to one’s statements, and strengthen their relationship with reporters. But by using them incorrectly or failing to clearly define the terms in an interaction with a reporter, one can risk inappropriate sharing, backlash, and damaged relationships. Unless a person enters into an agreement ahead of time, he should always expect that anything he tells a reporter could end up in a news story, whether it's in print, online, or on television.
‘ON’ THE RECORD
All statements are directly quotable and attributable, by name and title, to the person making the statement.
Example: "The U.S. has no plans to invade Iran," said White House press secretary Jim Smith.
The most straightforward of the two, “on the record” means everything one says can be reported on and attributed to him. Unless otherwise stated, assume one is “on the record” whenever he communicates with a reporter. Whether he speaks on the phone, in person, via email, or through a tweet, anything he says is fair game for attribution. If a reporter follows up with him after an interview with additional questions or to clarify some of his answers, he is “on the record” once again.
Remember:
When talking to a reporter, one generally will not say that something is on the record unless he has previously been speaking off the record. Avoid going on and off the record multiple times during a conversation.
‘OFF’ THE RECORD’
The information provided is not for publication. However, the information you provide can be used without attribution to verify its veracity with another source.
Example: politician A says, “Off the record, you should look at politician B’s campaign finances. Lots of weird stuff.”
So, I look at it. If I call B and ask him about it, I won’t say A told me. On that matter, A is an anonymous source.
Though “on the record” is clear and direct, “off the record” is more ambiguous. While it means what one says cannot be published or attributed to him, don’t throw caution to the wind just because one has used it. To establish that something is “off the record”, the source and reporter must both agree to the terms before one can share any sensitive information that he doesn’t want to quote. Otherwise, if he or she doesn’t acknowledge the assumed terms, what he says is fair game for publication and reporters are obliged to grant retrospective off-the-record requests—they have every right to quote something one has said even if he later asks that one’s statement be off the record (he or she can’t unhear it!).
Go “off the record” anytime you want to tip off a reporter about an issue, but don’t want the public to know that you were the source because of some sensitivity. It’s also commonly used when meeting with a reporter for an informational meeting (instead of an interview) to provide details about you, your work, and issues that are important to you, and to suggest potential story ideas.
In conclusion, understanding the difference between on and off the record in journalism is crucial for maintaining ethical standards and preserving the trust between the journalists and their sources. By being aware of the implications of going on or off the record, journalists can make informed decisions and report accurately and responsibly.
(This is compiled by a team of 3 students from the batch 2026. This is published under the Media Research Cell, established by Dr.Vartika Nanda in the year 2020.)
39 comments:
On the record means that the news is attributed to the sources from whom media gets news. It means attributing the news to someone like PM of US said ,"We'll have a meeting with India regarding exchange of goods".Here the news is attributed to the PM of US. Sometimes it's not possible for media to tell the sources from where they got the news, and publish the news as anonymous. It's a kind of off the record where media doesn't want to share the sources with the masses.
Attribution simply means telling your readers where the information in your story comes from, as well as who is being quoted.
Brevity is The power of saying more with less words.
In on the record is all statements are directly quotable and attributable, by name and title, to the person making the statement.
In off the record the information provided is not for publication.
Attribution -
Attribution refers to the process of identifying the source of a particular piece of information or creative work.
In the digital world, attribution is important for protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring that credit is given where it is due.
Attribution is also critical for establishing credibility and building trust, particularly in the realm of journalism and research.
There are four levels of attribution -On the record,on the background,on the deep background and off the record.
On the record and off the record -On the record refers to the facts or conversations that can be attributed directly with the person's name and designation.
For eg-" The gates of Ram mandir will be opened on January 1,2024.",said Mr Amit Shah.
Off the record refers to the information which remains between the source and the journalist.It isn't attributed,it can be used for further research and story building.
For eg-leads given by the source on events happened in Joshimath.
Brevity -Brevity in journalism means writing that is clear and to the point.It doesn't mean you have to compromise on sacrificing quality or accuracy.
with practice, it is possible to communicate effectively without being wordy.This can be done through the use of short sentences, active voice, and specific language. Brevity is often seen as a positive quality, as it can help to make writing more concise and easier to read.
Attribution tells us the source from where we get the information. It basically answers the question 'how we know what we know . It means to whom you are attributing the information. But sometimes, it should be avoided such as when telling the masses about facts or opinions ,they should not be attributed.
It increases the credibility of the news/ information.
From the blog, we get to know that "On the record" and "off the record" are terms used in journalism to describe the level of confidentiality between a reporter and a source.
When a source speaks "on the record," they are authorizing the release and attribution of their statements and information to be published in a news story. This means that the source's name and the information they provide can be used and quoted. On the record information is considered public and can be reported on freely.
On the other hand, "off the record" signifies that a source's comments and information cannot be published or attributed to them in any way. In these instances, the information provided by the source remains confidential and is not meant to be reported on or quoted. The source's identity is also kept confidential and cannot be mentioned in the news story.
Finally, Carl Bernstein puts it -“A good reporter must protect the confidence of sources while still ensuring that the public is informed”
Brevity is writing in a precise manner , include the things that are necessary and avoide writing long paragraphs without sacrificing quality or accuracy. Write in brief , use short sentences, active voice and specific language. This helps the reader to get the whole information about the topic.
"Brevity is the soul of wit, and in journalism, it is the key to clarity and impact."
Brevity is an important aspect of journalism as it allows for concise and efficient communication of information. In the fast-paced world of news and information, being able to convey a story quickly and clearly is essential.
Following are the reasons of why it is valued in journalism:
Attention span: In today's busy and cluttered media landscape, people have limited attention spans. Brevity allows journalists to communicate information in a way that is quick and easy to digest.
Clarity: Concise writing helps to clarify complex information, making it easier for audiences to understand the story.
Engagement: By presenting information in a succinct manner, journalists can increase the engagement of their audience and keep their attention focused on the story.
Timeliness: In fast-breaking news situations, being able to report information quickly is critical. Brevity helps journalists to report news in real-time and keep their audience informed.
Credibility: Concise and accurate reporting can increase the credibility of a news organization, as it demonstrates their commitment to providing accurate and trustworthy information.
Finally, Brevity does not mean sacrificing depth or detail. Rather, it is about finding the right balance between providing the information that is essential and avoiding extraneous information that may detract from the story. Good journalism requires both brevity and depth to effectively communicate important information to the public.
From the notes, we can infer that Attribution in journalism refers to the practice of crediting the source of information or quotes used in a news article. This critical aspect of journalism is fundamental to maintaining the credibility, integrity, and transparency of the news-gathering and reporting process.
By providing attribution, journalists are able to establish the origin and reliability of the information they present, and to give credit to those who provided the information. This practice helps to increase public trust in the news and to demonstrate the journalistic commitment to accuracy and fairness.
Attribution are mainly of 4 types: On record, on background, on deep background, and off the record.
Finally, attribution in journalism can be described as the act of acknowledging the provenance of information and quotes, thereby preserving the authenticity and veracity of the reporting process and promoting journalistic accountability. By ensuring that information is sourced appropriately and credited accurately, journalists can establish a foundation of trust with their audience and demonstrate their adherence to ethical standards.
Hence it is rightly said that "In a world where information is abundant, attribution in journalism serves as a beacon of truth, guiding audiences to the source of the information and establishing the journalistic commitment to accuracy and integrity."
Ma'am this blog really helped me understand it's meaning and when to and when not to attribute and what's off and on record thank you ma'am
Ma'am your blog really helped me understand it's meaning and when and and when not to attribute and detailed explanation on off records and on record
After reading this article i got the basic ideo about on the record and of the record. As a rule, journalists must first try to get information 'on the record'. But sometimes some news is like 'off the record. This article help me to identify which news are recorded on the record and off the record.
After reading this article i get e clear knowledge about the brevidy of journalism. Brevity in journalism means writing that is clear and to the point.Also Brevity is my favorite aspect of effective communication.
Journalists are required to publish news material that is insightful, entertaining, and informative. News is based on factual information, which requires evidence because it is based on actual events from real life. Any kind of evidence can be used, including written materials, images, moving images, and audio. A journalist should always identify the source of the information, along with their name and, if applicable, their position title. This is what is meant by attribution. A journalistic report gains credibility and veracity through attribution. As such, we should inform our audience of all relevant details regarding an event rather than keeping them in the dark. Additionally, attribution managed to give an objective tone to an event. Anonymous sources are discouraged and must adhere to a strict set of rules. An attributed story is also regarded as a well-written piece, and it also adheres to the ethics of journalism.
Attribution can also be divided into 4 parts.
On the record – All of the quotes are direct and include the speaker's name as the source. Official information is published “on the record” to give people confidence in its accuracy. They are also written in double quotes.
Off the record- Since it is confidential, the journalist's information can only be used to conduct additional research and cannot be published. If a journalist discloses the identity of his source, it undermines both his credibility and the person's faith in him.
On Background- Information can be used with name of the person but cannot be directly quotable.
On deep background- Information cannot be used directly and must be framed in journalistic terms. The source's name also cannot be mentioned.
•The article is holistic in the sense that everything from definitions, to types of attribution, to examples, to ethics is given. It provides a complete picture.
•”Types of Attribution” is a topic which is crystal clear, this is because of the use of EXAMPLES to explain on the record, off the record, on background and on deep background. These clear demarcations drawn in the article promote the reader’s understanding both as a prospective journalist or as a prospective source.
•A closer look at the sub topics “Ethics” and “When to Attribute” move from basic to a more professional and critical terms of journalism. A person is enabled to gather the simple concepts and rule of thumbs, at the same time they are made aware of the technicalities and legalities involved in the practice of attribution
Mahi Adlakha
(22/0959)
On the record, off the record
•The article highlights the importance of these journalistic terms by stating the benefits of using them correctly, and by stating the pitfalls if these are not properly followed.
•Specific EXAMPLES have been provided for both the terms. This usage helps us in to see for ourselves how these terms exist and are used in the real world around us.
•ADVICES and CAUTIONS to keep in mind while conversing with the reporter are also mentioned. These prepare a prospective source.
•Finally, as we are already aware that “off the record” is a risky and chaotic term, the article really presents a practical sense, by suggesting the readers to have complete information of these terms themselves followed by a subsequent deliberation with the reporter.
BREVITY
•POWERFUL STARTING QUOTE make it clear that brevity is an important journalistic term which contributes to the fundamentals of writing and editing.
•Several purposes and importance of the concept make it even more clearer. The one where it states to not leave out relevant and main facts in the spirit of brevity saves the readers from mistakes in the future.
•Brevity as a concept in the article is presented as a “highly prized attribute” that contributes to the efficacy of a news piece and hence, it motivates readers like us to be aware of these and make it a point to always follow it.
Mahi Adlakha
(22/0959)
Attribution
Basically, attribution in a story tell people where the information comes from or what the source of it is. The information can be quoted or paraphrased.
It helps to establish an objective tone and gives credibility to the information being presented. It is also a means to give credit to the source of information it proves that their efforts and help has been acknowledged.
On and off the record
On the record attribution is when the information can be directly attributed to the source by name and title whereas off the record means that the information given by the source is for the reporter’s use only and can not be published.
Brevity
Brevity means to convey the information in less words. Basically not being too wordy and presenting the information in a limited space without compromising the quality and accuracy.
From the blog, we get to know that "On the record" and "off the record" are terms used in journalism to describe the level of confidentiality between a reporter and a source.
When a source speaks "on the record," they are authorizing the release and attribution of their statements and information to be published in a news story. This means that the source's name and the information they provide can be used and quoted. On the record information is considered public and can be reported on freely.
On the other hand, "off the record" signifies that a source's comments and information cannot be published or attributed to them in any way. In these instances, the information provided by the source remains confidential and is not meant to be reported on or quoted. The source's identity is also kept confidential and cannot be mentioned in the news story.
Finally, Carl Bernstein puts it -“A good reporter must protect the confidence of sources while still ensuring that the public is informed”
From the notes, we can infer that Attribution in journalism refers to the practice of crediting the source of information or quotes used in a news article. This critical aspect of journalism is fundamental to maintaining the credibility, integrity, and transparency of the news-gathering and reporting process.
By providing attribution, journalists are able to establish the origin and reliability of the information they present, and to give credit to those who provided the information. This practice helps to increase public trust in the news and to demonstrate the journalistic commitment to accuracy and fairness.
Attribution are mainly of 4 types: On record, on background, on deep background, and off the record.
Finally, attribution in journalism can be described as the act of acknowledging the provenance of information and quotes, thereby preserving the authenticity and veracity of the reporting process and promoting journalistic accountability. By ensuring that information is sourced appropriately and credited accurately, journalists can establish a foundation of trust with their audience and demonstrate their adherence to ethical standards.
Hence it is rightly said that "In a world where information is abundant, attribution in journalism serves as a beacon of truth, guiding audiences to the source of the information and establishing the journalistic commitment to accuracy and integrity."
"Brevity is the soul of wit, and in journalism, it is the key to clarity and impact."
Brevity is an important aspect of journalism as it allows for concise and efficient communication of information. In the fast-paced world of news and information, being able to convey a story quickly and clearly is essential.
Following are the reasons of why it is valued in journalism:
Attention span: In today's busy and cluttered media landscape, people have limited attention spans. Brevity allows journalists to communicate information in a way that is quick and easy to digest.
Clarity: Concise writing helps to clarify complex information, making it easier for audiences to understand the story.
Engagement: By presenting information in a succinct manner, journalists can increase the engagement of their audience and keep their attention focused on the story.
Timeliness: In fast-breaking news situations, being able to report information quickly is critical. Brevity helps journalists to report news in real-time and keep their audience informed.
Credibility: Concise and accurate reporting can increase the credibility of a news organization, as it demonstrates their commitment to providing accurate and trustworthy information.
Finally, Brevity does not mean sacrificing depth or detail. Rather, it is about finding the right balance between providing the information that is essential and avoiding extraneous information that may detract from the story. Good journalism requires both brevity and depth to effectively communicate important information to the public.
Brevity comes from brevis, which means "brief" in Latin. Brevity is generally considered a stylistic virtue as long as it's not achieved at the expense of clarity.
"Brevity is the soul of wit," remarks Polonius in Shakespeare's "Hamlet," suggesting that witty people know how to make a point without unnecessary words.
Writing aptly allows you to make your points intelligently and quickly. By not wasting words, you also avoid wasting other people's time. How then do you embrace succinctness? How can you communicate more in less space? How can you edit to make the copy more concise?
Elements of brevity-
CONCISE- As a writer, focus should be your weapon. It gives you the mental strength to think in one single direction. And helps you stay relevant to your topic at each step.
Write like you are talking to a “New” friend: The reason being simple – you are more careful about what you say when talking to a new friend. You choose your words wisely. You see to it that you don’t make a bad impression.
Say no to passive voice: You obviously can’t say no to it all the time. But using active voice makes all the difference. Sentences written in the active voice are more concise. They’re direct, energetic and keep the reader reading.
Balance clarity with brevity: Don’t sacrifice clarity in the quest to achieve brevity. Having a strong balance between the two is the key. You can’t skip over essential details and leave your readers in the lurch. Or else your article’s structure will come crumbling down.
on the record and off the record: by reading about off the record and on the record in this blog I understood that It is important for journalists to establish the ground rules for an interview or conversation with a source before starting the conversation to avoid misunderstandings or ethical breaches. Additionally, journalists must respect the ground rules agreed upon, as breaking them can damage their relationship with the source and their reputation as a journalist.
Attribution - if I can summarise whatever I read in this post that would be -attribution is a crucial element of journalism that helps to ensure accuracy, transparency, ethics, and legal compliance in news reporting. By providing credit to sources of information, journalists can maintain the trust and credibility of their audience and avoid potential legal and ethical issues.
Brevity - Brevity is an important aspect of journalism, as it requires reporters and writers to convey information in a concise and clear manner. Journalistic writing is often characterized by short paragraphs, simple sentences, and active voice, all of which contribute to brevity and clarity.
My understanding of the article can be condensed to say that "On the record," "off the record," and "attribution" are terms used by journalists and their sources to describe the level of anonymity and the level of reliability of information being provided.
"On the record" means that a source is allowing a journalist to quote them directly and publicly, and that the information provided can be used in a story without any restrictions.
"Off the record" means that the information provided by the source cannot be used in a story, but the journalist can use it to gain a better understanding of the situation or to help guide their reporting. This type of information is not for publication, and the source's identity remains confidential.
"Attribution" refers to how the information provided by the source will be credited or referred to in a story. This can range from a direct quote with the source's name attached, to a paraphrase with a description of the source (e.g., "a government official" or "an anonymous insider").
It's important to establish these terms with a source before conducting an interview, so that both the journalist and the source understand what can be used in a story and what should remain confidential.
concluding what I learned about the following topics through this article;
Attribution : Attribution is expressing who said something. Attribution is fundamental in every one of the media, including radio and TV. Columnists do it so your perusers or audience members can realize who is talking or where the data in the story comes from.
Brevity : Composing with curtness (short and forthright) makes straightforwardness. The more extended a sentence is, the more troublesome it is to comprehend. Additionally, crowds could do without long sections since they look too overpowering to even think about perusing.
On and off the record : Assuming the journalist consents to an off the record request , the moral thing to do isn't report or even recurrent that data. Off the record information should remain rigorously between the source and the columnist.
"On-the-record" attribution implies that all that the source says might be distributed and cited straightforwardly, and the source might be completely distinguished by name and title. Columnists ought to attempt to keep however much as could be expected of each and every meeting on the record.
I recently came across this blog that discusses attribution, brevity, on the-record and off the record.
ATTRIBUTION-
Attribution in journalism plays a vital role in maintaining the credibility and integrity of news reporting. The blog on attribution in journalism provides an insightful and well-researched analysis of this crucial aspect of journalism. The blog is written in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible and easy to understand for journalists and journalism students alike.
BREVITY-
Brevity refers to the practice of writing concise, clear, and succinct articles or news stories. It involves choosing the most important information and presenting it in a way that is easy to understand and free of extraneous details.
ON THE RECORD AND OFF THE RECORD -
"On the record" and "off the record" are terms used to indicate the level of confidentiality attached to a statement or conversation. "On the record" means that the information being shared can be used and quoted by journalists in their reporting, and the source of the information can be identified. "Off the record," on the other hand, means that the information being shared cannot be used or quoted by journalists, and the source of the information must remain anonymous.
I recently came across this blog that discusses attribution, brevity, on the-record and off the record.
ATTRIBUTION-
Attribution in journalism plays a vital role in maintaining the credibility and integrity of news reporting. The blog on attribution in journalism provides an insightful and well-researched analysis of this crucial aspect of journalism. The blog is written in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible and easy to understand for journalists and journalism students alike.
BREVITY-
Brevity refers to the practice of writing concise, clear, and succinct articles or news stories. It involves choosing the most important information and presenting it in a way that is easy to understand and free of extraneous details.
ON THE RECORD AND OFF THE RECORD -
"On the record" and "off the record" are terms used to indicate the level of confidentiality attached to a statement or conversation. "On the record" means that the information being shared can be used and quoted by journalists in their reporting, and the source of the information can be identified. "Off the record," on the other hand, means that the information being shared cannot be used or quoted by journalists, and the source of the information must remain anonymous.
This article is really helpful in understanding various concepts of journalism.
Attribution basically means how we know what we know. It provides credibility to the story.It allows readers to find the source later if they want to read it themselves. It has 4 types: On the record, on background, on deep background and off the record.
Brevity means the power of saying more with less. It basically means stating the facts. It is important for achieving clarity.
On and Off the record is another crucial element which shapes the news story in a more effective way.
This article is really helpful in understanding various concepts of journalism
Attribution basically means how we know what we know. It provides credibility to the story. It allows readers to find the source later if they want to read it themselves.
Brevity means the power of saying more with less. It basically means stating the facts.
On and Off record is another crucial element which shapes the news story in a more effective way.
In this article I got to learn topics such as Attribution, On the record and off the record and brevity.
Brevity is generally the power of saying more with less words.
Attribution tells us the source from where we got information.
In on the record the information is attributed to our source by name and job title.
In off the record the information provided is not for publication.
By reading this article,I understood the meaning and uses of Attribution.
Attribution simply means mentioning the source from where the news comes and who is being quoted.
When we use the sources full name and job title,it adds credibility to an article,it gives extra weight to the article. It is very important to attribute the source as someone has given his/her time researching and writing a particular article and attributing is like giving credit to the writer.
There are different types of Attribution:
1.On record
2.On background
3.On deep background
4.Off the record
BREVITY
Brevity is the quality of being brief in duration. It is the art of using few words as possible to communicate a message. Tools which are used includes,short sentences, active voice,specific language .
A journalist must be able to tell a story and provide context in a limited amount of space and time.
Also,keeping in mind,neither leaves out something necessary, nor includes more than it needs.
On the record,off the record
All the statements are directly quotable and attributable,by name and title to the person making the statement. This is on the record.
Now,off the record- The Information provided is not for publication. However,the information you provide can be used without Attribution to verify its veracity with another source.
From the blog, I understood that:
Attribution refers to the identification of the source of information used in a news story. In journalism, it's important to accurately attribute information to its source to maintain credibility and transparency. Attribution can take various forms, such as direct quotes, paraphrasing, or the use of specific language that indicates the source of the information.
"On the record" means that a source is willing to have their statements and information used in a story and attributed to them. When a source speaks on the record, their statements and information can be quoted and used without any restrictions.
"Off the record" means that a source is not willing to have their statements and information used in a story or attributed to them. When a source speaks off the record, their statements and information cannot be quoted or used in any way that would identify them as the source.
Brevity refers to the concise and concise writing style used in journalism. It's a key aspect of journalism as it allows journalists to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner. Brevity helps to make stories more readable, understandable, and accessible to a wider audience. Good journalism often balances the need for detail and accuracy with the need for brevity, to produce stories that are both informative and easy to read.
Attribution is one of the most important element of journalistic writing. Attribution is important because it tells your readers where your information comes from. It marks the difference between quoting someone and upright plagiarism. Attribution can be done by quoting the person's name and designation.
Brevity is the concise and exact use of words in writing or speech. It helps maintain professionalism and precision in journalistic writing. It also portrays clarity in thought, helps maintain a flow and most of all respects your readers' time making it an important tool to use.
On the record and off the record is often times tricky to understand. The major difference between these two components is that on the record is the information that can be quoted in your article and you can fully attribute your source of information while anything said off the record stays away from the reporter's pen and cannot be used in their articles. While they can use it as a base for their further research, they cannot quote or mention any of the information being told off the record
I read a great line in this post under the sub topic 'brevity' , "the power of saying more, with less". Therefore I'm just going to say,
Excellent, I am able to understand the concept well. Thankyou for your efforts 🙏
Attribution refers to the practice of crediting the source of information used in a news article or report. It is an important aspect of journalism ethics as it helps establish credibility, transparency, and accountability in reporting.
"On the record" and "off the record" are terms used to describe the level of confidentiality of a conversation between a journalist and a source. "On the record" means that the information can be published and attributed to the source, while "off the record" means that the is for the journalist's background only and cannot be published or attributed.
Brevity refers to the practice of keeping writing concise, clear, and to-the-point. The goal of brevity in journalism is to communicate information effectively and efficiently, without wasting the reader's time with unnecessary details.
Attribution is of utmost importance to aspiring journalists like us. Attribution in journalism refers to the practice of crediting sources for information used in a news story. It is an important aspect of ethical and responsible journalism, as it ensures that the information being reported is accurate and trustworthy, and that the sources are properly recognized for their contributions.
The 4 parts of attribution have been covered with great depth and are really well researched
Thanks
I very well done understood what attribution stands for and why is it so important in journalism . I feel its very important to because the readers should not be kept in dark and when the news is attributed it can a lot more impact on the readers as they will then take it more seriously and it also proves the credibility of the the news . But when news fake news is attributed it can also lead to spreading of misinformation very fast as happened during covid 19 that a fake news article was attributed by WHO and it led to people believing and sharing it very fast. Brevity is shortening of the news article or information . It helps in various ways as today the attention span of people is less and the cost of publishing something is expensive so it also save money if information is given in short instead of a long paragraph . On the record and off the record are terms that i have heard in my daily life but i eas not aware about their meaning .This article gave me a clear understanding of it is . In on the record the person who said something is generally quoted and we know who made this statement and what was the source of this news . And every interview is assumed to be on the record if no prior contract is done in between the journalist and person giving the interview. In off the record we dont know who made the statement and it is kept a secret as per the contract of journalist and the person giving an interview .
These topics are very important in practices as well as in theory.the four major attribution are there - on record, off record, on background, on deep background but on record off record are the most important ones so it has its own separate article.one thing that helped me distinguish all types of attribution is that they have taken one news in different styles.abour brevity, it's not just writing less but meaningful and accurate.in today's contemporary world brevity is super important so we need a good knowledge of brevity.
Attribution is such a important thing when it comes to journalism. One should not underestimate the importance it carries. It directly quotes who is the speaker which ensures the credibility of the news.
Attribution can be of four types, I was so confused with these types. A reporter should always tell his source that he is on the record to avoid clashes in future.
Brevity was the concept I had never heard of. The logic behind it that is the power of saying more with less is indeed reflecting the meaning of journalism.
The blog is really useful and informative.
The given content provides a crisp understanding of basic terms related to news such as attribution (impacts credibility of the news-piece as it tells who provided the information), brevity (to be concise in writing and providing relevant details; in short the art of saying more with less) etc.
The detailing of attribution imparts knowledge about four of its types, namely,
On the record (information and the informer could be published)
off the record (the informer and the information provided cannot be published at all), On background (vagueness in mentioning the source so his/her identity could not be easily revealed) and on deep background (information could be published without source being mentioned.)
Hence, the article makes us aware of basic news terminologies.
It was intriguing to know about an element (Attribution) that allows to add a perspective to a story. Sections that described the importance of attribution and where it could be avoided were really beneficial. Discussion on levels of attribution gives space for a more comprehensive interpretation of the topic.
Explanation regarding on the record and off the record puts forward an important thought "the side of journalism concerned with ethics." Also, I was able to discover an effective strategy of communication Brevity, which highlighted the importance of messages being designed in a precise manner to reach audience.
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