Book Review: The Elements of Journalism by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel
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The book "The Elements of Journalism" written by Kovach and Rosenstiel attempts to propagate
the "ideal" elements of journalism. What this book captures better than any single book on the
practice and principles of journalism is the weaving together reasons and scenarios why media
audiences have fled and why new technology and large corporate ownership are putting
journalism at risk. The book is also a product of interaction with practicing journalists under the
auspices of the "Committee of Concerned Journalists Traveling Curriculum" in the United
States. Written in eleven chapters, the book attempts to weave in the various strands and
argument, alas, within the United States alone, on what constitutes elements of journalism, why
they are controversial and what is practicable within the book's geographic area of coverage.
Kovach and Rosenstiel‟s explanation and position on each element are concise gems, filled with
insights but not likely to be considered axiomatic in other contexts outside of the United States or
similar geographic settings. The book explains in details the ideal core principles "supposedly"
shared by journalists across media, even across cultures. These principles flow from the essential
function news play in people's lives. This new edition is completely updated and includes a new
10th principle (haven explained 9 principles of journalism in the first edition) -- the rights and
responsibilities of citizens -- flowing from new power conveyed by technology to the citizen as a
consumer and editor of their own news and information.
Keywords
H Social Sciences (General), HE Transportation and Communications