Ping!
I was an editor once too. From firsthand experience, I know that even the "five basics" can be manipulated in a variety of ways.
I trust NOTHING I read.
NOTHING!
When I took what little journalism I’ve had, the 5th W has “how”. “Why” was supposed to be left to the opinion page.
Thanks! I’ve heard of these, but I like your expansion on the concepts!
I recall when cities had multiple newspapers representing liberals and conservatives. Then TV networks became dominant.
Newspapers started to disappear, liberals dominated TV network news, and liberals used the "Fairness Doctrine" to hinder the emerging modern conservative movement.
It was maddening but today we have modern talk radio and the Internet.
If liberals are honest about their bias I do not care if they only have one "W", waive (spiking).
However, if liberals succeed in limiting our free speech making yet another silenced generation then we have every duty and obligation to defend our free speech with blood. Our free speech, their blood.
Your forgot the 6th “W”- WHORE.
As a point of clarification, the Subject/question of “Why” does not mean for a reporter to insert his opinion, although the AP has indeed authorized opinion in news articles. This caused no end of disgust for one of my co-workers when the memo was circulated.
The question of “Why” in the traditional sense may not be answered in the article. It may be impossible to do such. But the question needs to be asked. As in my examples, “Why should people vote to authorize bonds for a community pool?”
Such questions then put the Mayor/board on the spot. It is their job to answer the questions the public has. RE: Obama - Had reporters done their jobs and asked why he sat in a BLTheology church for 20 years absorbing anti-American propaganda, we may have had a different electoral outcome.
People act in ways for reasons. When they are public servants or acting in ways that steer the outcome of public policy, the question of “Why” is the most important question that can be asked.
Without “Why”, you get the modern media, simply parroting the party line. Without “Why” you have an incomplete picture. And if the question if “Why” is refused, or not presently answerable, it is the job of the reporter to dig deeper and find those answers, whether the subject the question is directed to wishes that answer known, or not.
Bumpity Bump.
I get so upset at what passes for local TV news journalism that I have had to just quit watching local TV news.
Some of the funniest threads here at FR ever? Web based local TV news stories. They are so astoundingly lame; it is hilarious. These junior college morons who barely graduated seem to flock to local TV news. They must have been hung over the day the 5 W’s were covered. And since they are too stupid to get a network job they have to rely on good looks and coifed hair to get them through life. Grrr.