Journalistic Documentation: Key Features and Functions
Characteristics of Journalistic Documentation
The features are common to all Media Documentation Centers (MDC). What is important is that information normally requires retrospect; that is, the earlier documentary sources need to be reliable and to have good knowledge. Based on this information collected by the journalist, keep in mind the following:
I. Duality in the Origin of the Sources
There are two types of sources:
- Sources from outside (from other MDCs, public or private agencies, press files, databases)
- Sources generated by the medium itself
II. Constant Information Can Sometimes Be Repeated
This creates problems of space and dissemination. Now these problems are solved by scanning, but still exist in terms of classification, where all the following criteria apply:
- Gaps in the information of this company
- Consistency and relevance of sources
- Habits of the journalist
III. Obsolescence
Documentation is outdated very quickly. The information we have now that is outdated can be used for other disciplines. The problem is that no one can delete information in the documentation center.
IV. Rapidity of the Answer
V. Inseparable Relationship Between Formats
In a newspaper company, there is always an inseparable relationship between two types of formats. For example, there is always a dichotomy between image and text in a newspaper, between image and sound on television, and between text and sound on radio.
VI. Diversification of Users
It is not only journalists who require information; it may also be companies, the administration of justice, scientists and researchers, viewers, and listeners.
The Functions of Journalistic Documentation
Gabriel Galdón’s classification identifies the following functions:
a) Previsional or Inspirational: This consists of knowing how to provide the function for the journalist to do. Normally, it is an agenda on Friday in which the journalist indicates what they will have to do during the week.
b) Critical-Verification: All kinds of data that the journalist offers must be verified.
c) Supplementary: Preparing data that may supplement the information.
d) Comprehensive: This is parallel to the school. It should provide more resources. For example, a graph.
e) Linguistic-Illuminating: All these resources, when comprehensive, are used for organization.
f) Model-Narrative: Advising the journalist to use clear forms of expression.
g) Informational: The Documentation Center prepares the information itself.
h) Training: Journalists must be trained in new resources or in how to manage databases.
Information Needs
The needs are based on two criteria:
I. The Characteristics of the Media Type
II. The Kind of Journalism
- General Journalist: This is the one who does the daily information. They read the newspaper, take notes, and, based on the news agencies, make their workbook. They need information quickly, especially in the press kits. Other documents such as phone books and atlases must be provided.
- Specialized Journalist: Emerged, especially in Europe in the 1960s, to engage in the closed world of science. They need official sources because they go beyond the 5Ws; they want to know what has happened and why it has not happened.
- Investigative Reporter: Petra Maria Secanella describes the work of this journalist as a professional personal initiative in matters affecting broad sectors of society and that some individuals or institutions seek to keep secret. The documents represent a test that has to be on hand to avoid lawsuits or claims against them or the media. The documentary helps them verify the veracity of the sources and encrypt them (protect them from falling into other hands).