This is from Day 2 of "Putting Children in the Right," a training program I coordinated and taught in conjunction with UNICEF Belize and the Universit of the West Indies Open Campus, Belize. November 2011. Discusses resources for journalists, define sesnationalism, and provides examples.

1. UNICEF Belize &
The University of the West Indies Open Campus, Belize

2. “Putting Children in
the Right”
Guidelines for Journalists and Media
Professionals (International Federation of
Journalists)

3. IFJ Guidelines
(page 63, Putting Children in the Right)

4. IFJ Guidelines

5. IFJ Guidelines

6. IFJ Guidelines

7. Resources
In your folders:
Handbook for media professionals
Includes:
data and information on children’s issues
Includes storylines to explore in your coverage
Checklist for ensuring balanced coverage (p. 20)
Practicalities
• Interviewing, taking photos

8. Sensationalism
“Profit-driven news organizations are under
great pressure to boost ratings by
sensationalizing the news: focusing attention on
lurid, highly emotional stories, often featuring a
bizarre cast of characters and a gripping plot
but devoid of significance to most people's
lives.”
From “What’s Wrong with the News”

9. Sensationalism
Definition (dictionary)
subject matter, language or producing or designed to produce
startling or thrilling impressions or to excite and please vulgar
taste.

10. Sensationalism
From “What’s Wrong with the News”
“…editorial bias in mass media in which events and
topics in news stories and pieces are over-hyped
to increase viewership or readership numbers.”
“…may include reporting about generally
insignificant matters and events that don't
influence overall society and biased presentations
of newsworthy topics in a trivial or sensationalist
manner.”

11. Sensationalism around the
globe
USA
“US Media Slammed Over Balloon Boy Coverage”
(The Week UK)
Video here
Jamaica
“To Mom With Love, Your Son Dudus” (Jamaica
Observer)

12. Sensationalism around the
globe
Hong Kong
“Journalism or Sensationalism?” (Forbes.com)

13. Belize examples
Break into groups and critique articles
Identify the kind of story
Court or crime event (crime, violence, arrest, trial)
Group event (meeting, conference, rally/protest, cultural
or entertainment)
Issue or theme
Feature

14. Belize examples
Checklist
Is there a child in the story and is he or she named or otherwise
identified?
Does there appear to be a research component with accurate
and proper attribution (data, statistics, other statements of
fact)
Which authorities are quoted and what information to they
provide?
Does the story help make sense of complicated issues?
Does the story tend to promote understanding and
compassion?