Currently, in the world of journalism studies, media studies and mass communication, there is a raging on going debate about the place of journalism. While one school of thought insists journalism is one, another school of thought insists journalism is not and cannot be one. To this school of thought, the word should be journalisms instead of singular journalism.
Well, whatever school of thought you find alluring, today we are going to examine a strand of journalism(s) called Explanatory Journalism.
What is explanatory journalism?
Explanatory journalism, also known as explanatory reporting or explanatory news writing, is a form of journalism that aims to provide deeper understanding, meanings and contexts to complex social issues and news events. It goes beyond simply reporting the news and delves into the likely underlying causes, social contexts, implications, and connections behind the news issues being covered. The goal of explanatory journalism is to help readers or viewers grasp the nuances and power intrigues of a news subject so that they can make informed decisions about the object of the news.
Explanatory journalism typically involves in-depth research, analysis and myriads of expert interviews. It seeks to answer the “why” and “how” questions, rather than just the “what” and “who” of the 5Ws and H of a news story. This form of journalism breaks down complex ideas, policies, or scientific, engineering and medical processes into more accessible, comprehensible and digestible pieces of information as news of feature stories.
The primary purpose of explanatory journalism is to bridge the gap between complex or technical disciplines and the general public. It serves as a tool for education, enlightenment, correlation and empowerment of people, aiming to enhance public understanding and engagement with important issues. By providing clear explanations, contexts, examples, visuals, and other aids, explanatory journalism helps readers or viewers develop a deeper grasp of complex subjects, enabling them to participate in public discourse and make informed and positive decisions about policies, innovations and medical practices.
Explanatory journalism calls for strong bridges between the gowns and towns. It calls for a sphere where those in academics collaborate with practicing journalists to break down their research outputs and publications into easily accessible, readable and comprehensible pieces that are written using the conventional news writing format. This form of journalism calls for our cream of academia to opt their talents of research writing into news and feature article writing.
Explanatory journalism is particularly valuable in today’s information-rich but often overwhelming media landscape. It helps combat misinformation, disinformation, and shallow coverage by offering comprehensive and reliable analysis with different contexts and nuances of the news issue taken care of. By focusing on providing context and explaining the underlying factors, this form of journalism encourages critical thinking and a more thorough understanding of the world around us which in the long run, makes the world around us a better place to live and let others live.
So, which school of thought of journalism(s) do you belong to? Are you a singularist or a pluralist?
The choice is yours to make.
Suleiman is of the the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria. He can be reached through mshashim@abu.edu.ng
