Charles Davis edits new edition of “Principles of American Journalism”

Charles Davis (MA ’92), dean of Grady College, has edited the fourth edition of the textbook, “Principles of American Journalism,” which he co-wrote with Stephanie Craft, associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Illinois, and Joy Jenkins, assistant professor of journalism at the University of Missouri.

The text explores the fundamentals and core values of journalism and its role in democracy. Davis says this book outlines the difference between journalism and other media platforms.

“Journalism is different than other forms of mass communication in the way it serves citizens,” Davis says. “It serves as a foundation of public conversation and debate. It verifies facts.”

In addition to exploring the history, definitions and foundational ethics of journalism, the text goes deeper by explaining why journalism matters. The text discusses key components of journalism like transparency, independence, economic models, legalities and press freedom.

Davis says the fundamentals of journalism have remained the same in each edition of the book, but current, more relevant examples are used in this new edition.

For example, in the chapter outlining the legalities of journalism and protections for journalists, the authors highlighted the 2023 case of The Marion County Record, where a search warrant was ordered and conducted by police of a small community newspaper. The raid was based on a search for information obtained by the newspaper about a local restaurant owner. The information was legally obtained by the newspaper and they had the right to the information. The case was used in the textbook to illustrate the importance for journalists to know their rights under the First Amendment.

Another current illustration in the book is the ethics involved with using a leaked video from the scene of the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in which a gunman killed 19 children and two adults. The discussion in the book chapter was whether the public’s right to know and prevent another tragedy outweighed the rights of the families of the victims for privacy and not sensationalize the crime.

The first edition of “Principles of American Journalism” was written in 2013 by Craft and Davis, who co-taught the Principles of American Journalism course at the University of Missouri for 13 years. Davis joined Grady College as dean in 2013, as the first edition was published. The fourth edition of the book is the first that Jenkins edited.

Author: Sarah Freeman, freemans@uga.edu