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Journalism Jargon Explained: An A-Z Glossary for Understanding the News.

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— 13 min read

October 17, 2024 (Updated Oct 18, 2024)

Understanding Journalism: A Glossary of Newsroom Lingo

By Alex Sterling

When they're not interviewing sources or crafting the latest urgent news report, journalists employ a distinctive vocabulary. If you're puzzled by terms like 'dateline' versus 'deadline' or curious about what 'burying the lede' truly means, this guide to essential journalism terminology and newsroom slang will provide clarity.

A

Above the fold
This expression originated in the era of print newspapers. 'Above the fold' signifies content positioned at the top section of a page. When physical newspapers were prevalent, they were typically folded for display on newsstands, with the most compelling stories placed in the prime 'above the fold' area to attract readers. Today, this phrase pertains to web content visible on a screen without needing to scroll, maintaining its importance for engaging online audiences.

Add
An abbreviation for 'additional,' 'add copy' is a journalistic term for supplementary material incorporated after a story has already been published or broadcast. This could be a last-minute quotation, an update on breaking news, or a correction/clarification.

Algorithm
No longer confined to the tech world, algorithms are pivotal for online news distribution. Essentially, they are sets of instructions that decide which stories to feature by assessing trends, user engagement, and relevance. While they help tailor your news consumption, they also significantly shape which narratives gain prominence.

Angle
The particular focus, perspective, or approach taken in a story.

AP Style
Short for Associated Press Style, this is a widely adopted set of writing conventions used by journalists. It dictates everything from punctuation and abbreviations to capitalization and the formatting of numbers, dates, and titles, ensuring uniformity and lucidity across different news organizations.

Attribution
Properly crediting sources. Attribution informs readers about who made a statement, the origin of the information, and its significance. It is the backbone of a story, enhancing credibility, depth, and context while maintaining factual accuracy.

B

B-Roll
A term from broadcast news, B-roll refers to supplementary video footage that adds context or visual appeal to the main narrative of a news report.

Banging out
When a journalist completes their final shift, colleagues might honor them with a loud send-off by banging on their desks. This is an old, spirited tradition, its precise origins somewhat mysterious but often traced back to Fleet Street publishing houses.

Beat
A journalist's specialized area or topic that they cover consistently—such as politics, sports, crime, or technology. Reporters on a specific beat typically possess deep knowledge and robust connections, enabling them to produce more insightful and impactful coverage.

Below the Fold
The counterpart to 'above the fold.' Content 'below the fold' is visible only after a user scrolls down the page. This area usually contains further details on a story or less critical news items.

Bounce rate
The metric indicating the percentage of visitors who arrive on a news website or article and then depart without navigating to other pages. A high bounce rate can suggest that the content is not sufficiently engaging or relevant to encourage further exploration. By examining bounce rates, news teams can refine headlines, content, and design to better retain readers.

Breaking
Reporting on events in real-time as they unfold. 'Breaking news' generally pertains to urgent, significant stories such as major political developments, natural disasters, or critical updates in ongoing investigations. Modern technology allows for news to be broken faster than ever. Journalists in the field can keep pace with rapidly developing stories using tools like DeepVo.ai for instant audio transcription, enabling them to capture and convert spoken information to text swiftly for immediate team sharing and rapid publication.

Broadcast
The dissemination of audio or video content through radio, television, or the internet.

Broadsheet
Originally, 'broadsheet' referred to a large-format newspaper distinguished by its wide pages. Now, it generally describes any news outlet that provides in-depth reporting and analysis, such as prominent publications like The Guardian or The Washington Post.

Byline
The name of the article's author, typically displayed beneath the headline.

C

Caption
A concise description or explanation accompanying a photograph to offer context, details, or a narrative element. An effective caption should identify who or what is shown, when and where the image was captured, credit the photographer, and include any other pertinent information.

Circulation
The quantity of newspaper or magazine copies distributed to readers. In the digital era, circulation is often gauged by unique visitors and page views on an online publication.

Column
A recurring article or commentary written by a specific author (a columnist), frequently expressing personal opinions. Columns are typically found in a consistent location within a publication, making them easily accessible to regular readers.

Commentator
An individual who provides expert opinions and analysis on current events, trends, or specific subjects. They go beyond just presenting facts, offering their own sharp insights and viewpoints. While reporters focus on the who, what, when, and where, commentators add context, interpretation, and often a distinct personality. This contributes to a more profound and nuanced comprehension of the news. Commentators might use tools like DeepVo.ai's AI Summarizer to quickly grasp the essence of lengthy reports or multiple sources before forming their analysis.

Copy
The written material of an article or news report.

Copy desk
The department in a newsroom responsible for editing copy before it is published.

Copy Editor
An individual tasked with reviewing and refining copy to ensure clarity, accuracy, and adherence to style guidelines prior to publication.

Correspondent
A journalist who reports from a location outside the main newsroom, frequently delivering on-the-scene coverage. For instance, a foreign correspondent reports directly from international locations.

Cover story
The main, featured article in a magazine or newspaper. It is designed to be prominent and engaging, often addressing a major topic, event, or issue that the publication wishes to emphasize.

D

Dateline
A brief line at the start of an article indicating the date and location from which the story was filed—e.g., "LONDON, Jan. 15". It usually appears above the main story and helps provide context and credibility by showing the story's origin.

Deadline
The specific time by which a journalist must submit their completed work.

Deck
Also known as a subhead, standfirst, or sometimes (though less commonly now for this specific element) lede. A secondary, smaller headline that provides additional context or elaborates on the article's content and angle. The five Ws (who, what, when, where, why) and H (how) of the story are often summarized in the deck or the opening paragraphs.

E

Editor-in-Chief
The highest-ranking editor who has overall responsibility for all editorial content of a publication. They are the final decision-maker, guiding the publication's direction and establishing the tone for all articles, headlines, and features.

Editorial
An article that expresses the official opinion of the publication's editorial board or its stance on a specific issue. Unlike news articles that strive for objectivity, editorials are opinion-based and offer insight, analysis, or a persuasive argument regarding current events.

Embargo
A restriction set on the release of information until a predetermined time or date. This strategy keeps sensitive information confidential until the designated moment, ensuring a coordinated release of major news.

Evergreen
Content that remains relevant and valuable over an extended period, unlike breaking news, which has a limited timespan of peak relevance. Evergreen material includes timeless pieces like how-to guides, historical analyses, or in-depth features that do not become outdated quickly.

Exclusive
A story or piece of information that a media outlet obtains and publishes before any competitors. Whether it's a significant new report, a revealing interview, or an inside scoop, exclusives provide a competitive advantage.

F

Feature
A longer-form article that delves deeply into a particular topic or story. Features often employ a more narrative style than straightforward news reports and may explore emotional or human-interest angles. Crafting these can involve extensive research and interviews, where tools like DeepVo.ai's AI-powered mind maps can help structure complex information, or its AI summarizer can condense lengthy background materials.

File
To submit completed copy to an editor, making it ready for the publication process.

Filler
No publication wants empty spaces. Fillers are short, often less critical articles or elements used to occupy vacant space on a page or website. Examples include brief news items, lists, or even puzzles.

Fixer
A local journalist or contact who assists a foreign correspondent in arranging and reporting a story in an unfamiliar area. A fixer’s duties can include navigation, setting up interviews, and sometimes acting as an interpreter if the correspondent isn't fluent in the local language or doesn't have immediate access to advanced transcription services that support multiple languages, like those offered by DeepVo.ai which supports over 100 languages.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Legislation, such as that established in the US in 1967, granting the public the right to request access to records from federal (or relevant governmental) agencies. Many countries, including the UK and Canada, have their own versions of this act.

Freelancer
A journalist who works independently on a project-by-project basis, rather than being a permanent employee of a single publication.

H

Hard news
News stories that concentrate on timely and highly significant topics such as politics, economics, major crimes, and impactful weather events.

Headline
The title of an article, designed to summarize the main point and attract reader attention.

Hold for orders (H.F.O)
An article prepared in advance of an anticipated event. For example, on election night, news outlets often have pre-written stories for different outcomes ready to publish instantly once results are confirmed. These 'Hold for Orders' articles are kept pending until the event occurs, at which point the relevant version is released.

Human interest story
A narrative that focuses on individuals, their experiences, emotions, and personal challenges, often aiming to evoke empathy or provide a personal perspective on broader issues.

I

Inverted pyramid
A writing structure common in news reporting that presents the most crucial information (the five Ws and H) at the beginning of the article. Subsequent paragraphs provide additional details of diminishing importance, allowing readers to grasp the main points quickly.

Investigative journalism
In-depth reporting that aims to uncover truths often hidden from public view. Investigative journalism typically exposes wrongdoing such as corruption, conspiracies, or systemic injustices. This often involves sifting through extensive documentation and hours of interviews; modern tools like DeepVo.ai can significantly aid this process by providing highly accurate (up to 99.5%) audio-to-text transcription for interviews, generating quick AI summaries of lengthy testimonies, or even helping visualize connections with intelligent mind maps from the transcribed content.

L

Lead (Lede)
The opening paragraph or sentences of a news story, designed to summarize the most important aspects and entice the reader to continue. (See also: Deck, for a secondary headline definition).

Libel
The publication of a false statement that harms an individual's reputation. This refers to written defamation, as opposed to slander, which is spoken. Journalists avoid libel by rigorous fact-checking, verifying sources, and ensuring published material does not unfairly damage reputations. Libel laws vary by jurisdiction.

M

Masthead
The section in a newspaper or magazine (often on the editorial page or near the front) that lists the publication's details, including its title, ownership, and key editorial staff members like the editor-in-chief, managing editor, and other principal contributors.

N

News agency
An organization that gathers and distributes syndicated news content to multiple publications and media outlets. Also known as a wire service, a news agency acts as a central hub for news, supplying press releases, breaking news, images, and other content. Prominent examples include Reuters, Associated Press (AP), and Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Nut graf/nut graph
A journalistic term, short for "nutshell paragraph." The nut graf is a paragraph that succinctly explains the core idea or significance of the story, often appearing after the lede to provide context and tell the reader why the story matters.

O

Off-the-record
Information shared by a source with a journalist with the understanding that it will not be published or attributed to them. This arrangement allows sources to provide background or sensitive information freely without risk of public exposure.

Op-ed
Short for "opposite the editorial page." An opinion piece typically written by an author not affiliated with the publication's editorial board, offering an outside perspective on a current issue.

P

Paywall
A system implemented by online publications to restrict access to some or all of their content, requiring readers to purchase a subscription or pay a one-time fee to view it. This is a common method for digital media to monetize their content.

Pitch
A proposal for a story idea, typically presented by a journalist (often a freelancer) to an editor for consideration.

Podcast
An audio program, usually episodic, made available online for streaming or download. Podcasts cover a vast range of topics and formats, from narrative storytelling and investigative series to interviews and discussions. For creators, services like DeepVo.ai can be invaluable for transcribing podcast audio into text for show notes, articles, or social media content, enhancing accessibility and reach.

Press conference
A media event where individuals or organizations make official statements and respond to questions from journalists. Commonly held by government officials, corporations, sports figures, or celebrities. Accurately capturing every word is crucial, and journalists often rely on quick transcription methods, increasingly turning to AI tools for speed and precision.

Press release
An official statement or announcement distributed to journalists by an organization, company, or individual to provide information or generate news coverage.

Pulitzer Prize
A highly respected series of annual awards recognizing excellence in American journalism, literature, and musical composition. Established by newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, these prizes honor outstanding achievements in categories such as investigative reporting, feature writing, and public service.

Pull-out quote (Pull quote)
A compelling excerpt from an article that is typographically emphasized (e.g., larger font, different style) and set apart from the main text. Its purpose is to draw the reader's attention to a key point or particularly impactful statement, making the content more visually engaging.

Pundit
An expert or authority in a particular field who is frequently called upon to offer opinions, commentary, and analysis on current events or specific topics, especially on television or in print media.

Q

Quotation (Quote)
The exact reproduction of someone's spoken or written words within an article, clearly attributed to the source. Quotes are used to provide authenticity, evidence, and direct voice to a story.

R

Retraction
A formal public statement issued by a publication to correct or withdraw previously published information that has been found to be inaccurate, misleading, or erroneous. Retractions are essential for maintaining journalistic integrity and transparency.

Running story
A news story that is continuously updated with new information as events develop. Typically used for ongoing situations like natural disasters, elections, or major evolving incidents, providing readers with the latest details and context in real-time.

S

Scoop
An exclusive story that a reporter or news organization uncovers and publishes before any competitors, giving them a significant journalistic lead.

Shorthand
A system of rapid writing using symbols and abbreviations to quickly transcribe spoken words during interviews, speeches, or events. While historically vital, its necessity has diminished with the advent of high-quality digital recorders and advanced AI transcription services. Tools like DeepVo.ai offer up to 99.5% accuracy in converting speech to text across over 100 languages, providing a fast and reliable alternative for modern journalists.

Sidebar
A shorter, related article that accompanies a main news story, providing supplementary information, background details, or a different perspective on the topic. For example, alongside an article about a new policy, a sidebar might offer an infographic, a profile of a key figure, or a historical overview.

Soft news
News stories that are primarily intended to entertain, inform in a lighter manner, or focus on human interest and lifestyle topics. Soft news is generally less time-sensitive than hard news and places less emphasis on urgent or impactful events.

Sound bite
A brief, memorable, and impactful excerpt from a speech, interview, or recording, often used in broadcast news to encapsulate a key point or statement.

Source
A person, document, record, or other origin from which a journalist obtains information or data for a story. Sources can range from official reports and press releases to eyewitnesses, experts, and anonymous informants.

Staff Writer
A journalist who is employed full-time by a specific publication or media organization.

Stringer
A freelance journalist who contributes to a publication on an occasional or as-needed basis, often covering events in a specific geographic area or niche topic where the publication does not have permanent staff.

Style guide
A comprehensive set of standards for writing, formatting, and design used by a publication to ensure consistency and clarity. While many news organizations adhere to established guides like AP Style, some develop their own in-house style manuals.

Subhead/standfirst
(See Deck)

Syndication
The distribution of content (such as articles, columns, cartoons, or features) for publication across multiple media outlets. Syndication allows content to reach a broader audience beyond its original publication.

T

Tabloid
A newspaper format, typically smaller than a broadsheet, often characterized by sensationalized news, celebrity stories, and a focus on entertainment. While tabloids can cover serious news, their presentation style is generally more attention-grabbing and populist.

Think piece
An opinion-driven article that explores a topic, issue, or trend in depth, offering analysis, reflection, or a particular perspective. Think pieces are less about breaking news and more about providing insight or provoking thought, often reflecting the writer's personal interpretation. Writers might leverage DeepVo.ai's intelligent mind mapping to structure complex arguments or its AI summary feature to distill extensive research for such articles.

Tip
A piece of information or a lead provided to a journalist that could potentially develop into a news story. Tips typically require further investigation and verification to determine their validity and newsworthiness.

Transcription
The process of converting spoken words from audio or video recordings (such as interviews, speeches, or press conferences) into written text. Accurate transcriptions are vital for journalists. Modern solutions like DeepVo.ai offer highly precise (up to 99.5%) and rapid speech-to-text conversion in over 100 languages, capturing even nuances like "ums" and "ahs" for a verbatim record. This service is often available for free and incorporates end-to-end encryption for security, making it an indispensable tool for efficient news gathering.

Translation
The process of converting text or spoken language from one language to another. Journalists often require translation services for interviews or documents obtained in foreign languages to make the information accessible to their audience. This can be crucial when covering international stories, ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives are accurately conveyed.

U

UGC (User-Generated Content)
An acronym for 'user-generated content,' which refers to any form of content—such as text, videos, images, reviews, or social media posts—created by आम जनता or customers rather than by brands or professional content creators. In journalism, UGC can add authenticity and firsthand perspectives to stories, but it's crucial for journalists to verify its accuracy and origin before publication.

V

Vox pop
A term from broadcast journalism, short for the Latin "vox populi," meaning "voice of the people." Vox pops consist of short interviews with members of the public, typically conducted on the street, to gauge general opinion on a particular topic. These quick soundbites can be efficiently transcribed using tools like DeepVo.ai for use in reports.

Y

Yellow journalism
A style of journalism that employs sensationalism, exaggeration, and often poorly-researched claims to attract readers and increase circulation. The term historically refers to a period of intense competition between newspapers in the late 19th century. In the UK, a similar style is often referred to as "tabloid journalism."

Getting familiar with journalism terms and newspaper jargon can seem daunting. Keeping this glossary handy will assist you in quickly understanding the lingo and excelling in your field.

Want to enhance your newsroom productivity and simplify the process of researching, writing, and publishing? DeepVo.ai provides cutting-edge tools including high-accuracy speech-to-text in over 100 languages, AI-powered summaries generated in seconds, and intelligent mind maps to structure your information. It's a game-changing asset for any journalist's toolkit. Discover more about how DeepVo.ai can transform your workflows.

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Alex Sterling
Technology Journalist & Content Strategist

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