Mass Communication and Journalism: Journalism Genres and Specializations - Documentary Journalism Flaherty modern documentaries

What It Is

Documentary journalism is a style of storytelling that combines the principles of journalism with the techniques of documentary filmmaking. This genre emerged in the early 20th century with the work of Robert Flaherty, who is considered the father of documentary filmmaking. A canonical example of documentary journalism is Flaherty's 1922 film "Nanook of the North," which used observational techniques to document the lives of the Inuit people in the Arctic. This film matters for media analysis because it showcases the power of documentary journalism to raise awareness about social and environmental issues.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Documentary journalism: A style of storytelling that combines the principles of journalism with the techniques of documentary filmmaking.
• Robert Flaherty: Considered the father of documentary filmmaking, known for his observational techniques in films like "Nanook of the North" (1922).
• Observational documentary: A style of documentary filmmaking that involves observing and recording real-life events without interference.
• Expository documentary: A style of documentary filmmaking that involves using narration and interviews to explain a topic or issue.
• Participatory documentary: A style of documentary filmmaking that involves the filmmaker participating in the events being documented.
• Direct cinema: A style of documentary filmmaking that involves using handheld cameras and natural lighting to capture real-life events.
• Fly-on-the-wall documentary: A style of documentary filmmaking that involves observing and recording real-life events without interference, often using a hidden camera.
• Narrative structure: A storytelling technique used in documentaries to create a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Interview style: A technique used in documentaries to gather information and insights from experts and individuals involved in the story.
• Voiceover narration: A technique used in documentaries to provide context and explanation to the story.
• Pseudo-documentary: A style of filmmaking that mimics the style of documentary filmmaking but is actually fictional.
• Fact-checking: The process of verifying the accuracy of information and facts presented in a documentary.
• Objectivity: The principle of presenting information in a neutral and unbiased manner.
• Transparency: The principle of clearly disclosing the methods and sources used in a documentary.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Documentary journalism is the same as documentary filmmaking.
• Correction: Documentary journalism is a style of storytelling that combines the principles of journalism with the techniques of documentary filmmaking, whereas documentary filmmaking is a broader term that encompasses various styles and techniques.
• Misunderstanding: All documentaries are observational documentaries.
• Correction: While observational documentaries are a common style of documentary filmmaking, there are other styles such as expository and participatory documentaries.
• Misunderstanding: Documentary journalists do not need to fact-check their information.
• Correction: Fact-checking is an essential part of documentary journalism to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the information presented.

Quick Application / Identification

Scenario: A documentary filmmaker is planning to make a film about a social issue. She wants to use a narrative structure to tell the story, but she also wants to include interviews with experts and individuals involved in the issue. What style of documentary filmmaking is she using?

Answer: Expository documentary. Explanation: The filmmaker is using a narrative structure to tell the story, but she is also including interviews with experts and individuals involved in the issue, which is a characteristic of expository documentaries.

Last-Minute Revision

• Robert Flaherty is considered the father of documentary filmmaking.
• "Nanook of the North" (1922) is a classic example of observational documentary filmmaking.
• Documentary journalism combines the principles of journalism with the techniques of documentary filmmaking.
• Expository documentaries use narration and interviews to explain a topic or issue.
• Participatory documentaries involve the filmmaker participating in the events being documented.
• Direct cinema uses handheld cameras and natural lighting to capture real-life events.
• Fly-on-the-wall documentaries use hidden cameras to observe and record real-life events.
• Fact-checking is essential in documentary journalism to ensure accuracy and credibility.
• Objectivity is a principle of documentary journalism that involves presenting information in a neutral and unbiased manner.
• Transparency is a principle of documentary journalism that involves clearly disclosing the methods and sources used in a documentary.
• Pseudo-documentaries mimic the style of documentary filmmaking but are actually fictional.
• The term "documentary journalism" was first used in the 1960s to describe a style of storytelling that combines the principles of journalism with the techniques of documentary filmmaking.
• The International Documentary Association (IDA) is a professional organization that promotes and supports documentary filmmaking and journalism.
• The IDA Code of Ethics provides guidelines for documentary filmmakers and journalists to follow.
• The term "documentary" comes from the Latin word "documentum," which means "proof" or "evidence."
• Documentary filmmaking and journalism often overlap, but they are distinct fields with different goals and practices.