"Beautifully written, clearly structured and brings the professional experience of a seasoned journalist to help readers unravel the complex issues confronting journalism in an age of digital media ... deserves a place on every reading list about journalism and in every newsroom" - Bob Franklin, Professor of Journalism Studies, Cardiff University The new era of Google, Twitter and Facebook has fundamentally shifted the journalist’s relationship with the audience. User-generated content is both a source for professional journalists and a direct competitor for a reader’s attention. To navigate these new realities, it is imperative for journalism students to master skills in cross-platform writing, and understand the implications on their communication decisions. This Second Edition of Understanding Journalism tackles these changes head-on. It integrates media and cultural theory with the step-by-step development of writing skills to give students the techniques and the savvy they need to succeed. Bigger and better, this new edition includes: A brand new chapter on who journalists are in the social media age Reorganization of skills chapters to bring writing and editing to the fore Full coverage and examples on Twitter, social media and SMS formats In-depth exploration of the ethical issues raised by new media platforms All new exercises, case scenari's and further readings It is the essential guide for all students of journalism.