Dateline

Definition

A dateline is a line of text that indicates the date and location of a news event. It is typically placed at the beginning of a news story or caption and serves to provide context about when and where the event took place, which is crucial for understanding the timeliness and relevance of the information being reported.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Datelines usually include the name of the city or location followed by the date, which helps readers understand where the news is originating from.
2. In photojournalism, datelines help establish credibility by indicating when and where a photograph was taken, which can affect its relevance.
3. AP guidelines recommend using only the city name in the dateline, unless a more specific location is necessary for clarity.
4. Datelines can also indicate time zones when reporting on events from different regions, ensuring readers know the timing context.
5. For international stories, datelines often include additional information about countries and regions to provide more context to readers.

Review Questions

• How does a dateline enhance the credibility of a news story?
  • A dateline enhances credibility by providing essential information about when and where an event occurred. This context helps readers assess the timeliness and relevance of the news being reported. By clearly stating the location and date, it establishes transparency and trust in the reporting process, allowing readers to better understand the situation surrounding the news.
• Discuss how AP guidelines influence the format and use of datelines in news photography captions.
  • AP guidelines dictate that datelines should be concise and informative, usually comprising just the city name followed by the date. This influences how photojournalists caption their images by ensuring consistency and clarity across publications. The guidelines also emphasize accuracy in identifying locations, which is crucial in maintaining journalistic integrity and allowing readers to grasp the significance of an image in relation to current events.
• Evaluate the impact of improperly formatted datelines on reader perception and journalistic standards.
  • Improperly formatted datelines can significantly undermine reader perception and compromise journalistic standards. If a dateline lacks clarity or contains inaccuracies regarding location or date, it can lead to confusion about the timing and relevance of a story. This could erode trust in the publication and its reporting practices, making it vital for journalists to adhere strictly to formatting guidelines to maintain credibility and ensure their audience accurately understands the context of their reports.

Related terms

Caption: A brief explanation or description accompanying an image or photograph, providing context to what is being shown.

Byline: A line that names the author of an article, often appearing before the text starts, establishing who wrote the piece.

Lead: The opening sentence or paragraph of a news story that summarizes the most important aspects of the event being reported.