"How do I find the best introduction for my story?"
"Do I write reported speech in the past or present tense?"
"Lots of publications are ignoring the old sub judice rule - but is that really OK?"

All new entrants to journalism - whether graduates or interns - have questions like these. And because many journalism textbooks originate overseas, it was hard to find South Africa-relevant, user-friendly answers, until the appearance in late 2001 of Gwen Ansell's Basic Journalism. At the time, journalism trainers and reviewers hailed the book as a refreshing, innovative and above all highly useful publication.

Basic Journalism rapidly made its way on to university and technikon reading lists. Now, Jacana presents a completely revised and updated 2nd edition, re-titled Introduction to Journalism. The new book retains the style and content of the first edition, but adds:

· a fully updated law and ethics section, including recent controversies and precedents
· expanded information on covering not only the HIV/Aids pandemic, but also the science around treatment
· guidance on the new newsroom training climate under the National Qualification Framework

Introduction to Journalism has been structured to assist learners working towards the NQF (NSB04) National Certificate in Journalism Level Five, as well as for degree and diploma journalism courses. The exercises and assignments make it equally useful for media trainers, and as a self-study manual.

Gwen Ansell has been a journalist and media trainer and consultant in southern Africa since 1983. She holds an MA from Oxford University and a Certificate in Education (specialising in Adult Education) from the University of London. She is a former Executive Director of Johannesburg's Institute for the Advancement of Journalism and the author of several other books.