The music industry is a driven by economics, technology, gatekeepers and the ever-evolving ways people discover and consume music. Understanding these features is crucial to understanding the music itself and its impact.

Audio media, such as music and podcasts, share the power to communicate deeply and personally with listeners, often using sound and words to tell stories and set moods. Both forms have been fundamentally changed by digital technology, which has made content abundant and accessible, mainly through mobile devices and streaming. These digital changes mean that algorithms and platform rules are now major forces in deciding what listeners discover and consume. 

A podcast is essentially a readily accessible digital file that contains audio and/or video content. Unlike traditional broadcast media, podcasts are often structured to fit their content, offering flexibility in storytelling. They can feature narration from a host or reporter, a conversation among a group or a one-on-one interview.

The tropes and industry practices of crime news have profound societal impacts, ranging from distorting public opinion to influencing policy and causing tangible harm to individuals and communities.

The following best practices guide journalists in navigating the pitfalls of exaggeration, inadequate vetting and biased framing inherent in modern news production.

As with other kinds of news, newsworthiness is the essential element of health and science coverage. Along with the factors that generally influence newsworthiness, Boyce Rensberger, in A Field Guide for Science Writers, identifies four factors specific to science stories:

Journalism is guided by a set of norms that reflect its aspirational role in society, though these norms are constantly debated and challenged. There are standard practices that guide how the industry works.