Paul Mitchell.

Paul Mitchell gives us a new perspective on how to approach journalism in the changing times that we live in. After being very involved in the work do sports journalism, it was not a surprise that Mitchell chose to focuses on stories that had some sort of involvement with sports. However, it truly went with the message that he was trying to get across in his short time with our class. In the videos that we watched, it was plain to see that the story telling had us enthralled. And really, is journalism anything more than story telling? Mitchell made us see that journalism has less to do with structure than we might have assumed. Although that was an odd thing to hear at the end of the semester in a media writing class, it only made sense. After spending an entire semester learning to practice said structure, it was nice to hear that although that was all important, we had to care about the story in order to make it what we wanted it to be. The most interesting part of Mitchell’s advice was when he suggested that we take our stories a little more from the advertising side. He truly surrounded all of his thoughts around this single suggestion. People told are so used to being sold things, that if we can sell a story by telling it well, we will be able to captivate those that we are trying to reach. It is not to say that humans or the stories that they are a part of are products. However, journalists, if they wish to keep the attention of their audience, should try to sell their story, rather than just regurgitating facts.

Week 11.

Journalism & Religion.

How often, as a member of the LDS church, have you read something that was published publicly, that you knew was 100% inaccurate? Too many times, probably. 

There is both beauty and downfall to the openness of journalism, especially in the aspect of religion.

For the most part, freedom of religion, especially in the newsroom, is spectacular. Where other than in the United States can people speak so freely about their beliefs, their morals, their values, and their God, without feeling the wrath of its reader? Really, no where else. 

However, the United States often becomes complacent with this beautiful fact. No longer are people eager to learn and embrace what other religions have to offer, or even the mere fact that they have the freedom to offer them. No. America seems to have become much more eager to exploit others for their beliefs, and to categorize and condemn many for simply being who they are.

Being religious and pursuing journalism can be extremely difficult; what you report may not be morally correct in your eyes, but must be spoken to the public in a friendly manner. It is hard to keep your religion and your writing separated completely, and it is even harder to not offend anyone in the process of doing so. In the end, reporting the truth and nothing but it is all that matters.

It is a beautiful thing to be able to speak so freely of the many denominations that have come about in our country. However, it still remains a sensitive subject. It is still hard to get all of the facts straight. It is still hard not to categorize people while doing so. There is still work to be done.

Related articles

• Freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion! (ifhappinesscanlastforever.com)
• Week 11: Reporting the Truth About Religion (tatianahernandez239.wordpress.com)

Week 10.

Journalism’s Golden Era.

It was so interesting to see how exactly people around the country had taken to an event such as the March on Washington. Some had simply acknowledged it, letting readers know it had happened. Others truly went into depth, explaining the purpose and meaning of such an event. Others chose not to make it a front page story, deeming it too insignificant to the readers of their newspaper.

My question through out this entire presentation was, do we still do that today? Even in such a glorious time in the news and technology, and the both of them merging together, do we still fail to report on what will matter 50 years from now?

For the most part, I believe that in our day, if you look at any newspaper, the headlines will be much the same… There is usually one specific story that is a pressing matter to everyone across the nation – its what everyone wants to know about. The news will forever report in different perspectives and at different angles, but the beauty of the evolution of news is all of the many people that are willing to get it out. Though the New York Times may not put on their front page something that is crucial to your life, someone will. The news has expanded in so many ways and truly become for the people, benefitting them over benefitting themselves.

Here is to hoping that there is never again an event as significant, and changing to our society as the March on Washington that goes unnoticed, not only by the people, but especially by journalists.

Related articles

• How the Press Covered (or Didn’t) the March on Washington (aaronadams59.wordpress.com)
• Civil Rights in the Media (blondie0012.wordpress.com)

Week 9.

After last’s weeks presentation on the development of social media within journalism was a perfect way to prepare for a presentation on the Boston Marathon.

The Boston Marathon was indeed one of the most pivotal moments for the merging of Twitter and breaking news. This single event is one that many citizens and tweeters can look back on, and remember that their first coverage of the story was found on Twitter. People across the country saw the headline one their timeline, and proceeded to investigate further on the event.

The world is literally at our fingertips in this day and age. Journalists now more than ever are capable of reaching any audience they choose in a 160 characters or less with just the touch of a button. We are in a time where it does not take until the next morning’s paper to correct what may have been wronged. All it takes is a simple tweet – or even a retweet – to get the correct information out to all those who seek it.

Is this good? Is this bad?

It depends on how you choose to use it. For many, social media is allowing them to receive information quicker than they ever have before. For others, it is an opportunity to make a fool of themselves (i.e. girl who dressed up as wounded Boston Marathon runner for Halloween). Social media is exponentially growing and developing in favor of journalists, but without media literate citizens to match, the combination could simply be for not.

Related articles

• Boston Marathon Bombings (blondie0012.wordpress.com)
• Boston Marathon bombing victim Halloween costume makes Michigan woman target on social media (mlive.com)

Week 8.

What does the future hold?

Social media has been rocking the world since its appearance. The longer it is around, the more popular it seems to become. But how social media become beneficial or detrimental to our society?

Many would suggest that the use of social media is beginning to hinder our effectiveness and our abilities as a society. No longer to children play outside as they used to, for they are too busy texting their friends, watching T.V., or staring back at a computer screen. These are some of the most commonly cited problems when the use of social media is brought up.

However, who mentions the quickness of news or the incredible flow of information that is now available at a person’s fingertips? Though not everything you read on the internet is factual, it is also not hard to deem the true from the untrue.

Journalists as a whole have found great benefits in the use of mass media. Journalists have begun to spread the news in shorter spurts on outlets such as Twitter, interesting readers in 160 words or less, and causing them to “retweet” that same information back to their friends. Information is much more easily passed on, and citizens so use social media regularly are often more likely to know what is going on in the world and their local communities.

Moreso, because of the same time lapse between when the information is received and when it is given out, information has become more prone to error. But worry not, for social media has made it possible to correct those mistakes quickly, rather than waiting until the next morning’s paper to tell the public of your mistakes.

With so many benefits of social media for journalists and the public alike, it is really up to you. Let social media make or break you.

Related articles

• Journalism and Public Relations: Where does Social Media Fit? (thesociallauren.wordpress.com)
• 10 useful tips for better use of social networks (part 1) (fieldoo.com)

Week 7.

The code of ethics serves both the efficiency of journalism and the public alike. Simple and direct, the society of professional journalism provides a code that is easy and sensible to follow (not to say that everyone has always followed the code).

• SEEK TRUTH AND REPORT IT
• MINIMIZE HARM
• ACT INDEPENDENTLY 
• BE ACCOUNTABLE

Each category has many specific and more in-depth situations which to avoid or watch for. But like many things journalism, the very principle of these ethics are to serve the greater good. Though going against them can often bring more shame to the offender than to the entire public, their main purpose is to serve an information-seeking audience.

The code of ethics expands over very important details of journalism, and includes various different aspects that can sway and influence ones actions. Certain ethics that journalists should always follow are very clear: never plagiarizing, avoiding conflicts of interest, and refusing any form of bribe. But a very important aspect of these ethics is that journalists remember that their sources and subjects are also human beings – they are something that deserves respect. There has been much controversy and opposing arguments in sensitive and tragic times within our country, where people may feel as if a subject was not treated with compassion. This is also the reason that minors and rape victims are not called by name in articles – for their feelings should matter to not only journalists but our communities as a whole.

Is this right? Is this wrong? Can a line be drawn on ethics? Only that which each journalist draws for himself.

Related articles

• Where to Draw the Line: Ethics in Journalism (shannonanelson.wordpress.com)
• Technology and Journalistic Ethics (cameronjour2601.wordpress.com)

Week 6.

Documents Leaked Could Lead to U.S.’s Demise

Or could it?

In America’s history, there have been infamous “whistleblowers”; people who have brought to light facts that seriously concerned and even harmed some of its relationships, especially its relationships with its own citizens. The question really is, are these whistleblowers traitors or are they doing what is morally right for their country?

Long discussions have led to the debate of whether the recent acts of Edward Snowden would qualify him as someone who completely went against the morals of his country, or as a man who really only was attempting to share with his fellow citizens what he thought was right.

Some would argue that the United States was doing things that were not prohibited by the law –  laws had been passed so that what most people consider eavesdropping was completely legal. The opposite side would consider that anything that the government does should be made known to the public, and that if the government is interfering with their personal privacy, it cannot be right.

Journalists, despite everything else, believe that this all has to be documented. After many different Supreme Court orders, the law was established so that journalists who chose to report on such events would be protected. Though scandalous and upsetting, journalists have the right to tell you what exactly Edward Snowden did, who he was before he did it, and what he is doing now. Without journalists, these opinions would be nearly impossible, and events would play a game of telephone throughout the world.

Related articles

• Edward Snowden: Whistleblower or Traitor? (conflicts110.wordpress.com)
• Are Whistleblowers Good or Bad For America? (uniteamericans.wordpress.com)

Week 5.

Who’s paying for journalism & why it matters.

In Good Night & Good Luck, Edward Murrow experiences a combination of forces working against him and his growing persistence in reporting on Senator McCarthy. Although many people are truly frightened by the potential outcomes of such a report, Murrow’s executives at CBS are primarily concerned with the lack of funding they will receive from their trusted advertising company if they choose to continue with the reporting of the Senator. Murrow even offers to split the advertising cost with his colleague, Friendly, if it means that he will be able to continue in his endeavor.

Journalists walk a thin line between supplying the public with what they want and what they need, while still realizing that this is their job – this is what feeds their family. Although loyalty to the public is first and foremost, journalists also feel the pressure of economic priorities from their editors and employers. Advertisers want their products promoted a certain way, positioned so that they most light is shed on its most favorable qualities. Like in the movie, the editors and executives are concerned with the productivity and success of their company as a whole. A journalist is constantly called to decide between their employers’ ideas for income, or their own personal agenda, which often brings the same success as their employers’ proposals.

Although demographics often become another force pushing journalists, it can be beneficial. Rather than simply conforming to what an editor believes would be best, the writer can become involved with what the public is genuinely interested in. For many journalists, this is difficult because they may not be interested in writing about what their audience is interested in reading. However, the loyalty of a journalist is not lost when they choose to adhere and relate to their audience, rather than their employer or advertising companies (as in Edward Murrow’s situation) for their economic values.

Related articles

• Edward R. Murrow’s appeal to television. (embracethehornswaggle.wordpress.com)
• Good night, and Good luck. (alexandriaj93.wordpress.com)

Week 4.

What exactly do journalists owe their audience?

Many would believe that journalists believe that they do not owe their readers absolutely anything, when in reality, journalists pledge their entire careers for the benefit of those looking for the news. While everyone different tactics to achieve this universal goal, there are certain points that can make leave an audience happy and journalists feeling accomplished.

I would like to make two points that, although separate, I believe are intertwined within the world of journalism and its purpose.

1. Relate to your readers
and
2. be humble.

An audience always feel more comfortable when they feel as if the person who they rely on to provide them with valuable information is simply one of them – someone who understand what they like to read, or what really matters to them. It is no surprise that different subjects of conversation of gossip arise within different groups of friends. These groups form because its members feel safe within its boundaries and can relate to one another. Likewise, a journalist owes it to his/her readers to become informed on their likes and dislikes. A journalist, amongst relating, owes the readers a kind of reporter who will write in a way that is understandable to them… Journalists know who they report to, & although they are not always college educated researchers, or doctors, sometimes they are. However, because a journalist should also be humble, they should never act as if they are above their readers. Journalists, though representing us as watchdogs, are not above the law and suffer consequences just as every other citizen. Journalists have a greater sense to their credibility and the news (and therefore society) then they should have to prestige.

Related articles

• Week 4: Watchdogs: A Voice for the Voiceless (tatianahernandez239.wordpress.com)
• Responsibilities of Journalists and Citizens (katebpacitto.wordpress.com)

Gareth Harding.

“Journalists are people with opinions & you can’t hide that. & if you look at the great journalists… you think they didn’t have motives? They made them absolutely crystal clear.”

Gareth Harding displayed the confidence of a man who knows every aspect of his business. With experience, knowledge and advice to match, it was truly interesting and inspiring to listen to a man with such a unique perspective of journalism. A native-born Welsh man, with an affinity for new languages and documentaries, he has done everything from politics to his current position as a professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, but still suggested at least a thought into a career as a freelance journalist. Harding provided very useful advice as to why being on your own in the journalism provides crucial wisdom as both a journalist and a person. Harding made clear it is that it is absolutely impossible to be a journalist without having an opinion – humans from all walks of life inherently have their own biases and thoughts that will undoubtedly come out on paper, even if only in the things that they cover.

 But if Gareth Harding left us with one golden piece of advice, it was the true importance of making connections everywhere that you went. In the world of journalism, connections drive you from one place, or position, to the next. As Harding put it, they should be guarded “mercilessly.” Harding gave us a new view on a different aspect of journalism, & one that I definitely have thought about thoroughly since.

“You’ve got to accept risk. You’ve got to be independent minded. You’ve got to be curious. You’ve got to be a bit entrepreneurial… you’ve got to be a lot entrepreneurial.”