Text:
"Poytn(me)r in the right direction"
Ethics of Journalism.. a topic I have problems with.
Most issues involving ethics are focused on how the readers and financial investors are affected. When it comes to media junkets and freebes I personally would have no problem accepting gifts. Just because a company treated me to a nice island vacation to report on the tourist economy in the Virgin Islands does not mean that I will not write a bad report. If journalists allow gifts and opportunities to alter their objectivity, then yes credibility becomes an issue. I follow a more teleological approach to ethics. If the story is factual, accurate and objective... what does it matter how you went about obtaining the story? Conversations with journalists regarding ethics makes me cringe. In my mind I see a bunch of scholars, too lazy to make it in the reporting world, chastising real writers over unobtainable dimensions of objectivity.
Since the present media takes form as a corporate conglomerate, how can a journalist be criticized for buying and interview or receiving a free cup of joe?
I have studied several approaches to resolving ethical problems that arise in journalism. Most methods require involved analysis and other feather in your cap macaroni type of processes... When a journalist is on the job working on deadline.. issues arise and the journalist does not have time to puff on a cuban and discuss over a brandy.
As my mother often says, "We all shit in the same pot, and in the end it all smells the same." Journalism ethicists can toil over the guidelines of credibility.. I choose the right to accept vacations and dinners.
Website reading:
Basically what I took away from the additional reading was optimism. Journalism is not just print anymore. Journalism does not require words. In my mind, journalism isn't even 'new' news. Journalism is spreading the word, telling others what they have the right to know. All this professionalism yadda yadda makes me cringe. Spread the word spread the knowledge.
I like the idea of online news competing with television. The Anna Nicole Smith 24-7 coverage last year on most major news networks justifies the rise of online news.
I checked out some of the animated news links. I really wish I knew flash or some other animation program to work with that realm of journalism. I feel that jumping on the news junkie bandwagon is difficult these days and ill-informed. Online news provides readers with an opportunity to understand the history of the war in Iraq or even a visual of how a hurricane forms.
Although there will always be critics of journalist practices.. I feel that at the rate journalism is changing, those old bourbon swirling farts won't be able to keep up.
Election:
GOP and the Media
Well new polls are in and Ron Paul looks to be in fourth place in the New Hampshire primary. The Nation suggests that if Paul received equal media representation then he might become a serious national contender for the GOP candidacy. I recognize the name Ron Paul and associate him with libertarian values, however I do not know much about his policy beyond that. I went to check out NYTimes politics page on the candidates, and in the right corner there are faces of GOP and Democrat candidates. I understand that the Times cannot put every candidate on the opening page, and I assumed the candidates were chosen based on alphabetical order. Not the case, Thompson's name appeared but not Paul. Although my quick net surfing is a large generalization, but it proves my point. The media is doing a horrible job reporting on the candidates. Guiliani appears in countless headlines from New Hampshire, even though he has basically said that he is not focusing much of his campaign on the early primaries.
Consider even the coverage between Thompson and Paul. Thompson is not contending well in NH and his only claim to fame is Law and Order. I also know that Thompson has a fairly young wife and lost a daughter some years ago. Why do I know these things, yet know nothing about Paul? I think the answer is that Paul does not care to play these personal issues during the campaign.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Ch. 19 Radio and Television
Radio and television news needs to be straight forward. Writing must be clear and concise.
I don't have much to say about radio and tv writing/stories, but I can comment on the industry.
The text said that a half hour news cast contains only 22 minutes of news, roughly only half of the front page of print news. I feel a large population of the American people get most of their news from national television broadcasts. If broadcasts are only have time for a small hand full of stories, the public is ill informed. I don't think the people that get their news from tv are inclined to follow up on stories via newspapers.
The topic of agenda setting comes to mind as well. I always have a problem with the idea of top stories. Who says the 4 or 5 stories covered on tv are the most relevant? TV and radio confine the viewer to, in my mind, censored news. Who is to blame, the news station.. the financial supports... the public?
I think that radio is the most objective news source, solely because the radio usually only provides for short updates... making it difficult to find space/time for opinionated interjections.
I think radio script writing should be studied early on in journalism curriculum, because radio stresses the idea of getting to the facts. I have a difficult time determining what is relevant to a story when writing for print. Radio writing would help discern the facts from fillers.
Clinton Gets an Instant Chance to Wield a New Weapon
The NY Times reported that Hillary Clinton launched a website for the sole purpose of disputing news reports her campaign finds offensive. The story cites how Hillary reportedly did not tip a waitress after dining in Iowa.
WHO CARES!?!?!?!
Why are papers even printing that Hillary did not leave a tip (although it was later proven that Hillary did leave a $100 tip for a $157 meal)? Why does the media fuel empty politics?
Politicians need to attack policy not personality.
It is ridiculous that Hillary needs to create a site to disprove news allegations. This might be one of the only times I sympathize with Hillary. However, Hillary should be the better woman and ignore these cheap attacks at her campaign.
Radio and television news needs to be straight forward. Writing must be clear and concise.
I don't have much to say about radio and tv writing/stories, but I can comment on the industry.
The text said that a half hour news cast contains only 22 minutes of news, roughly only half of the front page of print news. I feel a large population of the American people get most of their news from national television broadcasts. If broadcasts are only have time for a small hand full of stories, the public is ill informed. I don't think the people that get their news from tv are inclined to follow up on stories via newspapers.
The topic of agenda setting comes to mind as well. I always have a problem with the idea of top stories. Who says the 4 or 5 stories covered on tv are the most relevant? TV and radio confine the viewer to, in my mind, censored news. Who is to blame, the news station.. the financial supports... the public?
I think that radio is the most objective news source, solely because the radio usually only provides for short updates... making it difficult to find space/time for opinionated interjections.
I think radio script writing should be studied early on in journalism curriculum, because radio stresses the idea of getting to the facts. I have a difficult time determining what is relevant to a story when writing for print. Radio writing would help discern the facts from fillers.
Clinton Gets an Instant Chance to Wield a New Weapon
The NY Times reported that Hillary Clinton launched a website for the sole purpose of disputing news reports her campaign finds offensive. The story cites how Hillary reportedly did not tip a waitress after dining in Iowa.
WHO CARES!?!?!?!
Why are papers even printing that Hillary did not leave a tip (although it was later proven that Hillary did leave a $100 tip for a $157 meal)? Why does the media fuel empty politics?
Politicians need to attack policy not personality.
It is ridiculous that Hillary needs to create a site to disprove news allegations. This might be one of the only times I sympathize with Hillary. However, Hillary should be the better woman and ignore these cheap attacks at her campaign.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Ch. 18
Investigative reporting, now thats what I call journalism. I think its phenomenal the number of social injustices that can be exposed just through a bit of attention and research. I realize there are just as many stories that need more than research to develop into a story.
The one thing that upsets me is that investigative reporting is necessary. Why are people so corrupt? Who are these people that are so willing to exploit the innocent? I've always wanted to help people. I knew that I would only find completion in my life by finding some sort of truth. Investigative reporting provides me with the ability to do just that.
I understand that accuracy is key.. but as the text describes not everyone will tell a report the whole truth. I don't think loyal journalist should be scrutinized so much by frivolous inaccuracies. I think even if facts can't be double checked they can still be printed. As long as it is stated that what you are writing is what someone else said. Yes that may seem like adding to the continuum of rumors.. but I think it provides with the idea to question information for themselves.
Databases. Well I think I am pretty capable of extracting the information I need from the Internet. However I know there are countless websites designed for journalists that I am unfamiliar with.
Accessing public records is something I need to explore.
After looking at the IRE abstracts, I was pleased to see that some reporting actually served as a catalyst to action in the government.
Different Rules When a Rival Is a Woman?
Evidently Hillary Clinton is pulling the gender card, but according to Hillary she isn't. The Clinton campaign thinks that Hillary has been center of Democratic attack because she is a woman. What? People are attacking you Hillary, because people don't like you. It also makes sense that Hillary would be the Democrats number one target, because she is leading the polls. You are topic of discussion Mrs. Hillary Clinton because you say one thing and vote another.
The article also suggested that in America sexism is okay but racism is not, therefore the reason why number two man, Obama, has not been grilled with questions and criticism. Bah. Hillary, you are an easy target, just look at the last weekend's SNL opening skit.
I want to see more political platforms in the news, not petty fights.
Investigative reporting, now thats what I call journalism. I think its phenomenal the number of social injustices that can be exposed just through a bit of attention and research. I realize there are just as many stories that need more than research to develop into a story.
The one thing that upsets me is that investigative reporting is necessary. Why are people so corrupt? Who are these people that are so willing to exploit the innocent? I've always wanted to help people. I knew that I would only find completion in my life by finding some sort of truth. Investigative reporting provides me with the ability to do just that.
I understand that accuracy is key.. but as the text describes not everyone will tell a report the whole truth. I don't think loyal journalist should be scrutinized so much by frivolous inaccuracies. I think even if facts can't be double checked they can still be printed. As long as it is stated that what you are writing is what someone else said. Yes that may seem like adding to the continuum of rumors.. but I think it provides with the idea to question information for themselves.
Databases. Well I think I am pretty capable of extracting the information I need from the Internet. However I know there are countless websites designed for journalists that I am unfamiliar with.
Accessing public records is something I need to explore.
After looking at the IRE abstracts, I was pleased to see that some reporting actually served as a catalyst to action in the government.
Different Rules When a Rival Is a Woman?
Evidently Hillary Clinton is pulling the gender card, but according to Hillary she isn't. The Clinton campaign thinks that Hillary has been center of Democratic attack because she is a woman. What? People are attacking you Hillary, because people don't like you. It also makes sense that Hillary would be the Democrats number one target, because she is leading the polls. You are topic of discussion Mrs. Hillary Clinton because you say one thing and vote another.
The article also suggested that in America sexism is okay but racism is not, therefore the reason why number two man, Obama, has not been grilled with questions and criticism. Bah. Hillary, you are an easy target, just look at the last weekend's SNL opening skit.
I want to see more political platforms in the news, not petty fights.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Beats Me.
Ch. 14
The topic of 'Be Persistent' really consumed me in the text. I must have some undiagnosed social anxiety. I've written before that I just have an overwhelming problem with, basically in my mind, nagging sources for information. As I read on in the chapter about how beat writing is really built upon the fundamentals of source relationships.. it got me thinking.
I started thinking about why I chose to be in the journalism program to begin with. I enjoy writing, although news writing may not be my forte. Secondly I have this nagging conflict with 'the man' and the seemingly willingness of the exploitation of the American people. The people need to know.
So.. I am beginning to convince myself that persistence and meddling is necessary, in the name of the people. I should not wary of calling a political figure, in fear of burdening. My readers desire to know what is going on. I should be relentless until a source finally agrees to talk.
.. I need to remember to be persistent.
The chapter in a nutshell basically stresses doing your research and knowing your sources.
I was apprehensive while reading the section on the religious beat. I didn't feel like the paper should devote a page to religious news. But then as I continued reading I decided that the religion beat might be the most exciting. Personally, organized religion is as corrupt as any level of government.
Ch. 8 and ch. 9
"(Note that the Associated Press stylebook requires its reporters to use the word “innocent, rather than not guilty…to guard against the word ‘not’ being dropped inadvertently.”)"
I do not know how to strive for accuracy, when the news is not reflecting real life because of some poor editing or printing. The concept that the American legal system is designed around determining guilt rather than innocence should be expressed in the news. Who decides such exemptions from accuracy?
I have to admit I do not like pondering whether or not the legal system is democratic. I can vaguely understand why the media can be refused access to trials... and I can vaguely understand the press' right to report fully. Ultimately I am a pessimist and feel that someones rights must be jeopardized. If the legal system wasn't so shady, why leave the public in the dark.
If primetime television can produce so many hit crime-court series, court reporting must be interesting.
Court reporters should be allowed to freely analyze a court stories. More than words can express a defendants guilt. Courts are dramatic scenes, deserving of conservation of such dramatic elements.
Besides reporting on the actions taken place in court, post trial jury interviews seem to be the most exciting. I can imagine that it is difficult to gain interviews to some jurors, I would be scared of death threats if I was a juror for a high profile case. A group of the defendants peers labeled him guilty, that is an interesting story to understand from the personal level.
I feel that if reason for divorce is public information, settlement should be public as well. How can the press make sure the courts are working legally, if climax is withheld?
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
"Added Huckabee, warning of the coming entitlement crisis in Medicare and Social Security: "I just want to remind everybody when all the old hippies find out that they get free drugs, just wait until what that's going to cost out there."" - FOX REPUBLICAN DEBATE
Who says that? Who says that on national television? Who says that when running for president?
I stumbled upon the Republican debate Oct. 21 and decided to tune in. I've been putting off my candidate research and was pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Giuliani on my television screen. However once the candidates opened their mouths I was so embaressed for them I had to change the channel. I did not learn anything about what the candidates platforms are. All I heard was Hillary Clinton bashes. Huckabee's earlier statement makes me cringe even now. I can understand not being in favor of socialized health care.. however talk like an intelligent leader.. don't try and win the yokles votes by saying rubbish like that.
I salute McCain for a comment he made about Hillary supported the building of a Woodstock museum. McCain said he was to busy fight a war to know what was going on in Woodstock. Cheap topic to bring up.. but an A+ for handling the question and response.
My problem is that no one seems to be questioning the integrity of the party candidates. Stop bashing one another and tell me what you represent. Tell me what you believe. Let me decide!
The topic of 'Be Persistent' really consumed me in the text. I must have some undiagnosed social anxiety. I've written before that I just have an overwhelming problem with, basically in my mind, nagging sources for information. As I read on in the chapter about how beat writing is really built upon the fundamentals of source relationships.. it got me thinking.
I started thinking about why I chose to be in the journalism program to begin with. I enjoy writing, although news writing may not be my forte. Secondly I have this nagging conflict with 'the man' and the seemingly willingness of the exploitation of the American people. The people need to know.
So.. I am beginning to convince myself that persistence and meddling is necessary, in the name of the people. I should not wary of calling a political figure, in fear of burdening. My readers desire to know what is going on. I should be relentless until a source finally agrees to talk.
.. I need to remember to be persistent.
The chapter in a nutshell basically stresses doing your research and knowing your sources.
I was apprehensive while reading the section on the religious beat. I didn't feel like the paper should devote a page to religious news. But then as I continued reading I decided that the religion beat might be the most exciting. Personally, organized religion is as corrupt as any level of government.
Ch. 8 and ch. 9
"(Note that the Associated Press stylebook requires its reporters to use the word “innocent, rather than not guilty…to guard against the word ‘not’ being dropped inadvertently.”)"
I do not know how to strive for accuracy, when the news is not reflecting real life because of some poor editing or printing. The concept that the American legal system is designed around determining guilt rather than innocence should be expressed in the news. Who decides such exemptions from accuracy?
I have to admit I do not like pondering whether or not the legal system is democratic. I can vaguely understand why the media can be refused access to trials... and I can vaguely understand the press' right to report fully. Ultimately I am a pessimist and feel that someones rights must be jeopardized. If the legal system wasn't so shady, why leave the public in the dark.
If primetime television can produce so many hit crime-court series, court reporting must be interesting.
Court reporters should be allowed to freely analyze a court stories. More than words can express a defendants guilt. Courts are dramatic scenes, deserving of conservation of such dramatic elements.
Besides reporting on the actions taken place in court, post trial jury interviews seem to be the most exciting. I can imagine that it is difficult to gain interviews to some jurors, I would be scared of death threats if I was a juror for a high profile case. A group of the defendants peers labeled him guilty, that is an interesting story to understand from the personal level.
I feel that if reason for divorce is public information, settlement should be public as well. How can the press make sure the courts are working legally, if climax is withheld?
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
"Added Huckabee, warning of the coming entitlement crisis in Medicare and Social Security: "I just want to remind everybody when all the old hippies find out that they get free drugs, just wait until what that's going to cost out there."" - FOX REPUBLICAN DEBATE
Who says that? Who says that on national television? Who says that when running for president?
I stumbled upon the Republican debate Oct. 21 and decided to tune in. I've been putting off my candidate research and was pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Giuliani on my television screen. However once the candidates opened their mouths I was so embaressed for them I had to change the channel. I did not learn anything about what the candidates platforms are. All I heard was Hillary Clinton bashes. Huckabee's earlier statement makes me cringe even now. I can understand not being in favor of socialized health care.. however talk like an intelligent leader.. don't try and win the yokles votes by saying rubbish like that.
I salute McCain for a comment he made about Hillary supported the building of a Woodstock museum. McCain said he was to busy fight a war to know what was going on in Woodstock. Cheap topic to bring up.. but an A+ for handling the question and response.
My problem is that no one seems to be questioning the integrity of the party candidates. Stop bashing one another and tell me what you represent. Tell me what you believe. Let me decide!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Blog URLs
http://bryannews1.blogspot.com/2007/10/mccains-old.html -- McCain's Old
http://newsreporting1.blogspot.com/2007/09/obama-and-oprah.html --- Obama and Oprah
http://flongit.blogspot.com/2007/09/expect-expectorating.html -- Expect Expectorating/Patraeus
http://pierulesyou.blogspot.com/2007/09/yahoo-message-boards.html -- Yahoo! message boards
http://lauraswanson.blogspot.com/2007/09/obamania.html -- Obamania
http://devonhaley.blogspot.com/2007/09/i-just-read-article-on-caucus-new-york.html -- Republican No Show
http://brianaword.blogspot.com/2007/09/those-newfangled-webcast-thingies.html -- Newfangled Webcast Thingies
http://6078287.blogspot.com/2007/10/i-got-momentarily-and-unnecessarily.html -- Romney 'one of us'
http://newsreporting1.blogspot.com/2007/09/obama-and-oprah.html --- Obama and Oprah
http://flongit.blogspot.com/2007/09/expect-expectorating.html -- Expect Expectorating/Patraeus
http://pierulesyou.blogspot.com/2007/09/yahoo-message-boards.html -- Yahoo! message boards
http://lauraswanson.blogspot.com/2007/09/obamania.html -- Obamania
http://devonhaley.blogspot.com/2007/09/i-just-read-article-on-caucus-new-york.html -- Republican No Show
http://brianaword.blogspot.com/2007/09/those-newfangled-webcast-thingies.html -- Newfangled Webcast Thingies
http://6078287.blogspot.com/2007/10/i-got-momentarily-and-unnecessarily.html -- Romney 'one of us'
Monday, October 22, 2007
Covering Crime and Justice
One:
Post-traumatic stress disorder, death threats, homicide, and crooked cops.. Boy oh Boy Dave Krajicek certainly sold me to crime beat reporting. In all honesty covering the crime beat actually seems fulfilling to me. Change starts somewhere, why not through covering corruption? Crime exists, crime is real.. it needs to be reported. Krajicek mentions something about how critics feel that a couple sentences debriefing on how typically the reported crime is in general should be included in a report. I can understand objections. However approaching crime reporting on a holistic level makes sense. Instead of reporting on the bad depressing aspects of the crime news, (isn't that all news not just crime beats?) investigate on trends and how crime effects the public at large.
Crime beat reporters don't appear to have many friends. If editors even clash with reporters, what is the problem. Who wants to read just the hard facts of a sexual assault? I can understand summarizing lead crimes, however the big picture should not be ignored. Maybe I my image of journalism is to involved. I want to write stories that mean something to people. I want people to be informed. I want people to know how to change their world and why it needs to be changed. I don't just want to write about a homicide.. I want to write about why homocides continue to occur in certain areas and how to prevent further homicides. But then again we are just talking about crime beats not feature stories. I surprise myself in saying that I might like crime beats. Mix in a little investigative reporting and crime beats... well I might just be prepared to tackle the organized crime that fronts as garbage collection.
Five:
note to self: "Never forget it's not our job to judge, only to tell the truth through reporting and writing."
A problem I have is that I don't like to be obtrusive. I've never been placed in the situation.. but I can guarentee that I will have a difficult time calling a victim or family member of a victim.. and then calling again and again. I am a good judge of emotion and when I sense someones irritation with me.. I back off. I have a backbone.. but no one like to be pestered during the grieving process.
I will take the suggestion of being the reporter that does not fall to the wolfpack mentality. I feel that if people want to talk I need to let them know I am here to listen and tell their story, but until they are ready I won't force them. Subjects are human. Reporters should be human too.
Names of rape victims should only be reported if given consent from the victim. I don't understand how anyone can argue that names of rape victims constitutes as the publics right to know. I can't even imagine the emotion psychological and physical issues that arise from becoming a rape victim.. having the media exploit a sexual crime is unacceptable. The public has a right to know who is doing the raping and where the rapes are happening but they do not need to know the name of an individual who has gone through, in my mind, the worst crime there is.
I think a lot o ethica questions that arise for journalist are a result of lack of compassion. Maybe the media would be able to rid it's evil image if the press stopped acting like men and starting thinking with their brains and their hearts.
Seven:
Courts courts courts. Well I don't know really what to say about covering courts. I feel bad for anyone that is thrown into the court beat. I believe it is necessary to have a competent reporter who understands the legal system. I think the most compelling necessity of court reporting is to make sure everyone is playing the game fair. In general journalist duty is to make sure everyone is acting legit.
The legal system is intense.. laywers and judges wouldn't be paid as much as they are if i wasn't. I can try to understand the structure of the system and I think that that is the best heads up a court reporter can have.
Access to documents seems to be one of the larger challenges of court reporting. It is important to find necessary documents, because as the article says, printed documents are the best defense against libel.
side note: although this weeks reading was long, the website was really intriguing. I felt that the website was legit and speeching from experience. Much better than the text. so ++ for the reading selection.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, death threats, homicide, and crooked cops.. Boy oh Boy Dave Krajicek certainly sold me to crime beat reporting. In all honesty covering the crime beat actually seems fulfilling to me. Change starts somewhere, why not through covering corruption? Crime exists, crime is real.. it needs to be reported. Krajicek mentions something about how critics feel that a couple sentences debriefing on how typically the reported crime is in general should be included in a report. I can understand objections. However approaching crime reporting on a holistic level makes sense. Instead of reporting on the bad depressing aspects of the crime news, (isn't that all news not just crime beats?) investigate on trends and how crime effects the public at large.
Crime beat reporters don't appear to have many friends. If editors even clash with reporters, what is the problem. Who wants to read just the hard facts of a sexual assault? I can understand summarizing lead crimes, however the big picture should not be ignored. Maybe I my image of journalism is to involved. I want to write stories that mean something to people. I want people to be informed. I want people to know how to change their world and why it needs to be changed. I don't just want to write about a homicide.. I want to write about why homocides continue to occur in certain areas and how to prevent further homicides. But then again we are just talking about crime beats not feature stories. I surprise myself in saying that I might like crime beats. Mix in a little investigative reporting and crime beats... well I might just be prepared to tackle the organized crime that fronts as garbage collection.
Five:
note to self: "Never forget it's not our job to judge, only to tell the truth through reporting and writing."
A problem I have is that I don't like to be obtrusive. I've never been placed in the situation.. but I can guarentee that I will have a difficult time calling a victim or family member of a victim.. and then calling again and again. I am a good judge of emotion and when I sense someones irritation with me.. I back off. I have a backbone.. but no one like to be pestered during the grieving process.
I will take the suggestion of being the reporter that does not fall to the wolfpack mentality. I feel that if people want to talk I need to let them know I am here to listen and tell their story, but until they are ready I won't force them. Subjects are human. Reporters should be human too.
Names of rape victims should only be reported if given consent from the victim. I don't understand how anyone can argue that names of rape victims constitutes as the publics right to know. I can't even imagine the emotion psychological and physical issues that arise from becoming a rape victim.. having the media exploit a sexual crime is unacceptable. The public has a right to know who is doing the raping and where the rapes are happening but they do not need to know the name of an individual who has gone through, in my mind, the worst crime there is.
I think a lot o ethica questions that arise for journalist are a result of lack of compassion. Maybe the media would be able to rid it's evil image if the press stopped acting like men and starting thinking with their brains and their hearts.
Seven:
Courts courts courts. Well I don't know really what to say about covering courts. I feel bad for anyone that is thrown into the court beat. I believe it is necessary to have a competent reporter who understands the legal system. I think the most compelling necessity of court reporting is to make sure everyone is playing the game fair. In general journalist duty is to make sure everyone is acting legit.
The legal system is intense.. laywers and judges wouldn't be paid as much as they are if i wasn't. I can try to understand the structure of the system and I think that that is the best heads up a court reporter can have.
Access to documents seems to be one of the larger challenges of court reporting. It is important to find necessary documents, because as the article says, printed documents are the best defense against libel.
side note: although this weeks reading was long, the website was really intriguing. I felt that the website was legit and speeching from experience. Much better than the text. so ++ for the reading selection.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Fires and accidents and court reporting, oh my.
Well the reoccuring theme that great stories are rooted in a foundation of good reporting surfaces again. Although the text offers a long chapter on fire/accident/court stories, I feel the only way to master such writing is from practice. Until you are on a 20 min deadline of a devastation fire at a senior citizen community, you won't truly know how to deal with the situation.
It is pretty straight forward, figure out the WWWWH, and if time permits delve deeper. As long as you have the facts together you have a story. The text seems to condradict itself regarding one source stories. I feel that if all you have time for is to consult a police report, then state that the information comes from the police report. I do not think journalists should be required to know more than the police during early unravelings of a story. Court reporting is something I am not really familiar with. The text recommondation to ask as many questions as you need to to get the facts straight is helpful.
The only thing that really intersted me in the chapter was the section on ethics. The story on negligance of releasing the home address and name of an intended assult victim is just stupid. I understand the public has a right to know whats going on, however I feel that the present state of the media just views people and devastation accidents as stories. What editor would allow a story to print the name of a victim who's attacker is still on the lose? The press is too caught up with printing a story that is breaking news rather than understanding the victim.
Controversy over the rights of the press during court proceedings is also pretty stupid to me. Again I understand the journalists function is to inform the public, but come on man, don't interfere with someones life. Victims of crimes are already going through a horrific time, stop sticking your nose too deep into places it doesn't belong. The press does have to stay on its toes and make sure the freedom of the press remains free. If the press is to remain free, I feel that such freedom is often at the expense of someone else.
Overall I wouldn't mind writing accident or fire stories. As long as you have the basic facts you are in good shape.
"How do you like it, how do you like it, M(g)ore M(g)ore M(g)ore"
Well Al Gore won the nobel peace prize. hm. And some group of democrat looneys are trying to get Gore to the presidency without his approval. I don't understand why these people are wasting their time money on pushing Gore '08. Why would the man who is gaining celebrity status jump back into the political race? With Gores political track history, I would be afraid of what this election embarressement of would. Gore has different interests now that aren't completely political. Let Gore have fun with his emmy and noble peace prize, but give the guy a break, he doesn't want to wear the many hats of Mr. President anymore. If Hillary won the democrat ticket and Gore ran as vice, well I would certainly call that entertainment... but I really hope to never see the day. Anyways why would Gore take second chair to not only Bill Clinton, but is wife too? ehh. Forget about Gore poltics people. Democracts have a smorgusboard of interesting candidates this year. Gore would just cause trouble... hmm but maybe Democrat trouble isn't such a bad thing.
It is pretty straight forward, figure out the WWWWH, and if time permits delve deeper. As long as you have the facts together you have a story. The text seems to condradict itself regarding one source stories. I feel that if all you have time for is to consult a police report, then state that the information comes from the police report. I do not think journalists should be required to know more than the police during early unravelings of a story. Court reporting is something I am not really familiar with. The text recommondation to ask as many questions as you need to to get the facts straight is helpful.
The only thing that really intersted me in the chapter was the section on ethics. The story on negligance of releasing the home address and name of an intended assult victim is just stupid. I understand the public has a right to know whats going on, however I feel that the present state of the media just views people and devastation accidents as stories. What editor would allow a story to print the name of a victim who's attacker is still on the lose? The press is too caught up with printing a story that is breaking news rather than understanding the victim.
Controversy over the rights of the press during court proceedings is also pretty stupid to me. Again I understand the journalists function is to inform the public, but come on man, don't interfere with someones life. Victims of crimes are already going through a horrific time, stop sticking your nose too deep into places it doesn't belong. The press does have to stay on its toes and make sure the freedom of the press remains free. If the press is to remain free, I feel that such freedom is often at the expense of someone else.
Overall I wouldn't mind writing accident or fire stories. As long as you have the basic facts you are in good shape.
"How do you like it, how do you like it, M(g)ore M(g)ore M(g)ore"
Well Al Gore won the nobel peace prize. hm. And some group of democrat looneys are trying to get Gore to the presidency without his approval. I don't understand why these people are wasting their time money on pushing Gore '08. Why would the man who is gaining celebrity status jump back into the political race? With Gores political track history, I would be afraid of what this election embarressement of would. Gore has different interests now that aren't completely political. Let Gore have fun with his emmy and noble peace prize, but give the guy a break, he doesn't want to wear the many hats of Mr. President anymore. If Hillary won the democrat ticket and Gore ran as vice, well I would certainly call that entertainment... but I really hope to never see the day. Anyways why would Gore take second chair to not only Bill Clinton, but is wife too? ehh. Forget about Gore poltics people. Democracts have a smorgusboard of interesting candidates this year. Gore would just cause trouble... hmm but maybe Democrat trouble isn't such a bad thing.
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