I knew that news websites are constantly updating their home pages to show the most recent news, but usually there are still a few stories that are the same from the morning paper.
However, when I went on www.washingtonpost.com just now, none of the stories are the same! It is just shocking to realize that what you read just this morning is now outdated.
I've been thinking about the extent to which new media controls our lives. What would happen if it suddenly shut down? What would we do if we no longer could chat instantly with people around the world or if journalists could no longer post breaking news stories on their paper's web site just as they happened?
It is scary that we are so dependent on this single source.
Also, I noticed that a lot of the articles in today's Post were titled differently online than in print. For example, "New Path to Restore Identities of Missing" is on the front page, but online the article is titled "Database Combines Details of Remains, Disappearances in Hopes of Making Matches." Also, "Utopia at a Discount" is on the front page, but "Buying a Bit of Celebration, Fla., Is Getting Easier" is online.
We've discussed how the internet is supposed to be "faster," but then why do the online article titles seen so awkward to me.
Let me know which titles you like better and why you think they were changed.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The News Media's Woman Problem
While doing our readings for July 22, "The News Media's Woman Problem", I found this amazing quote by Carl Sessions Stepp, AJR's senior contributing editor, who teaches at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland.
"Journalist are followers not leaders, observers rather than agents of change, willing to edge toward upsetting the status quo but soon settling safe near the middle."
What do you all think of this quote? Agree or disagree?
"Journalist are followers not leaders, observers rather than agents of change, willing to edge toward upsetting the status quo but soon settling safe near the middle."
What do you all think of this quote? Agree or disagree?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Broadband
On NBC Nightly News tonight, there was a report about how, in some rural areas in the US, there is no broadband Internet connection. Residents of these areas must rely on slow dial-up connections to use the Internet.
I personally cannot imagine life without lightening-fast Internet. Without the quick Internet connection I have become accustomed to, I would not be able to multi-task or even do singular actions with such ease.
The lack of fast Internet connections in some places in the US and the world raises the question of what would happen if journalism were to make a more permanent transition to the Web. Those without adequate Internet connections would suffer. What do you think?
Glamor for Media
Hi guys.
I was just looking over the readings for Tuesday and I came across something very interesting. Greta Van Susteren, a news host, got plastic surgery when she moved to Fox 5.
I think this is horrible because one should not have to change one self to be liked. I think that if she is good at reporting the news, than is does not matter what she looks like. I feel that there are other reporters who do this too as well as celebrities.
The idea behind plastic surgery is to look young, so does this mean that older people should not be reporting the news? In this day in age, does one have to look a certain way in order to do the news? Do you think that one should completely change their appearance in order to land a job?
Tell me what you think.
Crime drops?
This morning after reading that crime has dropped in many major cities, I was shocked. I figured due to the recession that people would be committing more crimes. Apparently I was not the only one confused, "Experts did not see this coming at all," said Andrew Karmen ( From Washingtonpost.com)
In the article it specifically talks about violent crimes such as murders, specifically in the DC metro area and Prince George's County. Even though the article talks about how police are taking credit for the drop, it does not really mention what they have done other than track and prevent gang fights. The ironic thing about this article is that over the weekend, also published in the Washington Post was an article about Prince George's county police who are being investigated for gambling and protecting "powerful drug dealers." So it brings to question what is really being done that the crime rates are dropping, or who is causing it to drop, when police officers themselves are being investigated.
The problem I have with the original article is that it does not specifically talk about what type of crime or other crime rates which left me wondering. Do you think that crimes such as drug dealing or robbery has dropped as well?
Sunday, July 19, 2009
The Environment: Part 2
I seperated the posts so two ideas would not conflict in the minds of the rest of you reading my perhaps insane views. (Sorry, I care about the Earth)
Anyway: Here is the short and sweet story.
We broke the atmosphere. That isn't good, because skin cancer NEVER compliments your tan. We wanted to fix it proving that deep down, humanity isn't *entirly* heartless and evil.
[Fail]
We made it worse, the fix-it chemical that we dumped made it worse.
"In the atmosphere, these replacement chemicals act like "super" greenhouse gases, with a heat-trapping power that can be 4,470 times that of carbon dioxide. " - curtosy of the Washington Post. (Interestingly [in this case frustratingly] enough this article is not a major story.)
The article can be found here, because it was taken down already. I am biased, I know, but I would show this everyday, for at least a week, IN ALL CAPS.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/19/AR2009071901817.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR
Did anyone notice this: We tried to fix a problem caused by humans dumping chemicals, BY DUMPING MORE CHEMICALS.
I am not a scientist, I am little but a very angry civillian... AND EVEN I KNOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BAD IDEA.
Yes, I know... In the situation the faced I might have made the same mistake. Still why didn't we see this coming?
AND WHY ISN'T THIS STORY IN CAPS ON EVERY FRONT PAGE OF EVERY NEWSPAPER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD?
Anyway: Here is the short and sweet story.
We broke the atmosphere. That isn't good, because skin cancer NEVER compliments your tan. We wanted to fix it proving that deep down, humanity isn't *entirly* heartless and evil.
[Fail]
We made it worse, the fix-it chemical that we dumped made it worse.
"In the atmosphere, these replacement chemicals act like "super" greenhouse gases, with a heat-trapping power that can be 4,470 times that of carbon dioxide. " - curtosy of the Washington Post. (Interestingly [in this case frustratingly] enough this article is not a major story.)
The article can be found here, because it was taken down already. I am biased, I know, but I would show this everyday, for at least a week, IN ALL CAPS.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/19/AR2009071901817.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR
Did anyone notice this: We tried to fix a problem caused by humans dumping chemicals, BY DUMPING MORE CHEMICALS.
I am not a scientist, I am little but a very angry civillian... AND EVEN I KNOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BAD IDEA.
Yes, I know... In the situation the faced I might have made the same mistake. Still why didn't we see this coming?
AND WHY ISN'T THIS STORY IN CAPS ON EVERY FRONT PAGE OF EVERY NEWSPAPER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD?
The Environment
I was reading about how the Environment and how our earlier attempt to fix it is making things worse.
THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!
As I see it, Sotomayer is no where near as important as this. Yet this gets one article. At the beginning of the program Sotomayer got two or three at a time in the post.
Isn't the life of one person, of one Government kindda second seat to something that will harm this entire planet?
Isn't the environment infinatly more important than this insignificant action (compared to this event)?
THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!
As I see it, Sotomayer is no where near as important as this. Yet this gets one article. At the beginning of the program Sotomayer got two or three at a time in the post.
Isn't the life of one person, of one Government kindda second seat to something that will harm this entire planet?
Isn't the environment infinatly more important than this insignificant action (compared to this event)?
Death of a Legend
The legendary Walter Cronkite passed away at the age of 92 on Friday. According to CBS, he passed with his family at his bedside after struggling with a long illness.
Cronkite was considered the man who "personified journalism for more than a generation as anchor and managing editor for CBS News." His legacy spanned almost the entire 20th century. He covered topics from World War II to the launch of Apollo XI. He broke the news about John F. Kennedy's assassination. He had the people's attention, but more importantly, he had the people's trust.
"Cronkite was the steadying force for a time of national sorrow." A 1972 poll regarded him as the "most trusted man in America." He gave journalists a good name.
I figured out about his death from one of the big screen televisions in the Terp Zone. CNN was doing coverage about his legacy and his work. They also had other journalists talking about his legacy and their own personal feelings of his work.
Could this not have come at a more coincidental time? We are all here for a three week journalims program and one of the most influential journalists dies in our first week. It feel like this means something. Nevertheless, his legacy will not be forgotten. And we as the aspiring journalists of the future, need to carry it out and perform with the passion and consistency as Cronkite did.
Cronkite was considered the man who "personified journalism for more than a generation as anchor and managing editor for CBS News." His legacy spanned almost the entire 20th century. He covered topics from World War II to the launch of Apollo XI. He broke the news about John F. Kennedy's assassination. He had the people's attention, but more importantly, he had the people's trust.
"Cronkite was the steadying force for a time of national sorrow." A 1972 poll regarded him as the "most trusted man in America." He gave journalists a good name.
I figured out about his death from one of the big screen televisions in the Terp Zone. CNN was doing coverage about his legacy and his work. They also had other journalists talking about his legacy and their own personal feelings of his work.
Could this not have come at a more coincidental time? We are all here for a three week journalims program and one of the most influential journalists dies in our first week. It feel like this means something. Nevertheless, his legacy will not be forgotten. And we as the aspiring journalists of the future, need to carry it out and perform with the passion and consistency as Cronkite did.
American Idol without Paula Abdul
Millions of people love the hit singing reality competition American Idol not only for the new talent and entertainment, but most of all for the three famous judges; Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, and Paula Abdul. We've known each of them because of their memorable personalities. Simon's the obnoxious one with the english accent, Randy loves to express himself through the word "dawg", and Paula is perceived as beautiful, loving, diva.
Now approaching the shows ninth seasons, rumors has it that Paula may not be returning as a judge to the show. According to "Access Hollywood" and Paula's manager David Sonnenberg she is not happy and also is hurt. Some reasons stem from her not approving of her new contract. Even after negotiations in June, it still isn't looking like Paula will be returning after being a judge for the previous eight seasons. Paula expressed her feeling about the situation on Twitter where she expresses that she appreciates the feedback and support she is recieving from her fellow tweeters and she couldn't get through the situation without them.
I can never imagine watching American Idol and not seeing Paula Abdul. What would the views think of that? Will Americxan Idols lose viewers who are fans of Paula? What would American Idol be like without the diva judge Paula Abdul? Give me your feedback and thoughts about Paula's choice on whether not to return to American Idol
Stop and Listen
Hi Guys.
I was just reading one of the articles for Monday about interviewing. I thought that it was very interesting how simple it is to get information during interviews. According to this article, "To be a good interviewer you must learn to listen--both to others and to yourself." If one is interviewing an athlete, politician or peer, one basically needs to be attentive and prepared with questions. I also learned that it is important to try to have a conversation with the person you are interviewing instead of just asking them questions.
Have any of you guys ever been in the position of interviewing a peer for a school newspaper or magazine? If so, how did you conduct your interview? What skills did you use?
Tell me what you think.
Musical Influence!
Hello Everyone,
My roommate and I were just talking about how music effects people's lives, outlook on the world and feelings. My roommate felt as though people should not allow a song or a certain music artist to effect their feelings and how they go about certain things in their day, however I feel that music influences people's mind that listen to it constantly throughout the day.
Typically for teens, if they are going through hard times with a girlfriend or boyfriend, they tend to listen to more love generated songs that are a guide to helping them figure out what to do about their certain situations. I felt as if this was a great my to work out a problem like that because that song may convey the same feelings you have, however my roommate thought it was a good idea to listen to a more uplifting song that causes happiness or just get out with friends and family so that you firget out the entire situation.
Futhermore, I think music causes some people to do outrageous things, such as roadrage and pointless fights. For example, a Hip-Hop artist named Ludacris has a song entitiled, "Move Get Out My Way." A person inside a car on a highway will hear this and they would want to go faster and act as if the road was theirs. I feel as though this is true because music and generate all types of feelings, depending on the certain circumstance. In contrast, my roommate feels that people do what they want and music has no affect on them, and if it does have an effect, then theres a problem.
Journalism 150 Tell me how music effects you, and if it does, why do you allow it to?
My roommate and I were just talking about how music effects people's lives, outlook on the world and feelings. My roommate felt as though people should not allow a song or a certain music artist to effect their feelings and how they go about certain things in their day, however I feel that music influences people's mind that listen to it constantly throughout the day.
Typically for teens, if they are going through hard times with a girlfriend or boyfriend, they tend to listen to more love generated songs that are a guide to helping them figure out what to do about their certain situations. I felt as if this was a great my to work out a problem like that because that song may convey the same feelings you have, however my roommate thought it was a good idea to listen to a more uplifting song that causes happiness or just get out with friends and family so that you firget out the entire situation.
Futhermore, I think music causes some people to do outrageous things, such as roadrage and pointless fights. For example, a Hip-Hop artist named Ludacris has a song entitiled, "Move Get Out My Way." A person inside a car on a highway will hear this and they would want to go faster and act as if the road was theirs. I feel as though this is true because music and generate all types of feelings, depending on the certain circumstance. In contrast, my roommate feels that people do what they want and music has no affect on them, and if it does have an effect, then theres a problem.
Journalism 150 Tell me how music effects you, and if it does, why do you allow it to?
Op-Ed
As Professor Banisky suggested, I have been skimming the Op-Ed page of the Washington Post for the past few days. However, I'm still a little fuzzy on what an Op-Ed piece is. How does it differ from an editorial? Just in the fact that it's written based on one's opinion rather than on the opinion of the publication as a whole? I would greatly appreciate it if someone could clarify Op-Ed for me.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Living for the "Memoiries"
From Walt Harrington, in one of the readings for Monday:
"I could go on with example after of example of such reporting -- the astronomer I went out with at 5:30 a.m. on a clear morning to know for sure what I was seeing in the sky on our hunting mornings; the compass watch I wore to always know which direction was which at any particular moment; the thermometer I used to record the water temperature at the mouth of the Old Collins spring in winter and summer (a steady 51 degrees); the old White House records reporting that I had sipped La Crema Reserve Chardonnay and ate smoked salmon mousse at a particular state dinner; the academic journal articles establishing that 75 percent of rabbits born in any given year are already dead from disease, weather, and predation by the time hunting season rolls around in the fall; the National Weather Service records that give the local temperature and weather conditions by the hour for the days and years I hunted; and the soil conservation map that gives the 700-, 800-, and 900-foot elevations of the mountains in Lawson Bottom."
This is an interesting quote, and it brought a thought to my mind: at what point does a memoir writer stop actually living and cross over into sheer documentation of the events around him/her? This passage gave me the impression that Harrington's attention to detail and penchant for fact-gathering caused him to be constantly scribbling on a pad about everything around him.
An example of living life for the sake of recording it can be literally seen on YouTube, where a user named "iJustine" records her life every day. This process is called "lifelogging," and usually involves wearing a physical camera on one's head. iJustine essentially lets millions of Internet users see her entire life nearly every day.
To further digress, a movie came out a few years ago called "The Truman Show," with Jim Carrey as the lead. This man lived his life unaware of the fact that hidden cameras recorded his every move in the small town in which he lived. The film is an interesting look into the rapidly expanding viral world of sharing one's life over media outlets.
Harrington is similar to iJustine and Truman in the sense that he is sharing parts of his life with the world. Through his memoir, the reader can view the events as Harrington saw them. This is quite a valuable insight.
However, I fear he may not have truly taken in all of his surroundings during these trips, for he was too busy with his nose in his notebook.
On the other hand, maybe he enjoyed these trips more because he was able to so fully understand every intricacy of the occasions. This is likely the case.
What do you think? Did he ruin his hunting or did he enhance it by taking notes for his memoir?
Also, what are your opinions about lifelogging? Have you found yourself at an event or hanging out with friends and thinking to yourself, "I can't wait to get home and blog about this" (or post on Facebook or Twitter)?
Friday, July 17, 2009
Saving Lives Just Part of the Job
Please follow the link and read the article. It's pretty amazing.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F2001%2F01%2F10%2FMN160983.DTL
I just thought I would share this with you guys because of the way I stumbled across it...my friend posted it on Facebook.
It is just interesting how one person finds these fascinating articles and can post them on Facebook and then they can get passed on to blogs and other networking sites over and over again so that thousands of people read it.
About the article itself, I think this is a great example of a good lede.
"If you're an ironworker on the Golden Gate Bridge and your home phone rings at 3 a.m., you know it's trouble."
It's only one sentence, but it so perfectly captures the tone, the urgency, and the location so compactly. It really makes you want to continue reading.
What do you guys think about this article? What are your thoughts about the extent to which a simple article like this can spread like wildfire via the internet?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F2001%2F01%2F10%2FMN160983.DTL
I just thought I would share this with you guys because of the way I stumbled across it...my friend posted it on Facebook.
It is just interesting how one person finds these fascinating articles and can post them on Facebook and then they can get passed on to blogs and other networking sites over and over again so that thousands of people read it.
About the article itself, I think this is a great example of a good lede.
"If you're an ironworker on the Golden Gate Bridge and your home phone rings at 3 a.m., you know it's trouble."
It's only one sentence, but it so perfectly captures the tone, the urgency, and the location so compactly. It really makes you want to continue reading.
What do you guys think about this article? What are your thoughts about the extent to which a simple article like this can spread like wildfire via the internet?
WMUC!!!!
Brooke asked a great question that we all seemed to come to an agreement on at the radio station. As Scottie said, radio is indeed losing its popularity. I, however, had to admire the fact that he is so dedicated and enthusiastic about radio that he doesn't see an end near. Though the internet and television may have the most control over grabbing audiences, I love to see that the two underdogs (print and radio) are fighting strong.
Today's trip was extremely great and I thank Professor Banisky for arranging this for us. Scottie and Jamal were excellent and I think we pounded them with every question in the book. I wouldn't be suprised if many of your views on radio have changed after that visit. I know I feel more appreciative of radio, especially at this school. Considering workers at WMUC do not get paid and they have to withstand that unbearably hot building, I have full respect for what they do. I think the most important aspects are that they simply love what they are doing and they want to keep learning. Overall, this trip gave me true insight into broadcasting and what it really takes. I look forward to digging deeper into it and some day fulfilling this type of career.
I honestly thought campus radio stations were open to only campus students who never really listen to it. Now I see just how far a small FCC credited station can get.
Hey, you may just be thinking about tuning into some 88.1 soon...
Today's trip was extremely great and I thank Professor Banisky for arranging this for us. Scottie and Jamal were excellent and I think we pounded them with every question in the book. I wouldn't be suprised if many of your views on radio have changed after that visit. I know I feel more appreciative of radio, especially at this school. Considering workers at WMUC do not get paid and they have to withstand that unbearably hot building, I have full respect for what they do. I think the most important aspects are that they simply love what they are doing and they want to keep learning. Overall, this trip gave me true insight into broadcasting and what it really takes. I look forward to digging deeper into it and some day fulfilling this type of career.
I honestly thought campus radio stations were open to only campus students who never really listen to it. Now I see just how far a small FCC credited station can get.
Hey, you may just be thinking about tuning into some 88.1 soon...
Thursday, July 16, 2009
College
I feel as though every teen in the young scholars program enjoys the college life and the living arrangements without any parently guidance, however there is extreme responsibilty when it comes to living on your own.
Starting with academics, I think everyone feels very appreiciative becasue they dont have their parents breathing down there necks about homework and study time, however sometimes that parental guidance is needed. Through adequate amount of downtime, new friends, and campus activities its hard to focus on academics. There's were the real independence comes in and you have to choose friends over education, and most of the time peer pressure wins.
Secondly, the eating habits get worse by the day. Usually parents make sure that you have a well- balanced meal, however, when on your own, a well- balanced meal has a whole new meaning. Typically a well- balanced meal is pizza, chips, soda and ice cream which is usaually food that tires you out, and again looses your focus on your academics.
Journalism 150, tell me about you new semi- college experiences and how great you are with time management.
Starting with academics, I think everyone feels very appreiciative becasue they dont have their parents breathing down there necks about homework and study time, however sometimes that parental guidance is needed. Through adequate amount of downtime, new friends, and campus activities its hard to focus on academics. There's were the real independence comes in and you have to choose friends over education, and most of the time peer pressure wins.
Secondly, the eating habits get worse by the day. Usually parents make sure that you have a well- balanced meal, however, when on your own, a well- balanced meal has a whole new meaning. Typically a well- balanced meal is pizza, chips, soda and ice cream which is usaually food that tires you out, and again looses your focus on your academics.
Journalism 150, tell me about you new semi- college experiences and how great you are with time management.
How a Typo Ruins an Article
From The Washington Post's latest Sotomayor article:
"Cornyn said he did not what to tell his constituents what to think about what he said were competing portraits of her: an activist judge whose speeches praise ethnic pride and describe how life experiences influence decision-making, or a restrained jurist who values precedent and rule of law."
Obviously, the error is that the word "know" is missing in between "not" and "what" near the beginning of the sentence. But without that word -- even if you fill in the blank yourself -- the rest of the sentence dissolves into an unintelligible mess. And it was a long sentence anyway, which is always risky if you're trying to keep the reader interested. I ended up confused by this sentence, and had to read it again. Just letting you all know that typographical errors do cause serious confusion, and must be taken seriously for this reason.
Radio Station
Hi everyone.
I am really excited to go to the radio station tomorrow. I think it will be really neat to see the process ones go through in order to report news on the air. Personally, this will be my first time going to radio station. Has anyone else been before? Also, what do you all think is the most effective way of getting out the news? Maybe by print or web? Radio or T.V?
Tell me what you think.
I am really excited to go to the radio station tomorrow. I think it will be really neat to see the process ones go through in order to report news on the air. Personally, this will be my first time going to radio station. Has anyone else been before? Also, what do you all think is the most effective way of getting out the news? Maybe by print or web? Radio or T.V?
Tell me what you think.
Wikipedia In the Newsroom
Many people believe Wikipedia is an absolutely unreliable source to use for reseach. Surprisingly, newsrooms are begining to accept Wikipedia as a informational source. Although it may be unreliable, there are still trusted facts that can be used. Donna Shaw stated, "Wikipedia can be used as a starting point for reporters to immerse themselves in a topic." I agree with Donna, while on the other hand, why use Wikipedia if you are forced to check their facts, as Shaw said, "use other cites to check Wikipedia's accuracy." Emerging from experiences I've had, Wikipedia entries are sometimes factual and reliable, but can still be carelessly updated and untrue. Journalism150 give me your feedback on your experiences with Wikipedia and what you think.
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