Feb. 25, 2009

The Morgue: A reporter's elegy for his dying paper, by Joe Mathews

I've been told numerous times that there is no such thing as a traditional journalist anymore. I've been told that in order to succeed I in my chosen field, I need to to work after hours, long shifts, carry around a backpack of technology, be constantly curious and not be taken seriously or paid well all at the same time. This article, in a way, confirms my every fear that I will see this to be true when I enter the real world. I will say that I am more than ready to work hard, however, for what?

The Platform: The future of News, by Peter Osnos

I think we, as the audience, is ready to pay for our news. Despite the economic recession, people have always, always paid for their news until the internet confused the economic fundamentals of financially supporting journalism. I think that flexible, cheap subscriptions will do wonders for the economic structure of news today:

(a) allow a greater bond to form between the reader and his/her subscription (whether it be out of guilt or not)

(b) lessen the media outlet's dependency on advertisement (which is pertinent to it's survival)

(c) fund a collapsing system that is in danger of not doing it's one job: providing  the truth

Imagining a City Without Its Daily Newspaper, by David Folkenflik

I really enjoyed Folkenflik's last comment about "a sense of community" because it's something you don't hear much about in the often-heard discussion of media outlet's economic structure collapsing. And, I think there's some truth there. In some sentimental way, we look for tradition and time in a trustworthy publication. But also, we look for publications that our community is also looking at so that we can discuss the topics with each other afterwards. 

A Nonprofit Panacea for Newspapers? by David Folkenflik

When Albany, N.Y.'s The Times Union featured a ProPublica piece in their newspaper, they ran an article in the editorial section concerning the reason for their placement. Rex Smith, the editor-in-chief, talked about the importance of forming a relationship between non-profit and for-profit media outlets. It's cheesy, but true: we must all work together and fill in the gaps knowing, not one of us could do it all. George Seldes and I.F. Stone tried their very best to do everything, independently and in very many ways - succeeded. However, I'de like to see Seldes or Stone with a MacBook. Modern technology has raised the bar, made things more accessible and others less accessible. The bottom line is, until journalism has an appropriate, working economic model, the relationship between non-profit and for-profit journalism can only lead to good things.

Feb. 18, 2009

The Wisdom of the Crowd..., Jeff Howe

Howe, in between commenting on his own cleverness, discusses "crowdsourcing" which can also be thought of us journalists letting volunteers do the work/free PR/employing people as though they were unpaid interns. 

Receiving cell phone pictures or "documentation of experience in real time" - a phenomenon of the 2008 election that he cites in the beginning of the article -  is one thing, but getting to a point where you are depending on it, is another.  

I'de like to add a 4th worry to the list: Honesty from the so-called citizen contributors. 

When Journalists Blog..., Paul Bradshaw

Using the internet to break down boundaries is something that traditional journalists make see as a "new tool",  an idea my generation has been brought up with. From my point of view, writing for online is simply another source: TV, Radio, Newspaper, Online. It shouldn't be squeezed into a mold and eventually, unfortunately, it most likely won't be a place where, "anything goes".

Digging into social media to build a newspaper audience., Bill Adee

"Project O" seems more like the project of a PR group than a newsroom. However, with mainstream media organizations scrambling for funding, I can understand why. Attaching revenue to links on blogs has the potential to be more helpful than modern advertisement revenue. After all, no one actually goes to sponsored sites. However, traffic from links can send a story all over the viral internet. 

Ethical Values and Quality Control in the Digital Era..., Bob Steele

Becoming a slave to gathering readership is one of the most dangerous risks to journalistic integrity today. Until a better system for funding the media is created, this risk continues to exist. 

Suggest a topic..., John A. Byrne

My first reaction t this article is that comparing the trend of dying newspapers to being "massive casualties of a war" is a little much. Secondly, I'm one to advocate for newspapers going online and supplemental (possibly analytical) magazine-style print editions continuing to exist; think, The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Nation, The Atlantic, etc. I can't imagine having to read any of these magazines online. 

Feb. 11, 2009

Distracted..., Maggie Jackson

"Multitasking and the News"

My only problem with articles of this type: the "all young people are technology-induced ADHD kids", is the lack of a solution. Ok, so you're saying that computers, cell phones and multi-clickable websites have catapulted our generation into being so unfocused that it's dangerous for our democracy? Sweet, we're screwed. Now, what?

Tracking Behavior Changes on the Web, David Nicholas

An over-load of information leading to an overall "dumbing down" of a generation is frightening to think about, but a valid point. There is so much information, it's overwhelming sometimes. My mom always told me that the best way I can be effective in change is to pick a cause, and stick to it - giving it my all. I think, in some ways, her argument can apply to the overhaul of information: too much choice, too fast, too many issues. How can we deal with them all?

Mapping the Blogosphere, John Kelly

I haven't decided how I feel about "mapping the blogosphere". All of the sites that connect the dots between users and providers, I'm sure are doing something prolific, or at least of good use, for something but I can't figure it out yet. I can imagine future studies of how nutty the internet is right now will use the data formed by these mapping sites, but as of right now, I can't get myself to care. The numbers of how many bloggers' sites are being checked out by this demographic because of this link are dauntingly-large statistics that I am exhausted to even think about. Phew.

Media Re:public: My Year in the Church Year, Persphone Miel

From the perspective of a 21-year old journalism student, whose journalist ideals lie with a loyalty to print media, I can totally, totally relate to this article! Because of the generation I was born into, I'm supposed to be this media-savvy internet guru with eight blogs, a webcam that I use to video diary my every thought and a connection to hundreds of people I've never met. However, when I first jumped into journalism, I had stacks of the New York Times in my dorm room. I barely knew how to handle my Facebook account, let alone be comfortable exposing myself to the world. Granted, I still am hesitant but I have found myself shamefully addicted to Facebook, YouTube, Hulu and a number of news-driven media blogs. I stopped buying a subscription to the Times. Spoiled by free access, I'm angry at the Wall Street Journal for having the audacity to charge me for an online account. I'm completely addicted to the internet - and it's only getting worse. However, please, someone show me this post the day I sign up for Twitter.

Media Re:public: Conclusions After a Year of Exploration, Persephone Miel

I'm going to focus on the fourth bullet point in the conclusions because I feel like I've chiseled enough at the other topics over, and over, and over again in my studies here. However, the fourth, not so much:

"Despite impressive successes, participation in the online media space is not universal; there are populations and ideas that remain underrepresented."

Having done a little bit of traveling in Europe and Africa, I've seen bits and pieces of how certain discussions are halted at countries' borders. Especially, in Africa and especially in the outsource of information from Africa to the western world. With more knowledge about the continent coming from Blockbusters like "Blood Diamond" and "King of Scotland", African politics, hardship and society are heavily censored by a lack of representation in the mainstream media. The stories are few and through Western eyes. What I think the mainstream media desperately needs is a voice from these underrepresented third world countries to actively participate in worldwide discussion.

Assignment #1: Jan. 23, 2009

On Copy Editing

Jeff Baron's informal response to the value of editors was poignant because of the editor's ability to write: which I really believe makes a great editor, when he/she can write and get a cohesive point across. The editorial role is deceiving, as Baron points out, and I really appreciated his lighthearted discussion of a humble newsroom where "the guy" who never gets seen corrects the "big shot" reporter's mistakes: like the often easily made mistake of literal versus metaphorical expression. "Even five in a hundred readers are misled or baffled by the phrasing of a sentence, we have failed," Baron said. "We have the satisfaction of turning rushed prose into a great newspaper."

How can I become a copy editor?

The slot continues the conversation of the "unglamorous" life of an editor and even then, how it's a tough gig to catch. However, not impossible, considering the author had no background in journalism or editing. The best advice in this article: "Be Good. Damn Good." Which, when it comes to copy editing, I think that practice can make perfect. So I guess, I should practice?

What's a Slot man?

Being a slot man seems claustrophobic. 

The Lot of Journalism's Noble misfits

The break down of a copy editor as a proofreader versus style-checker is a valid argument for the difference between a good copy editor and a not-so-good one. I think that yes, the underlying role of a copy editor is to proofread, make sure that the newspaper doesn't publish any silly slip-ups or embarrassing mistakes. But in actuality, in the real world, the copy editor has the very important role of being the first reader. The first audience member. And he or she represents all of the reader's concerns and questions: and he must address them before publication.

Facts, Fallacies and Fears of TABLOIDIZATION

"Mainstream journalists should not "emulate the seedier tabloid tactics," Kurtz admonished in a March, 1999, column. The only thing Kurtz and Steyn agreed on is that tabloids did a better job covering the O.J. Simpson trials than the mainstream press.

I agree that tabloid news should never interfere with - or considered as - news with journalistic integrity and so I'm like many others, that when I hear The National Enquirer got it right, I am disappointed - when I shouldn't be. The truth should be valued and celebrated. It's when the tabloids are too busy spreading rumors and sensationalizing juicy stories that we shouldn't give them any credit for.

With that said, tabloids - in my opinion - shouldn't be held responsible or taken seriously on a daily basis. If anything, their rumors, speculations and research can - and should - be used by other, serious journalists as grounds for further investigation. That's the only time I can think of this sort of information coming in handy. And not the stories about Lindsey Lohan being a lesbian or Britney Spears going to rehab.
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An interesting side note: The other day, an article written by Steve Friess for the New York Times titled, "The Final O.J. Story for Dominick Dunne" accompanies the idea behind sensation in the media. However, in this case, it's from the inside - out. Usually, subjects - like celebrities - are attempting to avoid tabloids exploiting their stories for sale.

Not Dominick Dunne. He was honest about his disappointment when his latest O.J. Simpson trial wasn't slapped across every newspaper and TV screen. I guess he got a little too used to the idea during his murder case - and now, a few stolen figurines just isn't as juicy. Ironically enough, Dunne is retiring after this case.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/fashion/21dunne.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=O.J.&st=cse&oref=slogin

A glass of your daily news.

Reality, in terms of it being infiltrated to the masses, is often directed to them through the news media. Understandably, it is effected along the way. The old saying, "Don't kill the messenger" applies here. However, the messenger most definitely should be held responsible. Information, like acid rain (if you will), hits a variety of effecting sources as it travels to it's final destination: the news consumer. Acid rain is no pleasant way to think about your "truth-gathering" media sources, but in my opinion, we should never be so comfortable as to take in the news believing that 100 percent of the time it is pure. Just like our water.

So basically, I agree with the existence McComb's Agenda-setting Theory, 1972. He says:

"Newspapers and TV news, even the tightly edited pages of a tabloid newspaper or internet web site, do considerably more then signal existence of major events and issues."

"Throughout their day to day selection and display of news, editors and new directors focus our attention and influence our perceptions of what are the most important issues of the day. This ability to influence the salience of topics on the public agenda has come to be called the agenda-setting role of the media."

While it's frightening to think that this is all being down out of our control, it's imperative to continue to analyze, question and consider the fact that the news isn't in our hands. It's been touched by hundreds of people, memories, biases and motives before it's printed in our paper and consumed along with our morning coffee. Or not consumed. Unfortunately - the part that is most disturbing to me - is the content that is left out, never seen, never heard. That's what we should be working towards, as journalists and story-tellers: to telling the truth *as best as we can*, and not let anything slip away.

(Picture above taken by Adam Polessli, called "Acid Rain", found on Flickr)

A Year in the News

As the Project for Excellence in Journalism addressed in their 62-page report, "The State of the News Media", the battle to be the top story in American news media this year has been brutal. The two top players: The Iraq war and the dueling campaigns of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, completely dominated. No issue was more apparent, and noting it came to no surprise to me. What did come as a bit shocking, was their findings that celebrity topics like Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears were not as broadcast as we all complained them to be. That give a little hope, maybe making up for the pattern of saturation of news content in the media today and the tendency to keep news consumers devouring under a handful of stories at a time: "almost one-third of the overall newshole for the year [accounted for] U.S. foreign policy and U.S. politics and elections" alone. Having said that, the topics are without question the most important. However, in a society where news sources are already, and obviously, biased (a.k.a FOX News) and citizens are unknowingly taking in this information - without questioning it - that's when the problems of ignorance and miscommunication begins. And isn't news...all about...communication?

What picking Palin means for green

An article published in the New York Times Sept. 2 written by Thomas L. Friedman speaks directly to college students about how both presidential candidates are handling the "green" issue in their campaign. It's focus is mostly Sarah Palin's past neglectfulness but more importantly it reminds us not to be so easily swayed - on ALL issues - by politicians' empty promises and speech writers' ability to paint a picture prettier than reality.

Check it out at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/opinion/03friedman.html?em

Switching Gears, and onto the "Politics" of Palin... politics, right???

So as I attempt a graceful return back into an American academic lifestyle, so does my blog. For assignments issued through my senior journalism course Issues and the News, I will be producing posts about...Issues... in... the news throughout the entire fall semester. First up, Sarah Palin. What a way to start off the year.

I'm going to preface this post with saying that while I haven't been 100 percent in keeping up with American politics while abroad, I have tried my best to log onto computers whenever I could and I think I have stayed somewhat on top of it. Having said that, I don't know if it's my never-ending jet lag that has me dazed enough to say the first positive thing I've said about Senator John McCain - but damn, that adorable brunette with bangs is the best decision he's made all year.

If McCain wants to be treated like a celebrity - which his Democratic rivals have insisted upon painting him as (and his lifestyle, including Barbie Wife, has only supported) then the scandals the media has scrounged up from Palin's past and present life to sprinkle on top of the rest of the campaign issues (which are often, actually issues) are working in his favor to get the celebrity attention the media is giving all the candidates this year.

However, the past weekend has proved that Palin may take the cake. A pregnant daughter engaged to a boy-band look-a-like hockey player, an untold past of heated actions like firing a brother-in-law who may have threatened the family's well bring, and a husband who may (or may have not) been involved in a political group attempting to remove their home state of Alaska from the whole of America - well done McCain! Celebrity treatment granted. At least from the media.

Now, of course feeding the gossip-hungry news teams across America was not the reason he picked Miss (Wasilla Pageant) Palin as his VP. And it's definitely NOT to win over the Clinton crowd. That would be too obvious.

However, it MAY JUST BE former Tennessee Senator Fred Tompson's favorite Palin characteristic that won over McCain:

"She's the only nominee in the history of either party who knows how to properly field dress a moose," said Thompson at the Republic National Convention Tuesday night. 

At the end of the day, let us not forget that. Moose: They will be properly dressed.

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(On a more serious note, and probably the only one I will make for this post - because my only response to the rediculousness of peaking around Palin's past for dirty little secrets and smearing the choices (be they bad or good) of her teenage daughter all over every source of our news' top headlines for consecutive days... days... on end, is... that it has been, rediculous.) 

I <3 Mbale

So we're at about the half way point - does this stuff always have to go so quickly? The days are slow - especially the work days, pumping out a hundred or so bricks a day really tires you out - but the weeks fly by.

Our schedule is pretty routine by now. Every day we work from about 9 - 4 at the work site. Some days we make it to town to use the internet or shop for the house, but transportation is a whole chaotic ordeal of bargaining down 'mzungu prices' and finding enough moda-bodas (motorcycle taxis - which are my new favorite thing, by the way) to get us all there. So, we usually save it for the weekends - in between our day trips.

Friday night we went to the Jewish community here in Mbale where just two days earlier Uganda's first Rabbi had been officially announced. There are about 500 practicing Jews in Mbale - a small number as a result of Idi Amin's persecuting 'reign' as President. The open-air synagogue is located on top of a hill, just above a store called "Shalom Shopping Center" where I bought a Coke before Shabbat (oh, new thing - I drink soda. It's the most refreshing thing in the world after a hot work day. That, and this natural juice stuff they call Splash and comes in Passion Fruit, Pina Colada, Mango, mmmmmmmmm. Mgy sweet tooth is OUT here - I think it's a result of a lack of fresh foods in our diet. More about food later.) The service included mostly traditional Jewish ceremonial practices (says my Jewish friends), with African music and a change of order (and adorable Ugandan boys running around with yarmulkes on their head).

Saturday we climbed Mount Wanali - a five-hour guided hike in Mbale. The mountain is stunning, and we can see it clearly from our compound and work site. People live all the way up the mountain, so the trail led right through people's backyards and at the very top, over 3,000 people grow crops and collect rainwater to survive, barely ever coming down. I saw about 20 - I don't know where the rest were hiding. Despite the fact that the mountain is one of Mbale's only tourist attractions, we saw no other hikers and the natives at the top started covering themselves a little more when we arrived. I'm assuming they usually just run around naked - it's like another world up there. Children living and playing on the edge of a mountain, women gracefully balancing baskets of goods on their head as they climb the path barefoot, as we pant and sweat.

The hike was great, and the guide stopped enough to let us breathe and talk about local traditions on the mountain, including sacrificial practices pre-circumcision ceremony. OH and how to kill a leopard - which apparently inhabit the area. In case you didn't know, here's the best way to kill a leopard:

1. Bring along your machete. That way, when the beast roars at you, you can grab his tongue and slice it off - automatically killing the leopard. (?)
2. Just in case you forgot to bring along your machete the day - ya know, just in case - there are a few things you can do. If you are weak - or a woman - lie on your back and allow the animal to tear at you until you bleed. Once it sees blood it will leave you alone and thing you are dead. If you are brave and man and strong - make a 'V' turn (because leopards apparently can only make 'U' turns), grab it's tail and spin as it spins, and scream for help until someone comes to help.

And that is how you kill a leopard. Good luck.

Saturday night we spent drinking the noun wine we've found here - yes, the convent is also a winery, and the only wine we have found in town. It's very sweet and comes in a variety of random flavors and recycled bottles. OH and we had alter wine that was given as a present to one of the members in our group. So we spent the night wondering if we were drinking the Blood of Christ or just having fun. Who knows. A bunch of our Ugandan friends joined us for it - along with a dinner of rice. lots of rice here. and then a few of us went to dance party up the hill. That was good and fun - it's nice to be so accepted by the community here - but after a while the amount of attention you get for being a mzungu gets old, and we went home.

So here we are on Sunday. There are so many stories that happen every day. I try to keep track of them in my journal, but I feel like every time I put my head down to write them down, I miss something.

Like the always-developing and ever-changing tale of Gifty. Gifty is a 3 year-old that lives next door with her mom, Joy, sister, Blessing, and aunt, Naomi (who is 9 - more like a sister). Joy's husband is a soldier and comes home 2-3 times a year. When we first got here, we didn't know if Gifty was a boy or girl because every time she saw us, she would run screaming back in the house, crying out of sheer terror at the sight of our skin color. It's been about a month now, and I'm happy to report that Gifty is our most frequented visitor. We often see her big eyes peeking through the lace curtains of our front door at breakfast. And when it's play time, she's a riot. She has so much attitude and such a little personality already. Sometimes I catch her making dinner for the family - yesterday she was cutting up eggplants - and when she saw one of us, she just said in a demanding tone, "Mzungu come." She refuses to learn our names, pops every bubble we blow at her, and when she doesn't want to do something she pretends to not understand English. I love her.

There are so many other little stories like Gifty - in the people, in the animals, in the earth. You can find pleasantries in everything here, if you just dig past the rest of it. Sometimes its hard to forget - or make others forget - that my skin is a different color, that my cultural, financial and spiritual background is completely different - but there are tiny moments that do occur when everyone forgets, and those have been my favorite so far.