Keep things interesting..... and relevant!

      Chapter eight of The Elements of Journalism was really interesting because of its practicality. The eighth principle outlined is that “journalists must make the significant interesting and relevant.” But how we do that is extremely important. There are essentially two routes which we as writers can take. The first being the informer where we essentially lay out the facts and that is all. The second is the person who gives gripping detail that unfolds just as though you were reading a book. However, one of the questions posed in the book was what style of writing is better? On the one side you are providing the public with the exact happenings of events and on the other you provide entertainment which is appealing to most everyone. However, there is the belief that neither of these two types of writing is better than the other but that a blend of the two is the best.

      One blend of writing of the two aforementioned styles is known as “infotainment.” The example associated with this was the interview of Monica Lewinsky. During the interview the details of what Pres. Clinton likes sexually was the first priority and then the details of how it all happened unfolded. This is the basic style which infotainment takes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpCv-UT2yCU However, this style of writing has undergone a lot of criticism and has several flaws associated with it. One of the problems is that it has turned into soft news that is more for entertainment than it is for informing the general public. An example of this is the Onion News Network who are only interested in entertainment but provide no news stories that are really relevant. An example was this one about a ninja parade. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtR2m20C2YM&feature=relmfu The book explained that “the second long-term problem with the strategy of infotainment is that it destroys the news organization's authority to deliver more serious news and drives away those audiences who want it.” This is exactly opposite of what any news agency wants. Another problem is that infotainment tends to lean toward the explicit stories of pop culture. Despite the cons this style of journalism is one of the most widely used among television news stations. However, we should ensure that we use this style with care.

      I then wondered if, in the long run, infotainment is not a good style, then what is? The book explained that for individual journalists to succeed in making news relevant and interesting they must generally be self-taught through trial and error as to what works and what doesn't. However, we can make news both interesting and relevant because those who have gone before have succeeded.

An example is Diana Sugg who specialized in medical writing. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bal-te.pulitzer08apr08,0,1177356.story One strategy suggested for new journalists to get going is the classic who, what, where and how. The book explains that “if we think of who as character, what as plot, where as setting, and how as narrative, we can blend information and storytelling.”

      There is a reason that storytelling is so popular in that it invokes images in peoples' minds in which they feel a part of the events described in the book. As we strive to create those same images while giving relevant facts, I feel that we can accomplish this principle and make news stories both relevant and interesting.

Lets keep in comprehensive people

     The emphasis for the reading of these two chapters was the importance of journalists keeping the news comprehensive and in proportion. This seems like a giant task on one hand because to keep journalism comprehensive and in proportion we have to understand the things which throw them out of whack. Secondly, the trend which media has taken in large part has been completely the opposite.

The book talked about several places where journalism has missed the mark on this principle. One of the big ones that I found interesting was the pressure of hype. Many journalists fall victim to sensationalism because it instantly draws attention to the story. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensationalism However, that type of media can just as easily and quickly leave. I really like the metaphor of the naked man and the guitarist. The one example is a man who begins to strip on the street, which will instantly draw a large crowd and lots of attention. However, once you're naked there is only so much you can do to keep the attention of the audience. The second example is a man playing a guitar on the street who slowly increases the number of listeners day by day depending on how good a musician he or she may be.

      I also thought that this particular example of a guitarist is what journalists should strive for for several reasons. One being that as you gain a devoted readership over time you will have the revenue and readership (or viewership) which you need. Secondly, drawing from the guitarist again, the listeners who continually come back to hear you play may eventually buy your album and then listen to you on their own and buy future albums. This makes a much larger impact on the people who enjoy your music, or in our case, news stories.

      It is extremely important that we strive to avoid this sensationalism because of the damage it can cause to us and our employers. In the book it talked about the importance of setting the human feelings that are common in all of us aside. This is because it is so easy for everyone to fall into that mode when we see huge problem. http://ethics.journalism.wisc.edu/2010/10/14/ethics-center-co-authors-report-on-nonprofit-journalism-10/ Then when we have fallen in to human emotion there will undoubtedly be parts of the various stories which we will overlook. This is a huge problem because then we are not telling the complete truth. Thus, we miss our first and most important obligation of finding the truth and presenting it to readers.

      But is emotion always bad? Is there ever a time when it would be appropriate to include your personal feelings and thus sway a story in a particular direction? The book explains that “the first sensible rule of thumb would seem to be that [emotionalism] should come at those moments when any other reaction would seem forced – when emotion is the only organic response.” However, there is a strict warning that comes associated with this allowance of emotion. “Emotionalism should disappear between the moment of discovery of a problem and the subsequent search for information meant to put the event into a broader and deeper context.” http://alturl.com/a85mj In this way we will be able to report on the facts associated with the story as well as depict the emotion behind it without missing the beat.

      While this lightly touches on a couple of ways in which we as journalists can keep the news comprehensive and in proportion there are several others. It is extremely evident how important this really is. If we want to make an impact and have a voice that perpetuates on and holds sway we must strive to deliver news on which the public can rely and trust in.

It's my conscience and I will exercise it

     Chapter ten outlines that we as journalists “have an obligation to exercise (our) personal conscience.” This is probably one of the issues in the book which shocked me the most. The reason simply being that I felt this simple principle should be common sense.

However, I was surprised to read how difficult exercising conscience may sometimes be. The book explained that there are times when your boss may ask you to tweak a story or take a particular angle which you personally don't feel good about. Thus the question rises: What should I do if and when placed in such a circumstance?

      I feel that in great part this question is no different from being asked to do drugs and deciding when you were a child that you would never touch the stuff. We should have the same commitment to an ethical code that we do to never drink, smoke or partake of other harmful substances. Bill Kurtis said in the book that “each individual reporter has to set his own rules, his own standards, and model his career for himself.” http://alturl.com/9vyxn

      I loved the story about Carol Marin who anchored for WMAQ who decided to resign from her post after the news organization decided to bring on Jerry Springer as a commentator for the end of the news. Marin felt that having Springer on their news would decrease credibility and that “WMAQ was degenerating into sleaze.” Marin decided that the direction of WMAQ differed from what she as a journalist felt was important. Like Marin, there may come a time when we may have to make a similar decision because a particular issue or decision does not coincide with our personal ethics. Marin said in the book that “there are no laws of news . . . it ends up being sort of your own guiding compass that will determine what you do and don't do.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Marin

As journalists begin to exercise their personal conscience it is inevitable that the industry will change for the better. The book indicated that the end goal of exercising conscience is really to create intellectual diversity. In other words “the goal of diversity should be to assemble not only a newsroom that might resemble the community but also one that is as open and honest so that this diversity can function.” I firmly believe that as this happens news will become a force which will truly make a difference in the world. As we as journalists live by our own ethical code we will create change for the better which will help us to make an impact on the world that will not easily be forgotten. http://ethicnet.uta.fi/romania/the_journalists_code_of_ethics

Ethics in Journalism

      One of the most important duties we have as journalists is to be ethical. Thousands of people rely on the daily news and thus the importance of this true principle. In the book Elements of Journalism, a lot of emphasis is placed on the fact that “journalists have an obligation to exercise their personal conscience.” In other words, we are responsible to have a moral/ethical compass and then voice our opinions based on this compass.

      The activity which we participated in in class is a perfect example. One of the issues was a serial killer who flattens a woman’s car tire and then offer to help her but instead abduct, rape and kill her. The issue with this was that the police had not caught the man and if the style of his attacks was revealed then he may change them and make it harder to catch him. It was interesting to see both sides from various people in the class. On one side you want to alert the public of this man to protect them. However, oppositely you want to catch him as fast and as soon as possible and thus stop the casualties. This was an excellent example of ethical issues which we will be faced with in the future.

As we are ethical in our decisions in the news industry we will only gain the trust and respect of the public as a reliable source of news. A previous editor of CBC news, Tony Burman, said that “Every news organization has only its credibility and reputation to rely on.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalism_ethics_and_standards Thus, the importance of us as future news workers and suppliers to make ethical decisions that will benefit everyone.

      To ensure that employees are making ethical decisions many companies implement codes of ethics. One such is this example from the New York Times Company: http://www.nytco.com/press/ethics.html This particular code, as well as others, outlines the duty the company has to the citizens, such as the the way in which news is collected and protecting their neutrality.

      Despite these type of documents however, it is increasingly important that we have our own code of ethics by which we live our lives. It will be in living these personal codes that we will not only be better employees but we will help to create a better society on both a broad and a personal level. Elder David A. Bednar always told his children three important things to remember as they left home: “1) Remember that you represent the Savior. 2) Remember that you represent your family. 3) Remember that you represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” www.byui.edu/transcripts/graduation/2003_04_26_bednar.htm (accessed October 14, 2004) We as Latter-day Saints have this same duty and obligation as we enter the force. People will not only judge us based on our decisions and actions, they will also judge the church. Thus the importance of each one of us making a decision to live our lives in such a way that is befitting of a member of this wonderful Church and as a believer in Jesus Christ. Let us therefore choose today to live by our personal compass despite what others voices may say.

Here's looking at you!

      Last week we talked about the important role of journalism as a watchdog. Since hearing this term I have always thought that it just meant watching the government. However, it means more than just keeping an eye on government. It also means watching any large organization which could infringe on the rights and safety of U.S. Citizens. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchdog_journalism

      In journalism, I feel that the term watchdog is also synonymous with the term muckraking. Muckrakers keep watch over large organizations to ensure that they don't overstep themselves. http://www.enotes.com/history/q-and-a/what-muckraking-journalism-286227 An example of muckraking also playing a role as watchdog is the book The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. This book exposed the corruption of the American meatpacking industry during the early 1900's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jungle As a result of this exposure to the corruption in the meatpacking industry, the government created the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These organizations are a direct effect of good watchdog journalism because Upton Sinclair did what journalism was intended to do.

      Despite the important role of the press as a watchdog, its role as such has been weakened. This, I feel, is a great tragedy. Since the founding of the nation, journalism has played the important role of ensuring what the founders of the country called an informed citizenry. http://www.alternativeradio.org/products/mccr009 We must, therefore, ensure that we live and report by a personal code of conduct. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “we believe in being honest, true etc.” As we live by these standards as well as our own moral code we will ensure that journalism plays the role it was intended. We will strengthen journalism's role as a watchdog instead of adding to the current weakening that has take place.

I'm Independent

     What does it mean to be independent? Why is this such an important value? I feel that this is one of the most important and fundamental principles which we as journalists can develop. The fourth principle of journalism states that “Journalists must maintain an independence from those they cover.” I liked this quote which explains the importance of independence: “Independence is the essence of our reputation as a “stateless” global news organization and fundamental to the trust that allows us to report impartially from all sides of a conflict or dispute.” http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php/Independence

      I found it interesting that this independence is applicable on several levels. One of the important things which we must be independent from is factions. If we are to truly give an unbiased and fair article or story we must be free from any form of faction which could hinder us. William Safire is an excellent example of being able to be independent from faction despite your background. His background as a speechwriter for President Nixon put him completely on the biased side when he was in politics. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/28/us/28safire.html However, once a journalist he developed and showed his independence from the Nixon administration and in doing so, showed us a excellent example of the importance of becoming independent in journalism.

      It is therefore just as important for us to be independent. As we strive to gain independence from those we cover we will be able to write better, more effective stories. Independence will enable us to give a well-rounded story that will do justice to those that it is about and to those who read it. I like the quote “the press creates a common language understood by everyone in the community.” It creates this common language in the community and we therefore have a duty to each and every person in that community. It was taught in the presentation that “The public feel a class divide between those who produce the news and those who receive it.” As we strive for independence in all aspects, whether social or otherwise, we will break down this division and further establish this commonality that will unite and “bind society together, making them among the most vital forces in the maintenance of any society and fundamental to democratic government and a free society.” http://journalism.cmich.edu/forStudents/programs/

I can see through you!!!!

      As we strive to become journalists there are principles extremely important which we must learn and then decide to follow. Just as when we chose as children to say no to drugs, alcohol, and other destructive substances, we must decide now, before we are professionals, what we believe and then live by those values no matter what.

      Why? There may come a time when we receive a story and shortly thereafter we find out that we are the first ones to hear about it. Then there may be an overwhelming desire to be the first to publish that story before we verify where it came from and if it is even true. After all most of us dream of the same opportunity that Robert Woodward had in the Watergate scandal. However, as said in the presentation in class on Tuesday we must aim “for thoroughness, accuracy, fairness, and transparency” in our journalism. One of the most important standards that we can emphasize is that of verification. The best way to have good verification is to learn good tools before we are in a profession and then practice them. “Practices such as seeking multiple witnesses to an event, disclosing as much as possible about sources, and asking many sides for comment are, in effect, tools in the discipline of verification.” http://kyleeknoles.blogspot.com/2010/02/verification-journalism.html

      As we strive to verify our leads and stories it will solidify our stories in formation or articles and our reputation. I firmly believe that the process of verification will build a bond of trust between us and the public. It is this trust which I feel is lacking in today's society lacking. But the question may still linger as to how we build this trust and improve the verification of our stories.

      One of the best ways that I learned from this last reading and presentation was through transparency. This is the plastic thing we put on an overhead projector but is one of the fundamental tools of good reporting. “Transparency signals a respect for the audience and reaffirms a journalist's public interest motive, the key to gaining credibility.” http://newsgames.gatech.edu/blog/2009/02/notions-of-transparency-in-journalism.html When the public knows our respect them and our desire to get the facts to them, then we will gain their respect back. “Transparency in journalism also includes honesty but goes a step further. It includes virtue and credibility. In journalism, that means accrediting sources and quoting accurately.” http://blogs.setonhill.edu/NancyGregg/2005/09/journalism_of_v.html

      As we strive to be transparent and to verify our stories we will become great assets to the world of journalism. We do, after all, believe in being “honest” and “true” (Articles of Faith #13) in all that we do. Let us therefore decide today to live by the principles which will be of the most service to society.

With great power comes great responsibility

      One of the main reasons that the Revolutionary War took place was because the colonies were tired of being taxed and having no say in the parliament in England. Thus when this country was founded the founders took special consideration to ensure that this would not happen again. One of the ways that ensured the citizens their rights was the document termed the Bill of Rights. This bill protected the population of the United States and ensured that the rights pertained therein could never be taken away.

After this took place newspapers popped up everywhere reporting the happenings in the government. This ensured that the United States government would not become what the parliament was in England. By keeping a watch on Washington the press then became the unofficial “Fourth Estate” of the government. However, with this title it was not long for the press to become an immense political and social power. This power was derived from the “fact that the press can be used to shape societies while imparting news of note and commentary of interest.” ( http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-fourth-estate.htm )

However, with any “power” there comes certain responsibilities. Because the press plays such an important role in society it could be easy for the press to misconstrue information and lead the public to believe something entirely false. Thus journalists have to decide a moral code by which they live and report by. Also, journalists are under a microscope and need to make sure that they are reporting both accurately and willing to do everything they can to write a meaningful, well-founded story. It is very easy to see the faults of journalism because it is available to the world. This article points out five things that are seen as continually wrong in journalism: http://www.prmoment.com/315/five-things-prs-hate-about-journalists.aspx As I read this I was saddened because of the decrease in trust which is occurring among the general public. If this trend is going to stop it is important the we as journalists strive to do the best that we can in every aspect of reporting.

      One big issue that this distrust in journalism has created is that many people are unwilling to go on the record in stories. This has created a huge controversy as to whether or not journalists should be allowed to keep their sources confidential. On one side it is “absurd” that journalists should be allowed to keep their sources confidential, especially when it pertains to the safety of others in our communities. http://www.mwilliams.info/archive/2004/09/journalist-confidentiality.php The other side of the coin is the argument that sources have a right to privacy. Despite both of these arguments it is important for journalists to follow leads when they come their way and use correct information in all of their reporting. There was an article I read once that said the more sources you have the more credible your piece is and the less inclined you will be to make up things in your stories. This is of particular importance especially because we are known as the “Fourth Estate.”

     

True to the Truth and True to the Citizen

     One of the biggest obligations that journalists have in the industry is determining to whom and what they are loyal. Part of being a journalist is being committed to the truth and then offering the truth up to the public in an unbiased and well-founded way. The Nieman foundation for journalism at Harvard University explains that “A commitment to citizens is more than professional egoism. It is the implied covenant with the public … the notion that those who report the news are not obstructed from digging up and telling the truth … It is the basis of why we as citizens believe in a news organization.” http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reports/article/102542/Journalisms-First-Loyalty-Is-to-Citizens.aspx

These are particularly strong words. To say that we hold a “covenant” with the public to find and tell the truth places an important weight upon journalists. Many times journalists forget about this important, sacred pact that they have made with the public. Especially in the the society of today it is easy for journalists to slip into heresy and report their opinion instead of the truth. They forget their commitment to the citizens and allow their standards to fall so that they can get that “story” - if it can even be called that once they are done with it. But the question comes – why do journalists allow their standards to slip? Sherrie Gossett investigated into this further and explains that there are several reasons that this can happen. Standards may slip because “the pressure of the competitive 24-hour news cycle and the push to be first with a story, without adequate checking” is intense and can certainly lead to a slip in standards. http://www.aim.org/media-monitor/standards-in-journalism/ This in particular took place when NPR reported that Sen. Gifford from Arizona had been not only shot in the head but killed, when in fact she was still alive and recovering.

Thus, as we strive to become journalists it is important now more than ever that we hold to standards of finding the truth, sharing the truth and giving support to the truth. The Pew Media Study in the New York Times explains that “there's a feeling that in the digital age, information is a commodity that's just available and there's not always a sense of how it's generated or produced.” Many times this feeling allows journalists to take the amount of information available for granted. This same study also “reaffirmed public distrust of the media as an institution.” http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/26/business/media/pew-media-study-shows-reliance-on-many-outlets.html I feel that if the decline in standards is to change the media must make a return to the basics. We must demonstrated a sense of loyalty to the public in such a way that they know we are loyal to them. We must demonstrate a sense of honor and high standards in journalism. When this happens the media will be much more influential for good. But, until this happens the public will continue to distrust the media and eventually may lead to the undoing of journalism as we know it.

Oh say what is truth? Tis the fairest gem!

Why is truth important? Is it important? What are the pros and cons to being one hundred percent truthful? I feel as though the list of questions about honesty could go on. However, as explained in the presentation, “journalism's first obligation is to the truth.” To this I full-heartedly agree because of the role which journalism plays in society.

When the country was first started the citizens wanted to ensure that they would have the freedom of press so that the truth could be publish without fear of consequences. As a result of the first amendment, men were ensured this freedom and thereby became the watchdog of Washington ensuring that if things went awry that the people would know.

While watching things in Washington, journalists became obligated to give the facts. However, when a journalist falls from this standard then there are sure to be problems. An example was this video of a news reporter who unknowingly reported the murder of his fellow anchor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG4UMxP3HsM While this was simply a misreading of the script it demonstrates the importance of giving the truth. If such a falsehood were truly aired or printed the impact would be extremely detrimental. Such a story would cause unnecessary anguish from family members and would horribly damage the news station's credibility.

An example of non-honesty actually happening was during the shooting of Arizona Republican Gabrielle Giffords; she was reported dead by NPR. While in their hurry to have cutting news they forgot to check their sources and pronounced her dead when in fact she was still in surgery and stable. http://michellemalkin.com/2011/01/08/horror-arizona-rep-gabrielle-giffords-6-others-murdered-at-tuscon-event/ I remember listening to the reasons behind the false information being reported the next day and the drastic blow to the credibility of NPR. Fortunately for them they were willing to admit their falsehood and recover from this unfortunate report.

However, this leads to one of the most basic and important things of journalism - if journalists want to avoid controversy they must report facts. The world today is so linked and so “small” that it is essential for journalist to give facts. If these facts are not given then controversy arises and credibility is lost. I really like what this man's blog said about the importance of truth. http://journalistjan.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/the-importance-of-truth-in-journalism/ “There will be an inevitable decline in trust from readers if journalists cease to do their job and report honest information.”

After all, our jobs, as journalists, rely upon the public viewing or reading our stories. If they were to not trust us as journalists then we would inevitably lose our jobs and our livelyhood. But aside from our jobs, we have a duty to report the truth to the public in an unaltered, unbiased form. We must present the FACTS and then allow the public to make up its mind by itself. “It is always better to have a factual piece, than one that is fabricated to spark public interest.” If we will be honest and live by a code of ethics then we will be fulfilling our duty to the public and to the founders of this nation who fought to ensure that we could have this freedom of speech. Let us not abuse what others have given their lives for us to have.

What is the future?

     I think that the thing that has baffled me the most in reading and contemplating the future of journalism is how fast things are moving.  How we perceive news and where we obtain it from is changing on a daily basis.  Everywhere news companies are changing how they present news and the formats which news is broadcast.  Sources are derived from everywhere now due to the accessibility of hand held media devices such as cell phones and video recording devices.  This trend is particularly interesting because I can be involved in what is taking place in Libya and their revolution whereas had I lived even 50 years ago I would wait and hear it second hand.  Now I can see first-hand footage captured and transmitted into outer space and back again as though it were happening in my own city.  I really do feel that this is a big improvement because there are some things I can witness and the news can cover right away.  Before, due to the inavailability of these devices it was nearly impossible to have video coverage of them.  The perfect example which is outlined in the reading where amateur footage was the primary source is the attack on the twin towers on September 11, 2001. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuQl9hUC00k Because of this type of coverage people across the world are able to have personal experiences with things which they never witnessed first hand.
     However, what will the future of journalism be?  Well, that is the question to which no one seems to have the answer.  Why?  Because if we were to step back twenty years there is no possible way that anyone foresaw that journalism would be where it is today.  There was absolutely no way that anyone could possibly foretell the tools available. http://www.newsandtech.com/resources/  Perhaps we will advance to the point were we will have devices implanted that will immediately transmit the latest urgent news into our minds or perhaps we will revert back to having the news reported to us on chalkboards like this man http://creamcityandsugar.blogspot.com But one thing is certain and that is that only the future can tell what it holds for journalism as it rolls out before us.

He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ

I wanted my first post to be and explain what has created me as a person. Mainly my Savior Jesus Christ.