Guest speaker Steve Molk's main idea in his lecture today, was that it is possible to say what you want on social media, and get recognised, as long as you work at it. He discussed how we, as journalism students, should start learning how to use all kinds of social media, and constantly work on our writing style, in order to give ourselves a head start for our future careers.
He discussed how twitter is now a major source for finding news, and that many public figures that use these types of media are now more accessible than ever before. Even as budding journalists, we have the power to speak our minds, and speak to those of importance on order to get our own questions answered.
Steve also mentioned that 5 years ago, blogging as a social media outlet, was nowhere near as popular as it is today, which proves that it is growing in both popularity, and acceptance as a recognised media outlet.
Opportunities for careers related to blogging are becoming more common, and the ability to write a blog is becoming a more sought after skill. He mentioned blogs such as his own http://molkstvtalk.com/, which started as simply writing stuff about something he liked, and growing to a recognised blog, with many of his articles being published in well known newspapers.
The main points that I took away from Steve's lecture, were that as a journalists, we should maintain our own personal opinion, and not be afraid to voice it. In light of this however, we must also be willing to listen to other people's opinions, whether they relate to ours or not, to stay level headed, and to keep writing.
Monday, 28 May 2012
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Annotated Bibliography
Annotated Bibliography
Much of what is broadcast in the media
relies on cultural, religious and social connotations to reinforce its significance.
Media relies on the public to experience specific reactions to certain instances
and/or images, which relate to contemporary issues of great importance. This
bibliography attempts to pinpoint instances in the media where religious and
cultural instantiation is perceived in relation to certain events of social
significance.
Hoover, S.M. (2011). Media
and the imagination of religion in contemporary global culture. European Journal of Cultural studies, 14 , 610-625. DOI:
10.1177/1367549411419980.
This article, written by Professor Stewart M.
Hoover, effectively examines how the ‘mediation’ of religion in contemporary society
has greatly impacted upon the way religion is communicated and conceptualized throughout
the globe. Professor Hoover, respected as
an expert on religion in the media at the University of Colorado, USA, skilfully
addresses key ideas on the media’s ability to ‘instantiate’ religions (Stewart M. Hoover, n.d.). He uses pertinent
examples such as the Bali bombings, 9/11 and the 2008 US presidential election
to successfully pinpoint the idea of religious power within the media, and how
instances are manipulated for certain effect. Hoover draws upon key
intellectuals such as academic Author Benedict Anderson to support his argument.
He intelligently utilizes Anderson’s “notion of ‘imagination’” to underline the
idea that media’s influence on religion and spiritual thought aids in disconnecting
traditional perspectives of religions from their true source (Hoover, 2011). He precisely
examines religious and political use of new media platforms, and how the
representation, and reception of religion is changing in our rapidly evolving society
of free speech and developing broadcasting technologies. He further stresses
the idea that this extension of religious and spiritual reach can be used for
both good and bad means, through the control of religious “symbols, values and
truth claims”(Hoover, 2011). This article is both relevant and well researched, which helps
in adding to the believability of Hoover’s claims.
Gregory,
David. Williams, Brian. (Writer). (2011, May 1) NBC News Special Report – Full Length – Osama Bin Laden Dead. [Television
Report]. United States of America: NBC.
This NBC coverage of the death of Osama Bin
Laden on 1st May 2011 was broadcast live throughout America. Throughout the broadcast, hosts David
Gregory and Brian Williams constantly discuss the past
efforts to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden, while awaiting the President’s
address. Much of this conversation is conducted with government officials and senior
journalists, who convincingly supply running details of present and past situations,
and what the death of Bin Laden will mean to America. Much of this pre-announcement
discussion however, is simply speculation as to how Bin Laden was killed, which
amuses the public, but does not provide any solid information. On the bottom right
of the screen, images of Bin Laden are displayed, which hold both religious and
cultural connotations that, as expressed in Hoover’s article, are used to symbolise
terror on America. These images are also followed with images of the aftermath
of 9/11, which again relates to Hoover’s comments on instantiation in the
media. The presenters refer to 9/11 and the American ‘humiliation’ often, in
order to reinforce the significance of Bin Ladens Death. Throughout the
broadcast, on the top right hand of the screen (directly on top of the images
of Bin Laden), remains a picture of the white house, which presents a powerful
image of American domination. This broadcast is entertaining and well researched,
but unfortunately reinforces cultural and religious stereotypes.
Griffin, Jennifer. Fishel, Justin. Associated Press. (2011, May 2). Usama Bin Laden Killed in Firefight With U.S.
Special Ops Team in Pakistan. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/01/usama-bin-laden-dead-say-sources/
This web article
for Fox News written on the 2nd May 2011, delivers a concise account
of the death of Osama Bin Laden, as well as the reactions of the people and
reliable quotes from president Obama’s announcement to the American public. Fox
News—renowned to have a very patriotic view—presents the matter from a very
American stand-point in order to emphasise their great achievement and strength.
The large picture dominating the top of the article immediately places
religious and cultural connotations connecting religion and terror to Bin
Laden. These religious implications are addressed further down in the article
however, as the authors make it clear (aided by Obama’s speech) that “Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of
Muslims,”(Griffin, 2011). The information relating to
Obama’s speech presented in the article is reliable, and the information
regarding how Bin Laden died, and how his body is being treated, is attributed
to ‘Government Officials’(Griffin, 2011). The word ‘terrorism’ is used, along with 9/11, (which
both carry heavy cultural, emotional and religious undertones) to add
importance and fear to the report.
ABC News. (2011). Osama bin Laden dead. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-02/osama-bin-laden-dead/2697808
This group
of images on ABC News Australia’s website present a silent but powerful portrayal
of the significance of the death of Osama Bin Laden. The 29 images present a
less Americanised perspective of the effect of Bin Laden’s death, and represent
both American and Afghani people celebrating. The religious, cultural,
political and social symbolism in this particular media report is very
powerful, and can therefore speak for itself. This symbolism however, can be both positive and negative, depending on the individual's perspective. Pictures of Bin Laden are displayed,
as well as American Presidents Obama and Bush. There are also pictures of the
Twin Tower attack, Pakistani soldiers, pro-Taliban activists, mourning
Americans, American soldiers, and even the coffin of an Iriqi victim of an Al Qaeda
attack during November 2010. It is clear that in this piece, ABC is attempting
to present every side of this story as possible. The use of pictures to tell
this story is very effective, as the use of a visual replay of events is
instant, and has a more emotional affect on its audience. As raw evidence of
the events surrounding Bin Laden’s death, it is easy to believe these pictures
tell the truth, however, they are just as easily open for interepretation.
References
ABC News. (2011). Osama
bin Laden dead. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-02/osama-bin-laden-dead/2697808
Gregory, David. Williams, Brian. (Writer). (2011,
May 1) NBC News Special Report – Full Length
– Osama Bin Laden Dead. [Television Report]. United States of America: NBC.
Griffin, Jennifer.
Fishel, Justin. Associated Press. (2011, May 2). Usama Bin Laden Killed in Firefight With U.S.
Special Ops Team in Pakistan. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/01/usama-bin-laden-dead-say-sources/
Hoover, S.M. (2011). Media and
the imagination of religion in contemporary global culture. European Journal of Cultural studies, 14 , 610-625. DOI:
10.1177/1367549411419980.
Stewart
M. Hoover. (n.d.) http://journalism.colorado.edu/faculty/stewart-m-hoover/
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Investigative Journalism
Our second last JOUR1111 lecture stated that most good journalism can be defined as investigative journalism. As all journalism involves an investigative process, the practice of 'investigative journalism' is more far-reaching than one would think.
The lecture stressed that there are five basic 'in's' of investigative journalism:
-Intelligent: the journalist must clearly know what they are talking about.
-Informed: must consider all the facts, factors, who they are, other people, "who is pulling the strings?"
-Intuitive: journalist (to some degree) much rely on their gut instinct to know what is right to do.
-Inside: to get the information you want, you have to be able to get the informant to trust you.
-Invest: no good journalist ever got anywhere without a little (or a lot of) effort.
Much of what is published as investigative journalism, goes deeper than the average news piece. It incorporates critical thinking, and an active and thorough approach to get to the facts. It aims to expose breaches in societies norms and morals, as well as "provide a voice for those without one, and to hold the powerful to account". Investigative journalism also aims to follow the standards emphasised in this quote by Sir Theodore Bray, editor-in-chief Courier-Mail (1965)": ‘Newspapers clearly have a function beyond mere reporting and recording – a function of probing behind the straight news, or interpreting and explaining and sometimes of exposing … The press lives by disclosure.’
It is clear that the future of investigative journalism is under threat from on-line news sources, which is not only unfortunate for investigative journalists, but also the educated public who want a deeper truth, not just the news.
As I have stated before, The Global Mail http://www.theglobalmail.org/ is an excellent website for investigative journalism, and a site I would be extremely sad to see become lost in a society of fast news and fleeting interest.
The lecture stressed that there are five basic 'in's' of investigative journalism:
-Intelligent: the journalist must clearly know what they are talking about.
-Informed: must consider all the facts, factors, who they are, other people, "who is pulling the strings?"
-Intuitive: journalist (to some degree) much rely on their gut instinct to know what is right to do.
-Inside: to get the information you want, you have to be able to get the informant to trust you.
-Invest: no good journalist ever got anywhere without a little (or a lot of) effort.
Much of what is published as investigative journalism, goes deeper than the average news piece. It incorporates critical thinking, and an active and thorough approach to get to the facts. It aims to expose breaches in societies norms and morals, as well as "provide a voice for those without one, and to hold the powerful to account". Investigative journalism also aims to follow the standards emphasised in this quote by Sir Theodore Bray, editor-in-chief Courier-Mail (1965)": ‘Newspapers clearly have a function beyond mere reporting and recording – a function of probing behind the straight news, or interpreting and explaining and sometimes of exposing … The press lives by disclosure.’
It is clear that the future of investigative journalism is under threat from on-line news sources, which is not only unfortunate for investigative journalists, but also the educated public who want a deeper truth, not just the news.
As I have stated before, The Global Mail http://www.theglobalmail.org/ is an excellent website for investigative journalism, and a site I would be extremely sad to see become lost in a society of fast news and fleeting interest.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Agenda Setting
Week 11's lecture on Agenda Setting focussed on how media platforms present information, in order to create particular meaning. How the public reacts to certain issues in the media, relies on how it has been treated in the past, and how it is being treated now. Many organisations and media outlets have agenda's which they communicate to the public through representation in the media.
This lecture stressed four "interrelated" agenda's that are communicated to the public:
"1) PUBLIC AGENDA - the set of topics that members of the public perceive as important.
2) POLICY AGENDA - issues that decision makers think are salient. (i.e. legislators)
3) CORPORATE AGENDA - issues that big business & corporations consider important.
4) MEDIA AGENDA - issues discussed in the media."
These agenda's are made prominent by the amount of media coverage they receive, which indicates to the public their degree of importance. e.g. an issue that an organisation thinks is very important, will receive much more media coverage than one that is not as important.
Similar agenda setting can be viewed in my annotated bibliography, relating to 9/11.
The way we perceive contemporary events and situations has a direct relation to how it has been represented in the media. Much of how we see things today has been influenced by the the way the media has represented it in the past.To gain a proper view of events, we must step back and critically evaluate what we are being told.
There are two theories relating to agenda setting:
1) That it focusses on what the public should focus on in the media.
2) That it focusses on how the public should receive an issue.
It is apparent that large media organisations set the media agenda. Issues that are published first by such organisations as the NY Times, are quickly gobbled up by smaller organisations, and broadcast throughout the world. This type of agenda setting is mainly for the public's benefit, and does not abide by political agenda's.
The 24 hour news cycle changes the way the agenda of the media is set. These news outlets must be constantly updated with information that is new, interesting and important.
Agenda setting changes the way the public perceives issues of importance in the media, which can be beneficial, although the public must also be aware that what they are reading is written for a particular purpose, and for a particular effect.
This lecture stressed four "interrelated" agenda's that are communicated to the public:
"1) PUBLIC AGENDA - the set of topics that members of the public perceive as important.
2) POLICY AGENDA - issues that decision makers think are salient. (i.e. legislators)
3) CORPORATE AGENDA - issues that big business & corporations consider important.
4) MEDIA AGENDA - issues discussed in the media."
These agenda's are made prominent by the amount of media coverage they receive, which indicates to the public their degree of importance. e.g. an issue that an organisation thinks is very important, will receive much more media coverage than one that is not as important.
Similar agenda setting can be viewed in my annotated bibliography, relating to 9/11.
The way we perceive contemporary events and situations has a direct relation to how it has been represented in the media. Much of how we see things today has been influenced by the the way the media has represented it in the past.To gain a proper view of events, we must step back and critically evaluate what we are being told.
There are two theories relating to agenda setting:
1) That it focusses on what the public should focus on in the media.
2) That it focusses on how the public should receive an issue.
It is apparent that large media organisations set the media agenda. Issues that are published first by such organisations as the NY Times, are quickly gobbled up by smaller organisations, and broadcast throughout the world. This type of agenda setting is mainly for the public's benefit, and does not abide by political agenda's.
The 24 hour news cycle changes the way the agenda of the media is set. These news outlets must be constantly updated with information that is new, interesting and important.
Agenda setting changes the way the public perceives issues of importance in the media, which can be beneficial, although the public must also be aware that what they are reading is written for a particular purpose, and for a particular effect.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
News Values
In current society, it seems practical that media outlets follow what are known as 'News Values' when researching and distributing their news stories. News Values are those values that will guarantee public interest.
Monday's lecture showed that the most 'valued' news topics that gain the most interest in the media fall under two themes: "If it bleeds it leads" and "If it's local it leads". Globally, and in the Australian society, these values continue to produce front page news stories, though they differ slightly from culture to culture.
An example in today's media of a headlining story under the theme of "if it bleeds it leads", is this account of a mother being hit by a bus, which was a most viewed in the Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/the-child-rolled-or--was-knocked-to-the-side-investigators-try-to-piece-together-tragic-bus-accident-20120503-1y0bs.html
In the lecture, it was interesting to learn that news values can also differ within different news outlets. News values don't always fall under the two headings above, and journalists and editors must make the decision whether or not their stories will attract public interest based on their own instincts. Even academics have tried to determine which values make the most 'newsworthy' stories, though their ideas all tend to differ.
I believe the most accurate analysis of news values came from Murray Masterson (1995), who believed the most important news values are:
1.Significance – IMPACT!
2. Proximity – location plus emotional, historical,
cultural & social significance
3.Conflict – war, govt, celebs, sport, neighbours
4. Human interest – a bunch of stickybeaks
Murray Masterson (1995)
Newsworthiness: Another Thought?
The “Big 6” news values (descending order)
5. Novelty – ‘the unusual’ ‘Gee-Whizz!’
6. Prominence – high profile, famous for being famous.
(list from JOUR1111 slide)
These values are quite broad, and encapsulate what I find most interesting within the news in Australia.
Media outlets must follow and understand these news values in order to maintain interest, and satisfy the public.
Monday's lecture showed that the most 'valued' news topics that gain the most interest in the media fall under two themes: "If it bleeds it leads" and "If it's local it leads". Globally, and in the Australian society, these values continue to produce front page news stories, though they differ slightly from culture to culture.
An example in today's media of a headlining story under the theme of "if it bleeds it leads", is this account of a mother being hit by a bus, which was a most viewed in the Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/the-child-rolled-or--was-knocked-to-the-side-investigators-try-to-piece-together-tragic-bus-accident-20120503-1y0bs.html
In the lecture, it was interesting to learn that news values can also differ within different news outlets. News values don't always fall under the two headings above, and journalists and editors must make the decision whether or not their stories will attract public interest based on their own instincts. Even academics have tried to determine which values make the most 'newsworthy' stories, though their ideas all tend to differ.
I believe the most accurate analysis of news values came from Murray Masterson (1995), who believed the most important news values are:
1.Significance – IMPACT!
2. Proximity – location plus emotional, historical,
cultural & social significance
3.Conflict – war, govt, celebs, sport, neighbours
4. Human interest – a bunch of stickybeaks
Murray Masterson (1995)
Newsworthiness: Another Thought?
The “Big 6” news values (descending order)
5. Novelty – ‘the unusual’ ‘Gee-Whizz!’
6. Prominence – high profile, famous for being famous.
(list from JOUR1111 slide)
These values are quite broad, and encapsulate what I find most interesting within the news in Australia.
Media outlets must follow and understand these news values in order to maintain interest, and satisfy the public.
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