The tragic event that occurred on the campus of Virginia Tech on the morning of Apr. 16, 2007 has opened my eyes to several things. First, I am again reminded of the importance of living each day to the fullest, as we never know what tomorrow will bring. Second, I understood that one person can effect the mindset of an entire nation, Finally, I realized first-hand that current technology has made news from many miles away available within hours.
Though I will take the first two eye-openers very seriously and apply them to my daily life, I will further address the third one as it relates to the purpose of this blog.
In realizing the vast ability of current technology to not only get breaking news out across the world, but also be updated constantly, I am somewhat discouraged. Even though I believe that yesterday's tragedy deserves to be adequately reported, I would rather have heard the story in its entirety this morning rather than in bits and pieces yesterday afternoon. Why? I found myself alternating between one online news source and another every twenty minutes (while at work, mind you) in order to find out the latest break on the story or a different approach to reporting it.
If countless sources report the same story at different times and in different ways, how does the media serve its purpose in keeping the public as a whole informed. When a group of nine women meet for a religious small group and each has a different understanding of the same tragic event, I don't think we have been adequately done justice by the media.
For the family and friends of all those affected by this tragedy, you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God be with you in your time of need.
Disclaimer: Specific links other than that provided for Virgina Tech are inadequate for this blog, but the details of the event can be found at nearly every online news source.
4.17.2007
4.12.2007
Minor Relief (from my disgust)
As I sit here typing my required blog for the week, I am still in a sour mood from today's class session. Fifteen minutes of watching a classmate play Grand Theft Auto followed by yet another episode of South Park did not constitute an ideal setting for me to discuss libertarian philosophy. Although I will not go as far as saying the experience was intolerable, I will admit it was not enjoyable.
For this reason, I did some online research about news with respect to libertarianism. Much to my liking, I found numerous sources of individual and group blogs or websites written by people who take a libertarian perspective on issues in the news. My favorite is a blog written by Jerry Brito, a Washington, D.C. lawyer.
In reading Brito's personal blog, I was able to get a libertarian perspective on many important issues in the news without a trace of vulgar language or satirization of individuals or entire races. Brito's approach to addressing important issues achieved the same end goal as what South Park claims, and it accomplished that goal in a much more pleasing ethical manner than South Park. I applaud Jerry Brito.
Story of interest from Brito's blog: http://www.techliberation.com/archives/042233.php#comments
For this reason, I did some online research about news with respect to libertarianism. Much to my liking, I found numerous sources of individual and group blogs or websites written by people who take a libertarian perspective on issues in the news. My favorite is a blog written by Jerry Brito, a Washington, D.C. lawyer.
In reading Brito's personal blog, I was able to get a libertarian perspective on many important issues in the news without a trace of vulgar language or satirization of individuals or entire races. Brito's approach to addressing important issues achieved the same end goal as what South Park claims, and it accomplished that goal in a much more pleasing ethical manner than South Park. I applaud Jerry Brito.
Story of interest from Brito's blog: http://www.techliberation.com/archives/042233.php#comments
4.06.2007
Photoshopping
As the ethics of editing photographs came up in a discussion of the recent lottery winner from Maine, I want to put my two cents in on this ethical matter.
Peer blogger, Connor Moore, has it right in saying that it is the duty of photographers to understand what messages are taken from their photographs. Rightfully so, some circumstances would permit slight editing to ensure that the best possible message is portrayed.
In the situation discussed in a recent National Press Photographers Association article, much controversy has been raised over editing out a pair of legs from a photograph before running it in the newspaper. This detail was uncovered merely because several local papers ran the same photograph, and I think the situation has been blown extremely out of proportion.
Something as minute as editing out a pair of legs in the background of a shot cannot possibly constitute as an ethical sin of journalism. Sure, photographers tread in rough water when it comes to drawing the line in when and when not to edit photographs; however, it is acceptable to make minor alterations to improve the aesthetic quality of a photograph as long as the main subject is portrayed in a truthful light. The photographers duty is to publish the best photographs possible for the story. With or without that pair of legs, the shot of the baseball team still communicates the same message, and I would call that fine and well in my ethical standard manual.
Peer blogger, Connor Moore, has it right in saying that it is the duty of photographers to understand what messages are taken from their photographs. Rightfully so, some circumstances would permit slight editing to ensure that the best possible message is portrayed.
In the situation discussed in a recent National Press Photographers Association article, much controversy has been raised over editing out a pair of legs from a photograph before running it in the newspaper. This detail was uncovered merely because several local papers ran the same photograph, and I think the situation has been blown extremely out of proportion.
Something as minute as editing out a pair of legs in the background of a shot cannot possibly constitute as an ethical sin of journalism. Sure, photographers tread in rough water when it comes to drawing the line in when and when not to edit photographs; however, it is acceptable to make minor alterations to improve the aesthetic quality of a photograph as long as the main subject is portrayed in a truthful light. The photographers duty is to publish the best photographs possible for the story. With or without that pair of legs, the shot of the baseball team still communicates the same message, and I would call that fine and well in my ethical standard manual.
3.30.2007
Quality Over Quantity
In a recent article from the Chicago Tribune, journalist Timothy J. McNulty draws attention to the coverage of presidential candidate Barack Obama over the past several years. Although coverage of political candidates is key when elections are approaching, Obama's coverage is said to have escalated even before he announced his intent of running for president.
In the last three years, he was at the center of 54 front-page articles in the Tribune. Obama was the main topic in an almost equal number of opinion pieces, editorials, op-eds and articles in the Sunday Perspective section. The number of mentions runs into the thousands, and Obama was at the center of nearly a dozen articles in Tribune features sections as well, from tips on giving up smoking to discussions of his spirituality and what books he reads.
Contrarily, Illinois very own U. S. Senator, Dick Durbin, has not been the main-subject of any front-page stories nor have his thoughts on smoking or spirituality been reported. Is this such a bad thing? Not necessarily, however, the quality of news reporting is very important. Many people support Obama and will likely continue to do so through the election of 2008, and it is the duty of the press to not only report stories about him, but report stories critically.
In the last three years, he was at the center of 54 front-page articles in the Tribune. Obama was the main topic in an almost equal number of opinion pieces, editorials, op-eds and articles in the Sunday Perspective section. The number of mentions runs into the thousands, and Obama was at the center of nearly a dozen articles in Tribune features sections as well, from tips on giving up smoking to discussions of his spirituality and what books he reads.
Contrarily, Illinois very own U. S. Senator, Dick Durbin, has not been the main-subject of any front-page stories nor have his thoughts on smoking or spirituality been reported. Is this such a bad thing? Not necessarily, however, the quality of news reporting is very important. Many people support Obama and will likely continue to do so through the election of 2008, and it is the duty of the press to not only report stories about him, but report stories critically.
3.22.2007
Continuation of the Slippery Slope
I am compelled to write a few quick thoughts with regard to an article found on Romenesko today. The overview states that Gail Shister, longtime television columnist of Inqwaster, has been asked to discontinue writing her popular column. She has been asked to "do more pop-culture television features" instead.
This article is a prime example of news media continuing down the road of reporting "soft news." Although this style may be utilitarian in nature, as it will make many readers feel good, it does not jive well with the role of media as a watchdog for the public. Outwardly happy, yet uninformed members of society unfortunately cannot have a significant impact on what tomorrow will bring. In turn, people of today's media must strive to hold on to what is left of the "hard news" reported in current media outlets.
This article is a prime example of news media continuing down the road of reporting "soft news." Although this style may be utilitarian in nature, as it will make many readers feel good, it does not jive well with the role of media as a watchdog for the public. Outwardly happy, yet uninformed members of society unfortunately cannot have a significant impact on what tomorrow will bring. In turn, people of today's media must strive to hold on to what is left of the "hard news" reported in current media outlets.
3.20.2007
Story of the Week
As I spent my spring break in Las Vegas, NM working for Habitat for Humanity, I was completely cut off from media consumption for approximately nine days. So truthfully, I had no idea what Dave Marcus was referring to when he talked about the Walter Reed stories that have been all over the news lately. In turn, I sought out an article that could sum up everything nicely, and this was the best I could find.
After reading about the coverage, I can't help but think how many other stories the public is displeased with how they are reported. The article states, "nearly one-quarter (24%) say this story received too little coverage from the news media, [and] only 4% say it has received too much coverage." This concept just seems absurd to me!
When the news media's first obligation is to report the truth about current happenings, people in the media should be doing a much better job at fully covering the "story of the week." It is their ethical duty to fulfill the wants/needs of their readers.
After reading about the coverage, I can't help but think how many other stories the public is displeased with how they are reported. The article states, "nearly one-quarter (24%) say this story received too little coverage from the news media, [and] only 4% say it has received too much coverage." This concept just seems absurd to me!
When the news media's first obligation is to report the truth about current happenings, people in the media should be doing a much better job at fully covering the "story of the week." It is their ethical duty to fulfill the wants/needs of their readers.
3.11.2007
Presidential Coverage
In a society that greatly depends on governmental institutions, coverage of presidential elections is quite important to keep citizens informed. However, in recent years, coverage of these elections has begun earlier and earlier.
Although a recent article from the Denver Post outwardly states that coverage of Newt Gingrich is in no way related to the 2008 election and should not be seen as an endorsement, I question the motives. And when James Dobson's ethical standards are question, what is the world coming to?
Ethical values of individuals, and especially news radio hosts must remain in tact during such important political races. People must not allow the sway of current political culture effect their personal value system, otherwise we will be headed down a road of destruction.
Although a recent article from the Denver Post outwardly states that coverage of Newt Gingrich is in no way related to the 2008 election and should not be seen as an endorsement, I question the motives. And when James Dobson's ethical standards are question, what is the world coming to?
Ethical values of individuals, and especially news radio hosts must remain in tact during such important political races. People must not allow the sway of current political culture effect their personal value system, otherwise we will be headed down a road of destruction.
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