Alright so I took the test that takes white and black Americans and analyzes your association with those races coupled with weapons and harmless objects. I took the test and followed all the procedures, and the report I received basically called me a racist. When I think of weapons I put no association with black Americans, in fact the majority of my friends are in fact black and aren’t violent. Actually when I think of weapons I think of going hunting with my dad and the group of guys we hunt with who are all white. I think that tests like this are skewed because it gets people into a pattern of clicking and thinking at the same time and then switches the pattern. It’s made to give the results that I got, making someone who is clearly not racist in any way look like they think that way which for me isn’t cool at all.
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Little Rock Nine
I first learned about this event in American History as a middle school student. Students being forced to attend a school in a state that didn’t want them and the struggles they had to go through just to be a regular student. I can’t speak for all the news coverage of the event, but I can say that many newspapers printed graphic stories filled with racist opinions wanting to keep their state schools “white only”, while others spoke of racial unity in education. With an event that deals with such a touchy subject, it was the media’s duty to report on it, and being objective is one of the most important qualities to have as a reporter in this instance. I can’t say that I would have been objective in this case, because the schools should have never been “white only” in the first place, but for a reporter living in that time and being surrounded by racists and activists alike, I respectfully tip my hat to them.
Coverage of Violent Event
One aspect of the news is coverage of violent events, because apparently that’s what people want to hear about, and broadcast news uses the same formula to cover those types of stories. I watched all the local newscasts for another class and found that the violence that takes place in Saint Louis is reported in the same fashion as a thunderstorm. It was weird when I first thought about it because homicide and crimes like that are serious and affect entire families, but the news covers it like it’s normal. Just because crimes like these happen more than they should, which is never, it doesn’t need to be presented to us without any kind of emotion. It’s not that I think the anchors and reporters don’t care, there human of course they care, but I think its become the norm to present the news in the same way regardless of the story.
Ethical Scenario
The scenario that I chose to blog about was the ethical dilemma known as conflict of interest. Many reporters and journalists have sources and friends that they formed relationships with before they began working for major networks or started their professional careers. Once they are in their respective fields there might come a time where those relationships could be altered based on professional responsibilities. A friends company that you have to report for being corrupt, but he wants you to keep it a secret; an old colleague wants you to lay off a story so he can pursue it for his network; a struggling family who you’ve known for years wants you to run a story on them in order to raise money to help. All of these are issues that might come about, but the code of ethics says that a reporter should never let outside relationships affect the making or reporting of a story.
Theories of Moral Development
I don’t think there can be a concise theory on how humans develop their morals, but I do believe that the factors are similar. We have our reasoning for the choices we make, attitudes toward moral lapses, and behavior during issues that truly illuminates a person’s moral compass. I think there’s a combination of all three that helps an individual develop their morals. When someone gives a reason for why they made a decision that reflects what they truly believe giving a glimpse into their moral compass. Their attitude towards their moral lapses does the same, and their behavior in times of hard ship is a good way to tell what a person is made of morally. All three are a part of the moral make up of an individual not just one. Of the three I’d give the most influence to the behavior when faced with moral issues because even reasoning can be false, but fear or uncertainty shows people’s true colors.
Chater 8 Photo Evaluation
The photo I chose to look at for this blog was the photo used in Amka’s presentation last week of the man pretending to be homeless. The problem that came in the process of obtaining the photo was that all the authentic photos were turned down by the reporter’s editor. It got to the point where getting what was wanted meant making the photo himself instead of waiting for the perfect moment to capture. Everyone accepted the photo as the real thing, because homeless people do sleep outside of churches, and the goal of the paper was fulfilled. Yes the photo was staged, taking away from what photo journalism is all about, but in the grand scheme of things the mission was accomplished for a good cause. I wouldn’t have done the same as the photo journalist, but I do understand why he did what he did in order to keep his job.
Industry Issues Blog #4
Introduction
I don’t want to make this too similar to my last LUTV blog log, but this is the last blog of the semester and nor reflecting wouldn’t do the super semester justice. What an experience is all I can think of while I’m in the newsroom. I’ve noticed that more often than not, in the later weeks of the semester, more of the class sticks around once the news has aired. The group is fun to be around and I’m glad I could be a part of such a unique communications tradition; yes this felt like a right of passage necessary for industry success. The two articles I found deal with the next step, after graduation of course, making your way through the real world in the job market. One deals with innovation in this industry that’s constantly changing and the other lays out a sad truth that we as reporters can change. Both issues need to be recognized by incoming reporters.
Observe & Take Notes
In my ethics class a lot of focus has been put on the newspaper industry combating our fast pace society whose technological norms changes almost every few years. It’s scary to think that one of the media giants might not exist in a decade. Even though I never picked up a newspaper and took interest in reading it doesn’t sit well to think of all the jobs that will be lost as the industry continues to decline. The broadcast news industry needs to look at what newspapers are going through, and keep in mind that technology affects everything. Keeping up with what’s new and possibly innovating the industry yourself is something that incoming journalists need to understand and accomplish. The article and video are a lesson from disruption; making sure what’s happening to your sister industry doesn’t happen to you.
Negativity
This was unsettling to say the least I mean who wants to be unhappy in a career they chose to pursue. No career is going to come easy, your going to do some stuff that you don’t necessarily want to do, but to truly be unhappy with work seems like a crime against humanity. This is an article about a survey that was done at Indiana University that said journalists are as unhappy as ever with the industry in which they work. When I looked at the statistics my only thought was, “well how sad is this”. I don’t know how to respond to it other than reporters need to follow what they desire not what the industry tells them to follow.
Final Thoughts
Anyone with a communications major needs to be a part of this it’s as simple as that. I’ll be honest I have no intention of pursuing a career in news, but I think that this semester has helped me develop skills that I will use in the career I’m striving for. This goes for everyone in mass communications, and in some way this should be fit into their schedules. It has been an honor to participate in this special semester, and I hope the best for everyone whose path I was fortunate enough to cross.
LUTV Blog Log #6
Introduction
My last blog log; reflecting on my most recent escapades in this, what we call the super semester, and it’s weird. I can honestly say that in the sixteen years of education, not counting kindergarten, I’ve never been a part of anything like this. I’ve had video production and other classes that had a team mentality, but the super semester lives up to its name. Every time I walk into the news room there’s a certain feeling that comes with it. We’re a team full of unique individuals that come together to make a product, all dependent on what another, but its apparent that we all enjoy each other. No family is perfect, we have had our fair share of quarrels and arguments throughout the semester, but at the end of class we return to what we were at the start… a tight knit group. This past newscast was one of the biggest representation of that.
The Talking Haircut
When I was a kid my parents always had the news on in the morning before they took me to school. The only thing I was concerned with was the weather, because if it snowed I hoped school was cancelled and if not I wanted to dress appropriately, but I thought the people I saw on the screen were the only ones in the room. I really thought the anchors wrote the stories, shot the stories, edited the stories, and put together the graphics for the entire newscast obviously not knowing any of the terms I just used. In that regard I’ve learned that the news is a lot more complex, but there is another side to realizing the anchors aren’t the only people in the room. I love being the anchor in our newscasts; I feel like it’s one of the things that will help me the most in what I want to pursue, but I’ve heard remarks from adults who feel that the anchor is simply a talking head told what to say, what to wear, and how to present the news to the public. Just this week, in another one of my classes, my professor referred to the news anchor as a talking haircut and although I don’t agree with his statement I don’t know how far from the truth he is.
A Package and a Producer
This week has been filled with two very smooth newscasts and both days brought a sense of accomplishment to my psyche. I feel that my best work of the semester was put into Monday’s broadcast. It felt like I was working for an industry news station traveling to rural Missouri to celebrate with local national champion university with a program that could be considered a dynasty. I was out of my element alone in the field, met new people, was introduced to a president, and owned a clay bird before I went on my merry way. I hope President Evans is pleased with what I put together, and I thank the Lindenwood Shotgun Sports team for there hospitality. Being the producer for this most recent newscast was fulfilling because I got to quietly oversee how well everyone works together and we’re a well oiled machine with the semester coming to a close. It makes me happy that people from such different backgrounds can not only produce something so elegant and enjoy one another while doing so. Like I said I’ve never been a part of something like this in my schooling experience and I won’t ever forget my super semester.
LUTV Blog Log #5
Introduction
This is one of the more interesting blogs in my opinion because of how the past few weeks have gone, and the things that I dealt with in those weeks during class. The class came back from spring break without missing a beat ready to go, and even without our beloved professor we put together two successful newscasts with minimal mishaps. It seems as if everyone is thinking the same thing as the semester is coming to a close, me being apart of the group, and it’s going to be odd not being around our class when it’s all said and done.
Sports and What Not
I will be the first to admit my favorite week is when I get to do sports. It’s the best week to try and get caught up on VO-SOTs and what have you, and I’m a multi-sports fan. Learning about the success Lindenwood programs are having and bringing teams into the newscast that people don’t hear about often is fun. Before this class I didn’t know how dominant Lindenwood’s synchronized swimming team or shotgun team was, but now I’m surprised I hadn’t heard about them earlier. I enjoyed bringing the roller hockey team some coverage and recognition, even though I think the head coach thinks my name is Mike, but hey if I can keep getting interviews with the guy he can call me whatever he wants. I’m not sure if I want to do radio broadcasts that are music based or sports shows, but next to being an anchor sports and weather week is the best practice that I get to develop my presentation skills.
The End of the Tunnel
Notice I didn’t say light at the end of the tunnel. Yes I can’t wait for summer who doesn’t love less responsibilities, but I will miss the news as odd as that is for me to say. I’ve had a lot of conversations that have subjects dealing with what everyone needs to complete before the semester is over. This hasn’t drastically affected the broadcasts, and I hope it stays that way, but as the weeks wind down the assignment spreadsheet still needs to be filled. I can’t say that package week is my favorite, be a long shot, but I understand that it is these projects that I can take with me when I leave Lindenwood. They are the best way to show creativity, and attention to detail when making something for a broadcast. I plan on being in radio, but video is becoming a part of the industry and showing that creative side could pay dividends in separating me from other job competitors.
Conclusion
My conclusion is that I’ve had a lot of fun this semester. I am blessed to be able to be in an environment such as our news room, and appreciate it every time I walk into the studio. I have met some amazing people during the super semester, and have learned a lot about news broadcasts. I have new found skills that I can take with me to any profession, and even more confidence in the way I can present information to the masses. It’s been a good time.
Industry Issues Blog #3
Introduction
The advancement of technology has an affect on every industry, and broadcast news is no exception. One of the best things about our class is how up to date our equipment is. It’s almost a selling point for incoming freshman you are looking to major in communications. I’ve seen a number of people that were brought into the studio and looked in amazement at what we as college students get to work with. As the technology available o will our news studio, and at some point we might not need the field cameras we use anymore. The articles I found deal with the incorporation of cell phones in a modern news broadcast, and an application that some journalists are using to create breaking news.
Mobile Journalism
Broadcast news wouldn’t be possible without field reporters that bring footage to the newscast to help present the stories. The average viewer doesn’t know what the reporter uses to bring this footage to their televisions, and I suspect most don’t care as long as the footage is of high quality. With that in mind if cell phones have the technology to shoot video that has the same general qualities as the footage we film outside of class Why shouldn’t broadcast news companies incorporate cell phones in their news reporting. In an article by Reuben Stern and Olga Kyle new technology in broadcast news is presented which could not only affect how journalists get their content, but the number of people needed to do so. This could be small scale like using a cell phone instead of a video camera, but could also be done for larger assets. The article says that many broadcast television newsrooms have replaced their satellite trucks with live backpack units like LiveU. Others are simply outfitting their reporters with iPhones for photo and video coverage, or accepting consumer-generated content.
There’s An App for That
One of the most desired situations in broadcast news is presenting a news story as it happens in real time. Since cell phones are already being incorporated in field reporting creating an application to assist this task in a no brainer. In an article posted by Debora Wenger a reporter used an app called Videolicious to shoot her entire news story and send it to her news station. The reporter even made multiple versions of the story as the day went on. The article said Videolicious allows a journalist to record his or her own voice, shoot the necessary video clips that go along with the story and drag and drop them into place within seconds. With another click, the video is edited and able to be shared.
Conclusion
This week I’m noticing the ease at which a quality broadcast can be presented I does their job. It’s fun being able to relax thirty minutes before the newscast begins checking the minor details to make my part of the news as flawless as possible. This past newscast everyone was done with the main parts of their jobs an hour before we started the live broadcast. We are a well oiled machine and with the final weeks to come we have the opportunity to create content we can use in finding a job for a real news station.
blakewhiteside 