Monday, December 20, 2010
Knowing the Truth
If I recieved information that was important for the public to know, I would still release it, ignoring the theats of the government. The world will never change for the better if everyone is afraid of the government, and it's the brave few who understand this and are willing to do what's right.
If I had information that I really wanted the public to know, I would send it to Wikileaks because people would actually find the information there. However, if I was more concerned about my own safety, I would send the information to Openleaks, and be out of the public eye and unknown to the government.
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/12/20/julian-assange-gets-a-stone-through-his-glass-house/
This article is cleverly named, "Julian Assange gets a stone through his glass house", and is about how some people believe he is a hero, and others believe he doesn't care who he hurts along the way of reaching his goal. I believe Julian Assange is closer to a hero then a "shameless brat" as the article states. He's trying to show the public how we can not trust a government if they continue to behave this way, and in my opinion, the world should be a little bit more like him, instead of cowards, too afraid to bite the hand that feeds them.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Analyzing News Videos
1. Q: What is the story? (What is the point of the news report?)
A: This story is about a 6 year old boy, Nathaniel, who drowned in Winnipeg while playing with his brother, and how the family is dealing with this tragedy.
2. Q: What is the establishing shot in the video?
A: The establishing shot of this video would be Nathaniel's family by the river where he drowned, called the Red River.
3. Q: What is the introduction?
A: The introduction is the woman giving brief information about Nathaniel and how his death occurred.
4. Q: Most likely "sources" are used in the report and they are making comments or being quoted. Name two of them.
A: Two "sources" in this video were Daniel Thorassie, Nathaniel's father, who told a little bit about his son and the kind of person he was, and also Sandy Neufeld, a local resident, who described just how dangerous this river actually was during this time of year.
5. Q: Based on what these two sources say, what questions do you think they were asked? Create two questions for each source that you feel they were probably asked.
A: Daniel Thorassie could have been asked "what kind of person was Nathaniel?", while Sandy Neufeld could have been asked "do you ever worry about more people drowning on the Red River?"
6. Q: Identify two different types of "B-roll" in the video.
A: Two different types of "B-roll" in this video were the shot of the rescuers floating across the Red River, and the family mourning by the river.
7. Q: What are two other types of B-roll footage that you think they could have used (consider what is being said in the voice overs)?
A: Two other types of B-roll footage that could of been used were a picture of Nathaniel, or maybe even a shot of his brother, who was with him on the ice.
8. Q: Identify two different voice overs and briefly list what facts are in each voice over.
A: One voice over commented about how even the emergancy workers understand that the Red River is very dangerous at this time of year, and how the search was called off only a few hours later.
Another voice over mentioned how Daniel Thorassie had been through this before, with the drowning of his brother.
9. Q: What is the closing to the video?
A: The closing to this video is of Nathaniel's father hanging a red flag near the river, to remember his son, and to warn others of the river.
10. Q: Who is the reporter and what is her/his tag at the end?
A: The reporter at the end is Andrew Lee, CBC News, Winnipeg.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Interview
Even though the interview was not a standard one, Barbara Frum maintained "her cool" by not letting Sandra Good's comments or statements get to her. She stayed strictly serious and kept a calm tone throughout the interview, which even annoyed Sandra to the point that she called Barbara "ignorant". She didn't care what comments Sandra stated and just kept pushing her to answer the most important questions.
I think that if Barbara had of been more aggressive or confrontational, the interview would of ended much sooner. It was a good idea for her to keep such a calm tone because any other tone would have angered her more and she would of been fed up sooner.
I think the one question that Frum asked that was effective was when was the last time Sandra Good had seen or talked to Lynettte Fromme.
I believe this question was the most effective because every time this question was asked, Sandra became defensive and completely avoided the questions, and even began asking questions back.
One of the things that Terry mentioned during his visit at Blackville school was to always push to get the answers to the questions you're asking. Never let the person you are interviewing to avoid answering questions, make it so you are in control of the situation.
As a student journalist, I have learned from Frum's technique that if I was ever faced with an interview that "went wrong", I would know that staying completely calm and keeping a nice tone is key. If you let everything get to you and lose your temper, you won't help the situation at all, and even make it worst.
As a student journalist, if I could choose to interview one person, I would choose to interview Thomas Edison in the present time to see how he would react to electricity today and how it is used compared to his time.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Caught in Lies
My reaction to the article, "Jimmy's World" was pity towards the woman, Janet Cooke, and her lie that went overboard. As wrong as the lie she told was, I feel kinda sorry for her, trying to get past the pressure of making such an eye catching story. I think it was a smart decision for her to leave her life of being a journalist, not just because of the humiliation, but because the pressure over powered her.
My reaction to the article, "The Wafer Story" was disappointment, and no pity towards the writers at all, because unlike the first article, the journalists involved included a person who actually existed. This could hurt the person who was involved, especially with the person was very well known.
I was a little surprised to know that professional journalists fabricated news because i don't know why they would take the risk off losing their jobs. Also once they get caught, they will probably have an article about them lying, which might effect their future jobs.
I do not agree with Shafer's assertion because sometimes people lie since they don't want to hurt the ones they care about, For journalists, some may lie just because of the fact that the stress is too much, and time is just running out. They may think that losing their jobs are much worst than lying about one little story.
I think that colleges and universities should help their future journalists deal with the stress they will probably face during the job. Since the stress is one of the biggest factors involved in why journalists lie about their stories, being able to deal with it earlier would help them greatly.
If issues of ethnic arise, I think that an ombudsman would be of some help. Since their job is basically dealing with personal complaints, they would probably listen to many of them, caring about each individually, and try their best to help each one.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Hard News vs. Soft News
Article#2
The article, "Alcohol ranked most harmful drug" w
ould be considered soft news.
This article is trying to warn people how dangerous alcohol really is, and it even compare it to many of the most harmful illegal drugs, like crystal meth. The article included a photo of two mugs of alcohol, and there was a few quotes, one being from Wim van den Brink, a professor of psychiatry and addiction at the University of Amsterdam. "Drugs that are legal cause at least as much damage, if not more, than drugs that are illicit," he said.
Article#3
The article, "2 Montreal pizzerias firebombed" would be considered hard news since it is much more than just a human interest story; the tone is very serious, and the search for who cause it is still ongoing. The article included a picture of one of the burnt pizzerias with many of the firefighters and firetrucks still at the scene. There was no evidence of soft news but the article did mention the way both pizzerias caught fire...Molotov cocktails. Const. Anie Lemieux gives a quote about how both fires started.
"In both cases, apparently, the window was broken and a possible Molotov cocktail was thrown inside and that's what caused the fire," she says.
Article#4
The article, "Call of Duty and the war game dilemma" would be considered soft news, since it is dealing with entertainment and does not contain a very serious tone. The article included a screen shot from the game and discussed when the video game will be released. The article compared this game with other war games in the past and kept a very soft tone throughout.
Article#5
The article, "Memorials mark deaths in Afghanistan" would be considered both soft and hard news. The reason it would be considered soft news is that it is dealing with family life and how families are dealing with the deaths of their loved ones in war. However, it would also be considered hard news also because it is talking about a war that is still going on and still taking lives. The article included a photo of the monument to Afghan War dead at newly created Memorial Park at CFB Petawawa.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Is It Newsworthy?
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/10/12/breast-cancer-prevention-lifestyle.html
Timing - 3/4
The timing for this article could of been sooner since the world isn't in that big of a scare about breast cancer at the moment, as it was a couple of years perversely. However, since breast cancer is still a big concern today, many people would take interest in this article.
Significance - 4/4
Since breast cancer is a worldwide disease, anyone anywhere could take interest in this article. Many people all over the globe would be concerned about how to help avoid breast cancer.
Proximity - 2/4
If you're looking at the proximity of this article as the subject of breast cancer, then it would be a 4/4, since like stated in the significance, breast cancer is worldwide. However, if you're looking at the area where the research was taken for the article, it would be a 2/4, since the area was in New York at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Prominence - 1/4
Even though the disease is famous, no one famous quoted or gave their opinions on the article.
Human Interest - 3/4
This article definitely appealed to emotion, not of sadness, but of hope and maybe a chance for some to avoid breast cancer.
Article #2 Rapper T.L. talks suicidal man of building
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2010/10/14/ti-rapper-suicidal-man-building-atlanta.html
Timing - 4/4
Since the article was made the day after the events happened, the timing of this article couldn't of been better.
Significance - 1/4
The only people this article really involved was the suicidal man, Clifford Harris (Rapper T.I), and the police, so not many people would be affected by this event or article.
Proximity - 2/4
The location where the event took place was in Atlanta, so the proximity would not be that high.
Prominence - 4/4
Even though the man attempting to kill himself wasn't famous at all, Rapper T.I was involved, therefore more people would be interested.
Human Interest - 1/4
This article would probably lose interest if it wasn't posting right away, so the human interest wouldn't be that great.
Man dies after Ottawa steam plant explosion
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/10/20/ottawa-heatin-plant-death.html
Timing - 1/4
The timing for this article is not that great since the events happened almost about a year ago, October 20, 2009.
Significance - 3/4
Even though there was only one death after the accident, many other workers were injured which also effects each of the worker's families. People who lived or were around the area at the time of the explosion would also be effected.
Proximity - 3/4
The explosion occurred in Ottawa, which isn't that far away so many people in this area would still be interested.
Prominence - 2/4
The people involved were not famous, but the steam plant is well-known.
Human Interest - 1/4
The story would more than likely get old if it was not posted right away, since the building would get fixed and the injured people will get well. The family of the worker who passed away will probably always remember, however.
Baby found in Calgary dumpster
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/10/19/calgary-police-baby-found-dumpster-garbage.html
Timing - 4/4
The event just happened, so the timing for this article is very well.
Significance - 3/4
Many people would be effected by this article. The people who found the child, and anyone who was involved, also the people who lived in that area. Even mothers and parents would be effected by this because they have children and would think about when their children were first born.
Proximity -3/4
Even though this didn't happen that close to where we leave, it still happened in Canada which would interest a lot of Canadians.
Prominence - 1/4
Nothing famous was involved in this article.
Human Interest - 4/4
It doesn't matter who you are, anyone would be interested to read about a newborn baby being found in a dumpster. It really effects emotions since people would feel sorry about the child and anger at the mother or anyone who did that. People would be concerned about what really happened and why the baby ended up abandoned in a dumpster.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Triple Car Pile Up Kills 10 Year Old
A raining evening ends in misery when three vehicles collide on Thomas Street, Eastville this Tuesday.10 year old, Timmy Grey, died instantly at the scene. It was discovered later that he was not wearing a seat belt. Others suffered major injuries.
The police state that the main cause of the accident was the heavy rainfall, and strong winds. The crash occurred on a sharp turn and that spot has been well known for car accidents in the past.
"It was horrible weather for anyone to be driving," says head of police, Gary Williams. "It's a real shame that all three drivers had to meet like that."
Timmy's mother, Jenny, who was also the driver in one of the cars involved, was extremely shaken up and in shock after the accident. Kayla, a driver of another car involved stated about what she seen from her point of view, during the accident.
"It was all so vague," she said, "and before I knew it, I had hit another car, head on. The rain was falling so hard and maybe two seconds later, another car hit me from behind."
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Starting with the Basics
The article I read was the Igor cleanup underway in Newfoundland. The residents of Newfoundland suffered after the hurricane, Igor, slept through their neighborhood, on September 21 and until currently. The lead is effective since many people can relate to it and know the suffering Igor has brought.
"The main thing now is to connect any of the breaches in the roads [and] try to get our municipal services up to scratch because some sewer lines are gone. Water is a big concern," he said. "So, in the aftermath there's a lot of work," was said by Tom Hedderson, of Newfoundland and Labrador's minister of municipal affairs and transportation.
The most interesting and important information is told first and it is about how many people were and still are without power all across Newfoundland. The story's ending is alright because it describes how large the hurricane really was, it even set records.
Article #2 http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/09/23/virginia-woman-execution.html
The article I read was about a woman being executed in Virginia. Teresa Lewis was executed on September 23, for arranging the deaths of her husband and stepson in October 2002 because of a $250,000 insurance payment. The lead is very effective because it includes the fact that this is the first time a woman from Virginia has been executed in five years.
"Meanwhile, nobody objects to the case of an American woman who is going to be executed," was said by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The most important information is told first and it is about the murder and why she hired a hitman to kill some of her family members. The ending of the article is interesting because it explains just how many woman in Virginia have been executed and out of 1200 people in 1976, 11 have been women.
Article #3 http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/09/24/zimbabwe-conservation-slaughter.html
The article I read about was the hundreds of animals being killed in a Zimbabwe reserve. Illegal occupiers on September 24, broke the fence around an animal reserve in southern Zimbabwe and killed many animals for skins. The lead was very effective because no names are mentioned of who did it so it makes you want to keep reading to see if they have any ideas yet of who it might be.
"It is tragic. Authorities have failed to enforce the judicial order and the slaughter is ongoing was said by Johnny Rodrigues, head of the task force.
The most important information is told first because it explains what happened and what is being done of right now about the problem. The ending is interesting because it shows what the after effect is and more than just the animal population has suffered. The soil and ecosystem will be hurt and since this is not the first time it's happened, the area will not last long.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Cover Letter - Second Application
Mr.Carter
Blackville School
Re: APPLICATION FOR YEARBOOK PHOTOGRAPHER
Dear Mr. Carter:
I am interested in applying for a position of yearbook photographer.
On my free time, I enjoy taking pictures, and have worked as a photographer for the school before. I understand I will have to work with others like the editors and am willing to do so. I am very organized and will be able to keep all the information neat and arranged. I have a lot of patience and am calm in situations that include time and skill to make the perfect shot.
I would greatly enjoy working as the yearbook photographer and am available for an interview at your convenience. Hope you consider my application.
Cover Letter - First Application
Mr. Carter
Blackville School
Re: APPLICATION FOR REPORTER
Dear Mr. Carter:
I am interested in applying for a position of reporter for The Talon.
I have had past experience as a reporter before in school so I know what the right questions are to ask and how to make the topic as interesting as it can be. I'm active in sports teams and that helps in teamwork, which is critical when working with another reporter. I also understand that being a reporter will mean working on my own time and I am willing to do so.
I would greatly enjoy working as a reporter and am available for an interview at your convenience. Hope you consider my application.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Reflection Entry #1 - First Newspapers
In a way, i was sorta surprised that Canada's first newspaper was created in Halifax. It makes sense though since it's a smaller community and more people would know each other well enough to help create and share ideas. Also the news would probably travel more quickly, making for more ideas. However, I thought the first newspaper in Canada would of been created near Toronto or a large city since there would of been more ways to get the newspaper around to the people, and more people to read it.
I believe that the government today should have the power to shut down newspapers for being too critical, at least for some topics. If the topic is critical, but it's clear that the writer is not trying to offend anyone and is just making a point, it shouldn't be shutdown. However, if it is clearly wanting to offend the readers, it would be wise to shutdown or people would complain.