The Doctor, Judge, Party and Drink Phenomenon.

Our culture has become one of instant gratification in many ways and media has helped us rush headlong in this direction. Once there were only printed books to turn to for our information but now information abounds and is virtually accessible anywhere we are. (at least in the United States) So to has changed many other areas. Medicine for example has changed. You used to have to go to a doctor who would send you to an actual psychologist who, through many sessions, would arrive at a diagnosis or treatment plan in which to aid you with your ills. Now however we can turn on the television and hosts like Dr. Phil can sum up in one episode what our problem is and also what we can do as the quick fix to solve it.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/57668/review_dr_phil.html

Above is an article referring to the rise of Dr. Phil. I mention this particular individual this week because I feel that he truly embodies what is meant by both buying and selling culture as well as gender is regards to media. 

Personally, I hate Dr. Phil. Apparently, as a male, I am not alone in this sentiment and one of the resins attributed to this is because the manner to which Dr. Phil goes about solving problems in his show is one that encourages a deeper emotional connection to issues through verbal cues that inherently make most males uncomfortable. This, unfortunately, is becoming the standard for rip off shows that are attempting to produce much of the same. 

Despite my dislike of Dr. Phil, his television show hit our nation like a storm. His methods have become something of a sub culture all their own and you can barely go anywhere without the association of Dr. Phil, not only, being attached to psychology but also to American culture. 

It's not even just Dr. Phil. We also have other shows like Judge Judy (and other court shows) Jersey Shore, The Real World, etc. 

I used to watch Judge Judy when I was younger. I haven't watched her in a while. However, I do think that (even though Judge Judy is a good judge) the show is simply pure entertainment. The people on those shows are only there just to make money and to entertain the viewers.

All of these shows especially on MTV and VH1 are ridiculous, too. Yes, I do watch the Jersey Shore and Real World from time to time; but, I still think that they are stupid shows that really have no point other than to entertain and promote sex, partying and booze. lol I only watch because it is funny to see how some of these people are really f*cked up. What pisses me off is, the Jersey Shore kids are making huuuuge money--for what?! They are dumbasses! All they are doing is promoting sex, partying, not working, and "being tan" lol I mean, hell, maybe I should apply to be on these shows just to make some easy million dollar money!

Anyway...Ohhh, yeeaaahhh, it's T-Shirt tiiiime, ohhh, yeeaaahhh...Gotta go GTL and find a chick who is DTF. Ohhh, yeaaaahh. (Total sarcasm there...)

What does everyone else feel about this? Should our culture be promoting such things in this way in general?

Where All The Good MEDIA Gone?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9f11okKRfs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9f11okKRfs&feature=related

^ Two videos (both a little over 3mins) that I found on youtube that I felt were interesting enough to share. Both of them basically explain how Media Literacy is lacking and how the Media is going in the wrong direction with sex, drugs and violence on TV all of the time--"Sex sells, If it bleeds, it leads, etc." So many "news" stories these days focus on celebrities and pop culture. 

Honestly, I really couldn't care less about Britney Spears' personal life or Miley Cyrus whoring around.  It's not my business, and I don't really want to know.

Another thing, it seems that a suburban, "wealthy" person who was murdered is more likely to be on the news than some "poor" person from Dorchester, Roxbury, Hyde Park or something. I know that's a generalization; but, it often happens like that in the media. Just my opinion though.

I feel that both videos do depict truth about media literacy and the direction in which some of the Media is heading in now with today's society. It's sad; but, true. There are a lot of smaller media networks that are being forced into being sold to larger markets and corporations because lack of money or poor ratings.

The bad thing, as the video says, the larger corporations are control the smaller markets intensely which at times, creates problems. Local media outlets are starting to hurt and dwindle because they simply do not have the funds.

Bottom line, the Media has changed IMMENSELY over the years--and continues to do so. To some extent, I feel that a lot of the media's focus is not on the right subjects. Some networks have their priorities on the wrong things.

Your thoughts?

What's You Favorite Scary Movie?!

No, really....What is your favorite scary movie and Why?! 

Here is my top 5 list. Keep in mind that I don't really get scared with horror movies, this list is just my preference of "the scariest/goriest" of the bunch:

1. Saw 1
2. Strangers
3. The Ring
4. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
5. Friday the 13th

Among others, the first Scream, Halloween, Blair Witch Project, The Last House on the Left, etc. There are more horror movies that I love...but, I am just too lazy to type them all out.  


What do you think?

One Year.....

So, tomorrow will be one year since a very, very close Aunt of mine passed away from colon cancer. This Aunt was not only an Aunt, she was my Godmother and definitely like a second Mother to me. Auntie Lynda "Auntie Ninnie" was one of those Aunts who would spoil you rotten with love, attention, presents and just simply a good time. She was always there for me for my sporting events, plays, my High School Graduation, etc.

Auntie Lynda would always tell me how proud she was of me, seeing me intern, my name on TV as a weather spotter for the Boston News stations, with my grades, etc. When she first was diagnosed with colon cancer, I remember being there, walking into the hospital room and seeing her immediately break down and cry. She started to say things like "I'm never going to see you graduate college, Jeremy" and to my sister "I won't see you get married." Hearing her say these things made it realllly tough for me not to cry--Especially since my Aunt, Sister and Mother were all crying. Now, since my Father and Brother hadn't arrived yet, I was the "man" of the moment, so I wanted to stay strong for everyone. However, I too, ended up starting to cry. I then looked at my Aunt and sternly told her that what she is saying is NOT true and that she will beat the cancer and continue to live a strong, healthy life.

In my mind, I honestly thought that what I was telling her was true. However, after a 6 year battle with the cancer, she sadly passed away at her home one year ago tomorrow. This was tough for me, since I was there, holding her hand as she gave her last breaths. I will never forget the horrible moaning she was making during this time. 

I have dealt with losing a loved one to cancer before, as MANY family members have passed from cancer--including my Jitho (Lebanese for Grandfather). However, I was only 8 when he passed away and didn't fully understand the events. Now, as a 22 year old, I was fully aware and could totally understand what was happening and was "closer" to my Aunt, since I knew her longer than I did my Grandfather. 

Now, I realize that sadly and unfortuantely, my aunt was right. She wasn't going to make it to see me graduate college or be there for my Sister, Brother and I's wedding and children. As my college graduation approaches, I am feeling more sad and sad each day because I knew how much my Auntie Ninnie wanted to see me walk across that stage for my college graduation. She was always so anxious to see me on TV someday reporting for 7News or FOX25 News. 


I think about my Auntie Ninnie everyday. In fact, as I sit here writing this, I am crying. I just really wish she never was diagnosed with cancer. I wish NOBODY was. 


Seeing how sad my Mom was--and still is, breaks my heart even more. This was her older Sister, one who was extremely close to my Mother. Even though it has been a year, I honestly am not over and have not realized that she is gone. It's so hard for me to believe it.


It's that specific song, movie, picture, food, etc. that whenever I see it, I cry because it was my Auntie Ninnie's favorite or it was something we did together. 


I'll leave you with a a piece put together from a few different songs that were actually songs my Aunt loved and felt were good songs to think of when someone close passed away.....


It's kinda hard with you not around,
Know you in heaven smiling down,
Watching us while we pray for you,
Every day we pray for you!
Til the day we meet again,
In my heart is where I'll keep you AUNT
Memories give me the strength I need to proceed
Strength I need to believe.

You’re in the arms of the angel,
May you find some comfort there.

And I know you're shining down on me from Heaven,
Like so many friends we've lost along the way,
And I know eventually we'll be together.
One sweet day. 

May you forever rest peacefully in the arms of God and all of His Angels, Auntie Lynda. I will always love and miss you!!!! You mean the world to me and I will never forget you. Never.  As your favorite song from Shania Twain goes: 

The best thing about being a woman
Is the prerogative to have a little fun.

I know you are having fun up in Heaven. I will always love you. Goodnight Auntie Ninnie, I will see you in the future.

 

A Tragic Case....

No murder is ever a good thing to hear about. However, when I first heard about this story, I immediately was in shock as to how someone can act so brutally toward another person--at random, mind you. This teenager viciously attacked a woman and her young daughter about a year ago, while the husband/father was away.  42-year-old Kimberly Cates, was murdered, and her 11-year-old daughter Jaime faked her own death to survive last year's attack at their Mont Vernon home.These two were allegedly attacked completely at random by this idiotic teenager. This man (among a few others) used a machete and other knives to brutally attack these two innocent victims while their husband/father was away. 


The victims were chosen at random by the alleged attackers. These alleged murderers literally went to the neighborhood, saw Cates house and for some reason, chose to attack whoever was in that house. 

According to this 7News story, Spader (the accused killer), looked uncomfortable and sometimes bored with the events as he viewed the same photos the jury did, including a car and the evidence found inside it, and the bloody bedroom where the mother and daughter were brutalized.It really pisses me off that this kid can sit there and not show any remorse at what he did. Especially, since a doctor from Children’s Hospital testified, saying "he had never seen young girl with as many injuries as Jaime had when she was hospitalized last year." I mean, does the kid not have any heart or sense of feelings?!  

I give this father 110% credit for being able to take the stand and face the person who killed his wife and nearly killed his daughter without jumping over and killing the kid himself. 

I just really hope that for the sake of the little girl who survived this attack, her father and in respect for the Mother who sadly did not survive the attack, this kid gets either sentenced to life with NO parole or the death penalty.

I am curious, what do you guys think about this case? Do you agree with the death penalty? Do you think this kid is innocent? Is there (as the defense attorney's questioned) any chance the father had something to do with it? 

Let me know your thoughts. 

My First News Feature.....

Work completed on Boyden, Maxwell HVAC systems:

 

A little bit of luck and a lot of efficient planning helped Facilities Management and Planning officials at Bridgewater State University complete significant upgrades to the heating and air-conditioning systems in Boyden Hall and Maxwell Library, two of the most heavily-used buildings on campus.

The upgrades -- which were aimed at improving climate conditions and reducing energy costs -- required both buildings to operate without heat or air conditioning for three weeks. Just days before work started, temperatures in the region soared near 90 degrees and an unseasonable cold- or hot-spell during the work could have caused problems for staff and students who use the buildings. As it turns out, weather for most of the three-week period was seasonable, and few people noticed a difference in temperature.

"I can’t even tell the heat has been shut off,” said Joe Catino, a freshman who works at the circulation desk in the library and has a class on the second floor of Boyden Hall. Like many students, Catino was completely unaware of the work being done on the buildings.

Work on the projects that required the HVAC system shutdown began October 4 and was completed on October 20. During this time, the air coming from the vents was the air from outside.

Emails were sent to all employees of the Bridgewater State University campus and there was a post about this project in the daily student announcements. The email from Karen W. Jason, Associate VP stated to “dress appropriately each day they will be in the building.”

“The reason for this HVAC project is to upgrade and create a whole new heating and cooling system that will allow the system to conserve energy [and save BSU money] while at the same time, creating an equally balanced and comfortable feeling in the 18 classrooms in the Maxwell Library and 6 in Boyden Hall, year round for students, employees and faculty” said Keith Mcdonald, BSU Director of Physical Facilities.

According to Tom Telford, project manager of the Bridgewater State University (BSU) facilities department, the $1.1 million project was originally scheduled to take place the second week of September. Telford said officials pushed the start date back because of warm temperatures throughout the first month of classes.

Bjorn Ingvoldstad, assistant professor of the communication department at BSU said “after reading the email, I felt that it was going to create some problems with temperature in my office [located on level 2 of the Maxwell Library] and the classrooms I teach in.”

But, he said during the project's second week, "I have yet to really notice any difference in the temperature of my office and classrooms. It seems the facilities department here as BSU planned a strategically perfect time to work on this project.”

BSU librarian Cynthia J.W. Svoboda said officials decided not to do the project over the summer, when fewer people use the buildings. In addition to creating unbearable conditions for people working in the buildings during the summer months, the humidity could have done untold damage to the library's collection.

"The BSU facilities department did indeed pick a perfect time for this project and (I) feel three weeks with no heat in the month of October is not too long of time—especially with the beautiful weather we have been experiencing,” Svoboda said.

Moira O’Brien, Administrative Assistant in the Criminal Justice (CJ) department located on the third floor of the Maxwell Library, also commented that she “hasn’t noticed any significant changes in the temperature of the building ‘nor has she heard any complaints from the CJ staff.”

Meanwhile, Aimee Manzoni a senior at BSU who has two classes midday in the library tells me she feels that project should have been pushed back further into November. “I honestly feel that the workers of this project simply got lucky weather wise, which is why there have been little to no complaints.”  She adds that “it would be easier if the windows in the library were actually able to open.”

So, this 1.1 million dollar HVAC project, “which has been going smoothly and as scheduled according to plan” according to Telford emerges to have had little to no effect on the campus of Bridgewater State University campus.

Plans for a similar project in other campus buildings are proposed for the future.

Don't end up looking like a dummy.....

Here is my very first Video Editing project. It is a PSA on texting while driving. You need to be logged into facebook to view it.

Let me know what you think....Enjoy!

Chapter 13.

Chapter 13 discusses the structuring and formatting of an article based on where it is going to be published. As the book and what we have discussed in class, the most fundamental approach to get the most information out is the “inverted pyramid.” In other words, when you are writing your story, it’s key to have the most important information first then work your way down into the least important information. This gives the readers what they want/need to know as quickly as possible. The most important part of any news feature is the one sentence lead. This is your first sentence of your news story what must contain the who, what, when, where, and (brief) why. The second is the nut graf or “the body” of the story. Not only does this contain the facts, details and quotes; but, it also contains a detailed “why”. Here, you should have why this story is relevant and affects the readers who are reading the article. The final piece is the end of the story where the least important information is given. You still want to end the piece with good information, however.

This chapter talks about getting rid of ineffective information. As Sara has stated in her blog, I find this the most difficult part of writing my news feature. Compared to writing papers for other classes, the news feature has to put organized in a specific way to get readers to want to read and keep reading the piece. Using big words and semi colons isn’t necessarily a good thing when creating a news feature. Sometimes, that can only hurt the news feature. With news features, you want to make sure you stick to the facts and information, without exaggerating heavily. Haha As many college students, I too, can be very good at BS-ing my way through a paper and still receive a good grade on it. However, you can’t BS in a news article because that is lying and reporting false story which is no good and will get you fired. Plus, readers will lose interest and not read or watch that media anymore if they figure out it is all false information. 

After reading this chapter, while putting the finishing touches on my news feature, there are a million things I realized I should have done differently. First off, I would make sure that when taking notes during interviews, I need to write neater since I had a tough time understanding some of my words!!! haha I'd also format my feature better.

The Power of Forgiveness.

Just a quick little post about this video I saw on the news earlier this week. This video is something from the media and something I feel people should watch. It is about a 10 minute story on forgiveness. I suggestion you all watch.

I mean, I know that just about every single one of you has or have been extremely pissed off at someone and as a result, stop talking to them or just completely wipe them out of your life for good. But, I definitely give these people credit for having the power and courage to forgive the person who has changed their lives forever. Especially the circumstances in which these young people have had to deal with for the rest of their lives based something the "doer" did. 


As someone who used to hold grudges, I grew up and learned that holding onto anger and grudges does nothing but make YOUR life miserable and stressful in the long run. It also affects the health of your life because holding onto too much anger has been proven to cause more stress, anxiety and even depression for some. Bottom line: don't hold grudges and in time, learn to forgive people. I mean, you can forgive someone and still not forget what was said or done; but, forgiving will at least end the anger peacefully. You don't have to become "buddy buddy" with the person again; but, at least you can be neutral toward one another. People need to learn how to forgive; but not forget.

This story is definitely a good story that I feel shows something that we should see more of.... Why hold grudges, ya know? As Buddha said-- "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; You are the one who gets burned."

Go MOTHER, GO!

Update to my "Gone Baby, Gone" blog....Read here.

First off...Not guilty plea?! F**k that. She clearly knew what the hell she was doing.

Second off: YES, deport her illegal ass. She was probably bumming off of our welfare system anyway. Please get the f**k out of my country you ILLEGAL immigrant. It's people like you who are making our country look bad at times. I am sick and tired of paying for your welfare. 

Thirdly: "Questions are now being raised as to how the teen was allowed to see the newborn baby after she was charged with assault for throwing the boy down into an alley filled with trash." Umm, I am really pissed off about this, too! WTF...why the hell DID they let her see the baby?! If she REALLY cared about this baby, she would have NEVER even of thought to throw the baby out of the window into the trash.

Pssht. I hope this b**ch gets a very harsh punishment and rots in hell. She is definitely not a Mother--nor does she ever deserve the right to be one again.

 

The Social Media.

This weeks class readings were about being able to report using different forms of media/things other than the actual TV/radio/print broadcast. These days, I have noticed a lot of TV news stations; newspapers, etc. have facebook fan pages and/or twitter. It is something that I think this is without question huge and a requirement with today’s “media savvy” world. The field of Journalism is indisputably evolving and changing the direction in which it is moving toward. Today’s Journalism field is completely different than what it was 30, 20 and even 5 years ago. Part of today’s Journalist requires a person to not only know how to write, shoot, edit, etc. you have to be able to understand and access twitter and/or facebook and other social networking sites, such as blogging. You have to be willing to adjust. 

Having interned within the field of TV media for many years now, I have clearly noticed that change within the newsroom and what the daily jobs as a TV reporter has become these days. Now, I know that at 7News, it is basically a requirement for the reporters and other newsroom workers to have a Twitter account—they even made me, an intern, create one! Apparently, Twitter is a great resource (if you follow the right people) to get news stories on the spot and fast. When I was at FOX25, they basically had the same requirement as well. Although, they didn’t make me create one like 7 did. There are so many journalists now that may break a story on twitter or facebook (especially during an off-air time) and then elaborate on the story when posting it. 

It really is safe to say that the Media industry definitely is not what it used to be. As Brian said, I too, think that it's both a good and bad thing. I feel that a lot of Media is going to continue with the social networking sites as a way to interact and really understand and “speak” to their audience—which, I feel is a pretty good idea. I think it's all very interesting to think how much things have evolved in the field of journalism in just a short time. Basically, it is because of how fast the technology/internet has expanded. Every single day, it seems we have something new within technology. We have to keep up somehow, right?!

WTF Is The Big Deal?!

Just a quick blog to talk about a story I recently came across earlier this morning. I saw this story on the FOX25 news (among the other Boston stations) and honestly, think things are being blown out or proportion. First thing that came to my mind was "WTF" (pun intended lol) the shirts CLEARLY state right under the WTF "Wakefield Track & Field." Um, aren't the initials for that WTF?! It is not like the shirts just say WTF on them...Seriously, I am pretty sure this school system has more important things to be worrying about.

How do you feel? 

Gone Baby, Gone.

Wow. I do not even know where to start after seeing this on the news! “She disclosed that after she birthed the child in the bathtub she opened the window and threw the baby out,” said Leora Joseph, the prosecutor. How the hell can ANYONE do something like this?! Seriously, what the freak is wrong with people?! Especially in this case, when we DO have the baby safe haven drop offs are fire stations and what not!!! I just don't understand how anyone can literally just throw a new born baby out of a window--especially a woman! When I saw this on the news, I wanted to throw up out of so much disgust for that young woman. 

This woman I feel has no place to live in this world to do something like this. Harsh, but, just my feelings on causing so much pain to an innocent little new born baby who will now “Multiple brain bleeds, seizures in the brain. The baby was incubated and remained in the neonatal ICU up until last week in a cervical collar. The brain was swollen and the baby is suffering from some complications from the fall,” said Joseph. So, basically, because of this idiotic young woman, an innocent baby will most likely now grow up to suffer with some serious health issues—if the baby even lives much longer.  What really pisses me off is that her bail was only $1,500 dollars. Can you really put a price on almost killing your newborn baby (or someone’s life in general, for that matter)?!  The story goes on to say that the Mother has been charged with assault and battery and reckless endangerment of her own child. Currently, she is not allowed to see him without supervision and it is unlikely that she will get to keep him. Um, as far as I am concerned, she shouldn’t even have the right to see the baby AT ALL! Nor should there even be any question of whether or not she should get to keep him!! 

Wow, so what are your thoughts about this?!

Put An End To It, Now.

With all of the recent cases of bullying, I decided I would post my feelings on the topic. It's crazy to me that kids can not only bully other kids face to face, but now with the internet bullying can also occur online. While I have never been a victim of cyber bullying or really any serious face-to-face bullying, I still definitely think that this IS something that needs to be prevented more. I also feel that cyber bullying is worse than face-to-face bullying. I'll tell you why. Kids have more time to think of really hurtful, nasty things to do to people on the internet—and kids can say anything they want, with a sense of feeling that they won’t get caught. You can basically expose anything you want online. This is cliché, but that old saying "words do hurt" is really true. Seeing things that are mean or embarrassing written about you on someone's blog or Facebook would not be fun at all. I've never been cyber bullied only because I'm too old and mature to be taking part in this current trend. I could only imagine what kids must feel like having things openly written about them for all their classmates and friends to see. The worst part is there's no way for you to get rid of it if someone posts hurtful things about you on their Facebook. Once something is written about you, it's there to stay and never really goes away.

I think what happened with that student at Rutgers University was completely uncalled for. Invading someone's privacy and posting videos of their private life is so immature, inhumane and rude. Does anyone's sexuality really have any impact on you? Heterosexual people get married, have affairs and get divorces all the time. Many straight people fail at marriage, yet gay people are “trying to destroy the sanctity of marriage?” It doesn't make any sense to me that kids are bullying others because of their sexuality. It's hateful and not needed. I've watched specials on ABC about bullying, and it's usually the parents who aren't stepping in. Cause they're probably bigoted too. Many parents give this message to their kids that they are stronger and more powerful than gay people. What does power have to do with anything? What someone does in their private life has no impact on you. If a kid's trying to make someone's life miserable because they're different, then that kid is just a weak person who probably has issues with his/her own self. Sometimes, I feel people bully other kids to take the negative feelings or attention off of their own self. It's really awful that cyber bullying is a new trend. It’s insane that we now a word “cyber-bullying”. It's because kids have more freedom to says and do things on the internet than they do in school. This is just another subject that is causing young men and women--(wait, some are even technically kids) to kill themselves all because of some idiotic asshole feels the need to talk shit about that person (like a coward) behind a computer--knowing (or thinking in some cases) that he/she won't get caught. Thankfully, for some, they thought wrong and did get caught.

I just thought that cyber bullying was a sad, horrific, yet, interesting topic because it's definitely a current trend in our society; which is pretty damn sad that it’s come this far! I'm glad that more cases have brought some form of justice, as means of the bully getting some form of punishment. However, there are still WAY too many cases out there in which the bully has NOT been punished. This needs to end. Period.

What does everyone else think about it? Should kids be allowed to say and do hateful things on the internet with no consequences? Do you think there is some form of punishment available? How “harsh” should the punishment be? Please, leave your thoughts…I am very interested in what you all have to say!

What's In A Date?

Umm....What's the big deal? Is this really THAT special or important? I mean, yeah it's kinda cool and all; but, is this really newsworthy enough? Dates like this happen just about every year (we also had 08-09-10 this year, last year it was 09-09-09 then 08-08-08 and so on...) Granted, 10-10-10 is a bit "cooler" and rare, but, we are going to see something similar next year on 11-11-11 then again on 12-12-12 and so on for every 1-12 number. Wait, how about this-- earlier this year we had the date 08-09-10....Isn't that cooler?! haha Wait, it gets even better. I actually remember hearing on the news over the Summer about a baby born on 08-09-10 @ 11:12pm, (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)--Now THAT is pretty cool and rare if you ask me. If something about the date is going to make the news, the baby story, in my opinion, is more of a "newsworthy" and rare one.

Your Thoughts?

Finally Gave In....

Okay, figured I'd let you all know, that (based on several requests) I have finally changed the colors/style/background of my blog. I think this one is a bit more "tame" and not as "loud". 


Let me know what you guys think.

The Digital Interviewer.

Chapter 14 really spells out a few of the questions I had regarding the proper way to go about interviewing someone. Chapter 14 starts off with the sentence “Thanks to email, instant messaging and cell phones, we’re connected 24/7 with potential sources. The internet is immensely useful for gathering, researching and filing on the go.” That sentence right there is extremely true. The internet has so much power within it on many different occasions and for many different reasons—especially for current events, the media and well, on a negative approach—gossip, rumors, etc.

This chapter (for me) came at an ideal time, because on Friday, I am planning on conducting my first few interviews for my news feature. As I read through this chapter, I came across some very interesting and worthy point about the process of interviewing. The section that talks about the proper form of questions to ask I thought was important. Since an interview is based on gathering information, questions are going to be asked—and a reporter needs to know how/which questions are the best ones and in what order, etc.  As the chapter pointed out, it is extremely important for a journalist to get the correct information on a news tip or story.  One little “mess up”, lie or exaggeration of a story can cause problems down the road.

Usually, at the end of an interview, I always ask “is anything I left out or anything further?”  I feel that this is somewhat of an easy way to make sure I have received all and any important information that I may need for my story.  I agree with Coleen when she says that she finds that she gets “good quotes at the end because the person isn't struggling to come up with an answer to the questioned asked.” I feel that is so true because the person feels less pressured to answer in a certain way. It really is true that certain questions asked during an interview can be very demanding for a person.

As I organize for an interview, the very first thing I do is create the list of people who are going to be beneficial to my topic/story and who can answer my questions best.  Once I know for sure who I will be interviewing, I then will create my list of questions since I know for sure who exactly I will be interviewing. Sometimes, as the interview progresses, I will find myself ad-libbing in a few new questions that I feel may relate to an unexpected answer/response from my interviewee. I feel that it’s crucial for a journalist to think “on their feet” and be able to act fast should a situation like this occur.

To be honest, I have never officially done an interview other than face-to-face or over the phone, so I can’t really say what it is like to conduct an email interview. I truthfully hate over the phone interviews and feel that face-to-face are the best ways to go about interviewing someone. Just the thought of any other way, to me, sounds very impersonal and unrealistic. Again, relating this chapter to “the real world” as I intern at 7News, I frequently take a few minutes of my time while there, just to stop and actually see what goes into putting together their news and how they go about gathering it. From listening to the police scanners/browsing newspapers online to calling and confirming the stories to finally adding it to the script/prompter and getting it on the air. There is a lot of work that goes into making sure the stories are accurate and true.

It’s pretty cool to also see how professional reporters go about finding “the right people” to interview for certain stories. For example, I know that at 7News, when the reporter goes to a any story they are told to interview someone from both sides of opinion-for it, and against it, good kid/bad kid; whichever the case may be. A reporter needs to be fair and show different sides to the story to try and show that they are not reporting the story with their own opinion hidden within it.