Thriving for Journalism...Ch. 23

This week’s reading was about getting started and how to survive a career in the field of Journalism. I think it was a good chapter and talked about how the field of Journalism is changing drastically compared to 20, 10 even 5 years ago—in part because of how excessively popular the internet has become for basically everything about Journalism. This is a topic that I have been hearing over and over not only from Professors; but, also from TV personalities whom have been in the Broadcast Journalism business for many, many years. While they all said it is radically changing, most said that Journalism will never go away completely.

My favorite parts of this particular chapter were the section titled: “Build a circle of supportive, serious Journalists (In the Real World)” and “Make it fun, and nip defeating behavior in the Bud.” I feel that both sections of this chapter are great and important because these days, it really is good to know people within the business to help you out and give you advice and what not. Knowing people in the field is only going to help, not hinder you. So, I agree that it is good to build a “circle of friends” in the field of Journalism if this is what you are going to school for. Thankfully, I have been blessed with many, many, personalities in my life who have helped me tremendously in the past and continue to help me and offer me advice and whatnot whenever I need it. In fact, I have grown close to some of them to the point where I consider them friends, and they consider me a friend. It’s a great feeling knowing that I have professionals who are always willing to help!

I also liked the section “Make it fun, and nip defeating behavior in the Bud” because I feel that this, too, is also another important part of Journalism. I feel that it is imperative to enjoy working in the field of Journalism, as much as possible—even though it can be stressful and depressing at times. Also, just because it is a changing industry does not mean you can’t and shouldn’t adjust to the new way. It’s best to “go with the flow” and enjoy the news changes as much as you can. If not, as the title of the section says, just nip it in the butt and deal with it—it is your job. 

If you really hate it that much, then why work in Journalism?! You know?

You Have The Right To Video Tape Me.

I was watching the news last night and came across this story. I found it pretty interesting! I personally feel that we should have the right to video tape certain situations—with limits and boundaries. However, there should be a limit. I know, I know...how you can draw limits for something like this. It is a tough question that we often here when it comes to our Constitutional Rights. So, that I really can't truthfully answer because I know everyone is going to have their own thoughts and opinions about where these limits should be put into place. But, I can say that I feel if the person you are video taping comes up and kindly asks you to stop video taping, then I think it is only right to do so. If the person is instantly belligerent about it--then, hmm...you have yourself a funny and interesting video.....lol No, but, really...I think it is all about how the person handles it.

I think it's wrong for cops to tell someone they shouldn't film them. I mean if an incident went down and the police became involved and then things started to escalate, and if you pulled out your phone and started to record it, that just seems like a solid piece of evidence that could be used during the trial or whatever. If the police don't want you to film them because their worried they might slip-up and act inappropriately, well then maybe they should just take a little responsibility for their actions or reconsider their profession. The video of the cop waving his gun at college students was ridiculous. That seems like a prime example of why videos should be rolling. You shouldn't do your job differently just because your being filmed.

But, as I said before…There ARE limits and there are always going to be negative aspects and times when this can and will go too far.

Okay. So, I am curious to get some feedback on how you all feel about this story and particular situation. Do you agree with it? Do you feel it's wrong to video tape other people engaged in random situations? There's no holding back here...Drop me a line and let me know what you think!

A Special Tribute.

I was watching a great special done by CBS last weekend about all the passengers that died on the plane that crashed in Pittsburg which was meant for the white house that day but never made it. There were many heroes on that plane that I think stopped the terrorist from making it to the white house. The story was about how the Pittsburg Stealers organization has been donating and helping console all the families and it was extremely touching. I wish more media was played like this on TV it feels like more negative stories are played out then good ones. These people are absolutely heroes in my book and I can only imagine what if others on those 9/11 planes had tired to stop those terrorist from flying into those planes maybe things would have been different. I also commend the Steelers' organization for being so considerate of the families and donating to the cause. It is all too seldom that positive things such as this are aired and it was very touching. It is good to see "big brutes" like football players and their organization taking others' feelings into account and reaching out to them in appreciation. 

This program definitely was a great and thoughtful special. I also consider everyone on that plane a hero in my book. Not only do I consider them heroes; but, also the thousands of firefighters, police officers, paramedics, etc. who all rushed into those burning buildings while everyone else was running out. I wish there was more stories like this on TV. I mean, I know 9-11 is such a touchy and horrible thing to watch over and over again; but, if the programs focused more on the positive/heroic stories rather than the actual terrorism/negative parts, I feel that people would learn more from seeing how there was much more heroism & bravery compared to terrorism & hatred on September 11th, 2001. 

Either way, we will never forget those thousands of men and women who sadly lost theirs lives that day trying to save and protect our country. 

God Bless the many men and women who are still doing so.

He Might Have Fallen From a Plane?!

So, I heard about an update to a story about a body that had been found in Milton. We now know is is the body of a missing man from NC. Well, now there is another update: instead of solely looking into the body being hit and run by a car, now, there is a possibility that he may have fallen from a plane!!! Here is the latest story... http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/did-mangled-teen-fall-from-plane-20101123 When I first heard about this story, it was the first time the story broke. At that time, it was assumed that the body (not Identified yet) was hit and run by a car. Then, when I was at 7News last week, I had learned that they had finally identified the body as that of the missing kid from North Carolina. The rumor around the newsroom was that he might have been a stow-a-way on a plane and fell off when the plane's landing gear came down. Now, Milton IS within the path of landing for planes entering Logan Airport, so, I guess something like this could be a possibility. Apparently, they are looking into the possibility that he was a stow away in the plane and somehow fell out around the Milton area--which IS in the landing path to Logan Airport. I guess we will find out more in the next couple of weeks. I mean, yeah, it's tricky because the fat that he was so mutilated and that he made it all the way to Milton in 3 hours says that he could have definitely fallen from a plane. On the other hand, why didn't he have his shirt shoes or ID? Maybe it could have come off during the fall but it seems like someone took them. It's really sad either way, but would be especially sad if someone did this to him and it wasn't the fall. But, is it really possible for someone to just hop on a plane as a stow-a-way? I mean, no one saw this man enter the cargo area? Not only is that my only question, but--how does the medical examiner NOT know if the trauma on the body was from falling from an extreme altitude? Is it really possible for the mans clothes to have fallen off during the fall? It is such a bizarre story that I think even if it is true, people are going to react this way because an event like this is indeed, bizarre and not really heard of. Clearly, it seems there are many questions within this story. Either way, for the sake of the young man's family, I hope that they figure all the facts out and hope that the young man didn't suffer in any way. Your thoughts on this bizarre case?!

My News Diet.

              As a college student, I sometimes can find myself reading less and less and partying more and more. However, as a Communication major, once I started interning at major TV news stations, I was forced to read more than just textbooks and casual reading books. Now, as my Senior year starts to wind down and where I am enrolled in a few classes and interning for a place that has actually encouraged me to read more newspapers, magazine, etc. and now, my reading list has become much superior. As a result, my current news diet has grown somewhat “healthy” and I have learned valuable knowledge from the many different publications I have been forced to read. Additionally, I have grown fond to those forced publications and now read them on my own for pure entertainment, curiosity and to see what is going on in the world around me.

While it seems that most people don’t anymore, I still do read printed newspapers at least once a week. I started reading newspapers roughly around the age of 13. I was bored one day waiting at a doctor’s office and picked up The Boston Globe. Since then, I have had an interest in reading newspapers as much as I can. While I do not currently have any subscriptions to newspapers, I make it a point to stop at the machines to pick one up as much as possible. The most common papers I will pick up are The Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Standard Times and the Metro. I feel that newspapers are valuable for news information and even though some say that they are “dying”, I will always make sure I read a newspaper at least once a week.

However, having interned at FOX25 and currently interning at 7News, part of my role is to look through newspapers to see if there are any interesting/breaking news stories in which we can show during the live news shows. I am at 7News 3 times a week, so I am currently reading magazines at least 3 times a week. The Newspapers that I frequently read while at 7News are: The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, The Standard Times, Cape Cod Times and the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune. These are magazine that are actually delivered to the assignment desk at 7News. In addition to those magazines, it is my job to also go through the list of online newspapers from hometownnews.com to check for possible news stories to add to the news shows. So, I am also reading several other newspapers online. Learning of hometownnews.com has also created more interest for me to browse around the many other online newspapers that Massachusetts has to offer. I feel that I have become much more aware of current events around Massachusetts for this reason. Interning for 3+ years at major TV news stations has certainly kept my interest in reading newspapers—not because I am forced to, but, because I actually see just how truthful, valuable and informative they are. I plan to continue reading newspapers both online and hardcopy once I am done interning.

Another publication that I read is many different Magazines. These are probably my favorite’s forms of reading because they go beyond news, politics and weather. The magazines that I am currently subscribed to are my biggest interests. My subscribed list consists of Time, National Geographic, ESPN: The Magazine, Car & Driver, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated and Men’s Health. I have subscriptions to these magazines because they include topics that are not necessarily news; but, still also very important and informative information that I can use in my life. I have been reading magazines since I was a little kid—even before I began reading newspapers. In fact, I started reading magazines even before newspapers. My very first subscription to my own magazine in my name was my sophomore year in high school. It was a subscription for Car & Driver. As I got older and my funds grew bigger, I then picked up National Geographic, Time, Rolling Stone, ESPN, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated and Men’s health. I currently still have a subscription to all of those magazines today. I read those magazines on a weekly basis and will continue to subscribe to those magazines as long as possible.

One of the major publications that I stay away from is Books. As bad/sad as it sounds, I can never get myself to read a book from beginning to end. I have never liked to read these kinds of books for pure entertainment or what-have-you. I was never one of the kids who were obsessed with Harry Potter or Goosebumps. The only books I would like to read growing up are I-Spy or books with a lot of pictures in them/big font. I find myself getting headaches from reading these books. The only time I do read books is when I have to for a class. I was always one of those kids who dreaded Summer reading and to be honest, somehow got by never actually fully reading the books over the Summer. I am not really sure what it is. My parents and teachers constantly encouraged me to read more; but, I just never listened. In fact, the only time I ever read books and textbooks fully is for classes—and even then, I sometimes would take the lazy way out and google, spark notes or ask around for information I may have missed from not reading. My hope is that this will change sometime soon, since I realize that I am missing out on some interesting books.

As for Blogging, I have never followed/had a blog until this semester when a very interesting and wise professor made it a requirement for class to blog with fellow students. I was never amused by blogging and thought it was a waste of time. However, since I was forced into blogging as a requirement, I have now actually found myself enjoying creating posts on my blog and also reading and commenting on my fellow classmates’ blogs. It’s a cool and unique way of writing about my thoughts, venting and anything interesting I feel like sharing. I now blog a few times a week, which will sometimes turns into everyday when I have more free time away from work, interning and classes.

Perhaps the most amount of my news diet comes from the Internet. I have so many different bookmarks, sometimes it is so hard to keep track. My bookmark consists of news websites, newspaper websites, entertainment websites such as facebook, gmail, etc. Some of the news websites that I have bookmarked are: whdh.com, boston.com, bostonherarld.com, myfoxboston.com, etc. These are websites that I checked every day, many times a day. I find these sites to update regularly and are (in my opinion) fairly accurate. Not a day goes by where I won’t check these websites out to see what’s happening in the news on that particular day. I am also a frequent user of facebook and gmail (both also bookmarked); checking both many times each day as well. Facebook and gmail are the two most common ways in which family and friends can get in touch with me via online.

As for Broadcast News Sources, I am an avid watcher of broadcast news. Whether it is local (7News, FOX25, or Newscenter5) or National (CNN, FOX, or MSNBC), I am glued to broadcast news. Part of this is because I want to get into the field as a Broadcast Journalist; part is because I find it easier to gather information and current events by watching and listening to it on the TV. The channels that I watch the most are Newscenter5 and 7News for local news, weather and sports and CNN for national news, weather and sports. I tend to flip from station to station, however, because I like to compare to see if a certain station depicts a story differently than another station. Sometimes, I do see a difference, other times I don’t.

So, even though Broadcast News is perhaps my favorite way of gathering news, I do understand that it may not necessarily be the most accurate way and I do check and compare to make sure. I have been enthusiastically watching Broadcast News everyday morning and night since I was around the age of 10 years old. I have always been a “TV news junkie” since then and continue to be so. My goal is to become an Investigative Reporter in the future and hope to report on stories that people want and should hear about. Furthermore, I hope that in the future, Broadcast News changes the way they are run and focuses on more important and positive stories versus negative and off-topic stories that do not have any affect on the audience watching.