1. In today's society, news coverage is becoming increasingly less "by the book." Previously, studied journalists relied on a paper and pen to report, along with sources. Today however, the news landscape is becoming more progressive with the incorporation of technology, and most importantly citizen journalism. While citizen journalism may not be as accurate, or as well trained as professional journalists, it allows for faster news reporting a more varied perspective. With varying forms of citizen journalism, the news industry is showing itself to be an adaptive industry. Personally, I believe citizen journalism plays well into today's society as more and more people are aware of events happening due to tv and social media. There are, however, some downsides to citizen journalism, the most obvious being a lack of awareness of the basic rules of journalism. Since most citizen journalists did not go to school for journalism, certain errors can be made such as a lack of precision or the presence of bias, and other that can inhibit a news story. With these downsides, however come the positives of a more wide-based source of news and a more interactive news landscape. I believe in citizen journalism because it not only widens the source of writers, but it also widens the audience because the stories may seem more relatable if they are written by a non-journalism scholar.
2. Note taking can mean life or death for a journalist. When a reporter is gathering his or her notes they are what will develop the story and create follow-ups or prove certain points to be dead ends. Without good notes, a reporter is nothing, because you can't report without sources. Hence, if one does not take the proper notes, he or she can face legal charges for taking someone else's words for their own. Even more, without good notes, the story may not be fully accurate because certain points won't be remembered as well, so the writer may feel the need to either omit certain facts or make them up as he or she goes on. While the physical act of writing is what creates the story, the notes prior to the writing process are what fuel the follow-up questions and the overall feel of a story. A writer could feel like they have an idea for their story long before they speak to a source, that idea could go out the window with one specific quote or comment. Without good notes, however, that brilliant new idea would be nothing, and the story would be just like every other one already written. Notes not only protect a reporter from legal charges, but they also help develop, and something completely alter a story.
3. If I were to cover the Stonehill graduation one of the major assets I would use would be social media. A few days prior to the graduation I would check Twitter for posts about the graduation and possibly follow up with some of those sources at the graduation. On the morning of the graduation, I would post on all social media sites for people to post their pictures from graduation and send them to me. Additionally, I would also ask that anyone who wanted to contact me to do so through social media. Additionally, I would be posting constant updates on Twitter about the graduation. Some of these updates would be on speakers, perhaps in the Commencement speaker was an especially famous person, if any of the students had accomplished or overcame an incredible feat. If I covered the Stonehill graduation I would use school media to cover as much of the graduation as possible, an approach that would also involve some forms of citizen journalism.
No comments:
Post a Comment