SO LONG

SO LONG JOUR1111....ITS BEEN FUN

Number forty two

Above is my COMU1999 final portfolio, I'm really happy with how it turned out! 

Number forty one

LECTURE WEEK 13! LAST LECTURE!

What's in it for me?

BLOGGING!

There were a few main points I found most important while listening to 'Molks' give his lecture on blogging and its impact on journalism today.

1. Today as journalism students, we have the opportunity to control what we write and 'put out there', using the internet as our basis. The huge range of mediums on the internet allows for development both personally and as writers, making experienced and highly employable journalists in the future.

2. The term "BLOGGER":

• is it really that cringe worthy?
• bloggers are becoming more and more important in how we come across and process our information
• to be a successful blogger you just need to GET WRITING
• consistently and intentionally work on writing and connecting with readers all over the world
• interact with those around you

3. As journalists, we are no longer locked behind what the media 'machine' tells us.

We can either purely trust mainstream media OR ask "the man" (source of information, topic of news) firsthand via social networking/communications (think: KRudd on Twitter)

4. HOW to be a success?

-Print, PR, radio and TV journalism success all stem from NOW and how you learn to create and connect with a story

-You can pitch a story however you like online, what you write could then be picked up by a major news company and you could be paid for your work

People who make the news control the story

-start to earn people's trust... politicians, celebrities, sports people... the people who you want to write about

5.START SETTING YOURSELF UP NOW

- write about things that are TOPICAL and INTERESTING

-write about what YOU want to write about

- eventually it will grow, people will read, people will listen, people will follow

-this is an opportunity to project your message

I think blogging is a really exciting force in the journalism and communication industry. I have a particular interest in fashion blogs and started reading them (to the point of religiously following some) towards the end of grade 9 at school. Bloggers like Rumi from Fashiontoast, Karla from Karlascloset and Alix from thecherryblossomgirl were my favourites, and back then, they were just pretty normal young women who wanted to share their style with the world and uploaded outfit shots and whatever else they liked, whenever they liked. And now! Wow! These women along with numerous other fashion bloggers out there have become so influential they are collaborating with clothing brands ands labels, producing clothing, jewellery and fashion shoots of their very own and making a living out of what was once just a fashion blogging hobby.

Number fourty

Jour1111 week12

Investigative journalism

What is investigative journalism

Deeper meanings and purposes

Some historical investigations

What do we investigate?

Threats to investigative journalism

The future of investigative journalism

"Isn’t all journalism meant to involve questioning investigation of facts and opinions presented to us?"- Ross Coulthart

Investigative: 

• intelligent 
• informed
• intuitive 
• inside- they need to trust you
• invest

Deeper definitions and purposes:

1. 1.
       Critical and thorough journalism- “active intervention”
2. 2.       Custodians of conscience- “exposure”
3. 3.       To provide a voice for those without one and to hold the powerful to account- “public interest”
4. 4.       Fourth estate/ fourth branch of government/ watchdog- represent those without power, free flows of information, make accountable

‘shoe leather’ journalism- get out there, talk to people, standing back, looking at the big picture, taking nothing for granted

SCEPTICAL AND NOT CYNICAL

Some Historical Trailblazers:

-Edward Hall Smith

-W.T Stead and the Salvos (William Booth)

-Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein

-Chris Masters, Phil Dickie, Shaun Hoyt

Is Wikileaks Journalism?

What do their investigations have in common? They changed the world

What do we investigate?

• Types of investigation interaction:
• Interviews
• Observations
• Documents
• Briefings
• Leaks
• Trespass
• Theft

Growth in PR= Shrinkage in Journalism

PR- resistance to exposure, dodging questions, massaging ‘talent’, cleaning up stories

Journalism-  no intervention, no shoe leather, lack of depth, forumlaic reporting

The future of investigative journalism

Youtube investigative journalism channel- there is really nothing out there- legal frameworks that go with it

 I strongly agree with what Dr BR said at the start of the lecture about all journalism effectively should be investigative journalism. Ever story, every article, every blogpost or tweet that a journalist writes, to retell an event for public viewing, should be researched and informed enough to classify as investigative journalism. 

I have an interest in print reporting and hope to one day write for newspapers and magazines. What draws me to print and investigative journalism alike, is the opportunity for time. Long, well research, well written investigative articles allow for more time to be certain the article is perfectly presented and constructed, rather than reporting from a newsroom, where speed and churning out the news is the key to success.

Number thirty nine

Filmed from the back of my head...

And other enjoyable photos to break up the monotony of words on this blog recently!

Number thirty eight

My video for JOUR1112 was a report on the greek Paniyiri festival held in Musgrave Park last weekend.

It was a great festival and so busy! And the Greek food really does live up to all the hype surrounding it...

Number thirty seven- annotated bibliography

JOUR1111 Annotated bibliography

Nolan, D & Lester, L. (2011).  Expanding journalism studies in a competitive environment. Australian Journalism Review, 33(1), 41-44. Retrieved from: ISSN: 0810-2686.

The authors, David Nolan and Libby Lester, academics  at the University of …. Address the issues surrounding the expansion of journalism as a distinct discipline within universities and institutions. The article focusses on the ERA classification of journalism alongside professional writing, and the positive and negative elements of journalism studies falling into a sub-genre of generic media studies. While it is argued that the categorisation produces  a narrow perspective of the actual study of journalism, the necessity to remain and inter-disciplinary field, closely involved with politics, sociology, philosophy, law and science, is also highlighted.

The main criticism for the article is the absence of any background information on the ERA classification guide and procedures. Although highly suitable for the medium and assumed knowledge of journalism professionals, to an uninformed audience, this article requires further research into the topic, and rereading, for complete understanding of the debate. This article is of significance to the next three political articles, as the need to influence, and be influenced by politics and sociology continues to be vital in journalism practice, with the public’s constant demand for up-to-date news on the social and political developments that effect our lives.

Avlon, J. (2012). American Way: Why Barack Obama’s support for gay marriage is a huge political gamble by the president. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-politics/9261751/American-Way-Why-Barack-Obamas-support-for-gay-marriage-is-a-huge-political-gamble-by-the-president.html.

Telegraph reporter John Avlon, delivers an article with the aim of clearly highlighting how Barack Obama’s announcement is “loaded with political risk”, one that will alienate him from would-be voters, come Election Day. The article stipulates the political position of a number of US states with a deeply inset opposition to same sex marriage, and the dim prospect Obama has in altering these opinions. Adding slight balance to the article is a paragraph underlining conservative candidate Mick Romney’s unwillingness to even address the issue, let alone state his position, presenting a similarly negative image to society.

This Telegraph article addresses the announcement by Obama, in a perspective that critically evaluates the political and social implications of his actions. This position taken, aligns with the previous journal article statement over the necessity for journalism to remain influenced by both politics and sociology, proving both articles to be similarly engaging and innovative for their audiences. Highly suitable for its medium, the article provides a valid perspective on a controversial issue, backed with research and information, for its presumably educated audience.

O’Malley, N. (2012). Obama finally comes out with views on gay marriage. Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au/world/obama-finally-comes-out-with-views-on-gay-marriage-20120510-1yfia.html.

US Correspondent at theage.com.au, Nick O’Malley, presents an article with a diplomatic and critical perspective on US president Barack Obama’s recent announcement of his support for gay marriage. Rather than address the issue of gay marriage directly, O’Malley questions the time in which it took for Obama to acknowledge his support for the controversial topic. After reviewing the sequence of recent events in the American political race, the article then highlights the President’s reputation as a “conviction politician” and how the delay in announcement of his support is contrary to this label.

Similar to the Telegraph article, O’Malley is critical of Obama’s announcement, but draws upon contrasting political and social arguments and perspectives, to support his article. While both articles label the announcement as a political risk that will isolate the president from potential voters, The Age articles bases the ‘gamble’ claim, on the extended timeframe is has taken for this announcement to be made, while the Telegraph focusses more on the deep set values of American society. The more conversational, blogging style used in this article is very fitting for its medium and location on The Age webpage.

Kelly, F. (Presenter). (2012, May 10). Obama supports same-sex marriage. (Audio podcast). Retrieved from:  http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/obama-supports-same-sex-marriage/4002578

This Radio National Breakfast news report, presented by Fran Kelly, provides a very balanced overview of the US President’s announcement. The report begins with a audio clip of President Obama’s address stating his support for gay marriage, and is followed by an interview with political commentator for politico.com, David Mark. Ms Kelly questions why the president made such a statement, whether he was forced as part of a media strategy, the upsides and downfalls of the announcement and whether any major repercussions are likely to amass from this. Mr Mark is very well informed in his comments, and provides a well balance argument for both sides of the political debate. Emphasis is placed on how although the president could potentially have divided his coalition with a number of African American voters, most US citizens who are concerned over the same sex marriage issue are likely to have made their voting decision, regardless of the president’s statement.

What contrasts this article from the ones previously is the neutral stance on the event, taken by the interviewer and political reporter. While the other articles only highlight the risks and downfalls in the president’s ‘bold’ announcement, this ABC report focuses on the purely moral and strategic aspects of the announcement, emphasising how the president has no “force of law” regarding marriage constitution in each individual state. The interviewer questions if it was a risky move by the president, but also balances her questions by drawing attention to the upsides of this social announcement. 

Number thirty six

Don't you just love cute printed socks!

I honestly believe that any old/boring/rushed/can't-be-bothered outfit can be turned around with statement socks.

Number thirty five

Shooting with a GoPro camera!

This morning I used a different camera to take some more photos for my COMU1999 portfolio. The GoPro is strapped to your head and can be set to take video, still images, or photos continuously at 2 second intervals. I used the 2 second interval setting and ended up with 530 photos, most of which are very blurry! But here is a few cool ones!

Number thirty four

JOUR 1111 

LECTURE WEEK 11

(I had a minor freak out because I couldn't find any lecture notes for week 10. But never fear Chloe, week 10 was a public holiday)

Agenda Setting

Firstly, how brilliant was the video shown at the start of the lecture!

What is agenda setting? Agenda setting is a theory

-Social construction of reality

1. concept of reality is socially constructed through communication using shared language
2. reality exists, but is meditated through social life
3. media play a large role in constructing social world

There are 4 main agendas

1. Public- topics public finds important
2. Policy- issues policy makers think are salient
3. Corporate- big business and corporations
4. Media- issues media finds important to discuss

Mass media decides what issues will be frequent and prominent- people come to believe these issues are the most important, therefore:

More coverage = More importance in public perspective

Basic assumptions of agenda theory:

• mass media filter and shape reality
• media concentration on a few subjects leads public to think they are the most important

Mass media "injects" direct influence into audience

Where did agenda setting come from?

Propaganda- used to shape image in minds- people use images to form judgements

What it does-

• transfer issue of salience from news media to public
• transfer of issue of salience for issues and objects i.e. political figures
• elite media often set agenda for issues in other media i.e. CNN, Fox, ABC (Why? Because they can)

THE AGENDA SETTING FAMILY

• MEDIA GATEKEEPING- how individuals control flow of messages through communication; what media choose to reveal
• MEDIA ADVOCACY- purposeful promotion of ideas
• AGENDA CUTTING- most of truth/reality that is going on isn't represented
• AGENDA SURFING- bandwagon; media follows crowd and trends; media surfs waves on topics
• DIFFUSION OF NEWS- how, when, where news is released; process through important events being communicated
• PORTRAYAL OF AN ISSUE- different ways of portraying an issue to influence the public a certain way
• MEDIA DEPENDENCE- more dependent people are on media, the more susceptible they are to agenda setting

STRENGTHS OF AGENDA SETTING

explanatory power

predictive power

organising power

proven false

scientific

WEAKNESSES OF AGENDA SETTING

media users not as 'ideal' as theory assumes

theory weakened on people who have already made an opinion

news can't create/conceal problems

new media upsets the theory

As I post this, I am watching ABC news. It is interesting as the news presenter at the end of the broadcast makes a statement on what news was "highest on the agenda", today it was Greece. Agenda setting seems very important in creating the most important news cycle possible for the day. However it is unsettling when considering that major media tycoons such as CNN, Fox, Fairfax, Newslimited etc. can have such an influence on what tops not only their own agendas, but also a chain reaction of smaller news broadcasts as well. 

As people of such a socially driven society, we are subject to the news that the media decides we should be subject to, no more and no less.

NUmber thirty three

As well as sport and uni and working, I really really enjoy making clothes and accessories, but I don't often have the time. Last year I had a little facebook based headband business going, where I made all sorts of headbands covered in handmade flowers and other random objects I found (all time favourite being a pikachu figurine headband). Pepie Plum was my headband alter ego..... but after a while I got very busy and had to slow down a bit so now I just make headbands for my friends as they request them!
I found time over the last few days though, to start a few little projects.... take a looksie...

My denim jacket got a bit of a bleaching job and will soon have grey fleecy sleeves for winter, and these once ugly black shoes eventually will be gold and silver, bejewelled with diamantes and pearls.... now for somewhere to wear them!

Number thirty two

More COMU1999 assignment photos...

In these photos I was trying to show to things 1. actual rowing and 2. the piles of 'stuff' we have with us