Topic 1
I believe that my best story so far has been the report on the new Philosophy Club at LBCC. I was the most prepared with questions that would help the story and I used a lot of techniques that didn't get utilized in other stories. I recorded the meeting which allowed me to use more information that I didn't get a chance to write down and I also stayed diligent in taking notes and getting quotes.
My biggest challenge has definitely been the execution of the writing. It seems easy with a clear guideline like the inverted pyramid but the style is so different from any other writing that I have done that I cannot confirm for myself whether a story is good or even finish or not. My first story ended up coming out a lot more dry than I intended because I was focused so much on trying to stick to the facts all the way through. My second story ended up being too filled with ambiguous descriptions that didn't accurately portray the situation of the event.
I would like to improve my writing confidence because I sometimes can't identify a good story from the information that I have accumulated from my sources. I like the stories that we read in class and can recognize good reporting when it is presented to me but it is hard to find within my own words.
One of the most important things I have learned through Edna Buchanan's book and her experiences that she is sharing is the power of reporting and how much help stories can give to a community. One of my favorite quotes of Edna's is when she tries to insist on including a picture of the suspect in the paper when cops denied it, claiming that it would only deter the investigation: "That drives me crazy. You almost wonder which side they are on. I usually lose patience and mutter something derisive such as 'Why? Are you afraid you might catch him?' Which, of course, does not endear me to their hearts."
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Week 4 Forum
Topic 1
When Edna was first starting off her reporting career, there were a string of incidences where she fudged the reality of the situation in order to get a better picture. This impeded on the principle of the code of ethics of Seeking the Truth and Reporting It because she was primarily motivated on getting a good picture that would attract more viewers. When Edna shot a story about the mayor getting robbed and his car window being shot out, she wanted to create a scene that hasn't been done before.
"'Let's see,' I worried aloud, 'what can we do that's different? The eyes of the silver fox me mine- two minds as one. Without a word spoken, he sighed and loosened his expensive silk tie. Next day we front-paged the mayor, his handsome face framed by the jagged edges as he obligingly stuck his head through the broken window."
I do not think Edna did the right thing because fabricating the photographs makes it seem more dire than the incident really was. Especially in instances with photography because that alludes to more proof of reality than anything that could be written about the incident.
Topic 2
The first tip I learned from Edna about being a good journalist is always being on the look out for stories before they are assigned to you. There is a situation that is outlined very clearly with a 'what you should' and 'should not do' response.
"A reporter sauntered into the newsroom, mentioned that he had just passed a Volkswagen in flames on the expressway, and suggested that someone check to see if there were casualties."
The news reporter did not jump at the opportunity and most likely, already missed his chance to interview all the important bystanders and figure out who the first responders were in order to make a good story.
"During the tongue-lashing that followed, I heard him bellow[the editor] that had Edna Buchanan seen the flaming Volkswagen, 'she would be talking to Germany on that phone right now, interviewing the assembly-line worker who put it together.'"
The second thing I have learned from Edna is about being a good interviewer. She showed through her story that if you treat people like you are genuinely interested in hearing their side of the story then they will open up to you.
"I often found the guilty parties eager to talk- for a variety of reasons. Some try to build alibis or protest too much out of nervousness. Others believe they are misunderstood; if you show a real interest in the call girls, the cat burglars, or the serial killers, they invariably will want to tell you all about it."
It is half reporting and half simple psychology of showing respect to the sources you are talking to. Most people don't have a problem talking but you have to show that you are willing to listen and that they are worth being heard.
When Edna was first starting off her reporting career, there were a string of incidences where she fudged the reality of the situation in order to get a better picture. This impeded on the principle of the code of ethics of Seeking the Truth and Reporting It because she was primarily motivated on getting a good picture that would attract more viewers. When Edna shot a story about the mayor getting robbed and his car window being shot out, she wanted to create a scene that hasn't been done before.
"'Let's see,' I worried aloud, 'what can we do that's different? The eyes of the silver fox me mine- two minds as one. Without a word spoken, he sighed and loosened his expensive silk tie. Next day we front-paged the mayor, his handsome face framed by the jagged edges as he obligingly stuck his head through the broken window."
I do not think Edna did the right thing because fabricating the photographs makes it seem more dire than the incident really was. Especially in instances with photography because that alludes to more proof of reality than anything that could be written about the incident.
Topic 2
The first tip I learned from Edna about being a good journalist is always being on the look out for stories before they are assigned to you. There is a situation that is outlined very clearly with a 'what you should' and 'should not do' response.
"A reporter sauntered into the newsroom, mentioned that he had just passed a Volkswagen in flames on the expressway, and suggested that someone check to see if there were casualties."
The news reporter did not jump at the opportunity and most likely, already missed his chance to interview all the important bystanders and figure out who the first responders were in order to make a good story.
"During the tongue-lashing that followed, I heard him bellow[the editor] that had Edna Buchanan seen the flaming Volkswagen, 'she would be talking to Germany on that phone right now, interviewing the assembly-line worker who put it together.'"
The second thing I have learned from Edna is about being a good interviewer. She showed through her story that if you treat people like you are genuinely interested in hearing their side of the story then they will open up to you.
"I often found the guilty parties eager to talk- for a variety of reasons. Some try to build alibis or protest too much out of nervousness. Others believe they are misunderstood; if you show a real interest in the call girls, the cat burglars, or the serial killers, they invariably will want to tell you all about it."
It is half reporting and half simple psychology of showing respect to the sources you are talking to. Most people don't have a problem talking but you have to show that you are willing to listen and that they are worth being heard.
Friday, February 2, 2018
Philosophy Club Is Revived at LBCC
Sparks flew across the room as passions were ignited in the Diversity Achievement Center and 3 p.m. on Thursday.
The Philosophy Club has once again been rekindled. Jacob Tudor, the president of the Philosophy club, as well as a Biology/Psychology major at LBCC, wanted to start the club in order create discussions. Jacob said, “We have the capacity to touch one another, but we don’t seem to do that.”
The club will provide a space that is open for discussions about open ended subjects and topics in a non negative manner. “Any questions they have or want, they should come,” said Jacob. The club is for anyone who likes to talk or likes to listen. They will be enacting forms of social media and emailing lists that will be sent out online but you can always show up to a meeting and sign up there.
Jacob’s goal for the club’s future is to get involved in a lot of different other clubs on campus. “We are in a rare position where it is acceptable to reach out to other clubs and ask ‘what are you up to’ and ‘why,’” said Taylor, a Communications Major at LBCC. The club is looking to host co events with other clubs in order to promote the club as well as speak on ideas in an informal setting. “Like Theatre club. What does it mean to be another person? What does it mean to be a veteran?” said Jacob.
The club will be meeting biweekly on Thursday from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the DAC. Joey Tuminello, who is a faculty member in the Philosophy Department, can be reached at tuminej@linnbenton.edu. “Who we are is a conversation,” said Joey. As they are a new club, they are open to the opinions of new members for meeting times, agenda’s and topics of discussion.
At a Glance:
What: Philosophy Club
When: Biweekly Thursday 3pm-4:30pm
Where: Diversity Achievement Center, LBCC
Who: Jacob Tudor, president, Joey Tuminello, advisor
Contact: Joey Tuminello, tuminej@linnbenton.edu
At a Glance:
What: Philosophy Club
When: Biweekly Thursday 3pm-4:30pm
Where: Diversity Achievement Center, LBCC
Who: Jacob Tudor, president, Joey Tuminello, advisor
Contact: Joey Tuminello, tuminej@linnbenton.edu
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
Topic 1: About Me This is my third journalism class at LB. I started out with Photojournalism and am continuing on with the course requi...
-
Andrea Mitev poses for picture while shooting a story for DAMChic Magazine at OSU, Oct. 15th. Andrea, 19, has been interested in pho...