Strident Voices…Self-interest…Yelling in a vacuum

Did any of you catch Jon “Rally to Restore Sanity”? 

I was particularly struck by Jon Stewart’s montage (read: “rant”) about cable news and how it is eroding us and our ability to see things clearly.

Through November, I sat and watched equal bits of The O’Reilly Factor on FOXNews and Countdown with Keith Olberman on MSNBC from 8-9PM daily.

I went to bed feeling anxious and angry and powerless…

Then I saw Jon Stewart’s rant.

Then Mr. Wolfford sent me this article written by Ted Koppel (an opinion piece in the Washington Post).

And here’s a discussion about objectivity in journalism from Talk of the Nation on NPR. 

What do you think?  Seriously.  I wonder what you think.

I also wonder how if it might be interesting to do a story asking students to view two clips of both cable news programs and to get reactions.

Bloggers Anonymous…

I need to come up with better titles for my posts…

After you’ve revised stories and uploaded pictures, check these out, and write a comment on this post about any ONE of the articles below (you might also consider blogging about one of the topics brought up by one of the articles):

1) LISTEN to this NPR story about Tina Brown (who is the FIRST woman editor of Newsweek).  Ms. Brown began the blog/website DailyBeast, and has some interesting things to say about journalism.  (also consider either NPR or the Daily Beast as a source)

2)  Read this story about how cell phones may cause cancer by Randall Stross (from the New York Times).

3) Read this story about people who sleep in trees (!!!?!) in New York’s Central Park.  (Colin Moynihan reporting for the New York Times)

Interesting Reading…

 

1) Consider NPR as one of your sources.  Great thing: you can listen rather than read.  AND they have podcasts.

2) Thinking about NPR they had a great feature on Giving Advice.  I tried to find it but only came up with this…which is still interesting.  Does this work?

3)  Love this article, “At 102, Outliving Friends, Family and Her Savings.”  How it’s written, the subject matter, the photography.  Read it.  And discuss.

Blog work 11/1-5

This week, as you are blogging, identify three (3) sources or experts you can regularly read to gain story ideas.  For example, every week I read the “LIVES” section of the New York Times.  I also visit myhsjournalism.org to see what is going on there.

After you’ve identified those sources, put them on your BLOGROLL.

AND THEN, choose something you’ve read and write a thoughtful response to it in an original post.

ALSO, make sure your BLOGROLL is updated and all links open in a NEW WINDOW.
I will be grading for BLOGROLL (opens in new window, has classmate’s blogs listed as well as your three sources)
I will also be reading for your original post about something you have read from one of your sources.

…and here’s what you said

GOALS:
ABOUT THE WEBSITE:
1) Work on spreading the word about our paper.
2) Write staff editorials that go along with stories.
3) Include more video on site.  Featured video?
4) Go deeper/take an angle/find something less bland to write about.
5) Use outside sources, not just spouting quotes

ABOUT CLASS:
1) Be clear about deadlines.  When are they?
2) Revisit deadlines.  Too often?  Not getting enough time?
3) Work on blogs that will get views. 
4) Update blogs more frequently.
5) Make sure everyone has a good story before the week begins.
6) Writing coaches for editors.
7) Clearly defined roles. Distribute responsibilities. 
8) More speakers/trips
9) Be more critical of articles…help others…

Welcome to 2nd Quarter

Thanks for a great field trip!  And welcome BACK to 2nd quarter. 

Now seems like a great time to take stock of where we are and what we want to do.

Consider our field trip:
List and explain at least one thing that interested you personally.
List and explain at least one thing you think might be beneficial to adapt for our paper/class.
Now consider class so far:
What’s going well?
What might need fixed?
Now consider goals:
List one goal you have for yourself this quarter.
List one goal that we should adopt as a class.

Wiseman’s Goals:
List and explain at least one thing that interested you personally.  The idea of writing coaches was new to me.  This happens when editors coach a student to write better rather than just mark up their work.
Explain at least one thing you think might be beneficial to adapt for our paper/class.  I liked how the Spark has a really neat user-friendly staff manual that lists all the policies and writing guidelines.  I would like to come up with a slick manual that we could really use.
Now consider class so far:
What’s going well?  Great students!  I LOVE this class!  Not a person in here that I would throw overboard (doesn’t happen often ;)).
What might need fixed?  Commitment to the project.  I’m not sure how usefully people are spending their “work time.”
Now consider goals:
List one goal you have for yourself this quarter.  Be more intentional about “hooking” students “up” with resources.
List one goal that we should adopt as a class.  TALK to people (not just email/facebook our friends).

Goals for 2nd quarter:
Bi-Weekly posts to your blog (due Fridays).
Bi-Weekly stories handed in on time (Friday/Monday).
Find three experts/(re)sources that you contact or read weekly for ideas and information.
Comment on each other’s blogs.
Conduct at least one interview every two weeks that involves sitting down with someone and talking to them face to face.