1. Editor Steven Smith differentiated between a legitimate and a non-legitimate news story because if the Mayor was just gay, then it wouldn't be a big deal. However chatting online with with people that are not of legal age, such as 17-year-old boys, was grounds for a legitmate news story.
2. Morlin justified the use of a concealed identity on Gay.com because he needed absolute certainty that it was Jim West. Morlin said, "there was no way we're going to be able to say without absolute certainty that the target was Jim West unless we go to Gay.com and draw him out." Morlin didn't create an identity himself because his job's code of ethics prohibited him from pretending to be someone he was not. However they were not prevented from hiring consultants.
3. I think The Spokesman-Review published so many articles on Mayor West's alleged improprieties because he was a public figure. West was a town leader, and this was big news for Spokane. New information kept coming out about the allegations, and it only kept confirming that they were true.
4. James West was ultimately hurt when the story was exposed. The Spokesman-Review benefitted from exposing West. Since West had allegedly molested young boys in the 70's, then yes, the outcome was worth it for The Spokesman-Review. I believe exposing West was justified because he was a public figure and because he was pursuing underage boys on the internet.
5. I feel bad for gays, even those in the public eye, because they have no privacy. The media exposes them and makes it a huge deal. I only believe that it is okay to expose them if they are doing illegal activity, or going against what they say/preach. I definetly don't think it's okay to invade anyones privacy or go on a "witch hunt" to expose people, only if there is illegal activity going on.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
In Class Research Exercise
1. According to the FBI, in 2006 Washington State University had six violent crimes reported. This is only two less than the University of Washington which has almost 16,000 more students. In addition, Washington State University had four forcible rapes reported while the University of Washington had only one reported.
2. A total of almost $25,000,000 was contributed to candidates in Washington state in 2006. Christopher J. Marr, democrat senate candidate, received the most money of the 73 candidates with $566,000. Of 191 house candidates, Troy Kelley, democrat, received the most with $306,000. Out of the the top 20 contributors, the House Democratic Campaign Committee of Washington, donated the most money with $1,545,263. Following that, Martin Selig and Washington Education Association were the next top contributors.
-In 2006, republicans received more donations for anti-gun control influence in Washington state. Republicans received $72,000 in donations while Democrats received $15,300 in donations.
-In 2004, Republicans received $0 dollars for donations with women's issues, while Democrats received $3,360 in donations. This is a decrease from the year 2000, $5,392 from Democrats and $250 from Republicans in donations.
3. PATENTS:
Digital Video Recorder
Social Networking
Automobile
2. A total of almost $25,000,000 was contributed to candidates in Washington state in 2006. Christopher J. Marr, democrat senate candidate, received the most money of the 73 candidates with $566,000. Of 191 house candidates, Troy Kelley, democrat, received the most with $306,000. Out of the the top 20 contributors, the House Democratic Campaign Committee of Washington, donated the most money with $1,545,263. Following that, Martin Selig and Washington Education Association were the next top contributors.
-In 2006, republicans received more donations for anti-gun control influence in Washington state. Republicans received $72,000 in donations while Democrats received $15,300 in donations.
-In 2004, Republicans received $0 dollars for donations with women's issues, while Democrats received $3,360 in donations. This is a decrease from the year 2000, $5,392 from Democrats and $250 from Republicans in donations.
3. PATENTS:
Digital Video Recorder
Social Networking
Automobile
Friday, May 30, 2008
The Beast
* Who or what is the "beast"?
The beast is the public. Its viewers, readers, audiences, etc. Everyone that needs the news!
* Why does it need to be fed?
It needs to be fed because people need information. They need to know what's going on, and they need it to be fast, accurate and correct.
* What compromises (if any) might occur in trying to feed the 24-hour news cycle in print, TV and the Internet?
The news needs to be fast. People want information now. They need to know what's going on around their area as well as other areas. This may compromise accuracy. Some journalists may lie or cheat to get news out quickly.
The beast is the public. Its viewers, readers, audiences, etc. Everyone that needs the news!
* Why does it need to be fed?
It needs to be fed because people need information. They need to know what's going on, and they need it to be fast, accurate and correct.
* What compromises (if any) might occur in trying to feed the 24-hour news cycle in print, TV and the Internet?
The news needs to be fast. People want information now. They need to know what's going on around their area as well as other areas. This may compromise accuracy. Some journalists may lie or cheat to get news out quickly.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
"Ace in the Hole"
- As a journalist, you really aren't supposed to interfere with a situation, they are supposed to observe and report. However as a human being, if someone is trapped and you have the ability to help rescue them, you should do whatever you can to help. During any type of tragedy, especially if a journalist is the only one present, they should react to the situation as any other human being would. They should help. Tatum faced many ethical decisions. One being his decision to make a scene out of the tragedy. He could have chosen to approach the rescue differently but he selfishly took his time on helping the man, and a life was lost due to this poor decision. If he could have done it differently, Tatum should have reported the event as it was and left the rescuing up to the professionals. He interfered with the decision on how to rescue the man, and prolonged the process.
- Yes, I do believe the film's depiction of the media represents how some tabloid journalists operate today. Many journalists will in fact accept gifts, trips, "freebies", and many other things when writing a news story. This sways the actual facts and creates a bias. In the movie, Tatum's ego grew, he drank on the job, and told the victims wife to bahave on how he portrayed her to the media, not to mention a lot of other unethical behaviors and actions. I don't have any specific examples of this behavior in the media, however I know it is prevalent. Journalists are humans, and I could see how it could be easy to accept a gift or trip. I have seen ridiculus news stories in the tabloids about aliens and other nonsense. I have also seen pictures of stars, which had probably been photoshopped to show cellulite or other things. It is definitely prevalent.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Hourglass Exercise
There was a protest on campus Friday, and 22 people were arrested. Three university police officers were also injured. The protest was organized by two newly formed campus groups, Students Against Racism and the American Student Organization.
All of the 22 arrested were students. Twenty-one were taken to County Jail. Their attorney, Susan J. Keegan, said that she expected bail to be set at $500 apiece. The 22nd student, a 17-year-old high school senior, was released into his parents’ custody.
More than 200 demonstrators—most of them students—were on campus during the Board of Regents meeting. One of the items on the regents’ agenda was the university’s plan to require a class in cultural diversity for all faculty.
All of those arrested were charged with trespassing on state property after they refused to disperse. Twelve were also charged with resisting arrest. Ten were charged with assault after they allegedly threw rocks and bottles at university police officers.
Officer Andrea Wilson was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital with a gash on her forehead. She was the first officer hit, Peterson said. Officer James Nelson and Sgt. Jerico Turner were taken to Community Hospital with bruises they received from thrown items, Peterson added.
“They should not have come at us,” said Jonathan Walterson, president of Students Against Racism. “We would have remained loud, but peaceful. We were doing what we believed in. The university must do more to promote diversity.”
Walterson, a junior journalism student, was one of those arrested. He was charged with assault, resisting arrest and trespassing.
Peterson said the two groups began a rally at noon. The regents had been meeting since 8 a.m. and were on their lunch break in the Student Union from noon to 1:30 p.m. The first item on their afternoon agenda was the class requirement. Currently, students must take a class in diversity, but faculty do not.
“It just got out of hand,” said University Police Chief R. Barclay Peterson. “First they were gathered around the fountain at Central Mall. One group was chanting, ‘No more racism’ and the other was saying ‘Stop diversity.’ Then they started marching toward Regents Hall, where the regents were meeting. They were disrupting classes. When they were asked to disperse, all hell broke loose.”
Peterson said he did not call extra officers in until the protesters started marching. Then, about 60 police officers, two of them on horseback, started toward the demonstrators. Peterson said that his three officers were injured when they were hit by stones or bottles.
By 1:25 p.m., the demonstration was at its worst, Peterson said. That’s when most of the protesters started shouting directly at the police and began throwing things at them, Peterson added.
Officer Wilson was hit in the head about that time, Peterson said. He said that by 1:30 p.m., most of the demonstrators began to back off. Those who did not were arrested, he added.
The regents did not take action on the new requirement. They decided to study the matter more and discuss it again at their next monthly meeting, which will be held May 16 in Regents Hall.
“We will continue protesting until the regents vote to mandate faculty training,” Walterson said. “We’re done negotiating with them. Now it is time to cause trouble.” Walterson said that there will be more rallies, not only at the next regents meeting but before then.
“We’re not against rallies,” Peterson said. “They can hold them all they want, as long as they get a permit from the university. But we don’t want them to get out of hand. We don’t want our officers hurt. They can rally, but other peaceful students also have the right to attend classes without being disrupted by shouting and violent demonstrators.”
The regents refused to comment on why they took no action Friday. “Until we make our decision on faculty training, we will not discuss it,” said regents president Clifford Eisel.
All of the 22 arrested were students. Twenty-one were taken to County Jail. Their attorney, Susan J. Keegan, said that she expected bail to be set at $500 apiece. The 22nd student, a 17-year-old high school senior, was released into his parents’ custody.
More than 200 demonstrators—most of them students—were on campus during the Board of Regents meeting. One of the items on the regents’ agenda was the university’s plan to require a class in cultural diversity for all faculty.
All of those arrested were charged with trespassing on state property after they refused to disperse. Twelve were also charged with resisting arrest. Ten were charged with assault after they allegedly threw rocks and bottles at university police officers.
Officer Andrea Wilson was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital with a gash on her forehead. She was the first officer hit, Peterson said. Officer James Nelson and Sgt. Jerico Turner were taken to Community Hospital with bruises they received from thrown items, Peterson added.
“They should not have come at us,” said Jonathan Walterson, president of Students Against Racism. “We would have remained loud, but peaceful. We were doing what we believed in. The university must do more to promote diversity.”
Walterson, a junior journalism student, was one of those arrested. He was charged with assault, resisting arrest and trespassing.
Peterson said the two groups began a rally at noon. The regents had been meeting since 8 a.m. and were on their lunch break in the Student Union from noon to 1:30 p.m. The first item on their afternoon agenda was the class requirement. Currently, students must take a class in diversity, but faculty do not.
“It just got out of hand,” said University Police Chief R. Barclay Peterson. “First they were gathered around the fountain at Central Mall. One group was chanting, ‘No more racism’ and the other was saying ‘Stop diversity.’ Then they started marching toward Regents Hall, where the regents were meeting. They were disrupting classes. When they were asked to disperse, all hell broke loose.”
Peterson said he did not call extra officers in until the protesters started marching. Then, about 60 police officers, two of them on horseback, started toward the demonstrators. Peterson said that his three officers were injured when they were hit by stones or bottles.
By 1:25 p.m., the demonstration was at its worst, Peterson said. That’s when most of the protesters started shouting directly at the police and began throwing things at them, Peterson added.
Officer Wilson was hit in the head about that time, Peterson said. He said that by 1:30 p.m., most of the demonstrators began to back off. Those who did not were arrested, he added.
The regents did not take action on the new requirement. They decided to study the matter more and discuss it again at their next monthly meeting, which will be held May 16 in Regents Hall.
“We will continue protesting until the regents vote to mandate faculty training,” Walterson said. “We’re done negotiating with them. Now it is time to cause trouble.” Walterson said that there will be more rallies, not only at the next regents meeting but before then.
“We’re not against rallies,” Peterson said. “They can hold them all they want, as long as they get a permit from the university. But we don’t want them to get out of hand. We don’t want our officers hurt. They can rally, but other peaceful students also have the right to attend classes without being disrupted by shouting and violent demonstrators.”
The regents refused to comment on why they took no action Friday. “Until we make our decision on faculty training, we will not discuss it,” said regents president Clifford Eisel.
Friday, May 16, 2008
2nd-Day Lead Writing Exercise
Police are still investigating on the report of a missing 4-year-old girl, Angela Melissa Norton, who was not found in her crib when her parents returned home from a movie last night.
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