"To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible;
to be credible we must be truthful." - Edward R Murrow
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts

Criticism of Steubenville Rape Media Coverage By CNN

Posted in Labels: , , , , , , , | at 3:26 PM


The media's coverage of the Steubenville rape was certainly bias in the fact that the reporting that was seen seemed to favor the rapists as opposed to the showing any remorse toward the rape victim. As reported by the Christian Science Monitor:

           "But CNN, the flagship of 24-hour news, has also become the target of widespread online outrage for its extended coverage following the verdict. In various segments, respected CNN anchor Candy Crowley discussed the verdict with her team of reporters and analysts, using words such as “tragedy” to describe the impact – not on the young victim – but on the lives of the two convicted boys
Reporter Poppy Harlow said, it was “incredibly difficult even for an outsider like me to watch what happened as these two young men that had such promising futures, star football players, very good students, literally watched as they believe their life fell apart.”
The discussion continued along these lines, including legal analysis of the permanent requirement to register as sex offenders.  There were no comments from the victim or from rape advocacy groups.
Within a day at least three online petitions reacting to CNN’s coverage sprang up, calling it “awful” and calling for redress. By Tuesday the petitions had gathered some 200,000 signatures. The verdict that the judge handed down was justice – not a "tragedy," one petition reads, adding, “the tragedy was the rape. Please apologize and make this right.” "
    
The media is supposed to remain unbiased. This is partially why I think that print journalism is truly the only way to remain unbiased, because there is less of a chance that the reporter will drop a personal opinion into the article if it is a hard news article or feature, because the editor will spot it and remove it. The television news anchors and reporters are more likely to make side comments as well as personal commentary on their feelings toward a story. A facial expression or tone of voice can also be leading in a way that shows a bias. 
Would I be writing this blog post if the media had shown a bias toward the victim instead of remaining completely objective? Probably not. That's a whole different blog post all together though. The fact that it seemed like there was more caring about these "poor 16-year-old football stars whose futures were ruined" as opposed to an applause at justice being served in the case that rapists are being put away for their heinous crime is just ludicrous. 





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Preview of "Trashy Tabloid Analysis"

Posted in Labels: , , , , , , , , , , | at 1:12 AM




This is going to be broken up into parts.

Sure, people talk badly about the gossip magazines and say how unreliable the magazines are, but some of them have never read the magazine. Someone has to read it to be able to analyze if it is truly good or bad - so "Trashy Tabloid Analysis" will be the theme of the next few Future of Journalism & Zennie62 Media blog posts. (First posted on NikkyRaney.com & then Zennie62.com).

This may become a series in some way.
There will be a short (3 minute max) video to go along with the post where examples of good/bad journalism will be pointed out within the magazine - so that there are examples of either so that there is an example to base the opinion off of. Someone who thinks the magazines are awesome might like it without ever reading it either - just say, "Oh, I love reading that magazine." So, it's not good to judge something or form an opinion unless you fully understand it and have analyzed it (like when I did my 20+ page research paper on Fox News' Conservative Bias where I spent over a month watching Fox News and analyzing the web page and then comparing Fox to other news sources. So, I can truly say that I have a reason behind why I judge Fox - not just saying it or believing it based on hearsay or influence of those around me).

The only question is whether or not to include which magazine - because could there be a consequence in a legal aspect if I take photos of the magazine? I'm probably over thinking it.

This can be done without being bias.
This is going to be a journalistic analysis (with a bit of blog mixed in) of "trashy tabloids." Sure a lot of people call them "trashy tabloids" because of hearing what the publications report about, but most of those have never even touched the magazine. Like the way someone says they dislike something without ever actually understanding it.

An objective analysis of a magazine considered "trashy tabloid." The ones that are usually all about celebrities & scandals. (OK!, Life & Style, STAR, etc.)

So, that will start up tomorrow. The video aspect will show certain spots that have been circled with pen, etc & be able to show that I really do have a physical copy of the magazine and have done all the research first hand based on that magazine alone in regards to journalistic standards and principles (as well as which version of AP Stylebook is used; if there even is one used.)

Then the blog post accompanying will explain WHY that the publication did was GOOD or BAD. It's like a movie review, but a magazine review - without personal bias. Like pointing out a trend that the magazine may have like ALLOWING ALL INTERVIEWEES TO BE CONFIDENTIAL AND REFERRED TO AS "SOURCE" or "AN INSIDER." And then writing in a paragraph to explain WHY it's not okay for a magazine's only interviews in an article to be with an "anonymous source." These trashy tabloids need to stop only using anonymous sources within their publications - and that's something I will go into more detail about.

Hopefully if anyone that works on the staff at one of these magazines or is in affiliation with one of these magazines sees my posts the person won't take it as negative criticism or whatnot, but could possibly take my posts into consideration: I would love to interview the Editor-in-Chief at any one of the "trashy tabloids" just to find out what the manual & guidebook entails and what the Managing Editor deals with and why/how they consider themselves to be credible sources worth obtaining knowledge & news from when the sources that they are using to obtain this knowledge and news may not be credible.. and if the only source you can get for a story is an anonymous source -- then go out and try to get another interview or interview someone that WILL go on the record. "anonymous" sources are okay under certain circumstances in VERY SPECIFIC situations where there is a good need for confidentiality, but an article should NEVER only include the anonymous source. There needs to be some sort of PROOF not just a bunch of evidence (it's an analogy).

So, that will start tomorrow.
Now, it's time to go read a "trashy tabloid" while holding a pen so that I can pretend that it's the end of the print cycle and I am giving the publication a quick look-through to see if there's anything that should be fixed before it goes to print -- or if there's something very notable that should be complimented upon.

How sad, I am officially on winter break (no more school for a month), and I am basically doing all this research and work. Wow, I love journalism ; I'm a workaholic.


“To sit in judgment of those things which you perceive to be wrong or imperfect is to be one more person who is part of judgment, evil or imperfection.” -- Wayne Dyer


IASBRN

-- Nikky Raney 12/20/2010 1:11 AM (EST)


also posted on Zennie62 Media

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Media coverage of suicides By Nikky Raney

Posted in Labels: , , , , , , , , | at 12:23 PM

Media coverage of suicides

 By Nikky Raney

Suicide is a very sensitive and serious issue, and the last thing any family or friend wants to do is talk to the media after a loved one has committed suicide.

Generally news sources have specific ethics, and for the most part suicides are not covered except in circumstances where the suicide is a part of a bigger situation entirely.

When I blogged about the "Craigslist Killer" dying in jail I made sure not to include the word "suicide" within the title - in order to not feed into the sensationalism of some news sources. I think the family is upset enough over the fact that Philip Markoff is known as the "Craigslist Killer."

The reason why that suicide was covered is that it shines a light on the way inmates are treated and watched over in jails. After being placed under watch for potentially being suicidal it doesn't seem right that he was still able to successfully end his own life.

Life behind bars can certainly effect someone's mental health. The lack of communication with the outside world as well as the lack of freedom really takes a toll. The bigger picture behind the suicide being covered was the conditions that led to the suicide.

NPR covered this subject in November 2009 with a segment called "Media Should Tread Carefully in Covering Suicide." The transcript along with audio focuses on when an adolescent commits suicide and the media reports on it - this has happened quite a few times, and it all comes down to ethics. It's how a journalist chooses to go about covering the story - what angle to take. Sometimes the journalist is not given the option to not cover a suicide, because the editor may assign the story and all the reporter can do is figure out a way to cover the story by the deadline.

The NPR piece includes an interview with psychiatric epidemiologist Madelyn Gould at Columbia University in New York City where she says:
"We know from studies that have looked at the impact of the media that there is something called the 'dose-response association.' So the size of the increase in suicides following a suicide story is proportional to the amount, and the duration, and the prominence of the coverage."
The piece continues:
"There are ways that the media can cover a suicide that can actually help mitigate the risk of additional suicides, says psychiatrist Paula Clayton, medical director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, who regularly advises the media on how to report on a suicide. For example, they should report on the many complex factors that may have led up to the suicide and emphasize that 90 percent of people who kill themselves have mental health problems."
Journalism Ethics' Stephen J. A. Ward did a piece on whether journalists exploit tragedies such as suicides. 
Ward does an amazing job at explaining what attracts journalists to covering these types of stories, and why journalists feel like it is a responsibility to cover these events. He writes:
"Take the case of suicides. To be blunt, suicides are frequently newsworthy – a public official in trouble commits suicide, a distraught military hero takes his life. But these cases are frequently more than newsworthy. They challenge journalists to explore the economic and social factors that may help to induce suicidal behavior. When we witness a string of suicides at a school or in an aboriginal community, suicide is no longer personal but social. It is the responsibility of journalists to explore the reasons for these disturbing patterns in the fabric of society. "

That really does sum it up quite nicely.  The problem arises when journalists forget about the sensitivity and emotion surrounding the matter and decide to take the sensational route that becomes more of an exploitation.

Some may wonder what counts as exploitation, Ward tells:

"What counts as exploitation? To exploit is to unfairly use people in a less powerful position to achieve your own ends — without a thought to their needs and interests. As Kant famously said, the basic principle of all ethics is: Do not treat other people only as a means to your ends….In journalism, Kant's principle works like this: In reporting on a person's tragedy I am, on one level, treating this event as a means to my end of getting the story. But on another level, I am not exploiting the situation if I treat the persons in question with respect and attempt to minimize harm. "

He continues:

"Ethical journalists still "get the story" but they do so in responsible ways that avoid callous harassment and crude exploitation."

The piece Ward writes is exactly what I believe, and it is good to know that there are journalists out there who share my belief on the ethics of journalism 

Yes, there are many ways to cover a suicide and have the most read or watched coverage - but what is more important is to cover the suicide with respect and sensitivity and get the story without causing more pain to those affected.

"Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do." - Potter Stewart

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Social Network: the Facebook movie by Nikky Raney

Posted in Labels: , , , , , , , , , , | at 9:16 AM


The movie "Social Network" directed by David Finch has just come out with its trailer. Nikky Raney's input on the movie which comes out October 1, 2010.

note: I have always called him David Finch ever since Seven came out, because it was a joking nickname. I probably should have mentioned that. His name is David Fincher, for anyone who was confused.

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Comments are now allowed

Posted in Labels: , , , , | at 12:42 AM

After some thinking I have decided to allow comments to be posted beneath my blog entries.
I am sure I won't get many comments, but feel free to comment.
I am still not done with my interviews post.
I have created a video to go alongside that.
Thanks very much.
Have fun commenting if you feel like it.

Criticize me, compliment me, but truly read my blog entries.
The entires I do here are much different that for Zennie.
Zennie is getting my foot in the door so that I can further my career and gain the publicity and persona so that people will be comfortable working with me. Celebrity media coverage sells, and I have to do that before I can do the hard-hitting news. I am sure he'll hook me up with interviews I'd like.
Being on TMZ's blog roll helps and hurts.

I am not sure you understand Zennie accomplishments:

Zennie Abraham - Sports Business Simulations' CEO



City Brights Blogger for the San Francisco Chronicle

Runs the Blog Report: Zennie62.com

Huffington Post Blogger

Youtube Blogger with a widely viewed show

MAYOR of Oakland

NFL BUSINESS blogger

Editor-in-Chief ofSBSON.com, 


YouTube and CNN discovered his video-blogging work, and he's now a frequent video contributor to CNN. He regularly travels between California and Georgia.'


Here are his other websites:
http://www.zennie62.com
http://www.sportsbusinesssims.com
http://buffithegymgirl.com
http://nflbiz.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/zennie62
http://www.youtube.com/zennie62




He is a big deal, and he is helping me out so much.
I am so excited.
THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME ZENNIE!!!!!!

I am so grateful this man believes in me. He is going to help my career so much, I cannot thank you enough Zennie. You have made me so happy.



So yeah, I have enabled commenting.
P.S. I did the graphics, but John Draper created this AMAZING layout.
SO professional and amazing. THANK YOU.

I am the future of journalism, and I will rise to the top.


"Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive." Donald Rumsfeld

Follow me on Twitter
Add me on Facebook
Keep up with me on Zennie62.com
Keep up with my exposure of Tila Tequila's lies.
watch me on youtube


It's funny that I have ads on my page and I get paid for them, but Tila doesn't.
I am on blogrolls and Tila isn't. ahaha.

Got concerns? E-MAIL ME.. OR LEAVE COMMENTS.
I bet I'll get zero comments and be disappointed.

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Online Media Law for Bloggers

Posted in Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , | at 1:18 PM

Online Media Law for Bloggers is a free self-directed course offered by Poynter Institute's News University.

Bloggers and others who want to know more about the laws that relate to gathering information and publishing content online should definitely take this course (as well as the MANY other courses offered by News University).


The self-directed course is said to take up to two hours, but you can start and stop whenever you want. You can start part of it now and then finish it up later. Although the course is self-directed there will be instructors helping you out (pre-recorded instruction).


The course description states, "It will make you aware of the red flags you should watch for to stay on safe legal ground. And, you'll have fun learning with activities such as "You Be the Judge" that tests your knowledge on some recent court cases involving bloggers."

The instructors for this course include David Ardia, Geanne Rosenberg and Scott Swift.


After completing this course you will know more about defamation, copyright infringement, and invasion of privacy. Even though I already know about these things it never hurts to learn more.

I am probably going to go take all the free courses within the next few days. I would recommend that (especially now that schools are almost out of session) bloggers, journalism students, writers, reporters, teachers, etc. should take a look at the offered courses and enroll. There are some courses on there that are said to take 14 hours of instruction!

This is a great way to continue learning about journalism while not being in school.
Although the BEST way to learn journalism is through EXPERIENCE, this definitely counts as a great way to learn even more. You also are given TESTS and QUIZZES to track your learning!

There are so many other courses that I would love to take, but I can't afford them. Maybe if one of the courses really sticks out to me I can save up some money! There are some courses/seminars/programs that require advanced application due to time sensitivity, group size available, and instructors availability.

I am glad that News University is available online for EVERYONE. This will help anyone who writes and publishes information online whether it be on a blog, Facebook, comment, website, etc. There are also free design training courses and the list goes on and on. Check it out for yourself.

This is definitely a PLUS for the future of journalism! Although it does not REPLACE the classroom (or a college degree), it can ADD to that as well as education for those who are unable to attend school or want to learn something specific! I am so glad that this exists. It is all done on your own free time (well, the self-directed ones). There are even design and photoshop training (free ones!)

Dear News University,
The Future of Journalism has become a little brighter thanks to you.
(As long as people use this source!)


P.S. Why do we have to capitalize "Facebook" when the logo says "facebook" with all lower-case letters? I know that it's a proper noun and that is why we have to capitalize it, but that is just something that irks me.



For constant updates on what news I'm sharing and reading send me a follower request on Twitter. (TWITTER USES LOWERCASE LETTERS TOO!!)

Feel free to shoot me an e-mail if you want to suggest anything for me to write about/blog about/report about -- nikkyraney@nikkyraney.com






If you look up the definition of news in the dictionary, it isn't what you watch on TV. -- VAL KILMER

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