News Wars

After watching the Frontline documentary, a few concepts really stuck with me. These happen to be things I've been thinking about throughout the semester and have spent quite some time considering. I've decided that they cannot be swept under the rug.

Journalism has been merged into the world of entertainment and the lines are becoming fuzzy between feature and hard news reporting. In the documentary, one says that giving the public what they want, not what they need, is the biggest tragedies. As the definition and standard of “news” and “journalism” are broadening and changing, the rest of the world is struggling to stay on board.

The documentary highlights how with early t.v. news, there was a sense of mission and news companies operated in public interest, convenience and necessity. Now, companies expect to turn an ever-increasing profit which has caused them to loosen their ethical standards for viewers and revenue. To stand out, cable broadcasts started presenting their opinions, which is what most of them rely on today.

And finally, due to customers’ desire to get the news how and when they want it, journalism has been forced to focus almost completely on the internet. This has also caused some to take the initiative to create their own news broadcasts. Enter: citizen journalism. I agree that this has lessened the value of the term “journalist” and that most blogs are simply people talking about an already-presented issue, rather than breaking news on their own.

As long as news sources and aggregates depend on news, they will be forced to rely on reporters of one shape or another. I wish the penalties for unethical journalism were more fierce.

Spokesman-Review feedback

1. When referring to the allegation that Mayor Jim West was pursuing underage boys online, why do you think editor Steven Smith differentiated between a legitimate news story and one that is not legitimate when he said, "If he's [Mayor Jim West] engaged in this activity … we need to know that. If he's not -- there's no story" ?
It seems like Smith and Morlin are jumping to conclusions and believing these things before finding evidence, and I wouldn’t be surprised it they honestly believed the same thing and had second thoughts.
2. How did reporter Bill Morlin justify the use of a concealed identity on Gay.com as part of The Spokesman-Review's and the FBI's "sting operation"? Why didn't Morlin himself create the assumed identity to engage Mayor West online?
Initially, he said he was prohibited by the Spokesman’s code of ethics. They made their character 17 years old even though there was no previous evidence of West engaging with underage boys. After the character turns 18, the two decide to meet. After offered an internship, Morlin said the issue was public abuse of office, not the sexual activities.
3. Why do you think The Spokesman-Review ultimately published so many articles on Mayor West's alleged improprieties?
They said the citizens of Spokane needed to hear despite the fact that it would ruin the man’s life. West had acknowledged having online sex with an 18-year-old. The scandal was picked up nation-wide and received much media attention. The FBI started an investigation and all of his political allies left him. Nonetheless, West didn’t give up or resign; he kept his position despite an uphill battle, and the newspaper didn’t want to see that or waver on their position. 
4.In the final analysis, who benefited from The Spokesman-Review's decision to expose Mayor West and his alleged improprieties? Who was hurt? Do you think the outcome was worth it? Explain your reasoning.
Clearly, West was hurt the most.  No boys claimed West had sexually abused them except Gallagher who didn’t make that claim until 25 years later when West became mayor.  Gallagher said he was apprehensive because of West’s power, yet he didn’t come out until West was at his height of power and popularity.  In the short-run, The Spokesman-Review may have benefited by the attention and revenue.  However, documentaries such as this one can tarnish their image, as well as the reputation of Spokane as a whole. I don’t think the outcome was worth it, as only one man accused West of an improper relationship with him.
5. The Spokesman-Review has been criticized as conducting a "witch hunt" in its reporting on the private lives of some city officials. Below is a link to another recent article on Spokane Deputy Mayor Jack Lynch. Do you think that there are any ethical problems in the reporting in this story? Why or why not?
I think that this too was an example of poor reporting where the Spokesman tries to get the “evidence” to fit in the mold they created and decided to be true a long time ago. Rather than stirring up baseless stories and coercing information, the Spokesman should report on facts.  It seems like they’re just out to get famous community members to make their own name more famous.  I think it has come back to hurt them by giving them a poor reputation as a publication.

Virtual Journalism Summit

Erika Driver, the co-founder of ThinkBalm, appeared in WSU’s CUB Auditorium, in the CUB auditorium within Second Life, and on streaming video (mutual virtual collaboration) for the Virtual Journalism Summit at 11 a.m. on April 6.

For the first time on campus, a lecture was experienced by attendees, avatars and watchers far beyond the physical location.

Driver’s presentation focused on how immersive internet is changing the work force – for journalists as well as others – because it’s about more virtual worlds and goes on into campuses and organizations.

For example, the ThinkBalm Innovation Community, consisting of about 260 members, meets together to formulate innovate ideas and push concepts forward.  To date, more than 80 ideas have been discussed and more than 24 immersive events have been held.

Using an innovative in-world slideshow, Driver explained the benefits of 3D immersive internet.  She noted that groups can’t always meet in person and travel can be difficult, but 3D allows participants to feel connected and engaged while being active in the same virtual space and at the same time.  3D collaboration tools also add to the interactive experience.

Immersive internet can be used for professional role playing, teamwork exercises, trainings, presentations, lectures, and interactive tours.  Driver also demonstrated how artifacts such as polling tools and mind maps aid in understanding for participants. 

According to Driver, some companies currently using immersive internet for these activities include IBM, who has saved about 4/5 of traditional costs for their program, Academy of Technology, The Coaches Center, and Lenovo Lounge, who has seen an increase in customer conversion rate through increased customer service.

Driver also touched on how immersive internet has and will influence journalism.  Though adoption of these new technologies will take time, Driver believes conducting interviews will change since you can interview any person at any place or time in world. 

It has also allowed journalists to report on immersive events, rehearse for difficult or dangerous conditions and enhance audience engagement.  Drive predicts understanding immersive internets will also present journalists with an opportunity for a competitive advantage.     

To complete her lecture, Driver took a poll of attendees on campus and in Second Life on whether or not they buy into the idea and whether they think it’ll work.  Everyone in Second Life agreed that it would but only one-third to one-half in the Pullman audience agreed and a few adamantly voted against it.

Sara J. Merriman, a junior communication major attended the summit.  When asked a similar question, Merriman said, “It’s cool to see (the) potential and it shows technological advancement.  It’s mind-blowing we’re at this point but what bothers me is personal engagement and distancing from reality.”

Through a Q–and–A session, Driver fielded questions regarding how the technology will catch on, the learning curve for employees, the benefits of 3D mind mapping, professionalism and differences between it and traditional journalism.

Feature Story

Robbie Cowgill: Basketball graduate

A year later, former WSU basketball player Robbie W. Cowgill walks along the Glenn Terrell Mall yet again, but this time for a different reason. After graduating from WSU in May 2008 with a degree in business management, Cowgill joined staff with the global organization Campus Crusade for Christ. His current role on campus includes meeting with students and athletes and telling them about how they can have a personal relationship with God through Christ and grow in that relationship. Cowgill decided to apply for staff after experiencing God change his life through his time in Pullman and wanted to see the same thing happen for others.

Cowgill isn’t the only one who has changed over the past few years in Pullman. The former Cougar basketball player has seen many athletes, coaches and support staff trust Christ within the last three or four years and a group of Christians has begun meeting and leading within the department, both generally and spiritually. Cowgill said he’s seen lives transformed through being in a community.

The decision to join staff rather than joining the work force wasn’t easy, though. Cowgill’s mother was supportive of Robbie working for a Christian organization but was concerned that he wouldn’t be making the kind of money he could be making with his business degree. According to Cowgill, his mother wanted to make sure he’d be financially stable and taken care of.

The transition back to campus also wasn’t easy. “I was a little self-conscious being back here and walking around campus. People ask what I’m doing. I assumed there was an expectation that I would have moved on to ‘bigger and better things,’” Cowgill recalls.

Since being back in Pullman, Cowgill has done more than just working for Campus Crusade for Christ; He has had an opportunity to continue practicing with the basketball team on occasion and hang out with his old teammates, coaches and support staff.

“That’s the great thing about being back here. Some of my best friends are here. I’m surrounded by the family I had in college,” Cowgill replies to a question about his interaction with current players and coaches.When asked about their relationship, senior communication major Taylor C. Rochestie said, “I think that mainly our relationship has stayed the same. The kind of person Robbie is … he’s always going to be himself: authentic Robbie. Still joking around about movies, what he’s doing, and awkward moments. I look up to him with a spiritual aspect too - someone to talk to and go to with questions.”

According to Cowgill, he was allowed to be around the court as much as he wanted to be and ended up practicing once or twice a week with the team during the season.

“I hope it helped them some but it was more fun for me to be out there playing,” Cowgill said.

For Cowgill, not being a member of the team anymore has been bittersweet. He said not having to worry about your body and health as well as the pressure of upcoming games has been a relief, and being able to play basketball thorough other venues has allowed him to keep playing. He does miss the relationships with his teammates and the fun they would have in the locker room and during practices and games.

Though he misses the team and had never expected he’d be in this place, Cowgill said he enjoys being back on campus and being able to maintain his relationships and build new ones.

Online News Sources

Livestation: Online News

BBC World Service:

topics covered included India's problems with the Obama Administration and the Iraq war controversy with Abu Ghraib prison. One witness account consisted of a guard trying to pull his eyes out and leaving him naked in a cell with no food for 12-15 days.

The broadcast led into lawyers talking about how everyone in a war zone must abide by war zone rules, even if they are private contractors. They also talked about how interrogation has changed and gave George W. Bush basically quoting the war as a mistake.

I felt like the broadcast was biased toward talking about American topics as well as shedding a bad light on our democratic presidential administrations, past and present.

France 24:

The top story included an interview regarding Algeria's presidential election and the current president running for a 3rd term after modifying the constitution to allow him to do so. A concern voiced was the possibility of reelection for life. The interviewee said, "Democracy has been hijacked" and related the multi-party system to a joke. The broadcast illustrated demonstrations and opposition. Of course, there must be some support since he will be reelected, and the interviewee did mention that there have been no terrorist attacks yet, though human bombs are more common in Africa.

I really liked this because it didn't talk at all about America and talked about a serious issue that all Americans should be aware of.

Russia Today:

Hot topics included stocks worldwide and Russian banks and suits filed against banks worldwide. Additionally, corruption and loss of freedom of the press in the country of Georgia. Demonstrations have been held demanding fair, democratic elections and a new president.

I felt like, from what I've listened to, this was the least biased and gave me a good idea of what's happening throughout the world.

Al Jazeera English:

1.) though I'm not sure how effective Al Jazeera will be in reaching U.S. viewers, I do think it's probably the most effective mode. .

2.) Sure, it should be offered. There are a ton of ridiculous channels available through cable TV and I can't see any obvious reason to ban it.

3.) this station, though it was on a section called the "playlist," it appears more like VH1 rather than CNN. THere are more interviews and the content and presentation are less professional. More time is spent on each individual section, as well. One similar characteristic is newsfeed along the bottom of the screen.

4.) As far as I can tell, the broadcast I watched followed the difficult Code of Ethics pretty well. However, a U.S. army soldier's story is to be told within the next week and that would be interesting.

Fair Trade Awareness Week: Daniel Jaffee

Do you know where the coffee beans used to make your morning’s latte come from or how they were produced? Who was impacted through your purchase?

Daniel Jaffee, assistant professor of sociology at Washington State University Vancouver, answered these questions and more at a lecture Wednesday in CUE 202 on the Washington State University campus in Pullman. The lecture, “Brewing Justice: Fair Trade Coffee, Sustainability and Survival,” and question and answer session to follow were part of Fair Trade Awareness Week, which ran from Feb. 23^rd through Feb. 26^th.

Jaffee studied and lived in Teotlalco, Mexico. He researched the difference fair trade actually makes among coffee farmers and their families and whether it deters emigration. He also looked at the effect of the middle-men between the coffee grower and distributor.

During his 50-minute lecture, Jaffee answered three main questions: “Why doesn’t everyone join fair trade?” “Can fair trade scale up without selling out?” and “Can the fair trade system become not only bigger, but become fair-er?”

The professor spoke about Yeni Navan, Michiza, a fair trade importing co-op organization founded in mid ‘80s. Jaffee also referenced Starbucks, which claims their coffee is only 6% fair trade. He warned students to be weary of coffee branded as “fair trade” when justice along the entire supply chain is missing.

“Things I knew about fair trade were enhanced. Places I thought were fair trade (Starbucks) aren’t as fair trade as I thought,” Senior Kelsey K. Einig said after attending the lecture.

Though fair trade coffee and the concept of sustainability are popular and trendy within our culture, Jaffee noted that filling our shopping carts with fair trade products is not enough.

“We’re not going to shop our way to social justice,” Jaffee said.

Rather, he encouraged students to make local changes and petition on campus for 100% fair trade products. He cast vision for how a transition to fair trade products at WSU could make a substantial impact.

Jaffee said access to fair trade products improve social, environmental and economic conditions for participants though internal reforms are needed within the fair trade system.

Jaffee didn’t just leave it there, though. He outlined next steps needed for fair trade and how the program can improve.

Following the speech, a question and answer session highlighted students’ concerns, questions and personal research. Some questions focused on the impact on farmers, how fair trade can be comparable economically and whose losing their jobs when fair trade cuts out the middle men.

WSU registered student organizations who helped put on Fair Trade Awareness Week include: Art Student Union, International Justice Mission, Progressive Student Union and Young Democrats. Resonate church also helped facilitate Fair Trade Awareness Week.

 

Feeding the Beast Movie

Feeding the Beast

Who or what is the "beast"?
The beast is an uncontrollable rate of news consumption requiring constant attention and updating. The beast is the public that is continually wanting the most recent news at all times, causing news companies to keep publishing new stories each day.

Why does it need to be fed?
The public is holding print, TV and the Internet to this high standard, constantly wanting the latest and most important news. The public depends on media outlets to know what is going on throughout the world and how it will affect them.

What compromises (if any) might occur in trying to feed the 24-hour news cycle in print, TV and the Internet?
Confidence and credibility, missed deadlines, incomplete stories or missing sources are all aspects that might come into play or be compromised as reporters, editors and producers struggle to get stories out on deadline.