“Goodnight and good luck”

McCarthyism

Goodnight and Good Luck is a film that represents the censorship of television in America. Though it was based in the 1950′s, the riveting monologue given by David Strathairn who played Edward R. Murrow, a news anchor for CBS, contained many valid points that are still accurate in today’s society. The movie is about the era of Senator Joseph McCarthy. When McCarthy was senator in the 1950′s, he created a list of supposed communists who had infiltrated the U.S. government. With his standing in society, many began to fear McCarthy and refused to stand up to his outrageous accusations. McCarthyism led to the signing of loyalty documents. However, there were a few that did, including Murrow, and they all were blacklisted by McCarthy and called communists.

 

Murrow was persistant in his pleas to his bosses at CBS to stand up against McCarthy, the station knew they would lose ad revenue, but they also knew that if they did not stand up to McCarthy, the madness may never stop. With the approval from the bosses, Murrow went after McCarthy and it made a significant impact. McCarthy needed time to prepare a rebuttal but all he could do was go after Murrow because statements made about McCarthy by Murrow proved to be true. When Murrow went on air about McCarthy again, he pointed out the suspicious behavior and McCarthy fell under investigation. To tone now the severity of broadcasts, CBS forced Murrow to do several fluff pieces about insignificant matters.

 

Censorship in Television

“We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.” -Edward R. Murrow. This quote establishes the opinion of many at the time of McCarthyism. Many whom were too afraid to stand up to McCarthy were doing exactly what Murrow stated, refusing to defend our own countries freedom and following victim to a power hungry liar.

Television is one of the best ways to relay news, especially in today’s society. When there is breaking news, it hits TV stations around the world, airing for millions of people within second of the event. Therefore, television can be used for a variety of news. In Goodnight and Good Luck, it is evident that censorship is a major theme. Many felt that attacking the accusations made by McCarthy live on television was a risky move, therefore ad sales went down because the sponsors were afraid of being blacklisted. This is a major form of censorship on television stations and committed journalists. Thus, Goodnight and Good Luck is relevant in today’s society. News stations are more worried about ad revenue and making stories viewer friendly that they avoid the cold, hard truth in many stories.

“This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.” – Edward R. Murrow. This quote sums up the entire movie. If humans are not willing to put the facts out there and shed light upon important, yet controversial issues, then what good is having a television? What is the point in reporting? Why do it if the facts of hard news aren’t allowed to be given? Human beings have to face the truth if they want the country to thrive.

Edward R. Murrow, with his ambitious, seemingly reckless behavior and reporting left a significant impact on the television news world. He made people realize that when it’s millions against one, we the people can make tremendous things happen. He went against all odds and attacked a power hungry senator McCarthy and he won. He and the support he received from his station helped to make something happen that changed the history books forever. Today, Libya and Egypt, among other countries, has people risking their lives to protest and air news stories even though it was against the law. Both countries leaders fell from power due to the risk taking and reporting on hard news. We the people can make things happen… “Goodnight and good luck.”

The Growing App Industry

Websites VS. Applications

In COM135 Tuesday, we were given the class assignment of downloading news applications from local news stations. My group was asked to search Fox 2 and look at their application for smart phones and compare it to their website. There were several differences between the two. Though the website had a lot more going on and the app was straight to the point, I preferred the website. This is because it gave many more options to viewers. It had several tabs with extensions to different stories, weather, and it even gave what was currently trending. Both the application and the website were useful. The app brought quick news with easy access, and the website allowed one the opportunity to browse if they preferred.

Which Will Prevail?

The ultimate question facing applications and websites, is which will stick around? Will people start to go straight for the apps that are right there on their phones and tablets, or will they pull out the laptop? Some argue, if you have the iPad or some other sort of tablet that has web access and the ability to download apps, they find themselves deleting news apps and just using their web browsers. Jason Fry of the Neiman Journalism Lab noted that the apps seemed like too much of a work in progress. He also gave light to the fact that many news organizations are beginning to think that charging for their apps will help with revenue, when in all actuality, their websites and apps are competing with one another. One things for certain, apps are on the rise.

 

 

The Rise in Use of Applications 

There have been millions of apps downloaded from the Apple iPhones and iPads to Android powered phones and tablets. This rise in application downloading has given rise to a new profession, creating new and improved apps. With more people than ever with smartphones, they want to put them to use. The most popular downloads are games, gps, news, and weather.  When people continue to search for more apps, they want them to improve, thus the market for apps and creators has greatly increased. With the recurring improvements in phones and tablets and the innovation of faster, more efficient devices, application production and download will only continue to grow. Not only are developers needed, but news corporations have to make the movie to mobile journalism. People want their news and they want it now. Thus, reporters and news organizations have to continually find ways to make their stories appealing and provide photographs to go along with the words so people will read the new on their mobile devices. Though it is currently unclear if people will advance to an application only world, it has been noticed by many that applications will not be going away any time soon.

Newspapers, Still Leading The Pack

Out of Style? I Think Not!

Many believe that newspapers are quickly becoming a thing of the past. That’s true, right? We have all of this new technology and we watch television more than anyone reads those out of style, out of date, lame newspapers. Well, the answer is NO! Newspapers may seem to be fading into a black hole along with black and white TV and typewriters to many new age people, but they still lead the pack! Even though many small towns are losing their newspapers, many still thrive. When we look at media sources we automatically think TV and internet. Well, where do you think they get their news from? Newspapers! Aside from breaking news, newspapers are usually the first to find information and put it to use. After they’ve received the information, they send it off the counterparts and give “TV” something to talk about.

How Are Newspapers Evolving?

When one thinks of evolution, his or her mind does not instantly go to news, but that’s exactly what it is doing. News sources are continually evolving. From local newspapers to social media sources, news finds its way. So, how are newspapers evolving? They are branching out! Some newspapers have even gone so far as to go internet first, posting to an online paper before print. Internet news allows for more advertising and a bigger following in this technologically savvy generation. The only problem with converting to online first seems to be that the well-known sites are gaining all of the attention and therefore bringing in the most advertisers.This is a similar case with Patch. They are an online based news site and as Holy Edgell mentioned, they are not yet profitable. Though it seems obvious to most that online and apps are the way to go, revenue in these areas falters.

What Does it All Come Down to?

Evolving takes time, but what does all of this process of evolution come down to? It comes down to revenue. A major conflict is the revenue ads make online versus the revenue made by print. In a 2007 report of the New York Times, it was made blatantly obvious that print was still bringing in more revenue because the ads were cheaper and they reached more people. Online competition for advertising is fierce and newspapers have to battle one another to gain any revenue from them. Due to the lack of money coming in from advertising, many newspapers have begun to allow only small portions of their news to be read. To access the rest, one must subscribe and pay upwards of 50 dollars a month for their news.

So, what will happen in the next decade? Will it begin to cost more to print then it does to post online? Most likely, but it’s all about the money. News sources will follow the money, after all, it’s what everyone works for. The evolution of newspapers will continue to rely on audience and revenue. People will always want their news, it is just a matter of their willingness to pay for it, or find other ways to retrieve the information they crave.

Patch Panel Applies Classroom Teachings to The Real World

Curiosity is Key

“You need to be reading news, and y0u need to be reading it everyday.” explained Lake Saint Louis Patch.com editor, Tamara Duncan. In order to be  good journalists we have to read the news. We must be curious and we must above all be passionate. Patch.com editors expressed these things first and foremost. Who are the cutbacks in the newsrooms leaving? They are leaving those who are passionate about journalism. Those who want to get out there and work at what they do and love every second of it. How can one love every second? Well, the panelists expressed the idea we have been hearing in COM 135, everyday is a new day with new stories waiting to be told.

Though everyone should love what they do, Panelist Maggie Rotermund of Wentzville Patch noted that having the same job for 30 years just is not realistic for anyone. Many of the panelists have had several jobs within the journalism area and know they must keep adapting and evolving to the new outlets for news and media if the want to continue to work in the profession they know and love. They have already begun to adapt and take notice that even though the future is a bit gloomy for newspapers, it is not that same story for journalists. There are so many avenues for journalists to take and newspaper journalists need to be aware of the growing online reader base.

Cutting Through The Crap

The panelists also discussed the fact that readers do not want all the hype. They are learning to cut through the crap and want reputable sources, journalists they can actually rely on. Readers do not want the same old story day after day, they want to read about things that they care about. They really do want enterprise journalism to come off of the back burner. Like Ms. Rotermund noted, a simple story about a new restaurant can keep its hype for months and months and continue to give people something to talk about. Researching something small and bringing it to life can have a profound impact on more people than one may think. We as journalists cannot allow enterprise journalism to be lost. If, journalism is about curiosity and if news is everywhere, is should very well be impossible not to find something, undiscovered by other media outlets, to write about.

Social Media Strikes Again

So, why should we care about staying involved with social media sites? Patch panelist Chase Castle of Ballwin-Ellisville Patch claimed that he initially hated the social media site Twitter, and still kind of does. However, he noticed that some stories hit social media sites before they hit anywhere else. People always want to talk about things, especially drama. What better way to get that out there then a tweet that takes 2.5 seconds? That is why journalists need to tune into social media sites, crowd source, and pay attention to what people are talking about. Using social media sites helps journalist to input the human aspect into their stories. People like to read about other people. For example, social media sourced were on fire after the verdict of the Casey Anthony case… It’s all about the drama.

Technology Opens New Doors

Hyperlocal Catches Fire

Holly Edgell really proved that the internet is the avenue to knew and greater opportunities. Though Patch.com is not in all states, it seems to be rapidly catching fire throughout the midwest. They are even providing Patch on the go with iPhone and iPad apps. Patch is a hyperlocal site which allows readers to see what is going on in their neck of the woods. Rather than focusing on national or even statewide news, patch focuses on what happening within small communities. Ms. Edgell explained that as journalists, it is basically a requirement that one be able to “do it all”. To elaborate, she means we have to be able to take pictures, upload video, embed hyperlinks, heck, even shoot our own video. The internet allows journalists of the 21st century to be multi-media journalists. Edgell believes one should not refer to his or herself as a photo journalist, or a newspaper journalist, or a broadcast journalist. She feels journalists of all areas should say they are multi-media journalists who can broadcast, write, or shoot photos.

Patch Allows for Interaction

Edgell also explained that Patch is an interactive site which allows for people to post questions, comment, upload their own photos into a viewfinder, even blog themselves. Patch writers care about their communities and find they need to keep their communities updated. So, they are all for anyone who wants to blog to apply so that all different local stories get out there. Whether it be a pumpkin carving or Granny’s new cookie recipe, in small towns, these small things matter.

    

 Add your photos & videos

Great Opportunities for Aspiring Journalists

For journalists, it is known that experience is key. Holly Edgell explained that Patch offers a paid internship that you don’t have to stay local to participate in! Pardon the cliche, but this is like taking candy from a baby! No, this is like a baby giving the candy to you! This is an awesome opportunity for aspiring journalists. Honestly, who can think of a better way to spend their summer? Bettering yourself at your craft, making money while doing it, and greatly increasing your chances at employment. Passing up this offer is well, insane!

Holly Edgell

Truly inspiring is the story of Holly Edgell, though she did not go through hard times, she explored the journalistic world. She started her career in broadcasting, then went to production, and now she is an editor at Patch. Though her job is not focused on writing so much as it is on leading the pack, she still finds time to get in an article here and there. She was really encouraging of creating a SPJ chapter at Lindenwood, and she even offered to come back. Perhaps someone will start a division up, it would be really interesting to have her come back to LU and explain a little more about SPJ. I found her visit to be beneficial. She really opened up my eyes to the fact that what comes from our lessons really applies. We really are a media-journalistic world. We have to do it all!

GroupMe

Something Cool

The entire COM 135 class has been asked to pick out a “something cool” to present to the class. I had been thinking for a few weeks now about what I could do. There have been music news presentations, photoblogs, tumblr and all sorts of things. Honestly, I was at a loss. Then, when I was searching for article for assignment two, I stumbled across an article about Ashton Kutcher giving free air time to companies he had endorsed. I saw a few we had seen, but, GroupMe stood out to me. The app is actually pretty interesting, though I feel it is still in is beginning stages. With the app you can download it on your phone, computer, iPad, etc. With your phone you can choose a group from their list like, family, friends, and different shows and artists, or you can create your own. From there one can send mass messages getting updates on family or their favorite TV shows. If a person misses an episode of Dexter for instance, he or she can join that group and ask what was missed and receive feedback and receive the best links to watch the last episode. Hear juicy gossip about Ke$ha? GroupMe has a group for that as well. You can take that gossip post it out to the group and the group can respond. Another neat aspect about GroupMe is the personal message feature. It works the same way as text messaging does, but it is free. So, if your phone plan does not allow for texts to out of network phones without a price, GroupMe allows you to stay in touch for free.

Not Just an App

The app is also accessible online, one can use it to blog. For instance, I have read several blogs from people whom report on natural disasters and the only way they could stay in touch was through GroupMe. The blog can also be used to inform people about local sports, art shows and many other events. The blog allows one to use photos as well as the written word. This is especially relevant to the journalism world. For instance, if a journalist is in another country and has a really great story that he or she wants to get out to several people. He or she can just use the GroupMe app on computer or phone and upload the link to a group of people, editor, peer reviewers, whomever needs to view and edit the piece. 

Communication

Well, the more and more we are introduced to in COM 135, the more I realize how much the world of  communication and information continues to expand. Tumblr, Hootsuite, Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, the list goes on. People are going to continue to find more efficient ways to communicate and get their opinions out there no matter how many different ways there already are, the human race is never satisfied. Like in nature, technology continues to evolve. Humans are slaves to the technology of today and even more so to what is to come.

Defining News

WOMEN’S RIGHTS

In Saudi Arabia, women are prohibited from driving without the guardianship of a man. Shaimaa Justaneyah was caught driving on her own without a man several months ago and the usual punishment for the act is for the offender not to be able to drive anymore. However, after several months of lying low and avoiding the public eye she received her punishment which was the medieval act of lashings. In America seeing a woman driving alone is an everyday occurrence, but due to the proximity of the event, this woman as well as other women in her country are not granted basic rights and continue to fight for a royal decree.

PLOT TO DESTROY THE PENTAGON

With the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the U.S still fresh in our minds, a Massachusetts man was arrested for plotting to destroy the Pentagon with a remote-controlled aircraft. The timeliness of the attack, had it occurred, would have put our country on edge just as the first attack ten years ago had. The man, Rezwan Ferdaus of Ashland, had ordered several explosive weapons such as, grenades, machine guns, and what he believed was C-4.

SHARK BITE IN SOUTH AFRICA

After the shark warning flag was hoisted into place on a beach in Cape Town, South Africa, a man decided to ignore it. He proceeded to swim out into the water where he then had both legs bitten off. He was the only person in the water at the time and a bystander pulled him out of the water. The Great White that attacked was caught on video not far from the shore. This piece is relevant to human interest. Though shark attacks occur, they are not an everyday occurrence.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE A GREAT IMPACT

President Barack Obama relays that he cannot fix the immigration problem that the United States is having on his own. He explains that people have  a false notion that he has the power to simply change laws. Immigration is a hot topic among Americans and has been for quite some time. Many believe that illegal immigrants greatly impact the legal citizens. They feel that they take our jobs and our money and do not have to pay taxes which is also another huge concern for U.S. citizens.

ASHTON GIVES FREE ADVERTISEMENT

Ashton Kutcher, the new star of CBS’s Two and A Half Men, was recently seen in an episode of the comedy using his laptop. This seems innocent enough, yes? Apparently not. Kutcher had several stickers on the outside of his computer that were advertising social media sites like GroupMe, Foursquare, and several others. It happens that Ashton has money invested into these companies and CBS affiliates were upset because they did not receive payment for the advertisement that those companies received. This story relates to prominence. Ashton Kutcher is a prominent movie star and this stunt that he pulled made news because he is in TV.

OCCUPY WALL STREET

As the silent protest on Wall street continues, many are uncertain as to what their actual goal is during this protest. Though there have been a few goals outlined. The government, as of now, seems to continue to disagree with the protesters. This article represents conflict. Though this protest was one of the peaceful type, it is a conflict nonetheless and police are becoming violent.

Facebook Changes Again

CHANGES INSPIRE MALICIOUS COMPLAINTS

So many Facebook users are irked at the changes being made to the site time and time again. They complain and make vicious, malevolent statuses voicing their opinions about the changes. But, to what end? Do the “powers that be” on Facebook go and change it back? Users think not. Until… Suddenly after all of the complaints, there is a way to get the old Facebook back! Being un-savvy in the digital department has conquered the ignorant yet again.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

There are tons of complaints regarding the new and, as far as Facebook is concerned, improved version of the site. However, when there are rumors of Facebook costing users each month, there are few complaints and everyone tries to quickly copy and paste a status that will, supposedly, keep their beloved Facebook free. Why is it that when people are faced with a meaningless matter like a new format, they freak! But, when they are faced with pocket picking they rush to save their precious addiction from being deleted?

One user notes the idiocy of fellow users, “Facebook will begin stealing your undergarments at midnight tonight if you don’t copy & paste this message in the next 37 seconds, forward it to everyone in your mailing list, print a hard copy for your grandmother & call your third grade teacher. This is real. I got the message first hand from Elvis who was having lunch with Bigfoot, while riding the Loch Ness monster. It was even on the inside back cover of every tabloid in the grocery store checkout line.
Not only will Facebook start charging you tomorrow, they are also going to bill your credit card for the past 3 years of services. Luckily, each person who copies & pastes this status will receive a FREE unicorn in the mail tomorrow. However, if you don’t repost this status, Facebook code has been set up to automatically set your computer on fire & harm an innocent bunny in the forest! It’s all true, it was on the news! It’s official! Facebook users will believe anything their friends copy & paste into their status (Don’t forget the hearts. All good copy and pastes gotta have hearts. ♥ ♥)” Anonymous.

Facebook applied for a PAC in order to allow their voices to be heard in the political world. Though it was a recent event, Facebook users have yet to comment on the fact. However, I wonder what their reactions will be once election time rolls around. Will there be more vicious complaints or will their be avid support? My guess is that the latter will be few and far between.

People are selfish in nature and we assume that on our beloved social networking sites, people actually care what we have to say. Thus, we complain, tell people when we are sad, happy or angry. We call people out because we are not face to face. Yet, when Facebook CEO wants to inform his users of his political views people will not be happy to accept his views. So, the big question here is, why should what one person says matter and not someone else’s? We will complain about changes made, political views, and numerous other aspects that Facebook throws at us, but when it comes down to it, people are addicted, obsessed,call it what you want. The simple fact is, social networks are here to stay.

The Exploitation of September 11, 2001

Septemeber 1, 2001

The Evolution of Media

So, we were given the assignment for COM 135 to interview someone born before 1970. For me, it is really interesting to here stories from the past and find out how different things are from one generation to another. Dave Hittle was born on May 1, 1947. Dave is my grandfather and he jumps at every opportunity he gets to sit down and tell me stories about the past. Honestly, I love hearing them. According to my grandfather there were only limited media outlets when he was young. “We prominently got our news from the radio because it was the most current. We also read newspapers, but we could not exactly get the news the very next day. My family mostly relied on the radio.” commented Dave.

Today, many rely on the radio simply for the musical aspects of it, not really the news. In today’s society we are all about commercial and interruption free music on the radio. When asked about specific articles contained in the newspaper, Dave replied, ” There were things like daily recipes, sports, local and national news, but those things weren’t up-to-date. During the 60s and 70s if we wanted up-to-date news, we went to the radio. We also went to the television as they became more popular.” More popular? Wow, I don’t know what this world would be like if its beloved technology were torn away and all that was left was a family radio and a delayed paper to rely on. There would be total mayhem!

“Politics were also a big deal back then, but it was all based on facts. We lived in a small town and small towns wanted political news that was as close to the truth as possible. We didn’t print speculations and all of the he said, she said like people do today.” said Dave. Politicians today rely heavily on all the he said, she said  news that gets served out everyday. People that consume the news also rely on that. The people want to hear what they believe, truth or not.

I have had television all of my life, but my grandfather did not have it until the age of seven. Even then it wasn’t his, it was his grandpa Guy’s. They had to walk about a mile down the road to watch TV there. Obviously seven year olds were not all too interested in the actual news. Dave commented that he would go down to his grandpas to watch “Sammy Terry” in black and white. Wow, Black and white television? Most people in my generation can barely stand to watch the classics unless they have been restored in color. Back in the 50s they didn’t even think about color television. They were astounded to have television at all. Today we are all caught up in HD this and 3D that. ”Even though TV’s were a big deal they weren’t the most important thing. People still had chores and work to do so TV wasn’t really a focal thing to families, especially in small towns.” Commented Dave on the importance of television growing up.

Though Tv was not the main source of news back then, Dave has come to realize how big of an impact it has made. Every second on Fox News or CNN there is an up-to-date stream on what is happening mere moments after the news has occurred. News outlets are ever-changing and continuously evolving. We have TV, Twitter, Facebook. The list goes on. I wonder, what will be invented by the time I am in my 60s?