PR vs Journalism…(very last post!)

Gillmor discusses the infiltration of public relations into mainstream journalism and the role media has played in the game of spin.  As he says “one of the worst forms is the media’s lazy use of press releases as news,” (pg. 184)  Although this can be difficult for the average reader to spot, anyone with the barest knowledge of how to cover news can recognize a press release over investigative reporting.  But this is part of the danger: if the public can’t spot the difference then they will readily accept fluffy PR as fact.

Lately we’ve seen companies take it even further to disguise their PR as press. Staged press conferences, embedded fake journalists, and audience members coached to ask favorable questions.  Obviously this crosses ethical lines, which has the opposite effect PR is intended to.  The sad part in all of this is not only the deception of the pubic, but also the bad name this gives to PR professionals everywhere.

We the Media 2nd Chunk: Will I ever get a job?

Dan Gillmor asks a lots of questions in We the Media about the future of journalism. In Chapter 6 he raises an issue that has immediate relevance for me at this very moment. As a journalism student (graduating next semster) I am constantly questioning the efficacy of my education. Perhaps efficacy is not exactly the right word, but what I mean to say is: I wonder whether my degree will actually get me a job!

Broadcast journalism is such a cut throat industry, and is so difficult to break into, I wonder if what I learn every day in the halls of Dwight Bental will actually translate to a job out in the “real world” of media. Teachers like Steve Sloan are fighting to give young journalists the tools they need to compete in Web 2.0 world, which we should thank him for. When I try to get a job I know that I will at least have the ability to create a website, upload content online, blog, podcast, vlog, and use industry standard programs like PhotoShop and InDesign. Like Gillmor points out, many other aspiring journalists do not have these skills.

“The fact is that journalism schools are the main source of new staff. But we can’t allow them to crank out a new generation of reporters, editors, photographers, and broadcasters who don’t understand and appreciate how the profession has changed,” (pg. 131).

Too often students shrug off the skills we have learned in Jour 96e as geeky, or too hard to understand. They ask “why do I need to know that?” Administrators who are stuck behind the times also question whether these skills should be a priority. The answer is they are absolutely critical.

Gillmor says teaching students a combination of new reporting skills and traditional staples like investigative techniques will lead to “multidirectional” journalists. In the world of New Media, multidirectional will quickly become infinite-directional, and I can only hope to have good peripheral vision if I want to keep up.

My first hole-in-one

Perfection

Ireland

My first trip to Ireland

We the media 2

What is the differences between a journalist or a blogger? They before report the news, some even have a journalism degree and other even go into the field. I think it is a bite strange how there maybe be bad feeling between the two groups. It is like pride and prejudice, two different ways of news media with different backgrounds in the training. I agree with the fact that major journalist got their rights to be called press because they went through formal schooling with a set bar to meet. But with blogger anyone can post a blog and call themself a journalist.

We the media 3

With freedom of the internet where anyone from anywhere can access the information it makes me wonder how safe it really is.

The definition of internet privacy is the means of one allowing how much and to whom their personal information is given to.  The internet is a fast and easy way to get to your source of information or entertainment. Privacy is no longer bound by physical ground, with the spread of the World Wide Web untouchable means of person privacy can be violated. When you are surfing the web you may feel as if your identity can not be define, you may feel and sense of mystery or freedom. But this is not true; using any kind of gateway can give away information about yourself or your activities. Cookies, electronic commerce, spam and spyware are some of the way your privacy is being exploited.

We The Media: Pt 2 (ch 4-7)

Chapter 4 mentions how one man used the mailing list so he could learn how to improve the software. Blogs are also mentioned as a way to interact with consumers as a form of public relations. It is interesting that he was met with resistance, it would seem that he had a very good idea. The problem was that people didn’t want to change.

Ch. 5 mentions the way Howard Deans campaign died because of bad publicity after his famous yell. DMV and other government websites are noted for not giving citizens what they want. I think this has changed since, at least judging by the California web site.

Ch. 6 explains a Korean news web site that allowed anyone to be a reporter. The book mentions that this should be looked at as an oppurtunity for journalists to understand their audience, rather than thinking it’s a threat.

Ch. 7 tells how blogger can pick up news that pro journalists miss. But this isn’t possible in many countries because of limited free speech given to citizens.

-Mike Wright

Chronicle Sporting Green Podcast

The first thing I noticed when I looked at all of the sports podcasts on the SF Chronicle site, was that they are all around 10 minutes. This seems a little long for a short attention sports fan like me. When I started listening I missed the guys names and titles, this had me distracted for some time before I found them on the podcast’s description. I also quickly noticed that their talk was done by phone, the quality is noticeably bad, but not too bad. I also noticed the guys often used the word “uh.”

I also noticed many things I liked. I was interested by there talk of Alex Smith’s status as #1 QB going into next year. I really liked their nickname for Patrick Willis “The Humble Hammer” and the idea that next week’s game will preview the NFL’s defensive and offensive rookies of the year. They also caught my attention by using stats and by ironically calling next week’s game an aerial circus.

Overall, I thought the podcast was interesting. If I have time I will listen to more Sporting Green podcasts.

-Mike Wright

Final 3 podcast

So the class is coming to an end. The only thing I have on my mind right now are finals, and music.

Yummm….Cupcakes

Chronicle reporter Heidi Benson joined the director of Sleepless in Seattle Nora Ephron for a whirlwind tour of some of San Francisco’s most decadent bakeries.  Their first stop was at French patisserie Miette in the Ferry Building.  As she enjoyed her gooey chocolate cupcake, Ephron revealed why so many people are in love with the dainty treats: they know going in exactly how much they get to eat.  The feeling of guilt associated with a slice of cake is removed, since cupcakes are individually sized for the perfect proportion. 

As they continued their tour of SF’s bakeries, I was struck by the production of the piece.  The Chronicle made use of natural sound to draw the audience, but used clarifying voice overs to add flow to the narrative. 

Also included in this podcast was a discussion of Ephron’s book I Feel Bad About My Neck.  In town to promote the recent release, Ephron talked candidly about the lack of honesty in menopause-focused books she read.   What was interesting about the SF Chronicle podcast was it’s mix on in the field reporting (disguised as chatting) and post production information.  This feels like I’m just hanging out with the author and the reporter, taking in some calories and the sights of SF.