My Personal Code

While my views have changed greatly due to Dr. Cressman and the lessons taught unto me, I understand my views and beliefs still stand strong. As I said in the beginning of the semester, I believe first and foremost that journalists are the people that seek out the truth that society needs to know. Our society cannot thrive without the knowledge of what is going on in the world. With that, they need journalists. Furthermore, journalists are there to discover factual and important information. Lately, society finds entertainment like “Brangelina” or “Balloon Boy” far more interesting than the Health Care Bill or the swine flu epidemic. Journalists are brought to inform others of what they need to know, rather than what they want to know or find interesting and funny. Overall, journalists need to be truthful, accurate, objective, and fair. And while these are all admirable and necessary qualities of journalists, they also need to have the heart and the hunger for news and information. Without a doubt, I can testify that I have the heart and the will-power to set out to find the story every day of my career.

In addition, journalism is the process of informing society in many different types of medium. Journalism will never cease to exist because it is, in fact, in the Constitution. Journalism also is a system of protecting of our society, a watchdog if you will. We are there to keep an eye on the government and powerful institutions that like to take control and abuse their powers. We have the chances to investigate and inform the helpless of the powerful’s wrong-doings.

Lastly, I will conduct myself as a professional in all situations. I will make sure to be fair and never be biased. I will protect the world of wrong-doings by the powerful and help the weak. The community that I will be informing deserves to hear both sides of the story, and that goes for the rest of the world. I truly value the profession, I have learned many things that I did not know previously. I am grateful for the opportunities I have at this institution to grow and better inform myself, so I can better inform others.

Citizen Journalism

Citizen Journalism kind of freaks me out. Citizen Journalism, as described verbatim by Jay Rosen, is "when the people formerly known as the audience employ the press tools they have in their possession to inform one another." This sounds good, because recently citizens have gotten information out to the media even before the news cameras and reporters can. For example, people already were tweeting and posting videos of when the plane crashed into the Hudson River, simply because they were in the right place at the right time, with their camera phone. Sounds innovative, right? Well what about the journalists that have been in tons of school and preparation to be the best journalists they can be, with the competition of citizen journalists at their feet? How much experience do the citizen journalists have under their belt? It's trivial competition that is starting to have the draining effect on professional journalists. I don't find it fair that citizen journalists can be reimbursed for a story just because they were in the right place at the right time?! Do I need to pick another profession? That is the topic that is stuck in my brain all day.

Families Together During Holidays

I was blessed to go home for Thanksgiving for four days to see my family and friends. As I sat there reflecting on what I was thankful for, I realized not all Americans are so lucky. There are many children, wives, brothers, and mothers that are without their fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons that are fighting for our safety in the war. It's heart-breaking, to be constantly concerned about someone over-seas, especially during the holidays. There must be tons of families that know what I'm talking about, but I honestly couldn't imagine the uncertainty.

There is an upside. In the New York Times, there was an article about soldiers being released early and surprising their children in their daily lives. It was uplifting, to see the light and joy in the child's face. That is what the holidays are about, being together with your family. I know all soldiers cannot be so lucky, but when it does happen, I'm sure they don't miss that opportunity to surprise their family! Here is a link to the story.

New Moon

Stephanie Meyer's vampire trilogies have impacted not only teenage girls around the world, but pretty much everyone else. Mostly everyone I know has been hooked like a fish to the love triangle of Edward, Bella, and Jacob. Last night (Thursday the 20th) at midnight, society waited in line to get the first look at the second movie.

The second movie will be more dramatic than the first. With Edward departing and Jacob stepping in and sweeping her off her feet, this flick is jammed pack with mythical creatures and drama in the little town of Forks, Washington.

Stephanie Meyer actually graduated from BYU. She currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona, (where I am from) and where Bella is originally from in her series. She invented these characters actually in a dream, and would put everything she had to do on the back-burner and transformed her dream into a four-book series that seems to be enticing the whole world.

Am I a crazy Twilight fanatic? No, but I do enjoy her books, she is a fantastic writer. I believe the movies do no justice, but that is my opinion. I hope everyone who wants to see it makes it to the show sometime this busy weekend.

Let It Snow!

I'm from Arizona. The hottest it gets is 120 degrees Fahrenheit and the coldest it gets is 40 degrees Fahrenheit, in the valley. You'd think since I've been here for a year and a half that I'd be used to this blistering cold weather? But I'm not. This morning I walk out on my porch and was dumbfounded to see white everywhere! How can this be? It's mid-November! Sometimes I forget where I am. Now I have to worry about slipping on the way to class, buying gloves and beanies, and my tires skidding and fishtailing while driving! Utah can be a scary place! But the only positive thing I have gotta say is..."it's starting to look a lot like Christmas!"

America's Pasttime

I truly appreciate baseball. In the 2009 World Series, the Phillies, 2008 World Series Champions, stepped up to bat against the ever popular Yankees. For Americans, they either really love the Yankees or really hate them. The Yankees have previously won 26, yes, twenty-six, World Series Championships. With the Yankees new and improved stadium under their feet, their moral was very high. How did the Phillies feel? Well, with their previous title to the throne, I'm sure they felt invincible, and possibly a little cocky. With A-Rod, Derek Jeter, and Matsui on the Yankee side and Chase Utley, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels on the Phillies side, it was sure to be an interesting game.

But, as we all know, the Yankees pulled out in the end of game 6, final score 7-3, in their brand new home field.

Charlie Manuel, the Phillies manager said, "Are they better than we are? For this series, they were. They've got the trophy. We don't. We gave it up, but we're going to get it back."

Mariano Rivera, the pitcher who blew Game 7 of the 2001 World Series in Arizona, pitched the last inning, clinching the last five outs. Immediately following the last out, the team traditionally sprinted to the pitcher's mound, waving their arms and screaming with joy.

"We play the game the right way," said Derek Jeter, "and we deserve to be standing here."

What team did I cheer for? Neither, I'm a Red Sox fan!

Skype Conflict

As journalists, we have the opportunity to convey information to others. Whether it be by magazines, newspapers, text messages, television broadcasts, or even by word of mouth. Skype, the Internet calling service that is free to its 520 million registered users, is spreading like wild fire. Skype is familiar with PCs and mobile devices that allows the Skype software.

It was invented by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, and later sold to eBay in 2005. But tensions flared when Index Ventures, the firm was in the center of the industry's sale, is withdrawing from the deal. Zennstrom and Friis later sued eBay in a British court because it allegedly violated a term of contract that used the core technology, Jolstid. Ebay tried to get even by selling 65% of Skype to a rival group, which organized a different system and resulted in avoiding the Joltid technology. As complicated as it all may sound, it is damaging the reputation of everyone involved.

Personally, I hope this lawsuit does not end badly because I am one of those 520 million registered users that requently uses it to call my family and friends in Arizona. If the company fails or has a verdict of a negative result, the world will have one less way to be in contact with one another.

Halloween

As much fun as Halloween can be, it might be one of the ridiculous holidays of the year. No offense to the holiday, but I went to a Halloween party, and all the girls have one excuse out of the year to look trashy and slutty. Why do they have to dress like that? Are they not creative enough to think of something more clever than a bunny, or a french maid? I am not a fan of this holiday one bit. Why can't we still trick-or-treat like the good ol' days? I want to be 7 again and get all the candy I can! Above is a funny cartoon regarding Halloween and Obama, by Brian Fairrington. I hope everyone had a modest Halloween!

Journalist Interview

Richard Obert, also known as the "Man Who Never Sleeps" to his readers, is a journalist for my hometown's newspaper, the Arizona Republic. He focuses on Arizona high school sports, and the personal story behind the final buzzer. Attached are questions and answers I asked him regarding his career that he loves and enjoys every single day.

1. Why did you go into journalism?

Part of it was my love for writing. Ever since I can remember, I was writing, whether poetry or short stories or reports on my friends' games just out of fun. It never felt like work to me.

2. How did you break in the field?

I was kind of nervous for a while, because all throughout college you hear journalism teachers tell you how hard this profession is to crack. There was a notice on a bulletin board at ASU that the Mesa Tribune was seeking a couple of free lance writers for Sports. I jumped at it, tested well enough to be accepted, and got paid something like $20 a story.

3. How do you define “good” journalism?

Good journalism comprises of balance, accuracy, and complete coverage of the story, not just one side.

4. Do you feel like your news organization practices “good” journalism?

Yes, everybody is quite professional and with the economy the way it is, everybody is going beyond the normal workload to produce a great product.

5. How would you define the type of journalism you do?

I cover high school sports for the most part. Sometimes I help out with college and pro. I also blog every day, sometimes twice a day, on my beat. I'd say at least 60 percent of the work I do goes online and the rest in the paper, just because the news print is shrinking and the Internet has become so huge. I work every day. It is actually rare that I have a day off. But that is what you have to do to find good stories. You have to contstantly look for ideas nobody else has thought of, and call lots of sources.

6. Does your organization allow you to do the type of journalism you want to do?

Because of azcentral.com, yes, it helps a lot. Because it doesn't put any restrictions on me and allow me to be even more creative with my stories.

7. How does the journalism you practice serve your community?

Families love reading about their children, alumni love reading about their schools, and, most importantly, I try to find a good human interest stories to help others and that family with what they've gone through.

8. What is your opinion about recent movements such as community, citizen, civic, and public journalism?

It's all good, as long as people are getting what they need for news.

9. Have you ever had an experience in which you felt your work as a journalist really made a difference?

Yes, when a mother or father calls or writes and tells me how the story I did gave them hope and helped their during whatever adversity they were experiencing. The story was cathartic and helpful for them.

10. How have your views about journalism changed over the years?

My views are the same, that without journalism there would be no watchdog and there would be utter chaos, especially when it comes to governement and business. It's important that there is always journalism. That can never possibly die.

11. Have you been affected by dropping circulations, ratings, layoffs, and growth of citizen journalism?

Luckily, I've dodged bullets. It only drives me harder to work harder, because it would be like having my heart cut out. I truly love what I do. Has never felt like work.

12. What advice would you give students wanting to go into journalism?

It has to be your passion. You have to wake up wanting to do this and go to be bed excited about your work. And make sure you get your facts right and both sides of the story is covered.

What the World Needs Now, is Love Sweet Love

Countries of the world will always have its imperfections, but on Sunday, we witnessed one of Iraq's bloodiest and depressing days. Two suicide car bombers killed at least 132 people and more than 500 people wounded in the city of Baghdad. "Surrounding streets had been blocked off and were under more than a foot of water because the blast apparently also damaged a water main. Pools of water were colored red with blood", states Timothy Williams from the New York Times. As American soldiers and governmental officials are trying to resolve the issues presented daily in Iraq, alleged Saddam's followers or members of Al-Qaeda are reversing the resolutions by taking their lives and many innocent others. It weakens my heart to see all the sadness and pain over in their country. We need to be grateful for the peace and tranquility in the United States. Here is the link to the article, click here.

Where The Wild Things Are

Since 1963, Maurice Sendak has written a book that has touched people's childhood for multiple generations. I will never forget lil ol' Max in his animal costume with that crown on his head and that thrown in his hand. I will never forget those huge, scary, wild things befriending this young boy and making him their king.

As of Friday, October 16, 2009, Where the Wild Things Are, became a box office hit. But not everyone has ranted and raved about their favorite childhood book becoming what it was. Some thought it was too scary for adults, yet others thought it was a perfect family film that everyone can enjoy. Some believe that the details of how Max lived with the Wild Things were too extravagant and trailed away from the true version of Sendak's book, while others believe how the movie focused on his adventures with the Wild Things was ingenious and made the film brilliantly creative. Personally, I loved the film. I loved the special effects, the costumes, the humor within the Wild Things, and its differentiation between childhood adventurousness, comedy, and sadness meshed well.

Here are what other critics examined about this movie, click here. I suggest you watch the film and decide for yourself.

Jon&Kate+8?

It seemed like the whole class was shocked on Monday that Dr. Cressman had no idea about the latest scoop regarding Jon and Kate Gosselin and their adorable eight children. Everyone asked, "Dr. Cressman, where have you been?" As all others were shocked, I realized he is the only one who has his head turned in the right direction. He tweets, follows, reads, and understands the important things going on in today's society. I'm not saying that everyone who knows about the Jon&Kate scandal does not know about important facts, but our minds become cluttered with useless facts about this couple we will probably never meet.

See, Dr. Cressman follows hard news. Hard news is facts, formal topics that are the core of what we need to know in our daily lives. Jon&Kate is definitely soft news, which is entertainment news that deals with less formal and less serious topics. While both play their parts in this journalistic society, I personally believe hard news is more important.

Constantly keeping tabs on the couple's recent divorce, the lives of the children, and their potential significant others have no affect on our lives. Being updated on their lives do not make our lives better or easier. I feel hearing it would just save someone from their boredom and give them a laugh or two. I don't know about the rest of my class, but I do not feel satisfied or my day does not get better by just hearing what the Gosselin's family did that day.

So in the end, Dr. Cressman, you're not missing much. But if you're compelled to peek and see what you've missed, go nuts.

"You Haven't Lived Until You've Almost Died"

Brian Boyle of Maryland just graduated high school. Just when he thinks life is going smoothly, he becomes T-boned by a dump truck on his way home from swim practice. The impact knocked his heart across his chest, shattered his ribs and pelvis, and tore his spline. He was pried from the wreckage and air-evacuated. Multiple doctors told the family that he would not make it. But he survived, despite he was in a comatose state. He says, "I try to raise my arms, then legs, but I can’t move them. My head won’t budge either. I can’t blink or wiggle my fingers." His family was trying to be strong and couldn't believe their son's smooth road was coming to a dead end.

Miraculously, Brian pulled through and found the inner and outer strength to come out of his coma and start the rehabilitation process. He transgressed through all of his stages to where he was able to walk. Yet his journey did not stop there. Not only did he survive and prove the doctors wrong by walking and living a normal life, but he also trained and won the Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Iron Man Competition.

He stated in his interview that someone told him, "you haven't lived until you've almost died". That quotation is the centerpiece for all his accomplishments and his battle. He went above and beyond to live a large, healthier, happier life.

We should all try to live in his example. I'm not saying we should go get in a car accident and defy doctor's orders, but it shows that he found self-determination and motivation to pull out of some of life's biggest tests and trials. Here is the video link

Terrible Transforming Technology

As discussed today in class, we have come to know tons of technology forming over the years. The iPhone is the newest and latest craze this year. The iPhone and other forms of technology is growing and improving Apple's name, but I feel they harm society.

Looking back to 1850s, telephones weren't thought of. But in the 1870s, Alexander Graham Bell jump-started this idea that has not ceased to morph. People in those days communicated and went along daily with no iPhone applications, camera in their phone, or portable Twitter, just to name a few. In fact, if they heard all of those things we are connected to, they would probably be appalled and stunned that we have all this time to play around on our phones. They went along living happily by a simple telephone to merely call another person.

I feel our society has become selfish and always wanting something new to entertain ourselves. Teenagers who purchase cell phones think their phones are "lame" because it doesn't have a video camera or cannot log into the Internet at their every whim. It's ludicrous that we depend and rely on entertaining applications that we just keep paying more money for.

On the other hand, I know updating technology makes this world more beautiful. I understand that without technology our society wouldn't flourish. Improvement of technology is inevitable, but I just feel that we rely too much on it.

The Arizona Republic

I have traveled long and far, great distances, fast plains, from the distant town of Mesa, Arizona to this beautiful university. As Mesa is a vast and lengthy 600 miles away, I have been given the opportunity to follow one hometown media. I chose the Arizona Republic, the state's local newspaper. Unfortunately, I only have the chance to follow it online, and as I do, I notice some things I admire.

For one, I love how the Arizona Republic is very organized and simplistic. I believe people searching for topics that peak their interest will be available to them at a mouse click. It is very complicated and confusing when you have such clutter clouding you're monitor and you end up becoming overwhelmed. Being organized extremely helps readers. At the top of the webpage they have the categories you see in any ordinary newspaper. With one simple click you have all the breaking news stories in that category you picked.

Speaking of breaking stories, I believe the Arizona Republic is very timely and up-to-date, which is a key ingredient in a newspaper corporation. I guarantee the issues involved in the columns are important and valuable to Arizonians, whether it is the state or national level.

Unfortunately, every newspaper needs a little work. One flaw I can find is it is not edgy and eye-catching. There is nothing about the Arizona Republic that excites me to log into the website. It is very factual and to the point, but it is not vibrant and inviting.

I am a big advocate of the Arizona Republic because I had the opportunity to share my story of receiving a full ride gymnastics scholarship along side my single parent. It was published during my senior year of high school. Click here to see the article. You may say I'm biased for the Arizona Republic since I was in it, but as discussed, it has a lot to offer.

What is Journalism? Who is a Journalist?

As discussed in class, journalism is the only occupation that is discussed in the United States Constitution. With the right of free speech, journalism will always exist in this country. It is a way of society staying connected with each other and their recent news. Journalism plays a great role in America. How else will society know about current events happening in the next town or state over? How else will society know about changes made in their own city’s legislation? How else will society know Paris Hilton’s recent scandal? The list goes on, and journalism is about capturing the stories and revealing them to all who want to know. Also, journalism never has a day off. It is a 365-day job and 24-hour system that never sleeps. If it takes a break, it could miss out on an important lead. In plain terms, journalism is reporting timely facts and information on all levels for all citizens.

America needs journalists who are hungry to search for the truth and display it to society. Journalists need to have the love for writing and sending out information. They need to be honest, accurate, and timely. You certainly do not want to receive your information and find out that it is untruthful. Also, you want your information timely. You do not want to discover your information multiple days later. Journalists are here to find the relevant and interesting facts and let it be known. There are many types of journalists as well, and they can go into many different fields, such as broadcast, newspaper reporters, free-lance writers, bloggers, etc. Journalists are always needed in a democracy.