There were many different cases that I could have chosen for the libel assignment, however I kept coming upon a 2002 case, Murphy V. Boston Herald, which is a case where a Judge sued the Boston Herald and one of its reporters for "ruining his practice, his health, and malicious lies."
It does not sound very exciting because all of these are things that make a standard libel case, however it is the claims made by each side of the argument that make the case interesting. Murphy claims that the writer for the Herald, David Wedge didn't do enough research before reporting on him, even putting a piece on one issue's front page claiming that the judge told a 14-year-old rape victim to "get over it."
Gertz claims that he did his research, and his editor says that the paper stand behind him, and his ethics, saying that he is a good reporter and would not commit libel. Gertz also admitted when being questioned that he did not think of the impact that the printed article would have on the judge, his wife, or their five children.
In the end Murphy won, but it was a long case with many accusations.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Narrated Slide Show
While looking for a narrated slide show, I was able to find two that really worked for me, one was about the "renaissance of Columbia," which showed how Columbia was coming together to be a more mainstream place that would welcome visitors, however the one I chose was for a much farther destination.
The slide show that I picked was about the missions that Spirit and Opportunity did on Mars, and how the people on the team felt about the discoveries, and the hardships during the trip. It is narrated by Steve Squires, who was the scientific principle investigator for the Mars expedition.
I was really intrigued by this slide show because it had a lot of great images that rover took while on Mars, and it was narrated in a way that I could understand all of the technical terms, without him using huge words. The narration was very conversational, and he explained where the hardships and disappointments were, and what was a cause for celebration, and new discoveries.
It has many different pictures from the areas on Mars that they were able to survey, and although there is no sound from the mission, the different rocks, and textures, and explanations to their theories, and what they actually found makes it worth the watch, and does make up for lack of noise from Mars. By looking at the pictures, there really wouldn't have been much noise besides the machinery from earth, and a lot of static anyways!
You should really take a look at this!
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/mars/upclose.html
The slide show that I picked was about the missions that Spirit and Opportunity did on Mars, and how the people on the team felt about the discoveries, and the hardships during the trip. It is narrated by Steve Squires, who was the scientific principle investigator for the Mars expedition.
I was really intrigued by this slide show because it had a lot of great images that rover took while on Mars, and it was narrated in a way that I could understand all of the technical terms, without him using huge words. The narration was very conversational, and he explained where the hardships and disappointments were, and what was a cause for celebration, and new discoveries.
It has many different pictures from the areas on Mars that they were able to survey, and although there is no sound from the mission, the different rocks, and textures, and explanations to their theories, and what they actually found makes it worth the watch, and does make up for lack of noise from Mars. By looking at the pictures, there really wouldn't have been much noise besides the machinery from earth, and a lot of static anyways!
You should really take a look at this!
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/mars/upclose.html
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Quotes
Every journalist's dream is to get an interview with a person who loves to talk, and who is willing to talk. However, sometimes that seemingly perfect interview can turn out to be one with a lot of decisions. If the person isn't well spoken, or they have a certain accent, it then becomes the decision of the writer to decide what to do with the quotes.
On the one hand, if the person comes out sounding like they aren't well educated it would be tempting to change the quote, however if it would help the readers relate to that person, or get a better understanding of the person then I would leave it.
In general I would try to avoid using a quote that made me think about changing it and paraphrase instead.
If I was left with no other choice, then it would depend on what type of story I was writing, and what the policies of my publisher are. There are many situations that could arise, and if I did change a quote then I would make sure that it was just to clarify the meaning, not to take away from it, or change it.
Usually the most I change a quote, is by adding [] with a word or title that helps the reader understand the rest of the quote.
On the one hand, if the person comes out sounding like they aren't well educated it would be tempting to change the quote, however if it would help the readers relate to that person, or get a better understanding of the person then I would leave it.
In general I would try to avoid using a quote that made me think about changing it and paraphrase instead.
If I was left with no other choice, then it would depend on what type of story I was writing, and what the policies of my publisher are. There are many situations that could arise, and if I did change a quote then I would make sure that it was just to clarify the meaning, not to take away from it, or change it.
Usually the most I change a quote, is by adding [] with a word or title that helps the reader understand the rest of the quote.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
anecdotal/narrative lead
"It's 9 a.m. at Troy High School, and 85 students are jammed into a room with cymbals crashing, clarinets chirping, violins buzzing and trombones rumbling."
<www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-02-18-teacher-macnair_N.htm>
I think the writer chose to use a narrative lead with this story because it provides a look into the person that Alan MacNair is, and how much he really does influence the students. If the writer had started the article with something about how he was named one of the twenty teachers, there would be less people that would read through the whole thing. Starting it with a large amount of students in one classroom and then the image of instruments and the sounds that they make is a way to draw in the reader.
Nut Graf:
MacNair, 56, who is one of 20 teachers named to USA TODAY's 2007 All-USA Teacher Team, brings loads of credible experience to the high school of 2,000 students. He's played with the Boston Pops and the Detroit Symphony and under Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa and Leopold Strokowski. But he found his true joy in teaching.
Although the nut graf is rather late in the article, I think it works for this specific article because it is not a hard news story, in the sense that there was a tragedy or Presidential Election, however it is rewarding the accomplishments of a dedicated teacher. Having student testimony at the top and then getting into why he is getting the award, and what exactly he has accomplished works for this situation.
I think this was a very good article overall, and it sounds like this teacher was very deserving of this recognition, and he has done a lot to better the life for the students that he works with.
<www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-02-18-teacher-macnair_N.htm>
I think the writer chose to use a narrative lead with this story because it provides a look into the person that Alan MacNair is, and how much he really does influence the students. If the writer had started the article with something about how he was named one of the twenty teachers, there would be less people that would read through the whole thing. Starting it with a large amount of students in one classroom and then the image of instruments and the sounds that they make is a way to draw in the reader.
Nut Graf:
MacNair, 56, who is one of 20 teachers named to USA TODAY's 2007 All-USA Teacher Team, brings loads of credible experience to the high school of 2,000 students. He's played with the Boston Pops and the Detroit Symphony and under Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa and Leopold Strokowski. But he found his true joy in teaching.
Although the nut graf is rather late in the article, I think it works for this specific article because it is not a hard news story, in the sense that there was a tragedy or Presidential Election, however it is rewarding the accomplishments of a dedicated teacher. Having student testimony at the top and then getting into why he is getting the award, and what exactly he has accomplished works for this situation.
I think this was a very good article overall, and it sounds like this teacher was very deserving of this recognition, and he has done a lot to better the life for the students that he works with.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Reaction to Interview
I read the interview that Steve wrote about me and I really liked it. I thought he did a good job of putting out the information that he got from me during the interview. Of course I felt bad that I posted my Url so late, and he wasn't able to look at it sooner, but I hope that now he can!
As far as reading something about myself, well that was honestly a bit weird, because I usually am the one writing about other people and events, so it was quite a difference to see my name in print, when the writing was about me.
The process itself was fun because I got to know a little bit more about Steve and practice my interviewing skills at the same time!
I also think that he did a good job of interviewing, and I also noticed how different it is to be the interviewer rather than the interviewee.
As far as reading something about myself, well that was honestly a bit weird, because I usually am the one writing about other people and events, so it was quite a difference to see my name in print, when the writing was about me.
The process itself was fun because I got to know a little bit more about Steve and practice my interviewing skills at the same time!
I also think that he did a good job of interviewing, and I also noticed how different it is to be the interviewer rather than the interviewee.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Steve Perotti
Steve Perotti is an English major at Skyline College, and is currently enrolled in Journalism 120 because he is considering changing his major.
Perotti is attending Skyline so that he can finish his general education and transfer to San Francisco State University.
Perotti, a graduate of Capuchino High School, said that it was his English teacher, Francisco Pepin, during his junior year in high school that changed his views on English.
“We were doing a lot of poetry in that class, and by the end of the semester I was in love with it,” Perotti said.
Although he likes writing in general Perotti says that he is more of a poet than a writer.
Outside of school Perotti enjoys writing, music, going to the gym, and martial arts, especially Jiu-Jitsu.
He especially enjoys Heavy Metal and says that at the moment VNV Nation is a favorite of his.
“Being a poet and traveling around the world is my ultimate goal,” Perotti said. “I want to live in Japan and write about it.”
Japan is not just a random place that he picked on a map, but a culture that Perotti has much interest in learning about.
A full-time student right now Perotti is working towards finishing school and getting one step closer to attaining his dream of traveling and writing.
Perotti is attending Skyline so that he can finish his general education and transfer to San Francisco State University.
Perotti, a graduate of Capuchino High School, said that it was his English teacher, Francisco Pepin, during his junior year in high school that changed his views on English.
“We were doing a lot of poetry in that class, and by the end of the semester I was in love with it,” Perotti said.
Although he likes writing in general Perotti says that he is more of a poet than a writer.
Outside of school Perotti enjoys writing, music, going to the gym, and martial arts, especially Jiu-Jitsu.
He especially enjoys Heavy Metal and says that at the moment VNV Nation is a favorite of his.
“Being a poet and traveling around the world is my ultimate goal,” Perotti said. “I want to live in Japan and write about it.”
Japan is not just a random place that he picked on a map, but a culture that Perotti has much interest in learning about.
A full-time student right now Perotti is working towards finishing school and getting one step closer to attaining his dream of traveling and writing.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Hi!
Hi, I'm Jenn and this is my blog now!!
I am a full-time student at Skyline College, and my major is Journalism. I am taking this class to learn about News writing and multi-media skills that will be needed out on the workforce.
I took Journalism one year in high school, and although it was fun, it was nothing like being on staff here at Skyline.
I have attended two JACC meetings since getting involved in Journalism and I think I have finally found what I want to do. This semester I plan on attending two conferences for college journalists, and hopefully getting to learn new things!
I am a full-time student at Skyline College, and my major is Journalism. I am taking this class to learn about News writing and multi-media skills that will be needed out on the workforce.
I took Journalism one year in high school, and although it was fun, it was nothing like being on staff here at Skyline.
I have attended two JACC meetings since getting involved in Journalism and I think I have finally found what I want to do. This semester I plan on attending two conferences for college journalists, and hopefully getting to learn new things!
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