J's Blog

JOUR 61: Final

2008-05-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

A recent lawsuit filed against Rachel Ehrenfeld demonstrated the huge difference between American and British libel law and looks set to dramatically alter how libel cases will be settled in the future. Ehrenfeld, a New York resident, was sued by Arab businessman Khalid Salim a Bin Mahfouz, for alleged false allegations of his links to Al Quaeda in Ehrenfeld’s 2003 book "Funding Evil: How Terrorism is Funded and How to Stop It". The controversy in the case is that Bin Mahfouz filed the lawsuit in the courts of the United Kingdom, taking advantage of their pro-plaintiff defamation laws. This practice has become common place in recent years, but Ehrenfeld’s refusal to accept the ruling against her means that this “libel tourism” may be coming to an end.
Libel is defined as printed material which causes injury to reputation. In the U.S., in order for a plaintiff to succeed in a claim for libel they must prove that the defamatory statement was published with the requisite degree of “fault”.[i] It is in this point where the discrepancy between U.S. and British libel law exists. Beginning with the New York Times Co v. Sullivan case in 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court embarked on a path of cementing the First Amendment rights of the media; by requiring that plaintiff’s prove that the defendant demonstrated knowledge that what was printed was false or that they displayed less than adequate care in determining whether it was true.
This extra burden of proof is not placed upon the Plaintiff in U.K. law and it is for this reason that a trend has emerged of plaintiffs choosing to file lawsuits for libel in the U.K., as opposed to the U.S., wherever possible, even when U.S. courts have a much stronger claim to the case.
This was the case with the suit filed against Ehrenfeld. She asserts that her book was only intended for the U.S. market; indeed only 23 copies were sold in the U.K. This did not stop Bin Mahfouz filing and prevailing in a suit in the U.K. courts, claiming his reputation was damaged there. Ehrenfeld, who failed to appear in the court proceedings in the U.K. refused to accept this verdict and turned to the New York courts, questioning Bin Mahfouz’s ability to enforce the decision in the U.S. This eventually led to New York Gov. David Patterson signing the Libel Terrorism Protection Act. This legislation provides significant protection to New York residents who have libel suits filed against them overseas. The expectation is that this bill will set a precedent that other States will surely follow.
This is certainly a very controversial issue. Having this bill in place allows American journalists to continue to pursue investigative journalism – a field which must be preserved – without the fear of a lawsuit being brought against them in another country, under completely different laws. Furthermore, should individuals such as Bin Mahfouz be allowed to take advantage of laws in the U.K. despite the fact that the U.S. has a much stronger interest in the case? However, in passing this bill, New York is effectively granting themselves authority to overturn decisions passed in the courts of another country. At a time when the U.S. is repeatedly accused of trying to impose their ideals throughout the globe, is this a smart move? The problem here is one of having regional laws governing what is now a global marketplace. Ehrenfeld’s book was not marketed in the U.K.; the 23 copies were sold over the Internet. The Internet makes it possible for content intended for an audience in one country to become distributed across the globe, with no intentionality on the part of the author. The author can surely not be held responsible for ensuring that their published material is in line with libel law in every country where it may conceivably be distributed. At the same time, it is politically amiss for one country’s courts to simply overrule the decisions of another’s. Based on this, I would agree with the resolution proposed by Julie Hilden; that an agreement should be reached between nations, deferring libel cases to the courts of the country which holds greater interest in the case.[ii] However, is this fare on the plaintiff? While many more copies of a book or article may be distributed in the U.S., it is still very much possible for the plaintiff’s reputation to be considerably damaged in the U.K. Are they not entitled to protection, therefore, under U.K. law? I don’t believe, at this time, that there is a resolution that is completely fair for everyone involved. Until there are global courts to match the global marketplace, this may be the best one available.

[i] Goldstein, p.354

[ii] Hilden, 2007

Bibliography

Glodstein, N (Ed.). (2007). The Associated Press Style Book 2007. New York, NY: The Associated Press.

Hilden, J (2007, Dec, 24). The Ehrenfeld/Mahfouz case: How "Libel Tourism" undermines the First Amendment and, in the internet age, compels an international solution . Find Law, Retrieved May 17, 2008, from http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hilden/20071224.html

MCOM 63: Social Media Experiment

2008-05-17T17:23:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the lateness of this post.

The social media site I looked into was MySpace. This seems to be by far the most popular social media site and for years now I have been asked the question, "why don't you have a MySpace?", like there was something wrong with me for not having an account. The answer I've always given is that is seems like a lot of work to get your page set up looking how you want it to look and then even more work keeping it up-to-date. I was sure that, although it may seem fun at first, I would not have the commitment required for a MySpace account.

Like I expected, it was quite tricky setting my page how I wanted it, despite using one of the many sites that assists you with this. I was delighted though, to get a music player up on my page. I was able to select from a large catalogue of songs to put on my player and could show the world some of my favorite tracks. This was certainly the feature I enjoyed the most. It was fun too, hunting down some of those people who, down the years, had badgered me to sign up for MySpace and letting them know that I was on board.

However, my inclinations about MySpace have been proven correct. After a week or so I began to lose enthusiasm for my page. Changing my music selection and seeing what everyone was getting up to had lost its initial glamor. So, while MySpace may have a lot of great innovative features, it just requires too much commitment for me i'm afraid. I'll stick to Facebook.

JOUR 61: Magazine Project - Movie Review

2008-05-17T17:16:00.000-07:00

Info Box:

Standard Operating Procedure

Grade: B-

Director: Errol Morris

Cast: Lyndie England

Sabrina Harman

General Janis Karpinski

Running time: 1 hour, 58 minutes

Released: Out Now

Main Text:

In 2004, pictures depicting abuse and torture of Iraqi prisoners held in Abu Ghraib prison, caused widespread embarrassment for the United States’ political and military leaders and brought condemnation upon those featured in the images
Standard Operating Procedure attempts to uncover the stories beyond the frames of the photographs. The film is the latest work by renowned documentary film maker Errol Morris, who has previously tackled topics such as a wrongly a convicted murderer – The Thin Blue Line – and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara – Fog of War.
The photographs provide a rich body of material for which to base this film around. Many of these images are shocking to observe. They depict such events as prisoners being forced to simulate sexual acts and soldiers joyfully posing with dead prisoners – killed as the result of torture.
The photos themselves paint a damming portrait of those involved. However, Morris encourages the audience to see the dangers of using photographs as a primary source of evidence. He features extensive interviews with some of the main protagonists in the scandal. These interviews depict those featured as naïve and in way over their heads, rather than cruel and malicious.
One of those interviewed, Lynndie England, who appeared in many of the publicized images and thus received much of the condemnation for the affair, is painted in a different light here. She reveals how she was coerced into taking and posing in photos by Specialist Charles Graner, who at that time she was infatuated with.
Sabrina Harman, who in one picture is shown, smiling with thumbs up over a dead Iraqi body, is also featured. Along with being interviewed, letters she wrote home to her wife are also dramatically depicted. These letters are used to back-up her claims that she took the photographs as a means of exposing those involved in the mistreatment.
Along with the photographs and interviews, Morris also features striking reconstructions and a dramatic score, penned by Danny Elfman. For the most part these features help the audience to appreciate what a hugely unsettling place Abu Ghraib was to be in. However, at times this drama is overplayed. The slow motion reconstructing of certain events begins to make you feel like the drama is being forced upon you. Elfman’s score which plays through much of the film also begins to irritate and reinforces the sense of constructed tension. The material featured in this documentary is more than powerful enough to stand alone without these added effects.
The angle of the movie is clear, especially when it is revealed that no one higher in rank than staff sergeant has been convicted for their role in the scandal. He aims to show that those who received all the media attention because of their presence in the photos have been made scapegoats, covering up for the large scale negligence and highly questionable methods of those controlling U.S. policy in Iraq.
Morris does an excellent job as interviewer in getting these people to talk openly and reveal the shocking truths of what went on in Abu Ghraib. That said, one is left with the feeling that those interviewed, England in particular, fail to accept responsibility for their role in the events.
Despite some notable flaws, Standard Operating Procedure is a valuable contribution to exposing the ills in this country’s armed forces. A film I would advise everyone to take a look at.

JOUR 61: Magazine Project - Broadcast segment

2008-05-17T17:10:00.000-07:00

Click here to listen to the podcast.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE, THE LATEST FILM BY RENOWNED DOCUMENTARIAN ERROL MORRIS, ATTEMPTS TO UNCOVER THE STORY BEHIND THE SCANDAL OF ABUSE AND TORTURE BY U.S. SOLDIERS AT IRAQ’S ABU GHRAIB PRISON.

IN THE INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED WITH MANY OF THOSE WHO FEATURED IN THE PHOTOS DEPICTING THE ABUSES, MORRIS GETS THEM TO REVEAL THE HORRIBLE REALITIES OF WHAT WENT ON IN ABU GHRAIB. THOSE INTERVIEWED, HOWEVER, ARE LARGELY SHOWN TO BE YOUNG AND NAÏVE, RATHER THAN CRUEL AND MALICIOUS.

THE MOVIE INSTEAD POINTS THE FINGER FOR THE SCANDAL AT THOSE IN COMMAND OF THESE SOLDIERS, FOR ALLOWING THEIR IMMORAL ACTIONS TO BECOME WIDESPREAD WITHIN THE PRISON.

ONE CANNOT HELP BUT FEEL THAT THOSE WHO APPEAR IN THIS MOVIE GET OFF TOO LIGHLTY, FAILING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS.

THAT SAID, STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE DOES A VERY CREDIBLE JOB OF EXPOSING THE ILLS WITHIN THE U.S. MILITARY.

HOWEVER, IT IS TARNISHED BY ITS OVERLY THEATRICAL RECONSTRUCTIONS AND SCORE, WHICH MAKES THE DRAMA SEEM RATHER FORCED UPON YOU AT TIMES.

DESPITE THESE DRAWBACKS THE FILM IS ONE I WOULD STILL RECOMMEND SEEING. I GIVE IT A B MINUS.

MCOM 63: Weekly Blog Post

2008-05-12T23:57:00.000-07:00

Being British I am an avid follower of football (soccer). I recently came across a story about a lower division soccer team in England that is being run in a most unique way. Ebbsfleet United were taken over earlier this year by a web based fans group. The group, myfootballclub, requires each member to put forward $70 as a fee and with this they become a stakeholder in the club. The group currently has over 50,000 members across the globe. The venture started last year as a way of allowing fans to have a greater say in the running of a club. The members then voted on a team to takeover, bearing in mind the finances that were available to them.

The team does not have a manager, but instead a head coach, with members voting on team selection and the buying and selling of players. Members also act as scouts, recommending players they know for the club to purchase. This is one reason why they encourage international members. The web site is the hub of the football club and it is very interactive. There is a huge forum for members to give their views and also podcasts posted by members.

This is a very innovative experiment in running a sports team. It will be very interesting to see how this progresses; how large the membership base grows to and how successful the team becomes. A few days a go they won a trophy which bodes well for the future. If this venture works out, then with the Internet providing more and more opportunities for this kind of interaction, this form of sports team ownership could become more and more common.

MCOM 63: Reflective Writing Assignment -- Checking In

2008-05-12T23:21:00.000-07:00

My multimedia project is now nearing completion. I have learned a lot more about dreamweaver. In particular, I have been discovering how html code works, which templates are the best to use and how o edit these templates to fit my needs. It is quite an exhausting process creating so many different web pages for each link that I have on my main page. One problem I have encountered is changing the background of the pages. I would like to have my own background, but it appears that doing so and editing all the code will be more trouble than it is worth at this stage. However, I am also enjoying the process and am pleased at what I am accomplishing. It is very rewarding to know that I am now capable of creating my own web page and it is a skill I will like to utilize and develop in the future. I would also like to further develop this site for the Clef Hangers group and hope that it is something that they can use officially and I can pass it on to them at some stage.

What I am doing now is sorting out the hundreds of photos that I have and deciding how many and which ones I will put on the site. Also, how to organize them on the site. Another part I am still working on is putting the audio I have on my page. I have an audio recording of the group and I hope to be able to use this. I am optimistic that this will be accomplished and I will have the web page that I envisioned at the start of the project.

JOUR 61: Topical Post 4

2008-05-10T17:09:00.000-07:00

The astonishing crimes of Josef Fritzel have resulted in an incredible feeling of disbelief in Austria and around the world. Now as the dust is settling, the question needs to turn to how could something so horrific be allowed to happen? How was a man able to imprison his daughter in a cellar for 24 years, raping her and fathering her seven children? In answering this question, the state of the community where this crime took place must be given the same attention as the competence of the authorities.

Any criticisms of the break down in the community of the small Austrian town of Amstetten, can very easily be applied to any number of communities in this country. We’ve all heard stories from our elders of how, back in their day they would never lock their door, such was the comfort they felt living in their neighborhood. Sure, there may be a degree of nostalgia in this, but the wider point concerning community values over the past few decades is very apt. How much do you know about your neighbors? If you’re anything like me then the answer is not a lot. We are so consumed by our work and our own lives that we don’t spend the time taking part in the communities that we are all a part of. So, should you really be surprised if – like the citizens of Amstetten – you wake up one day to find your quiet street has become the scene of a police and media scrum investigating a similarly horrific crime?

JOUR 61: Online Writing Exercise 1

2008-05-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

For this exercise I used the BBC News website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/

a) Do the news items reflect immediacy?

They certainly do. Every page, home page and articles, have the exact time and date that the page was last updated. This allows the user to appreciate the immediacy of the news they are receiving.

b) Does the site try to help readers save time?

Yes. The home page is structured nicely in to different sections; such as sport, features and the major stories from different parts of the world.

c) Is it quick and easy to get information?

As mentioned, the home page is structured in such a way that getting the content you want is fairly simple. Furthermore, the link bars down the left of the screen also enable the user to easily navigate to the content that they desire.

d) Does it provide both visual and verbal information?

The main stories on the home page are accompanied by a small image and each individual story has at least one image – often more – accompanying the text.

e) Do the stories contain lists and bullets to make them easier to scan?

Only a small minority of stories contain lists and bullets to accompany their stories.

f) Are the stories broken into “chunks”?

Yes. There is a clear beginning “chunk” to each story which encompasses the essential information to the story. If the user were just to read this first “chunk”, then they would gain a basic understanding of the story. The remainder of an article’s content is also divided into “chunks”, separated by emboldened subheadings.

g) Do stories provide hyperlinks to additional information?

This is one of the best features of the BBC News website. Every story is accompanied by links to the most recent related stories on the right side of the article. Through this, the user is able to trace back through the entire history of a story as reported by the BBC. Furthermore, articles are also accompanied by links to relevant external sites.

h) Are there opportunities for readers to "talk back"?

There is a “have your say” link accessible from any page. From here the user can comment on certain stories. Some stories also have a section at the end where users with personal experience of the story can send in their opinions and also their own pictures and videos as well. The best use of user feedback though comes with sports stories, where there is an active forum for debate on many of the articles.

i) Does the site use multimedia to enhance understanding and add appeal?

This is another area where I think the BBC News website excels. Recently the website has begun including video links with many of their stories. The videos – showing news reports, interviews, or simply footage of the event that the text is describing – are included in the heart of the text of an article and simply need to be clicked to view. There are also video and audio links to the BBC’s news bulletins.

JOUR 61: Ethics

2008-05-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

Scenario 1

It would be wrong to take the documents – this is theft. Given the magnitude of this story I would sneak a peek at the documents on her desk while she is gone. This may be ethically wrong but I think that the benefits would outweigh the harm in this case if the information is incriminating.

Scenario 2

This would be classed as deception and this is ethically wrong. Personally I feel that there is nothing wrong with undercover reporting in this scenario. If the nursing home has nothing to hide then they have nothing to worry about. If conditions are substandard then I would feel a duty to inform the public of this.

Scenario 3

This is a simple one; you have to credit any source you use in your story whether it is from print, on a web site or any other type of source. Not to do so would be plagiarism – taking credit from someone else’s work – and this is ethically wrong. Not to mention that it would also leave you open to legal action.

Article Libel Editing

The professor’s name should be removed from the article. If he is not identified in the story then there is no case for libel. The story is also crafted with bias. The bulk of the article is taken up with the student’s views and quotes, with only a brief comment about the professor’s response. The comment about the professor threatening the newspaper with libel should also be omitted. By including this it appears as if the writer is in support of the student; he/she wants to report this “crime”, regardless of the harm it does to the professor.

JOUR 61: Topical Post 3

2008-05-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

I cannot recall a public discourse as one-sided as that over the issue of China and Tibet. The recent protests in Tibet, handled strong-handedly by the Chinese government, has re-ignited the decades old debate over China’s rule over the Tibetan region. Yet, the debate has been framed almost entirely from the point of view of the Tibetans seeking autonomy. Very little has been said about China’s perspective.

I am not taking a stance on this debate; my point is simply that the media has a responsibility to present a debate from both sides. There were thousands of people protesting in San Francisco during the Olympic torch relay for a “Free Tibet”. How many of these people know any more about Tibet than what the majority of this nation’s media have been expelling in recent weeks; that China is the big bad bully, who has ridden into Tibet, denying them independence and culturally oppressing them? How many know that the area of Tibet has never been independent from China? Or, that before China re-claimed autonomy in Tibet, in 1951, that ninety five percent of the population was hereditary serfs and slaves; that ninety five percent of the population was illiterate; that the average life expectancy was thirty-six years? And how many of these people know that China has since invested billons of dollars in Tibet, modernizing the area and providing the Tibetan people with an exponentially higher standard of living? Of course this is only one-side of the story, to find the other side you need not look far.

Jason Le Miere

MCOM 63: Weekly Blog Post

2008-04-29T01:34:00.000-07:00

Not sure if this relates directly to the theme of these posts, but I thought it was very interesting. I read an article on BBC online claiming that a group which investigates war crimes, The War Crimes Watch List, is using social network site Facebook to track two men responsible for crimes in Darfur. This is a way of using these sites that I had not heard of before. In the article is a quote from Nick Donovan from the Aegis Trust who are behind the Watch List, "Wanted posters can only be seen by a few hundred people at most - the internet is used by billions." This is a very good point and it almost seems strange that this idea has not been utilized more extensively before. Certainly, this idea has possibilities far beyond this case.
The Internet and social networking sites in particular could be used for finding missing children, for example. Police should be given the means to send out a photo and information to the inbox, or bulletin board of every registered user in the area where the child has gone missing. I don't think anyone could question that this would be far more effective than the age old method of putting a child's face on a milk carton. It is one huge advantage to having such a large proportion of the population connected through an interactive medium, such as Facebook.

Read the article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7367634.stm

JOUR 61: Topical Post #2

2008-04-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

In this country there was a founding belief that there should be a separation of church and state. Government funding of health education programs in schools that promote sexual abstinence until marriage would seem to fly in the face of that.

Of course, sexually transmitted diseases would be dramatically reduced if everyone were to abide by the Catholic rhetoric of abstaining from sex until wedlock. However, this is not a practical solution to the problem. We have to realize that teenagers today have sex; Planned Parenthood has estimated that two thirds of teenagers will have had sexual intercourse by the time they leave high school. The question is not how to stop them from having sex, but how to best ensure that they engage in safe sex. The government’s job isn’t to make moral judgments on the issue. Rather, it is their responsibility to provide young people with the education necessary to make mature, sensible decisions about sex.

America’s leading health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recently revealed that one in four teenage girls have a sexually transmitted disease. This statistic has sparked an investigation by Congress into funding of the abstinence program. There can be no debate. Resources must stop being wasted on promoting this outdated, religion driven lifestyle choice and instead spent in a way that deals with the realities of today.

Piece inspired and facts garnered from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7368219.stm

JOUR 61: Focus Story

2008-04-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

With the ball carrier hurtling towards him, Pete Stenhoff, a high school junior, charges towards the boy to make a tackle. This, though, will be the last tackle Stenhoff ever makes. His head careers into the ball carriers chest, cracking vertebrae in his spine. The 16-year-old will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

“I knew the risks involved when I decided to play football,” says Stenhoff, ‘I wish I would have known just how bad it could be.”

Unfortunately, this is a reality that is far too common for those who take part in high school football. There are 20,000 injuries each year at this level of the sport, 12 percent of which leave the victim permanently disabled. Thirty-five percent of injuries occurred to the head or neck. A large number of critics blame these statistics on the helmets used.

JOUR 61: Find that Lead

2008-04-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

Both of my leads come from the April 25 edition of the San Jose Mercury News.

This first one is a Direct Address Lead:
"Angry about the price of gas? Just imagine paying for gas you don't get." (3E)

The second one is a anecdotal lead:
"Milan Michalek always is the last Shrak to leave the ice after pregame warmups. As the lights dim, Michalek still will be skating slowly, firing pucks into an empty net." (1C)

MCOM 63: Weekly Blog Post

2008-04-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

The subject for my blog post this week comes from some articles I read in the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine. The magazine had a lot of news about how online technology is changing the face of the music industry; in particular how music is distributed. Over the last year or so some major artists have been dispensing with their record companies and distributing their music more directly to their fans. In the past artists have often bemoaned the level of control their record companies had over them; in areas such as creative control, royalties and album prices. However, in the past there was never a viable alternative for the artists. They needed the distribution and promotional power of the record companies.

That was before the advent of digital music and the ability to distribute music online. In the past year Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails have all done away with their major labels and released music directly to fans via their website. They both made substantially more money than they would have done on a major label. Nine Inch Nails made more in a week than they have in total to date from their last album released on their major label. Radiohead went a step further by allowing their fans to decide how much they wished to pay for the album. Despite this, the band has still made $5 million.

Whilst Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead are major artists with established fan bases, this method of distribution is also now viable for emerging artists. Community sites like Myspace mean that an artist’s music can spread quickly over large geographical areas.

The result of this is that the record companies no longer hold all the cards. If they are to remain powerful in the music industry then they are going to have to make some serious adaptations to the new media world we now live in.

MCOM 63: Reflective Writing Assignment 1

2008-04-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

I am very much looking forward to completing this project. My desired result of having a web page with links to videos, podcasts and photos is one that I am very eager to achieve. To know that I am able do something like that, something that before taking this class I didn’t have any idea of how to do, will be very rewarding. The project is different from in-class labs in that it involves an ongoing process with individual discipline and time management required. I feel that I am adequately equipped to deal with this.

I already have the majority of the material required for the project. I am intending to use the video segment I used for my video project, with a few minor alterations and I have the photos that I intend to use. The only thing I still need to get is my podcast interviews, which I will be doing tomorrow. The main work I need to do is on designing my web page. I intend to do some more experimenting on Dreamweaver first before I decide on a layout for my web page based on what I feel I am able to achieve and what is most suitable for my project.

JOUR 61: Topical Blog Post 1

2008-04-21T01:24:00.000-07:00

The San Francisco Mayor may feel that the Olympic torch relay through the city was a success, but the truth is there were no winners. The purpose of the torch relay is to demonstrate the magic and history of the word’s greatest sporting event and also to showcase the city that the torch is traveling through. Of course, on this occasion there were extra interests involved. The Chinese government intended on the entire Olympic experience acting as one big Public Relations campaign for the “New China”. Then there were those who intended on using the event to inform the world of the “truth” behind China’s P.R.

None of these groups got out of the event what they would have liked. Perhaps the people we should feel most sympathy for are those people who went and got their spot on the road side hours before the event in order to simply catch a glimpse of one of the world’s great symbols. For many it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The question now is whether the subsequent cities on the torch’s journey will follow San Francisco’s example. If they do, then the best thing for everyone involved is to extinguish the flame and put the torch on the next flight back to Beijing.

JOUR 61: Magazine

2008-04-21T01:19:00.000-07:00

The magazine that I’m going to discuss is Rolling Stone. The magazine has been running for over 40 years and is the bottom line in pop culture. The main target group of the magazine is young people, however not exclusively so. The content is primarily focused on music. They have regular interviews with some of the biggest names in music and include news on the industry and reviews of the latest releases. Whilst many of the artists featured are those popular among the 18-30 generation they also heavily feature artists that are favored by the older generation, such as the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.

As well as music, Rolling Stone also covers movies, television and current affairs. The current affairs section is written in a way that is accessible to younger people who perhaps are not regular readers of political news in newspapers. Furthermore, the current affairs articles are certainly left leaning in their content and often focus on issues that will be of concern to the youth.

Today, the magazine focuses very much on the mainstream culture. In the earlier days it was more on the cutting edge of popular culture and getting on the cover of Rolling Stone was something that was highly revered. Some of the aura of the magazine has definitely disappeared since those times. However, I still enjoy it because of the cross section of popular culture that they cover and some of the interviews and features they have. I also think they do an excellent job of reporting and explaining the latest news within the music industry. This is very relevant at the moment because of how new media is currently changing the entire fabric of the business.

MCOM 163: Video Project

2008-04-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

Here is my final video project. My project was on the Clef Hangers choir group.
To start off with a whole load of footage and then to be able to make it into a smoothly running movie was a very rewarding experience. I did not encounter too many problems along the way. The main issue I had was trimming the clips as perfect as possible to make sure the video flowed. I already had sound on the clips which I wanted to use, so I did not have to add in extra sound. I considered adding in sound to the titles at the beginning, but I decided to leave to make it more dramatic when the original sound from the clips comes in.
I definitely feel more competent at creating movies now than I did before making this movie. In the future, I will approach making movies with enthusiasm at the possibilities available, rather than with trepidation.

Click on the image or the link below to view the movie.

www.jmc.sjsu.edu/student/mcom63/lemiere/movieproject.mov

JOUR 61: Test Yourself

2008-04-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

This week we were required to test our journalistic abilities.

I scored 28 out of 30 on the “Got what it takes to be a reporter” test, which is high. I think the questions on the quiz were certainly relevant to the basic skills and tendencies needed to become a reporter. To get a good score on this quiz is obviously very reassuring , as that is a career which I desire. I feel I have the basic ingredients to be a reporter and this test backs that up. However, it is going to take a lot of hard work and talent to make that come to fruition.

The next test required analysis of a recent example of my writing. This is what I used:

"The catalogue of programs available to users via the BBC’s iPlayer is currently far greater than any of its competitors. However, the BBC’s television programs are for the moment only available to users in the United Kingdom, although the BBC they are working to provide an international version. PBS also offers some of its programs in full online. Other media outlets such as CNN and MSNBC only offer clips of their shows. If the BBC provides international access to their shows then they will be clear at the head of this new online television revolution."

The test wanted to know the average amount of words I used per sentence, which was 19.2, and also how many "hard" words (words with 3 syllables or more) I used, which was 12. This gave me a FOG index score of 12.4.

My score is above the recommended 7 or 8. This doesn’t altogether surprise me as I am aware that I tend to make my sentences a little long. This is something I have been trying to work on of late and I certainly to keep doing that. As for the number of hard words used, it is something that I haven’t considered too much previously. In my future writing I will also pay attention to ensuring that I don’t use them excessively.

JOUR 61: Broadcast Project

2008-04-12T16:36:00.000-07:00

AFTER THE CONTROVERSIES OF A WEEK AGO, THE SAN JOSE CITY COUNCIL ENJOYED A MORE RELAXING DAY IN THE CHAMBERS TODAY.

THE MAIN ISSUE ON THE AGENDA WAS THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT OF THE AIRPORT WEST AREA. THIS INCLUDED THE PROPOSAL FOR A SOCCER STADIUM TO HOUSE THE RECENTLY RETURNED SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER FRANCHISE. THE DEVELOPMENT WOULD SEE THE EARTHQUAKES OWNER LEW WOLFF FUND THE BUILDING OF THE STADIUM. IN RETURN THE CITY GOVERNMENT WOULD REZONE AN AREA OF LAND DESIGNATED FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT TO HOUSING INSTEAD.

WHETHER THE SOCCER STADIUM WILL RAKE IN ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER THE LOSS IN TAXES FROM THE INDUSTRIAL AREA IS THE DEBATABLE POINT. THE INITIAL FINANCIAL REPORTS EXCLAIMING THE VIRTUES OF THE STADIUM WERE ACCEPTED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE COUNCIL. HOWEVER, VICE-MAYOR CORTESE ADDED A WORD OF CAUTION. HE URGED PLANNERS TO FORMULATE BACK-UP PLANS IN CASE THE STADIUM SITE DOESN’T WORK OUT.

Click here for Podcast.

MCOM 63: Weekly Blog Post

2008-04-08T02:48:00.000-07:00

The BBC recently moved to the head of the new online media age by putting almost all of its output online.

BBC workers and private media companies have been openly unhappy about this move. The workers are upset because 2,500 jobs have been cut, particularly in the news and television divisions. Director-General mark Thompson decided to handle the BBC’s budget cut by cutting funds to these departments in order to focus on online ventures. Private media companies are also upset because they feel the BBC have an unfair advantage in the online world because they are not beholden on advertisers. The BBC does not have the same problem of loosing out on advertising revenue because their financing comes from license fees and not advertising.

The pros of going online are that the channel’s content is more accessible. People who are unable to view the program via the conventional television method now have the option of watching online at their convenience. Furthermore, as we move more and more in to the online age, where people spend greater portions of their day online, the chances of people coming across and finding time to watch a station’s program are increased. The main downside to moving a channel’s content online is the loss of revenue from television. If people are able to watch a program at their convenience online, it decreases the value of advertising on television, thereby cutting reducing revenue to the media companies.

The catalogue of programs available to users via the BBC’s iPlayer is currently far greater than any of its competitors. However, the BBC’s television programs are for the moment only available to users in the United Kingdom, although the BBC they are working to provide an international version. PBS also offers some of its programs in full online. Other media outlets such as CNN and MSNBC only offer clips of their shows. If the BBC provides international access to their shows then they will be clear at the head of this new online television revolution.

JOUR 61: Broadcast Style Exercise

2008-03-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

NORTHWEST AIRLINES ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT IS CUTTING ITS DOMESTIC FARES BY UP TO 40 PERCENT FOR HOLIDAY TRAVELERS.

FRANK DEWITT, CEO OF NORTHWEST AIRLINES SAID THEY CONSIDERED IT A HOLIDAY GIFT TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.

TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY FRIDAY FOR TRAVEL BETWEEN NOVEMBER 12 AND JANUARY 14 IN THE LOWER 48 STATES, ALASKA AND CANADA.

DISCOUNTS VARY DEPENDING ON TRAVEL DATES AND ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON CERTAIN POPULAR DAYS, INCLUDING NOVEMBER 23, NOVEMBER 26, DECEMBER 23 AND DECEMBER 26.

WITH THE DISCOUNTED, NON-REFUNDABLE FARES, A PASSENGER COULD TRAVEL ROUND-TRIP BETWEEN BOSTON AND SAN FRANCISCO FOR 400 -DOLLARS ON CERTAIN DAYS.

JOUR 61: Broadcast News Story

2008-03-22T16:51:00.000-07:00

ISN’T COLLEGE SUPPOSED TO BE THE FUN, CAREFREE TIME BEFORE THE HARSH REALITIES OF THE REAL WORD SET IN?

WELL, IT SEEMS COLLEGE STUDENTS TODAY ARE A LOT MORE STRESSED OUT THAN WE THOUGHT.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND MTVU – A TELEVISION NETWORK AVAILABLE AT MOST COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES – RECENTLY CONDUCTED A SURVEY INTO THE CONCERNS OF STUDENTS.

FOUR-IN-TEN STUDENTS SAID THEY ENDURED STRESS OFTEN… THE SOURCES OF STRESS VARYING FROM GRADES TO RELATIONSHIPS.

MORE WORRYINGLY ONE-IN-TEN STUDENTS SAID THEY HAD CONSIDERED SUICIDE…WHILST ONE-IN-SIX SAY THAT IN THE PAST YEAR ONE OF THEIR FRIENDS HAVE DISCUSSED COMMITTING SUICIDE.

JOUR 61: Broadcast Lead

2008-03-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO HAS ORDERED NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS TO CLEAN UP THEIR ACT.

UNSOLICITED NEWSPAPER DELIVERIES THAT END UP LITTERING THE STREET AND TURNING TO MUSH IN THE RAIN ARE THE TARGET OF SUPERVISOR ROSS MIRKARIMI.

MCOM 63: iMovie Vlog Post

2008-03-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

Here is a screen shot of the little movie I did. Click on the picture, or the text below to here a short clip of me describing one of my favorite meals.

My Dinner

JOUR 61: Real Life News Story

2008-03-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

SAN JOSE, Calif-- A week on from the unprecedented attention surrounding the “Little Saigon issue” the San Jose City Council met for their regular Tuesday meeting in an atmosphere that was much more comfortable for members of the council, Madison Nguyen in particular.

The public involvement in the meeting was a far cry from Last Tuesday night when the Vietnamese community packed City Hall to its capacity as regular service resumed-- inside the chambers at least.

The main issue on the agenda was the proposed redevelopment of the Airport West area and the iSTAR development. Included in this was the proposal for a soccer stadium to house the freshly returned San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer franchise. The development would see the earthquakes owner … fund the building of the stadium on the proviso that the city government rezones an area of land designated for industrial development to housing instead. The decision rests on whether the council believes that enough money would be made form the soccer stadium to cover the loss in taxes from the industrial area. The presentation by SportsEconomics, LLC included data exalting the financial virtues of having the stadium. The reports were accepted unanimously by the council, however vice-Mayor Cortese urged the planners to formulate back-up plans, “It may be worthwhile to talk about fall back positions just in case we had to transition quickly and move in another direction,” cautioned Cortese.

Also on the agenda were proposals aimed at ending homelessness within 10 years. The Blue Ribbon Commission presented their final report which proposes the city of San Jose and the country of Santa Clara working together to get people off the streets. Under the proposal the city would provide housing, whilst the county would provide the social services needed to keep them there. The rationale for this move is that in the long run the city will save money by providing housing for the homeless rather than having to keep paying for all the services, such as policing and hospital care. Co-chair of the commission is Mayor Chuck Reed. He stated passionately, “what we’re doing now doesn’t work. We have homeless on a merry go round and it costs a lot more to keep them on that merry go round than it will cost us to end homelessness.”

Another matter discussed on Tuesday was procedures for forming Community Benefit and Improvement Districts. The proposal is championed by councilmember PierLuigi Oliverio. The procedures would allow businesses in a given area would impose an extra tax on themselves in order to provide extra services in the area. Oliverio explained the benefits of the scheme, “This ordinance would not require city funding and in fact this ordinance would assist San Jose because property owners take it upon themselves to raise money for their area.” The general feeling among the council was positive, understandably so with the city’s current budget deficit. However, one member of the council, Nora Campos did oppose the procedures. Campos was concerned that the scheme would only benefit already affluent areas.

JOUR 61: Soft Broadcast Lead

2008-03-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

Local resident Mabel McCullough is waking up to the first day of her ninety sixth year today. The morning after her birthday party caused drama that a twenty one year old would have been proud of.

The First United Methodist church women’s group was the source of the drama. They put on the party for Mabel and decided to squeeze ninety five candles onto a single carrot cake. Guest Eddi Carlin said the cake then resembled more torch than cake. Mabel’s credible effort of blowing them all out caused enough smoke that the smoke alarm was alerted.

JOUR 61: Copy Edit the World (2)

2008-03-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

From CNN Online

This is a dateline error, Berlin stands alone in datelines:

Wrong:

BERLIN, Germany (CNN) -- German police in a Bavarian town…

Correct:

BERLIN (CNN) -- German police in a Bavarian town…

From Times of India Online

The number 10should not be spelt out.

Wrong:

the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is planning to construct at least ten subways in different parts of the city.

Correct:

the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is planning to construct at least 10 subways in different parts of the city.

From El Sabroso Mexican Grill Menu

There should not be a comma here before the concluding conjunction in the series.

Wrong:

Choice of meat, onions, beans, and hot sauce

Correct:

Choice of meat, onions, beans and hot sauce

From Taqueria San Jose Menu

Same error as above.

Wrong:

Three chicken enchiladas with rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, guacamole, and tomato

Correct:

Three chicken enchiladas with rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, guacamole and tomato

From AHN News Agency

Another dateline error. New Delhi stands alone.

Wrong:

New Delhi, India (AHN) - A baby girl born in Northern India

Correct:

New Delhi (AHN) - A baby girl born in Northern India

From the Christian Science Monitor

One more dateline error. The United Nations should stand alone, without a N.Y. designation.

Wrong:

United Nations, N.Y. - The passage this week by the United Nations Security Council

Correct:

United Nations - The passage this week by the United Nations Security Council

JOUR 61: Reporting with Numbers

2008-03-08T15:04:00.000-08:00

1.· 67% of the college’s budget comes from the state, 5% comes from student tuition and the remaining 28% from fees, grants and gifts.

· Most of the funding for the local college comes from the state. The next highest source of funding was fees, grants and gifts, followed by student tuition.

· Two-thirds of the local college budget of $120 million comes from the state. Less than a third was supplied by fees, grants and gifts, with tuition fees only providing a small percentage of the budget.

· The average prison term for people convicted of aggravated assault is 22 Months.

· The median prison term for people convicted of aggravated assault is 12 months.

The median is the most accurate description of prison terms because it removes the possibility of one extreme figure distorting the average. In this case one of the figures, 7 years, is far higher than any of the other figures and so makes the average far higher. The median is more representative.

If the State legislature made restaurant food sales exempt from sales tax then fast-food patrons who pay $5 per meal would save $18.85 in a year if they eat out once a week.
If the State legislature made restaurant food sales exempt from sales tax then people who spend $20 per meal once a week for a year would save $75.40.

JOUR 61: AP S-Z Style Exercise

2008-03-08T15:02:00.000-08:00

1. He thought of Smokey Bear every time he got near a smoldering fire or entered a smoky room.

2. The forecast is for lower temperatures, falling to the low 30s by tonight. If the rain continues, there could be a traveler’s advisory.

3. To celebrate Veterans Day, the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, a troop of former soldiers will march down Main Street carrying U.S. flags.

4. His weeklong ordeal will be finished when finals week is over. Until then, his well-being is in doubt.

5. A 19-year-old man was arrested Monday for carrying a Saturday night special without a permit. After being released on bond, he disappeared. His whereabouts is unknown.

6. When he heard the building project for the new high school had been rejected, Bill pulled out his stationery to write a letter of protest.

7. Ben really knows his Scriptures, but he knows little about the Talmud or the Shariah.

JOUR 61: Top News 6

2008-03-08T14:58:00.000-08:00

I just read a story on MSNBC online that I think is very noteworthy. The article is entitled “Bush vetoes bill banning waterboarding”. It explains that President Bush has vetoed a bill, passed by Congress that would ban the CIA from using the interrogation technique of waterboarding on suspected terrorists. This is an important story because of the large amount of controversy both in the United States and across the world surrounding the interrogation techniques used by the United States. The administration claims that this interrogation method is not torture and that they do not torture. However, the United States has come under fire from human rights organizations across the globe for this and other methods of interrogation that they employ.

This story will also be high on the news agenda because it contains conflict between the President and the Democrat-controlled Congress who voted in favor of banning waterboarding. Furthermore, the conflict is going to continue, with those who voted for the ban now working to get a two-thirds majority in Congress to overturn the President’s veto. Indeed, members of Congress have already been openly critical of Bush for his veto.

The story also has currency, as the whole issue of the methods of interrogation used by the United States has been a major discussion point for some time now. The issue has also been high on the agenda very recently doe to the votes in Congress and in the Senate. The article also features a very prominent figure in the eyes of the reading public, President Bush. People are interested in what policy decisions he is going to take and how he is leading their country. The story also has impact as the topic of how the United States interrogates suspected terrorists affects the reputation of the United States abroad and could consequently affect how American tourists are treated when they travel abroad.

JOUR 61:AP M-R Style Exercise

2008-03-04T16:53:00.000-08:00

1. He hopes to make $1 billion by the time he’s 40. Already he figures his net worth is between $2 million and $3 million, depending on current stock prices.

2. Lt. Col. John Carpenter was a Cadet at the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the 7th Fleet.

3. Twenty-one winners were named two days after the third annual procrastination awards ceremony.

4. It was a one-sided game, and he was a poor loser. After losing the playoff when his ball went out of bounds, he made an off-color remark that could be heard in the stands.

5. Hundreds of people attended Sunday’s race to watch 75 top bicyclists pedal across the finish line.

6. Every winter, the Joneses and the Kinneys’ pour over travel brochures, planning their summer trip together. This year they’re hoping to go to Panama City, Panama.

JOUR 61: Feature 1 (Rewrite)

2008-03-01T15:52:00.000-08:00

One squirrel’s misadventure on Monday left 47,000 rail commuters with wrecked travel plans.
A furry-tailed creature managed to find himself among the power lines of the Metro-North Commuter Railroad. Unfortunately for commuters, not to mention the squirrel, it was electrocuted, causing an electrical power surge.
An overhead bracket was weakened as a result and a wire soon became loose, dangling perilously in the line of the onrushing trains below. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before said wire entangled itself onto a train and down came the entire fleet of power lines.
The loss of power meant that no trains could run out of Manhattan. Commuters were left waiting for their trains for hours, only to be disappointed, said Metro-North spokeswoman Donna Evans.
Service was eventually restored on Tuesday morning. Alas the squirrel’s demise was permanent.

JOUR 61: News Story 5

2008-03-01T15:50:00.000-08:00

A truck ran out of control yesterday in Moeser Lane, El Cerrito, leaving a path of destruction in its wake: a snapped power pole, five damaged vehicles and several injuries.
The big asphalt truck, a 10-wheel hauler, overturned and crashed into somebody’s home, causing both to go up in flames.
El Cerrito police Detective Sgt. Shawn Maples, one of the first rescue workers to arrive at the scene, heard cries coming from the scene and dug through the debris. He found the truck driver lodged between the wheels of the truck, which was turned over on its side. The driver’s legs were mangled and he couldn’t move.
Maples grabbed his hand and with help from Police chief Scott Kirkland and Detective Ken Zinc, he was able to pull him to safety. Maples said, “We dragged him out in a heartbeat while the truck went up in flames. I just wanted to get him out of there.”
A Honda Sedan was left so crumpled after being hit by the truck, that the driver was left trapped inside. Rescue workers sliced into it, peeling back the roof to free the trapped driver.
An electrician’s truck, parked on Moeser was knocked over to the next street, Richmond. Also, a sport utility vehicle that apparently had a man and boy inside ended up stuck in some shrubbery beside the burning house.
Ruben Sharma, who lives across the street from the one-story home that was destroyed in the fire. He was just about to head back to work around 1:30 p.m. when the crash occurred. He said, “First, I thought it was a major earthquake. This is unbelievable.” His front yard is littered with bricks, broken glass, car parts, splintered wood and palm fronds.
The snapped power pole knocked out power in El Cerrito and some neighboring cities, including El Cerrito and Berkeley.
The driver, a San Jose man whose name was not released, broke both of his legs in the crash. He is listed in serious but stable condition at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.

JOUR 61: Top News 5

2008-03-01T15:48:00.000-08:00

A news story that really attracted my attention this week concerned the debate over whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should continue with its ban on donations of blood from gay men. The story was in the San Jose Mercury News on Friday, with the headline “FDA’s blood-donation ban: Does it save or risk lives?”

This story is of particular relevance to local readers; because the debate has been sparked by San Jose State University’s banning of blood drives on their campus, due to the belief that the FDA policy discriminates against gay men. If more colleges and other organizations decide to follow suit then there could be a major strain on the supply of blood to hospitals. This has given the debate more currency.

This story is fascinating in part because of the conflict contained in it. A university has spoken out in their belief that a fundamental policy is wrong and they are making a stand against it. Readers will have differing views on which side of the argument they stand on.

The article could also influence the lives of many readers who will need blood themselves or will have family or friends in that position. Furthermore everyone will be concerned at the prospect of there not being enough blood donated. Finally the readers of the newspaper, who are gay men will also be directly affected by this story.

JOUR 61: Redefining News

2008-03-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

I have already commented on Ryan Sholin's blog post Links that redefine news for my MCOM 63 class, but now I will address it with specific reference to one of the sites he mentions and its future to online journalism.
The site, Election Headlines, by Knox News and Publish2 paints a very exciting picture of what can be offered with online journalism. This site collects all articles, whether professionally written for a newspaper, or simply blog entries, on the subject of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. It means that readers only have to go to one page and they can easily find all the news they want on the subject. I'm sure this idea will become more and more popularized in the future, with users simply being able to select a subject and they will be presented with a database of articles and opinions on it from across the Internet.
This is something that can not be done in any other media form, thus showing why the Internet is such a thrilling prospect for journalists in the future. The potential is virtually limitless. The Internet allows the problem of the limited attention span of audiences to be overcome. The stories that reader wants can be presented to them how and when they want it.
Furthermore, this site also presents an enticing future for young budding journalists. With blog entries given as much credence as articles from the nation's major newspapers, amateur writers can have their stories and opinions given greater notoriety and have greater impact.

MCOM 63: Weekly Blog Post 02/28

2008-02-28T00:31:00.000-08:00

This week we were assigned to look at blogger Ryan Sholin’s post, in which he provides links to some news sites which deviate from the traditional news forms and give a glimpse into the future of Journalism, utilizing the constantly evolving technology. There were two sites in particular that stood out to me and they also tied in with the reading for this week, the first two chapters of Dan Gilmor’s We the Media.

The Politifact site, from the St. Petersburg Times and Congressional Quaterly, provides, what I think is a crucial tool. It takes statements from eminent politicians and investigates and publishes the truthfulness of them. The feature that I already love is “The Truth O-Meter”, which evaluates statements, with ratings ranging from “True” to “Pants on Fire”.

I think that this is such a valuable site because of what Dan Gilmor says, that I very much concur with, “Most of us don’t stop long enough to consider what we’ve been told... (thereby allowing ourselves) to be led by people who take advantage of it.” People generally believe what they hear in the media and either don’t have the will or the time to investigate whether what they are being told is accurate or not. A site like Politifact does the work for the people. It investigates the validity of political statements and provides readers with the results in an easily accessible and entertaining format.

The other site that I thought was of special note was Election Headlines, published by Knox News and Publish2. This site very simply gives readers all the news, facts and opinions relating to the upcoming U.S. presidential election from across the web. They include everything from blog posts to New York Times articles. This is a great way of accessing all the latest election information, without having to trawl through every news and blog site. It is what Gilmor meant when he talked about making, “the internet work the way it should. Instead of you searching for everything, the Internet comes to you on your terms.” I believe sites like this are certainly the future. The user is catered for, making it easier to access the information that the individual specifically desires.

JOUR 61: Feature 1

2008-02-23T17:18:00.000-08:00

Don’t those squirrels look cute running around, gathering their nuts and expertly climbing up and down trees as you make your way through Central Park this fall? Well there may be about 47,000 New Yorkers who may not look upon those rodents with such fondness anymore
One of the afore mentioned fluffy tailed creatures strayed a little far from the tree on Monday Afternoon, and found him/herself (the sex of the rodent has yet to be determined) running amok in the power lines of the Metro-North Commuter Railroad.
The little guy’s misadventure led to an electrical power surge. An overhead bracket was weakened as a result and a wire soon became loose, dangling perilously in the line of the onrushing trains below. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before said wire entangled itself onto a train and down came the entire fleet of power lines.
Oh, what trouble a fluffy little creature can cause. The loss of power meant that no trains could run out of Manhattan. Commuters were left waiting for their trains for hours, only to be disappointed. All in all 47,000 commuters were left stranded by the tie-up.
The Perpetrator did not escape without punishment for his misdemeanor. While enjoying his moment of high-jinx on the power lines, the squirrel was electrocuted and met an untimely demise, according to Metro-North spokeswoman Donna Evans.
Perhaps this should be heeded as a warning. Donate more food to their hibernation fund, or more such suicide attacks will occur.

JOUR 61: Copy Edit the World

2008-02-23T17:16:00.000-08:00

From Menu for Pho Hoa Restaurants

Both are comma errors:

Wrong:

5. Phở Tái, Nạm
Noodle soup with eye round steak, well-done flank.

Correct:

5. Phở Tái, Nạm
Noodle soup with eye round steak and well-done flank.

Wrong:

10. Phở Tái, Nạm, Gân
Noodle soup with tendon, flank, and eye round steak.

Correct:

10. Phở Tái, Nạm, Gân
Noodle soup with tendon, flank and eye round steak.

From Fox News Online

This is a dateline error, Baghdad stands alone in datelines:

Wrong:

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The flakes melted quickly.

Correct:

BAGHDAD — The flakes melted quickly.

JOUR 61: Top News Story 4

2008-02-23T17:15:00.001-08:00

My Top News Story this week is entitled “Jail for Facebook spoof Moroccan” and comes from BBC News online. The article reports the news that a Moroccan man, Fouad Mourtada, has been sentenced to three years in prison for setting up a profile in the name of Moroccan Prince Moulay Rachid. I think that this is a very important story because of the fact that it is dealing with a new form of media and there is almost no precedent for this offense. The Moroccan authorities declared that the crime was that of identity theft, hence why the sentence was so severe. There have been cases of fake celebrity profiles in the United States but no perpetrators have been charged with the offense of identity theft. What will be interesting is whether this will now set a precedent for similar offences in this country and generally across the globe.
This story is also newsworthy because it contains an element of bizarreness. The idea of somebody being sentenced to any jail time at all simply for posting a fake profile on a social networking site will seem extraordinary to Americans. Furthermore, although the story may not be in close proximity with regards geographical location, the story involves a website, Facebook, which is used all internationally and by a large percentage of people in this country. There will also be users of this, and other social networking sites who have created fake profiles or are considering doing so and reading this story will make them think twice about doing so.

JOUR 61: News Story 4

2008-02-23T17:10:00.000-08:00

An attempted carjacking took place in a Taco Bell parking lot Saturday night, with a newly married woman still in the passenger seat.
The Woman, along with her new husband, had stopped off at the Taco Bell on East Fourth Ave. in San Mateo on their way to their hotel. The groom got out of the car, leaving the engine running and his wife inside while he went into the restaurant, according to San Mateo County deputy district attorney Sheryl Wolcott.
Before the groom had even made it into the restaurant, the assailant, Alan Ticas-Soto, a 21-year-old man, who was apparently high on methamphetamines at the time, ran through the parking lot and leaped into the vehicle. Ticas-Soto struggled to maneuver the gear stick into reverse, however, according to police.
By this point the 22-year-old bride was frantic, trying to pry free her belt buckle and escape. Perhaps hearing her screams, the groom ran back to the car and managed to pull out his wife whom fell to the ground. She did not sustain any injuries, although she was shaken up.
The suspect then put the car, a 2003 Nissan Altima, into forward gear, but careered straight into a Taco Bell sign, declared police. At this point he left the automobile and fled the scene.
Police officer Brendan Boyle, who was patrolling nearby, saw a man matching Ticas-Soto’s description running southbound on South Delaware street and Ninth Avenue. Back-up was called for and patrol cars soon converged on the scene. The suspect was apprehended and arrested without incident. It was at this point that he told police he had been taking methamphetamines for three straight days.
Ticas-Soto is being held in San Mateo County jail, in lieu of $100,000 bail, facing felony carjacking charges and misdemeanor drug charges. The accused, who does not have a criminal record, pleaded not guilty in San Mateo Superior Court on Monday.
Walcott stated that no attorney has yet been assigned to Ticas-Soto by the county private defender program. If found guilty of the carjacking he faces up to nine years in prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 10.
The bride and groom, who were planning to spend their wedding night at a nearby Embassy Suites and were still in their tuxedo and dress respectively, were uninjured in the incident, but according to Walcott, “This took them a little off-track.”

JOUR 61: News Story 3

2008-02-23T17:09:00.000-08:00

A high pressure gas pipe ruptured in the South of Market area yesterday forcing police to shut down a four block area, ousting 100 people from the area and bringing traffic to a standstill.
The incident happened on the busy Folsom and 11^th street intersection a little before 12:30 p.m. A private construction crew was attempting to repair sewer lines and in doing so severed a two-inch underground gas pipe with a backhoe.
Police soon drew a perimeter around the scene with residents, dozens of business owners and customers forced onto the streets. Those running businesses in the area were especially aggravated by the disruption caused.
“Ask my customers. They were pretty irate.” said Carlann Lauria, manager of Crocker’s Lockers, a self-storage company on Folsom near 10^th street. Another manager, Samantha Feldman of Wa-Ha-Ka restaurant, located on the corner where the construction was taking place, said that they lost $500 worth of business due to the shutdown of the area.
The gas was not turned back on in the area until 5:09 p.m.

JOUR 61: AP Style Exercise I-L

2008-02-23T17:08:00.001-08:00

The last time she played soccer, she suffered a serious injury to her knee. Sometimes it’s hard to understand why she wants to keep playing.
He was indicted on an assault charge, but his lawyer said the case against him is circumstantial and she is sure the inquiry will exonerate him.
He knows it isn’t kosher, but green Jell-O is his favorite dessert. This admission has prompted his friends to question both his taste and his judgment.
Now that he has DSL, he finds it much easier to go online to check his e-mail and download files.
He stood behind the lectern, addressing his long time colleagues at the Knights of Columbus.

JOUR 61: AP Style E-H Exercise

2008-02-17T15:10:00.000-08:00

His new book, on elections and the Electoral College, is titled “Does Your Vote Count?”
Brianna looked so sad that he wanted to envelop her in his arms and give her a big hug, but he was afraid the attention might faze her.
They were so impressed by her flair for decorating that they offered lavish praise and agreed to distribute her promotional flier.
He suspected his neighbor was selling drugs, so he called the FBI. His neighbor, however, cried foul at the investigation.
The boys’ stories didn’t jibe, so their father threw down the gauntlet and demanded the truth.
My great-grandfather is a real gourmet, so I always let him pick the wine whenever we have dinner.

JOU 61: AP Style A-D Exercise

2008-02-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

Mayor Richard Wrigley expressed confidence that the gubernatorial debate, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will have a positive effect on his candidacy. Wrigley added, “Gov. Red Davidson is a master of dirty politics, but I won’t take any of his baloney.”
For her birthday, the 9-year-old girl invited five good friends over for ice cream and cake. The chocolate cake was so tasty that any one of the children could have eaten it all, but they carefully divided it among themselves.
Persuaded of the bill’s importance, members of the Democratic and Republican Parties came together on Capitol Hill to support anti-terrorism legislation -- despite their differences on other issues.
ROME – All around the world, Roman Catholics today listened as the pope delivered his homily.

JOU 61: Top News Story 3

2008-02-16T14:56:00.000-08:00

The Top news story I have chosen for this week is from the San Jose Mercury News, entitled, “Vote urged on Little Saigon”. The story was published on 2/12/2008. The article explains that San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and Councilwoman Madison Nguyen are calling for the decision on whether the one mile strip of retail land on Story Road should be named “Little Saigon” to be put to a city-wide vote.
This story is deemed to be top news because it rates very highly in three areas: currency, conflict and proximity. The decision of the naming of this piece of land has become an ongoing saga that has featured prominently in the news for a considerable period of time now. As a result it has a strong place in the public consciousness currently. The report also contains a large degree of conflict, which is always attractive to readers. The conflict here is between a large proportion of the Vietnamese population of San Jose who have campaigned vehemently for the area to be named “Little Saigon” and the members of the city council, in particular Madison Nguyen, who they feel has let them down. Furthermore, this story is very much local and affects the readership of this newspaper. It involves a piece of land in the reader’s community and their city’s council.
The article also has some impact to it for the local reader’s of the paper. If Mayor Reed and Nguyen get their wish, then of course the residents of San Jose, the principal readers of the newspaper, would be able to voice their opinions on the matter. Moreover, taking the item to a city-wide vote would cost $214,000 of tax-payer’s money, which will be of interest to readers.

JOU 61: News Story 2

2008-02-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

Two Taiwanese tourists were robbed at gunpoint yesterday in the parking lot of St. Mary’s Cathedral, according to a report from Police Sgt. Lawrence Price.
The two victims , WeiMing Chen, 28, and wife, Li Lu, 30, had parted from their tour group at around 10 a.m. when they went down to the lower parking lot of the cathedral. They were taking pictures when a man approached them waiving a pistol and demanded their money.
After Chen handed over $100, the thief demanded more, so he handed him their passports, airline tickets and camera. The thief then ran off.
The couple claims that the assailant was wearing a black jacket and cap and according to Chen he was about 18 years old. Police are searching for him.
The tour group of 30 employees of a Taiwanese airline was scheduled to fly back at 1 p.m. yesterday. It is not known if Chen and Liu made the flight.

Jason Le Miere

JOU 61: News Story 1

2008-02-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

A man was pulled from the flames of his burning house on Annapolis Way yesterday, by local firefighters.
Robert Kent, described by San Jose fire Captain Rob Piper as retired and in his 50’s, was found on the kitchen floor of his single-story home unconscious and has suffered second and third-degree burns to 50 percent of his body, said Piper.
Kent is said to be in grave condition at Valley Medical Center in San Jose, according to a nursing supervisor there.
The fire began in the kitchen before spreading up to the attic, at which point smoke engulfed the whole house. Captain Piper claimed the fire was reported at 3 p.m. and the home did not contain a smoke detector. The cause of the fire is under investigation, said Piper.

Jason Le Miere

MCOM 63: The Cluetrain Manifesto and Campaign Videos

2008-02-13T23:04:00.000-08:00

The Cluetrain manifesto essentially provides a blueprint for how it is perceived companies need to communicate with consumers in the age of the Internet. It states that as people, both in the general marketplace and within companies themselves are now able to communicate are able to communicate with each other far more greatly, companies must communicate with their consumer base on a more personal level.
I think the manifesto makes some very good points that I would certainly concur with. In particular, that we are tired of the huge marketing machines of companies that simply treat consumers as facts and figures rather than individual minds. Certainly, I do believe that the Internet has led to people becoming more informed in a lot of cases and furthermore, that the Internet has also greatly increased the potential for consumers to form groups and organize their ideas. However, I think the manifesto overstates the impact of the Internet. While it has made Information more accessible and communication easier, I still don't believe that the general population is as informed and mobilized and the manifesto pertains. According to the manifesto, "We are immune to advertising. Just forget it." Unfortunately, from what I have seen, there is still a large portion of the population that are very much susceptible to advertising.
While the Cluetrain manifesto provides an idealized picture of what we would like to get from large companies, unfortunately the Internet has yet to make the impact, that necessitates companies providing this level of service.
One area though, where the Internet has had a large impact is in the political arena. Blogs and online forums have increased the political awareness amongst the population. The age group that has been most affected by this is the youth. The Democratic candidates for President, Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama have certainly realized this, hence the videos found on the class website. The video in support of Hilary Clinton, to me embodies more of what the Cluetrain manifesto states that companies need to stop doing, using large marketing machines to tell us what they think we want to hear, rather than communicating on a more personal level. The commercial appears very gimmicky and would certainly not encourage me to vote for her. The video in support of Obama, however contains far more emotion and passion, and includes actual reasons to vote for the candidate.

MCOM 63: Photoshop Assignment 3

2008-02-12T10:05:00.000-08:00

Below is the latest photoshop assignment, which was to create a header. My header was a preview to the big soccer match in England this past weekend, featuring my team Manchester United against city neighbors Manchester City. In the assignment I learned to install pictures into a header and also how to blur the pictures into the background of the header to eradicate the large edges. Finally I inserted some text into the header.

JOUR 61: Top News Story 2

2008-02-09T12:09:00.000-08:00

My top news story for this week comes from the New York Times Online entitled, “Tentative Deal Is Reached in Writers’ Strike”. The story explains how a resolution to the writers’ strike in Hollywood looks to be on the horizon. The strike between the Writers Guild of America and the production companies, which has been active since Nov. 5th,has severely disrupted television programs and the production of movies. This story will be of great interest and I’m sure of great relief to many readers who rely heavily on television and the movies for their entertainment.
The article’s importance is demonstrated by the news values it possesses. As mentioned, the story has a large impact due to the large number of people who watch television and feature films. The story also scores highly due to its immediacy. It is one of the advantages of the Internet over hard print newspapers that people logging onto the New York Times website can get this story as it is breaking. The report is very prminent in the public eye currently as it links many of the most famous people in the world, actors and actresses, whose work is affected by the strike. Furthermore, their participation in the OSCAR’s ceremony, one of the biggest television events of the year is also in jeopardized by the strike. This article has a lot of currency, as the writers’ strike has been in the public eye for a long time due to its visible affects on the nation’s television screens every night. The story also includes an element of conflict with people eager to discover who will back-down first in this bitter dispute between writers’ and production companies.
Although this story may not be as “important” as what is happening in the U.S. Presidential race, or what is happening in Iraq, the story is still featured prominently by editors because of the news values that it possesses.

JOUR 61: Leads 4

2008-02-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

Delayed identification lead:

A Springfield pipe fitter suffered third-degree burns and was listed in serious condition Wednesday night after touching a power line carrying 15,000 volts.

Immediate identification lead:

Pipe fitter Duane La Chance was listed in serious condition Wednesday night at Springfield hospital suffering from third-degree burns after coming into contact with a power line carrying 15,000 volts.

2. Delayed information lead:

A man lies in Springfield hospital today after his car was struck by a fellow vehicle on U.S. 63 on Wednesday.

Immediate identification lead:

James Cunning is in a satisfactory condition in Springfield hospital after his car was apparently struck by fellow Springfield resident Wayne Clay’s vehicle on U.S. 63 on Wednesday.

JOUR 61: Leads 3

2008-02-09T12:01:00.000-08:00

1. Forty passengers were evacuated from an Northwset Airlines jet at LaCrosse, Wis., Municipal Airport on Wednesday after smoke was spotted near the aircraft.
A landing tower employee observed smoke near the wheels of Northwest Airlines Flight 428 following its arrival from Minneapolis.

A 7-year-old boy missing for three years was found in Brick Township, N.J. Monday night after being discovered by a neighbor.
The boy was recognized by the neighbor after his picture was shown after the movie Adam: The Song Continues. The police were called and the boy’s mother, Ellen Conner, 27 was arrested and faces charges of kidnapping and interference with a custody warrant.

Blogs to watch

2008-02-07T01:45:00.000-08:00

I have selected two blogs which I feel will be interesting to monitor throughout this semester. As the biggest news story of the next few months is going to be the run up to the U.S. Presidential election later this year I have decided to choose two political news blogs. First there is the National Review Online, which addresses news from a rightist perspective, and the politics section of the Huffington Post, which takes a more left-wing view point on politics. The National Review online originates from the hugely popular National Review magazine and contains several news blogs on their site. The Huffington Post is also recognized as one of the top political blogs. With blogs becoming an increasingly important vehicle from which people get their news and voice their opinions on matters relating to politics, it will be very revealing to see how these blogs, contrasting in political view point, assess the events of the next few months as the battle hots up for the White House.

Accreditation

2008-02-07T01:26:00.000-08:00

This past Monday our MCOM 63 class were given the opportunity to sit in on an accreditation of the Mass Communications department at San Jose State University. This was the first accreditation I have taken part in and in was an interesting and worthwhile experience.
The discussion forum was led by two professors from other leading universities in the United States, and thus were assessing the department from an impartial point of view. They were very eager to listen to any and all views from the students present, whether the opinions were positive or negative.
As a newcomer to the Mass Communications department at San Jose State, I was very keen to hear the opinions from fellow students on the success of the department. Overall, I think the comments provided were largely positive. The faculty in the department seemed to be held in high regard by the students as was the material taught in the classes and the technological resources available to students. The only negatives were how the department prepares students for internships and also the availability of counseling within the department. Certainly I was surprised by the lack of time affordable to students to sit down with a counselor and I believe this is something that needs to be addressed.
All in all I was happy to be given the chance to participate in the accreditation and feel that it is a valuable tool in improving all aspects of departments across the university.

Photoshop Assignment 2

2008-02-05T10:10:00.001-08:00

Below is the resulting image from Photoshop Assignment 2. In this assignment we learned to work with layers, clear-up dust spots, crop an image, convert an image to black and white and to sharpen a photo.

Photoshop Assignment 1

2008-01-31T09:55:00.000-08:00

Below are my photoshop pictures from today's class. The first picture is in low resolution, the second in medium resolution and the third is in high resolution. It is easy to see the difference in quality in the third picture. The sharpness and clarity of the image exceeds that of the previous two, due to its higher resolution. This was certainly the right choice for this picture, picture two would also be better suited to high resolution. The first picture is bigger in size, therefore a high resolution will take a longer download time. A medium resolution may be best for this blog.

Hey Y'all

2008-01-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

Hello.

This is Jason and I am a Journalism major. I'm taking this class primarily because I have no idea how to use most of this new technology. I know what they are and how to access them, but as for creating stuff like blogs or podcasts myself, I'm completely clueless. For a journalist today it is becoming increasingly important to have at least a basic understanding of this technology. So that's why I am here.

Take care.