1. The beast is the network news media.
2. It needs to be fed because network news media has an obligation to the public to report breaking news stories within specific deadlines.
3. The concern that people have about "feeding the beast" is that inaccurate and dishonest stories might arise as a result of time, money and resource limitations. Because of these limitations the public is concerned that the media might push an agenda or bias on the public, or even fabricate stories. The question now is, how does the public really know that the news they are receiving is accurate? Does the "Murrow Standard" of traditional journalism still exist within news media? The public relies on the network news media in order to receive information that they can trust and rely on.
Since the internet has become such a phenomenon, anyone can post their opinions and thoughts. Unfortunately, most sites on the internet are not 100% accurate or credible. Because these sites are not the most reliable sources, the public looks to the network news media for credible news information. It is critical that the public can trust these sources. The New York Times, known to be one of the most reliable sources, at one time even had a reporter who fabricated information. This put The New York Times credibility in jeopardy. Even though now they are one of the most trusted news sites, this just goes to show that every news coropration can be faced with untrustworthy reporters.
I have come to rely on news corporations that remain unbaised and do not have an agenda. Honest news allows an individual to make their own decision about an issue.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
special leads
1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/25/AR2009052502153.html?hpid=smartliving
-This is an example of a direct-address lead and a question lead.
2. http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/may/26/pharmacy-robber-pleads-guilty/
-This is an example of a narrative lead.
-This is an example of a direct-address lead and a question lead.
2. http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/may/26/pharmacy-robber-pleads-guilty/
-This is an example of a narrative lead.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Students Abuse Adderall
Controversial to what some people might believe to be a harmless drug, Adderall has become one of the most abused drugs by students in college environments.
Adderall, an amphetamine that helps patients suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, increases alertness, improves task performance and decreases fatigue,according to WebMD.
Adderall has been occasionally referred to as “kiddy cocaine” because it can produce effects similar to those of cocaine, such as increased heart rate and stimulation.
College students constantly find themselves faced with tedious exams, papers, reports and other assignments, all of which can make time management difficult. The overwhelming pressure students feel to succeed and maintain good grades has caused some to try Adderall as a way overcome this stress.
By taking Adderall, students bodies and minds become manipulated because this drug allows them to have an increased attention span, alertness and energy, according to WebMD. Adderall also makes the body less dependent on sleep, allowing students to cram all night for an exam or write a paper.
Courtney M. Moorhead, a communication major at Washington State University, was prescribed to Adderall after being diagnosed with AD/HD at age 15.
“When my grades began to decline in ninth grade and I was having difficulty concentrating, I was tested for AD/HD,” said Moorhead. “Now that people know I am prescribed to it, I constantly have friends and acquaintances asking me to sell them my Adderall.”
Adderall is a fairly easy drug for students to obtain because so many people are prescribed to this drug, and some people are willing to make a profit by selling it to others.
“Being a college student myself, I can understand the stress of taking 15 credits and not finding enough time to get everything done, yet I refuse to sell Adderall to anyone,” said Moorhead.
The effects that Adderall can have on students who are not prescribed to it can be dangerous. According to WebMD, amphetamines can increase brain blood levels, blood pressure and heart rate. It can also induce insomnia, irritability and psychotic behavior. Chronic abuse of this drug can cause dependence, and withdrawal of amphetamines can lead to weight gain, depression, sedation and thoughts of suicide.
College students are not only using Adderall to study but also as a dietary supplement. Because Adderall increases heart rate and decreases appetite, students believe that it is a quick solution to weight loss. Students tend to gain weight after coming to college because with so much homework and studying, it is hard to find time to eat healthy and exercise.
College students, especially females, believe that if they don’t have to concentrate on their weight, then they are more likely to succeed in their classes, said Moorhead. “A friend of mine once asked me what the symptoms of AD/HD were, so that she could convince her doctor she needed Adderall as a way to lose weight.”
Adderall has become a phenomenon around college campuses, and many students are beginning to try it. Because it is usually used for studying instead of partying, Adderall tends to fly under the radar. When most people think of college parties, drugs such as alcohol, marijuana and cocaine come to mind. People don’t realize that prescription drugs are some of the most abused drugs. However, the easy accessibility of these drugs has caused an increase in abuse.
This generation of people has become accustomed to a life of never-ending demands, and “25” hour days. We exist in a society where people “live to work” instead of “work to live.” There is no escape from deadlines, and work never ceases. Our society has become so busy, most people rarely have the time to take a second and breathe.
“I would assume that students feel pressure to perform at such high levels in the college environment, and therefore amphetamines are appealing because they allow students a way to accomplish all of their demands,” said Dr. Deborah D. Scott, a Clinical Psychologist of Feminist Psychology Associates.
College acts as a rite of passage for most students. They learn independence, responsibility, time management and hard work. Students are just beginning to understand what it takes to become an adult, and are realizing that growing up is harder than it seems. Students view Adderall as a way to manage stress, but the real question is, is it really worth it?
Adderall, an amphetamine that helps patients suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, increases alertness, improves task performance and decreases fatigue,according to WebMD.
Adderall has been occasionally referred to as “kiddy cocaine” because it can produce effects similar to those of cocaine, such as increased heart rate and stimulation.
College students constantly find themselves faced with tedious exams, papers, reports and other assignments, all of which can make time management difficult. The overwhelming pressure students feel to succeed and maintain good grades has caused some to try Adderall as a way overcome this stress.
By taking Adderall, students bodies and minds become manipulated because this drug allows them to have an increased attention span, alertness and energy, according to WebMD. Adderall also makes the body less dependent on sleep, allowing students to cram all night for an exam or write a paper.
Courtney M. Moorhead, a communication major at Washington State University, was prescribed to Adderall after being diagnosed with AD/HD at age 15.
“When my grades began to decline in ninth grade and I was having difficulty concentrating, I was tested for AD/HD,” said Moorhead. “Now that people know I am prescribed to it, I constantly have friends and acquaintances asking me to sell them my Adderall.”
Adderall is a fairly easy drug for students to obtain because so many people are prescribed to this drug, and some people are willing to make a profit by selling it to others.
“Being a college student myself, I can understand the stress of taking 15 credits and not finding enough time to get everything done, yet I refuse to sell Adderall to anyone,” said Moorhead.
The effects that Adderall can have on students who are not prescribed to it can be dangerous. According to WebMD, amphetamines can increase brain blood levels, blood pressure and heart rate. It can also induce insomnia, irritability and psychotic behavior. Chronic abuse of this drug can cause dependence, and withdrawal of amphetamines can lead to weight gain, depression, sedation and thoughts of suicide.
College students are not only using Adderall to study but also as a dietary supplement. Because Adderall increases heart rate and decreases appetite, students believe that it is a quick solution to weight loss. Students tend to gain weight after coming to college because with so much homework and studying, it is hard to find time to eat healthy and exercise.
College students, especially females, believe that if they don’t have to concentrate on their weight, then they are more likely to succeed in their classes, said Moorhead. “A friend of mine once asked me what the symptoms of AD/HD were, so that she could convince her doctor she needed Adderall as a way to lose weight.”
Adderall has become a phenomenon around college campuses, and many students are beginning to try it. Because it is usually used for studying instead of partying, Adderall tends to fly under the radar. When most people think of college parties, drugs such as alcohol, marijuana and cocaine come to mind. People don’t realize that prescription drugs are some of the most abused drugs. However, the easy accessibility of these drugs has caused an increase in abuse.
This generation of people has become accustomed to a life of never-ending demands, and “25” hour days. We exist in a society where people “live to work” instead of “work to live.” There is no escape from deadlines, and work never ceases. Our society has become so busy, most people rarely have the time to take a second and breathe.
“I would assume that students feel pressure to perform at such high levels in the college environment, and therefore amphetamines are appealing because they allow students a way to accomplish all of their demands,” said Dr. Deborah D. Scott, a Clinical Psychologist of Feminist Psychology Associates.
College acts as a rite of passage for most students. They learn independence, responsibility, time management and hard work. Students are just beginning to understand what it takes to become an adult, and are realizing that growing up is harder than it seems. Students view Adderall as a way to manage stress, but the real question is, is it really worth it?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
3 Pitches to Editor
Dear Editor,
It is common knowledge that college is not just a place where students can further their education and earn a degree, but it also is a place where most people complete a rite of passage. Students not only are able to acquire independence and learn responsibility, but they also take part in heavy partying.
At college parties, students are known to binge drink and also experiment with other drugs. However, what most people don’t know is that prescription drugs are some of the most abused drugs in the college environment.
More specifically, adderall, a prescription drug used to help people with ADD and ADHD concentrate, is being heavily abused by college students. There are many reasons that students who are not prescribed to adderall are taking it on a continuous basis.
Adderall, known to increase performance in school, is taken to cram for exams and study for long periods of time. One nickname for adderall is “kiddy cocaine”. It is named this because similar to cocaine, adderall speeds up the heart, causes intensified alertness and decreases the appetite.
Another reason students are known to abuse adderall is for dietary purposes. Because adderall decreases appetite and speeds up the heart, many students try and use it as a quick fix for weight loss.
However, what students who abuse adderall do not know, is that over time like any other abused drug it can create health problems. It is important that students are aware of harmful effects that this drug can cause, and understand why it is dangerous to take it without being prescribed.
The possible sources for this piece would be a student prescribed to adderall, and a health physician.
Dear Editor,
Pullman, a very small town and home to cougar students and residents, is known as a relatively safe environment because of its small size. However, over last two years it is evident that violence has increased, which make people question the safety of their hometown.
Last year, two men broke into Pi Beta Phi, Delta Gamma and Kappa Alpha Theta. They sexually assaulted a young women in Kappa Alpha Theta, and frightened the women at the other two sorority chapters. Similarly, other reports of sexual assault have occurred, endangering the students on campus.
Over the last 8 months, hate crimes have taken place throughout Pullman targeting homosexual males. The reports covering theses crimes explained that the males were usually ambushed and violently assaulted. As a result people are afraid to express themselves, and to walk the streets of Pullman alone.
Many years ago, people could leave their houses and cars unlocked without any worry of criminal acts. Now, trust of other people has begun to decline and violence has become a norm in society.
As a result of this, there is increased fear within society and a lack of trust of other people. Feeling safe in a community is extremely important and people want to be assured that they can live their lives without fear and anxiety.
Possible sources for this piece would be a sorority women who lived in one of the chapters that was broken into, and another resident of the community.
Dear Editor,
The state of our economy has created many hardships for American citizens, and as a result some people are just barely surviving. The harsh reality is that the stock market has significantly plummeted, jobs have been cut, and businesses have shut down all contributing to economic fear.
However, one of the most terrifying realities of our current economic state is the growing gap between the rich and poor. Furthermore, more people than ever are going hungry every day. More people are showing up at shelters and food banks who haven’t eaten a meal in days.
Financing that could potentially help provide more food to food banks is being cut and there is less money to help provide adequate food. Sponsoring has also decreased significantly which allows food banks to feed the hungry. On average, Second Harvest a local food bank in Spokane, feeds over 10,000 children a month and numbers are growing because of the economy.
More and more people are being laid off and as a consequence are falling below the poverty line. Our society is in a current state of panic, and every day more people are becoming victims of poverty.
Possible sources for this piece are a consultant at Second Harvest and another adult who has been affected by the economy.
It is common knowledge that college is not just a place where students can further their education and earn a degree, but it also is a place where most people complete a rite of passage. Students not only are able to acquire independence and learn responsibility, but they also take part in heavy partying.
At college parties, students are known to binge drink and also experiment with other drugs. However, what most people don’t know is that prescription drugs are some of the most abused drugs in the college environment.
More specifically, adderall, a prescription drug used to help people with ADD and ADHD concentrate, is being heavily abused by college students. There are many reasons that students who are not prescribed to adderall are taking it on a continuous basis.
Adderall, known to increase performance in school, is taken to cram for exams and study for long periods of time. One nickname for adderall is “kiddy cocaine”. It is named this because similar to cocaine, adderall speeds up the heart, causes intensified alertness and decreases the appetite.
Another reason students are known to abuse adderall is for dietary purposes. Because adderall decreases appetite and speeds up the heart, many students try and use it as a quick fix for weight loss.
However, what students who abuse adderall do not know, is that over time like any other abused drug it can create health problems. It is important that students are aware of harmful effects that this drug can cause, and understand why it is dangerous to take it without being prescribed.
The possible sources for this piece would be a student prescribed to adderall, and a health physician.
Dear Editor,
Pullman, a very small town and home to cougar students and residents, is known as a relatively safe environment because of its small size. However, over last two years it is evident that violence has increased, which make people question the safety of their hometown.
Last year, two men broke into Pi Beta Phi, Delta Gamma and Kappa Alpha Theta. They sexually assaulted a young women in Kappa Alpha Theta, and frightened the women at the other two sorority chapters. Similarly, other reports of sexual assault have occurred, endangering the students on campus.
Over the last 8 months, hate crimes have taken place throughout Pullman targeting homosexual males. The reports covering theses crimes explained that the males were usually ambushed and violently assaulted. As a result people are afraid to express themselves, and to walk the streets of Pullman alone.
Many years ago, people could leave their houses and cars unlocked without any worry of criminal acts. Now, trust of other people has begun to decline and violence has become a norm in society.
As a result of this, there is increased fear within society and a lack of trust of other people. Feeling safe in a community is extremely important and people want to be assured that they can live their lives without fear and anxiety.
Possible sources for this piece would be a sorority women who lived in one of the chapters that was broken into, and another resident of the community.
Dear Editor,
The state of our economy has created many hardships for American citizens, and as a result some people are just barely surviving. The harsh reality is that the stock market has significantly plummeted, jobs have been cut, and businesses have shut down all contributing to economic fear.
However, one of the most terrifying realities of our current economic state is the growing gap between the rich and poor. Furthermore, more people than ever are going hungry every day. More people are showing up at shelters and food banks who haven’t eaten a meal in days.
Financing that could potentially help provide more food to food banks is being cut and there is less money to help provide adequate food. Sponsoring has also decreased significantly which allows food banks to feed the hungry. On average, Second Harvest a local food bank in Spokane, feeds over 10,000 children a month and numbers are growing because of the economy.
More and more people are being laid off and as a consequence are falling below the poverty line. Our society is in a current state of panic, and every day more people are becoming victims of poverty.
Possible sources for this piece are a consultant at Second Harvest and another adult who has been affected by the economy.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
newsworthiness of three sources
After discussing this assignment in class, I was very interested in researching different news media to analyze and evaluate how different sources cover breaking news. Therefore, I challenged myself to find three completely different sites and consider why each source finds specific stories important, and what values they uphold when covering their information. I first looked at Perez Hilton who is infamous for covering the latest celebrity news. Even though this site does not cover hard news stories that involve economics or politics, it has become one of the most accessed news websites. Being interested in fashion and celebrity gossip, I am undeniably attracted to this site. However, when evaluating if this site holds true to the “Murrow Standard” of traditional journalism I can clearly see it does not. Murrow believed that news should not be focused on what people wanted to hear but what they needed to hear. This site is an example of how traditional journalism has been exchanged for entertainment journalism. The featured stories on this website pertain to issues regarding actors, actresses, singers and other celebrities. The audience is directed toward young or middle-aged people interested in the tributes and trials of the rich and famous. Perez Hilton uses an informal writing style and is known to have very strong biases about the stories he covers.
After evaluating the Perez Hilton news site, I compared it to The New York Times which is known for credibility, reliability and honest information. After taking Communications 295, I have become very dependent on this source and can always expect fair news coverage. The articles featured on the front page include a credit proposal by Obama, the growing concern of our economy, and other issues dealing with foreign policy and government concerns. The New York Times directs its news coverage toward an older, educated audience. At times I have a hard time understanding the language because it is very advanced. This news source adheres to the “Murrow Standard” of traditional journalism because they deliver information that affects the general public with as little bias or agenda setting as possible. The New York Times selects its news stories based upon what issues are the greatest concern to society.
The last news source I analyzed was a very controversial source that I was first introduced to in my Edward R. Murrow class. The source, Al Jazeera, is a controversial source because it is an Arabic news source. I was interested in learning more about this source and why it has become so highly controversial. Al Jazeera is known for placing little to no censor on its images, especially concerning terrorist groups after 9/11. I cannot decide what I believe about censorship because in one aspect I believe that harmful and destructive issues should not be covered, yet in another aspect I believe that the general public should have access to all news. Whether or not this source is politically correct or incorrect, it does address crucial issues internationally and nationally. Its target audience is very broad and is directed toward citizens in a number of different countries. At this point I am not sure if it follows the “Murrow Standard” of traditional journalism and would have to read more in order to make a decision.
All in all I was challenged by this assignment because it required me to make decisions about the newsworthiness of a source. All three sources have very different values, audiences, and news stories. For reliant information I would read The New York Times because I believe it to be the most credible source overall. I now have a better idea why different news sources cover different information.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/
http://english.aljazeera.net/
http://perezhilton.com/
After evaluating the Perez Hilton news site, I compared it to The New York Times which is known for credibility, reliability and honest information. After taking Communications 295, I have become very dependent on this source and can always expect fair news coverage. The articles featured on the front page include a credit proposal by Obama, the growing concern of our economy, and other issues dealing with foreign policy and government concerns. The New York Times directs its news coverage toward an older, educated audience. At times I have a hard time understanding the language because it is very advanced. This news source adheres to the “Murrow Standard” of traditional journalism because they deliver information that affects the general public with as little bias or agenda setting as possible. The New York Times selects its news stories based upon what issues are the greatest concern to society.
The last news source I analyzed was a very controversial source that I was first introduced to in my Edward R. Murrow class. The source, Al Jazeera, is a controversial source because it is an Arabic news source. I was interested in learning more about this source and why it has become so highly controversial. Al Jazeera is known for placing little to no censor on its images, especially concerning terrorist groups after 9/11. I cannot decide what I believe about censorship because in one aspect I believe that harmful and destructive issues should not be covered, yet in another aspect I believe that the general public should have access to all news. Whether or not this source is politically correct or incorrect, it does address crucial issues internationally and nationally. Its target audience is very broad and is directed toward citizens in a number of different countries. At this point I am not sure if it follows the “Murrow Standard” of traditional journalism and would have to read more in order to make a decision.
All in all I was challenged by this assignment because it required me to make decisions about the newsworthiness of a source. All three sources have very different values, audiences, and news stories. For reliant information I would read The New York Times because I believe it to be the most credible source overall. I now have a better idea why different news sources cover different information.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/
http://english.aljazeera.net/
http://perezhilton.com/
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Chevron VS CBS
After watching both the CBS and Chevron videos which covered the Equator oil controversy, I was shocked to see how different the two videos were regarding objectivity and credibility. If I had not already seen the CBS documentary, I might not have been able to see how biased and one-sided the Chevron documentary actually is. The CBS video presented the story with accuracy, objectivity, and credibility. CBS delivered both sides of the story by interviewing a representative of Chevron and the attorney defending Equator. By providing both perspectives of this issue, I was given the honest facts without any biases. The CBS video adheres to the “Murrow Standard” of traditional journalism because they delivered the documentary with integrity and honesty, which allowed me to make a decision for myself on who I believed to be at fault regarding the lawsuit.
However, the Chevron documentary did not adhere to the “Murrow Standard” of traditional journalism and portrayed a very strong agenda. It was clear after watching the CBS documentary that the Chevron video was extremely biased and gave only their side of the story. Chevron’s agenda was to get the audience to believe that they are innocent and just victims of a conspiracy, without providing all the facts. It was disappointing for me to watch this video because it made me realize that many sources are not credible and do not portray the honest facts. I then began to ask myself, which sources can I trust and what facts have not been manipulated? Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish what news is honest and trustworthy, and a good example of honest news was the CBS video. After comparing both the CBS and Chevron videos, I now have a better idea of how to separate credible news from unworthy news.
However, the Chevron documentary did not adhere to the “Murrow Standard” of traditional journalism and portrayed a very strong agenda. It was clear after watching the CBS documentary that the Chevron video was extremely biased and gave only their side of the story. Chevron’s agenda was to get the audience to believe that they are innocent and just victims of a conspiracy, without providing all the facts. It was disappointing for me to watch this video because it made me realize that many sources are not credible and do not portray the honest facts. I then began to ask myself, which sources can I trust and what facts have not been manipulated? Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish what news is honest and trustworthy, and a good example of honest news was the CBS video. After comparing both the CBS and Chevron videos, I now have a better idea of how to separate credible news from unworthy news.
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