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feedback during the dates indicated:
JRN 200 004: 11/27/2017 - 12/27/2017 Direct students to https://sirsonline.msu.edu. Students are required to complete the SIRS Online form OR indicate within that form that they decline to participate. Otherwise, final grades (for courses using SIRS Online) will be sequestered for seven days following the course grade submission deadline for this semester. SIRS Online rating summaries are available to instructors and department chairs after 12/27/2017 at https://sirsonline.msu.edu. Instructors should provide copies of the rating summaries to graduate assistants who assisted in teaching their course(s). Rating information collected by SIRS Online is reported in summary form only and cannot be linked to individual student responses. Student anonymity is carefully protected. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Carlson, (mcarlson@msu.edu, (517)432-5936). |
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
JRN 200: Homework for Wed./Fri. 11/29-12/1
First, you will have the AP Style quiz posted below to do as homework. The AP Style quiz will be due no later than 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4 by email to omars@msu.edu. That is the same deadline as your third out-of-class story and job shadow report.
Also, because you have so much due after the weekend and we have so little left to do in class right now, we will not have class on Friday, Dec. 1. Please do not show up here that day.
Class will resume on Wednesday, Dec. 6. In the meantime, I will be available as usual via email on weekdays, and by phone or text during nights and weekends.
Also, because you have so much due after the weekend and we have so little left to do in class right now, we will not have class on Friday, Dec. 1. Please do not show up here that day.
Class will resume on Wednesday, Dec. 6. In the meantime, I will be available as usual via email on weekdays, and by phone or text during nights and weekends.
JRN 200: AP Style Quiz
Use a Word document and rewrite the following sentences to correct all the mechanical, spelling and stylistic errors. The names in the sentences are spelled correctly. This is an open-book quiz; please use your AP Stylebook and AP Style blog posts to help you make corrections. Then, attach the word document to an email with the subject line of ap style quiz and send it to omars@msu.edu. Here are the sentences:
1. The clubs advisor, Reverend Sue Holt of Little Rock Arkansas spent two thousand dollars during her vacation in the East last Summer.
2. Irregardless of the cost, James Hazard Sr., a realtor in East Lansing michigan agreed to help the Vice-President win 60% of the delegates.
3. On Tuesday, August 13 the thirty two year old woman, a Journalism Professor in Ore. donated 5000 dollars to the democratic party.
4. 23 persons, all employes of the Federal Government, will attend the program, scheduled for 7:00 pm Tuesday, december 18 in Oshkosh, Wisc.
5. His number one candidate, Dist. Atty. Lisa Diaz of 87 North Roosevelt Dr. complained that only seven percent of the F.B.I. agents are women.
6. Both "Time Magazine" and "The Chicago Tribune" reported that James R Bughi, a presidential candidate, spent $42,000,000 dollars last fall.
7. 37 students in the philosophy class taught by Prof. Carlos Alicea finished the book entitled "American Outrage" before Dec. 12.
8. The girl, age 19, recieved a broken arm when her ford van overturned 3 times while traveling 80 mph on interstate 80 near Des Moines, Ia.
9. Doctor Maria Chavez, the Mayor of San Antonio Texas said the vice-president and first lady will speak to the Sophomores next Winter.
10. During the 1980s, Lynita Wong, now a sgt. in the US army, studied english, history, french and sociology at 3 colleges in the south.
1. The clubs advisor, Reverend Sue Holt of Little Rock Arkansas spent two thousand dollars during her vacation in the East last Summer.
2. Irregardless of the cost, James Hazard Sr., a realtor in East Lansing michigan agreed to help the Vice-President win 60% of the delegates.
3. On Tuesday, August 13 the thirty two year old woman, a Journalism Professor in Ore. donated 5000 dollars to the democratic party.
4. 23 persons, all employes of the Federal Government, will attend the program, scheduled for 7:00 pm Tuesday, december 18 in Oshkosh, Wisc.
5. His number one candidate, Dist. Atty. Lisa Diaz of 87 North Roosevelt Dr. complained that only seven percent of the F.B.I. agents are women.
6. Both "Time Magazine" and "The Chicago Tribune" reported that James R Bughi, a presidential candidate, spent $42,000,000 dollars last fall.
7. 37 students in the philosophy class taught by Prof. Carlos Alicea finished the book entitled "American Outrage" before Dec. 12.
8. The girl, age 19, recieved a broken arm when her ford van overturned 3 times while traveling 80 mph on interstate 80 near Des Moines, Ia.
9. Doctor Maria Chavez, the Mayor of San Antonio Texas said the vice-president and first lady will speak to the Sophomores next Winter.
10. During the 1980s, Lynita Wong, now a sgt. in the US army, studied english, history, french and sociology at 3 colleges in the south.
RFTM Ch. 5: Media Law
First, let's look at some general concepts:
Libel is defamation by written words, including stories, headlines, photo captions, TV scripts that are then read out loud, online content, ect. It's a degree apart from slander, which iss defamation by spoken word.
There are several elements of libel, including ...
... defamation. Did the words injure a reputation? It must be phrased in a literal way.
... identification. Was the person identified, directly or by reference?
... publication. Was the item actually published?
... falsity. Is the statement false? The burden is on the plaintiff -- not the defendant -- to prove it was false.
This is where most libel cases are thrown out of court, provided that the news organization did their due diligence in reporting and the story is, in fact, clearly true. If it's true, then there cannot be libel.
... injury. Did the accused actually suffer some form of harm as a result, such as monetary losses, harm to reputation, humiliation and/or mental anguish?
... fault. Did the news organization make the statement intentionally, recklessly or negligently? Did the news org know it was false, and shared it anyway? Did the news org fail to do due diligence in checking out the claim before reporting it? Did the news org have a reckless disregard for the truth?
Fault is very difficult to prove. The plaintiff must prove the news org knew facts that would call the story into question; refused to examine contradictory evidence; relied on an inherently unbelievable source; published/posted/broadcast the story without investigating; and/or simply made up the story. This is what is known as actual malice.
It's not enough for the plaintiff to prove there were simple unintended mistakes in handling the story, or that the defendant simply disliked the plaintiff. Fault is almost impossible to prove IF proper due diligence --like verifying facts, getting multiple sources to confirm information; giving the story subject a chance to rebut allegations -- is done in reporting, writing and editing the story.
Many journalists are frequently threatened with libel suits -- in my professional career I was threatened many dozens of times! -- but the vast majority are never sued, because the story is true.
There are several libel defenses. Those inlcude ...
... truth; that the gist of the charge is true. If there is no falsity, then there cannot be libel. A story that harms a reputation but is true is called the truth. From a legal standpoint, a story need not be correct in every detail; just the point the defendant is claiming to be libelous.
There are, however, exceptions to the truth rule. For example, if a quote is defamatory, but cited correctly without investigation into substance. (That's why we need multiple sources on things.) Or the omission of facts that create a misleading conclusion. Or the misuse of words to create a false impression. (We have to get context right.)
... fair report privilege. That is when we correctly quote defamatory statements during (but notbefore or after) public meetings in all levels of government, such as those offered during a city council meeting or a criminal trial or in an official document like a police report.
... fair comment and criticism. That is, opinions based on true facts, including opinions in news stories. Yes, an unattributed opinion in a news story is bad journalism, but it enjoys the same legal protections as good journalism.
The textbook offers a good libel avoidance checklist on p. 137; please review it.
Now that we talked about libel, let's move on to invasion of privacy. It involves intrusion, or intentionally intruding on someone's privacy in a highly offense manner.
For it to be invasion of privacy, this must take place in a place where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as if the reporter was trespassing in a private home, private property or a business open to the public but privately-owned (like a shopping mall), or using an eavesdropping device, or looking inside a person's home uninvited.
Courts do not consider ordinary newsgathering techniques to be intrusive, such as examining public records naming the person; interviewing their friends, relatives, associates and enemies; requesting interviews; and anything happening in a public place (like public streets, sidewalks, parks, and publicly-owned buildings).
Next, there is the issue of publicizing private facts. To be off-limits, the information must truly be private; that is, it's information not available via any public record; facts that are not widely known; and regarding a matter that is "highly offensive" and not just embarrassing; and that there is no legitimate public interest in disclosure.
There is also false light. That's where reporting creates a false and offensive impression. Legally, it's similar to libel, and a defendant must prove actual malice. Again, if we interview a wide variety of sources, double-check our information, give the story subject an opportunity to respond and keep the context of the story based on what we discovered and confirmed, then this should never be a real threat to us.
Let's now move on to access to public proceedings and records. First, at a breaking news scene like a car accident or house fire, it's important to remember reporters have no greater rights than citizens to gather at a news scene. Officials may extend access as they see fit, and they often do. But it's their call.
To help mitigate that, always carry press credentials identifying yourself as a working journalist; don't trespass on private property or cross marked police lines without permission; and obey all orders from police, even ones you don't think are right. You can always complain later.
Often, reporters access documents by citing state or federal Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) laws, regarding access to such documents. FOIA requires government to make most documents publicly accessible, but there are exceptions.
Those exceptions usually include: classified information; information regarding internal personnel rules and practices;; trade secrets; confidential commercial information; memos that would reveal decision-making processes; information that would intrude on personal privacy; police investigative files which, if disclosed, could cause harm or compromise an ongoing criminal investigation; and other limited exceptions.
It's hard for courts to close or otherwise restrict courtrooms or court proceedings to the press,unless media attention threatens the fairness of a trial. Courts may sequester jurors, issue gag orders to witnesses, seal some court files, or delay trials, but only in very rare instances can they legally shut the press out of a courtroom.
Libel is defamation by written words, including stories, headlines, photo captions, TV scripts that are then read out loud, online content, ect. It's a degree apart from slander, which iss defamation by spoken word.
There are several elements of libel, including ...
... defamation. Did the words injure a reputation? It must be phrased in a literal way.
... identification. Was the person identified, directly or by reference?
... publication. Was the item actually published?
... falsity. Is the statement false? The burden is on the plaintiff -- not the defendant -- to prove it was false.
This is where most libel cases are thrown out of court, provided that the news organization did their due diligence in reporting and the story is, in fact, clearly true. If it's true, then there cannot be libel.
... injury. Did the accused actually suffer some form of harm as a result, such as monetary losses, harm to reputation, humiliation and/or mental anguish?
... fault. Did the news organization make the statement intentionally, recklessly or negligently? Did the news org know it was false, and shared it anyway? Did the news org fail to do due diligence in checking out the claim before reporting it? Did the news org have a reckless disregard for the truth?
Fault is very difficult to prove. The plaintiff must prove the news org knew facts that would call the story into question; refused to examine contradictory evidence; relied on an inherently unbelievable source; published/posted/broadcast the story without investigating; and/or simply made up the story. This is what is known as actual malice.
It's not enough for the plaintiff to prove there were simple unintended mistakes in handling the story, or that the defendant simply disliked the plaintiff. Fault is almost impossible to prove IF proper due diligence --like verifying facts, getting multiple sources to confirm information; giving the story subject a chance to rebut allegations -- is done in reporting, writing and editing the story.
Many journalists are frequently threatened with libel suits -- in my professional career I was threatened many dozens of times! -- but the vast majority are never sued, because the story is true.
There are several libel defenses. Those inlcude ...
... truth; that the gist of the charge is true. If there is no falsity, then there cannot be libel. A story that harms a reputation but is true is called the truth. From a legal standpoint, a story need not be correct in every detail; just the point the defendant is claiming to be libelous.
There are, however, exceptions to the truth rule. For example, if a quote is defamatory, but cited correctly without investigation into substance. (That's why we need multiple sources on things.) Or the omission of facts that create a misleading conclusion. Or the misuse of words to create a false impression. (We have to get context right.)
... fair report privilege. That is when we correctly quote defamatory statements during (but notbefore or after) public meetings in all levels of government, such as those offered during a city council meeting or a criminal trial or in an official document like a police report.
... fair comment and criticism. That is, opinions based on true facts, including opinions in news stories. Yes, an unattributed opinion in a news story is bad journalism, but it enjoys the same legal protections as good journalism.
The textbook offers a good libel avoidance checklist on p. 137; please review it.
Now that we talked about libel, let's move on to invasion of privacy. It involves intrusion, or intentionally intruding on someone's privacy in a highly offense manner.
For it to be invasion of privacy, this must take place in a place where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as if the reporter was trespassing in a private home, private property or a business open to the public but privately-owned (like a shopping mall), or using an eavesdropping device, or looking inside a person's home uninvited.
Courts do not consider ordinary newsgathering techniques to be intrusive, such as examining public records naming the person; interviewing their friends, relatives, associates and enemies; requesting interviews; and anything happening in a public place (like public streets, sidewalks, parks, and publicly-owned buildings).
Next, there is the issue of publicizing private facts. To be off-limits, the information must truly be private; that is, it's information not available via any public record; facts that are not widely known; and regarding a matter that is "highly offensive" and not just embarrassing; and that there is no legitimate public interest in disclosure.
There is also false light. That's where reporting creates a false and offensive impression. Legally, it's similar to libel, and a defendant must prove actual malice. Again, if we interview a wide variety of sources, double-check our information, give the story subject an opportunity to respond and keep the context of the story based on what we discovered and confirmed, then this should never be a real threat to us.
Let's now move on to access to public proceedings and records. First, at a breaking news scene like a car accident or house fire, it's important to remember reporters have no greater rights than citizens to gather at a news scene. Officials may extend access as they see fit, and they often do. But it's their call.
To help mitigate that, always carry press credentials identifying yourself as a working journalist; don't trespass on private property or cross marked police lines without permission; and obey all orders from police, even ones you don't think are right. You can always complain later.
Often, reporters access documents by citing state or federal Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) laws, regarding access to such documents. FOIA requires government to make most documents publicly accessible, but there are exceptions.
Those exceptions usually include: classified information; information regarding internal personnel rules and practices;; trade secrets; confidential commercial information; memos that would reveal decision-making processes; information that would intrude on personal privacy; police investigative files which, if disclosed, could cause harm or compromise an ongoing criminal investigation; and other limited exceptions.
It's hard for courts to close or otherwise restrict courtrooms or court proceedings to the press,unless media attention threatens the fairness of a trial. Courts may sequester jurors, issue gag orders to witnesses, seal some court files, or delay trials, but only in very rare instances can they legally shut the press out of a courtroom.
RFTM Ch. 6: Ethics
What are ethics? Simply put, acting and thinking morally and being able to distinguish between right and wrong. It's key to establishing credibility. But the answers to what is ethical and what is not can be elusive, situational and judgmental.
In ethical decision-making, there are several guiding questions. Among them:
There are several issues central to ethics. First, we must maintain objectivity. We must put aside personal biases; be accurate, and offer proper context based on the facts we find.
Second, we must be on guard against exploiting grief. It's important to establish the true human impact of a bad happening; that's why we try to talk to victims and survivors and their loved ones. But that's difficult because of the state of victims and their families. We risk hurting victims again by creating a "second wound" of retelling and detailing a tragic event.
So, we need to weigh the importance in the community being able to appreciate the full, tragic weight of an event versus the harm that may be done to victims.
I mean, would you feel the same about something like 9/11 if you didn't hear the personal stories of what people went through that day? That's what made 9/11 news; not that planes hit buildings, but that those events altered scores of human lives like ours.
Then again, how must it be for victim families to hear those details re-aired, not only to them but to the whole world? There is no perfect answer; so we try to come up with the best imperfect answer we can.
Third, we should never steal or fabricate information. There's no grey area here; it's never acceptable. We're in the truth business. We tell the truth. It's the same as not tolerating a cop who steals or a firefighter who's a pyromaniac or a doctor that murders people.
Fourth, we must take care in handling rumors and speculation. Ideally, reporters investigate rumors and come up with evidence so they can turn rumors into facts, or debunk rumors. We don't just report rumors.
Fifth, when witnessing a crime or disaster, we need to weigh the risk to the victim versus the value of information gleaned. If we come across a victim that is not being assisted, we should be human first and help others in need. If those hurt are already being assisted, do your job and let professional responders do theirs.
As journalists, we are trying to assist humanity. Our primary way of doing that is by sharing stories of importance to the greater world. It also means using common sense, being a human being and not being a dick when the circumstances call for humanity.
Sixth, conflicts of interest should be avoided. We are in a conflict of interest when we or someone close to us are in a position to benefit from a story we cover. Circumstances that create a conflict of interest include ...
... accepting freebies. We should not accept anything of even minimal value from a news source. Whether or not the freebie actually influences a story is irrelevant; it can create a reasonable appearance of a conflict of interest, and it's that appearance we're trying to avoid.
... free trips. We cannot accept transportation or lodging for an event that would otherwise be inaccessible. If we must be embedded with those we cover, we need to pay back the cost of our access.
... participating in the news. We should not hold public office, help with campaigns or special-interest issues, or write about issues in which we have a direct or indirect interest. For example, if we're the member of a fraternity, we shouldn't be the one writing about that frat's fund-raiser. If we think we have a conflict of interest, alert your boss and ask to be reassigned.
... dating and cronyism. Don't date who you write about. If you do, ask to be reassigned. Plus, don't allow similar conflicts with friends, family or your own private interests.
... "scratching backs." Don't write stories with the purpose of currying favor with a source. You write stories only because they are in the public interest, not your own. Try to have multiple sources in any subject area so you are not beholden to any single source for info.
In ethical decision-making, there are several guiding questions. Among them:
- Who will be hurt by this story?
- Who will be helped?
- What do we usually do in similar situations?
- Is this the best alternative?
- Can you look yourself in the mirror tomorrow and believe you did the right thing for the right reasons?
- Can you justify your actions to the public?
- What principles or values can you apply?
- Does this decision fit the kind of journalism you believe in and the way people should treat one another?
- What is the objective of this story?
- Will my decisions contribute to the reason for writing the story?
- Is there a greater good that you're trying to accomplish that outweighs whatever bad that may result from my actions?
There are several issues central to ethics. First, we must maintain objectivity. We must put aside personal biases; be accurate, and offer proper context based on the facts we find.
Second, we must be on guard against exploiting grief. It's important to establish the true human impact of a bad happening; that's why we try to talk to victims and survivors and their loved ones. But that's difficult because of the state of victims and their families. We risk hurting victims again by creating a "second wound" of retelling and detailing a tragic event.
So, we need to weigh the importance in the community being able to appreciate the full, tragic weight of an event versus the harm that may be done to victims.
I mean, would you feel the same about something like 9/11 if you didn't hear the personal stories of what people went through that day? That's what made 9/11 news; not that planes hit buildings, but that those events altered scores of human lives like ours.
Then again, how must it be for victim families to hear those details re-aired, not only to them but to the whole world? There is no perfect answer; so we try to come up with the best imperfect answer we can.
Third, we should never steal or fabricate information. There's no grey area here; it's never acceptable. We're in the truth business. We tell the truth. It's the same as not tolerating a cop who steals or a firefighter who's a pyromaniac or a doctor that murders people.
Fourth, we must take care in handling rumors and speculation. Ideally, reporters investigate rumors and come up with evidence so they can turn rumors into facts, or debunk rumors. We don't just report rumors.
Fifth, when witnessing a crime or disaster, we need to weigh the risk to the victim versus the value of information gleaned. If we come across a victim that is not being assisted, we should be human first and help others in need. If those hurt are already being assisted, do your job and let professional responders do theirs.
As journalists, we are trying to assist humanity. Our primary way of doing that is by sharing stories of importance to the greater world. It also means using common sense, being a human being and not being a dick when the circumstances call for humanity.
Sixth, conflicts of interest should be avoided. We are in a conflict of interest when we or someone close to us are in a position to benefit from a story we cover. Circumstances that create a conflict of interest include ...
... accepting freebies. We should not accept anything of even minimal value from a news source. Whether or not the freebie actually influences a story is irrelevant; it can create a reasonable appearance of a conflict of interest, and it's that appearance we're trying to avoid.
... free trips. We cannot accept transportation or lodging for an event that would otherwise be inaccessible. If we must be embedded with those we cover, we need to pay back the cost of our access.
... participating in the news. We should not hold public office, help with campaigns or special-interest issues, or write about issues in which we have a direct or indirect interest. For example, if we're the member of a fraternity, we shouldn't be the one writing about that frat's fund-raiser. If we think we have a conflict of interest, alert your boss and ask to be reassigned.
... dating and cronyism. Don't date who you write about. If you do, ask to be reassigned. Plus, don't allow similar conflicts with friends, family or your own private interests.
... "scratching backs." Don't write stories with the purpose of currying favor with a source. You write stories only because they are in the public interest, not your own. Try to have multiple sources in any subject area so you are not beholden to any single source for info.
Ethics: A Code To Follow
Listed below is the Code of Ethics from the Society of Professional Journalists, the nation's leading organization of journalists. I strongly recommend you print out the code and keep it handy for however long you are a journalist. The principles offered within can help you guide an ethical and responsible response to numerous situations:
SPJ Code of Ethics
Download a printable copy [PDF]
Preamble
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.
Seek Truth and Report It
Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Journalists should:
Minimize Harm
Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.
Journalists should:
Act Independently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know.
Journalists should:
Be Accountable
Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.
Journalists should:
The SPJ Code of Ethics is voluntarily embraced by thousands of writers, editors and other news professionals. The present version of the code was adopted by the 1996 SPJ National Convention, after months of study and debate among the Society's members.
Sigma Delta Chi's first Code of Ethics was borrowed from the American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1926. In 1973, Sigma Delta Chi wrote its own code, which was revised in 1984, 1987 and 1996.
SPJ Code of Ethics
Download a printable copy [PDF]
Preamble
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.
The SPJ Code of Ethics is voluntarily embraced by thousands of journalists, regardless of place or platform, and is widely used in newsrooms and classrooms as a guide for ethical behavior. The code is intended not as a set of "rules" but as a resource for ethical decision-making. It is not — nor can it be under the First Amendment — legally enforceable.
For an expanded explanation, please follow this link.
For an expanded explanation, please follow this link.
Seek Truth and Report It
Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Journalists should:
— Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
— Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
— Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.
— Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.
— Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
— Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.
— Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.
— Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story
— Never plagiarize.
— Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
— Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.
— Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.
— Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
— Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.
— Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
— Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
— Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection.
Minimize Harm
Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.
Journalists should:
— Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
— Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
— Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
— Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.
— Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
— Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes.
— Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
— Balance a criminal suspect’s fair trial rights with the public’s right to be informed.
Act Independently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know.
Journalists should:
—Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
— Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
— Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
— Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
— Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.
Be Accountable
Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.
Journalists should:
— Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct.
— Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.
— Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
— Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.
— Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
The SPJ Code of Ethics is voluntarily embraced by thousands of writers, editors and other news professionals. The present version of the code was adopted by the 1996 SPJ National Convention, after months of study and debate among the Society's members.
Sigma Delta Chi's first Code of Ethics was borrowed from the American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1926. In 1973, Sigma Delta Chi wrote its own code, which was revised in 1984, 1987 and 1996.
Ethics: 9/11's Falling Man, The Buzzard And The Girl, The Burn Victim
There's a fine line between showing readers the brutal truth of a situation so that they understand the powerful truth of any story, and showing readers a truth so brutal that readers ignore the point you were trying to make and instead question your judgment.
I can think of no better example of this than the so-called "Falling Man" photo, taken by an Associated Press photographer during the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and published by The New York Times the next day. Here it is:
This remarkable article from Esquire Magazine in 2003 offers a summation of the complex and contradictory forces at play in deciding if running the image was the absolute right thing or the incredibly wrong thing to do.
If you were an editor on Sept. 11, what would you have done? And why?
Likewise, what would you do if you were a photographer covering an African famine and you came across a starving girl being stalked by a vulture?
That was a real-world decision for one photog, and it may have led to his own unfortunate end.
Finally, what would you do if you were the photographer who took this award-winning pic of this badly-burned girl in the Vietnam War?
Look carefully at each picture; read each link carefully and in its entirety; and then let's talk it out.
What I'd like you to do for each photo is to answer the following questions for each of the three photos and scenarios:
-- Do you agree with the course of action actually taken by the photojournalist? Why or why not? Cite ethical values we've discussed in the blog and read in the ethics chapter.
-- What you would have done and why if you were the photographer? Cite ethical values we've discussed in the blog and read in the ethics chapter.
I want to hear what you think, and why. I'm not looking for simply your personal opinions; I'm looking for your professional opinions, based on what we've learned and what we believe in as journalists and as human beings.
I can think of no better example of this than the so-called "Falling Man" photo, taken by an Associated Press photographer during the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and published by The New York Times the next day. Here it is:
This remarkable article from Esquire Magazine in 2003 offers a summation of the complex and contradictory forces at play in deciding if running the image was the absolute right thing or the incredibly wrong thing to do.
If you were an editor on Sept. 11, what would you have done? And why?
Likewise, what would you do if you were a photographer covering an African famine and you came across a starving girl being stalked by a vulture?
That was a real-world decision for one photog, and it may have led to his own unfortunate end.
Finally, what would you do if you were the photographer who took this award-winning pic of this badly-burned girl in the Vietnam War?
Look carefully at each picture; read each link carefully and in its entirety; and then let's talk it out.
What I'd like you to do for each photo is to answer the following questions for each of the three photos and scenarios:
-- Do you agree with the course of action actually taken by the photojournalist? Why or why not? Cite ethical values we've discussed in the blog and read in the ethics chapter.
-- What you would have done and why if you were the photographer? Cite ethical values we've discussed in the blog and read in the ethics chapter.
I want to hear what you think, and why. I'm not looking for simply your personal opinions; I'm looking for your professional opinions, based on what we've learned and what we believe in as journalists and as human beings.
Ethics: What I Would Have Done
Many ethical decisions in journalism are best guesses; rarely is there an obvious "right" answer. We look at the circumstances, apply our values and aim to do the most good and the least harm. In the messy real world, never is that ratio 100 percent good/zero percent harm. It's subjective as hell, but that's the way the world is.
But here's what I would have done, and why:
On Sept. 11, 2001, I would have shot and decided to run the Falling Man pic. To me, it is the most powerful symbol of the day. 9/11 wasn't about airplanes hitting buildings; it was about 3,000 individual people, with lives just like you and me, who had to make horrible death-or-death decisions like, "Do I fall 102 stories or do I burn to death?" That picture brings home that this was humanity at its worst in an incredibly powerful way.
But it may have been too powerful for that day.I think on Sept. 12, 2001, I would have regretted that choice. That's because in reality, there was a ton of public fury over the publication and airing of jumper pics, like the Falling Man one. The public was spending far more time considering editorial judgment (arguing if it was death porn) rather than editorial content (the humanity behind 9/11).
The point of how we write a story or what photo we use is to highlight the facts, meaning and content of the subject we're focusing on, and not distract from it. On 9/11, at least, the pic was a distraction. With the next-day perspective maybe I would have run it Web-only with a disclaimer, or run it well after 9/11, when the wound wasn't as raw.
Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't have run pics showing humanity, or even the brutal side of 9/11. It's just I think I would have edited more carefully to show pics that make the point of human tragedy without alienating my audience. Journalism without an audience simply isn't journalism. There's no perfect way to measure that; I would have to consider the facts, then the audience and where it draws the line, and make an educated guess.
You need to share what you see. That doesn't necessarily mean every literal thing you see -- like the Falling Man -- but it does have to be something that is representative of all the things you saw and heard. Maybe another image would have done that, while being more receptive to the audience. Maybe Falling Man would have been better considered by the audience well after that day, after wounds have been allowed to heal somewhat.
Then again, the root of the word news is new. That's no accident; it's news only if it's new, or recent, or revelatory. Is it news if I hide it when it matters most: right when something is happening? Maybe not.
Yes, you want to tell stories truthfully, even if the truth is brutal. But you don't want to distract from the story's underlying point, either. And we have to serve the audience when they want or need news. Our challenge is to reconcile those three factors, even when it's hard. Like it was on 9/11.
I would have taken the starving girl/vulture pic, and I would have run it. But I would have done something else in-between those actions. I would have taken the girl to a first aid station after getting the pic.
Just taking the pic and doing nothing else is not a good choice, in my view. This wasn't an instance where there were hundreds of people waiting to die, all of whom one journalist couldn't help. This was one child; one child is doable.
But helping the girl without taking the pic I find to be a bad choice. First, the way journalists help the most people while hurting the fewest is by sharing horrible things happening beyond the horizon of our audience. How can they possibly decide this is tragedy and want to make a priority of helping if they don't see how bad it really is there?
Second, we are not there to be aid workers; we are there to be journalists. That's the reason we're there. That's why our news organizations paid for us to go. We can't forget what our job is. It's just that we don't forget we're human, either. We can be both simultaneously. What's more, we need to be both at the same time, never forgetting one or the other.
Given that explanation, I would have done exactly what was done regarding the Vietnam War burned girl pic. I would have taken the pic, illustrating what war really is: not just tanks and explosions, but the very real human carnage of an innocent and terrified girl having her clothes burned off. I would then have done whatever I could to help, like the journalists did in this case by securing medical treatment for the girl.
And then I would have run the pic; again, a story (or pic) without an audience isn't journalism. You need to share what you see. That's why we were there in the first place. And we do no good to the masses if we don't share what we discovered.
What do you guys think on my points? Give it some thought. Quite often, there is no "right" answer in journalism; rather, there's a bunch of good answers. What we look for is the best solution, even if it's imperfect (and it usually is).
But here's what I would have done, and why:
On Sept. 11, 2001, I would have shot and decided to run the Falling Man pic. To me, it is the most powerful symbol of the day. 9/11 wasn't about airplanes hitting buildings; it was about 3,000 individual people, with lives just like you and me, who had to make horrible death-or-death decisions like, "Do I fall 102 stories or do I burn to death?" That picture brings home that this was humanity at its worst in an incredibly powerful way.
But it may have been too powerful for that day.I think on Sept. 12, 2001, I would have regretted that choice. That's because in reality, there was a ton of public fury over the publication and airing of jumper pics, like the Falling Man one. The public was spending far more time considering editorial judgment (arguing if it was death porn) rather than editorial content (the humanity behind 9/11).
The point of how we write a story or what photo we use is to highlight the facts, meaning and content of the subject we're focusing on, and not distract from it. On 9/11, at least, the pic was a distraction. With the next-day perspective maybe I would have run it Web-only with a disclaimer, or run it well after 9/11, when the wound wasn't as raw.
Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't have run pics showing humanity, or even the brutal side of 9/11. It's just I think I would have edited more carefully to show pics that make the point of human tragedy without alienating my audience. Journalism without an audience simply isn't journalism. There's no perfect way to measure that; I would have to consider the facts, then the audience and where it draws the line, and make an educated guess.
You need to share what you see. That doesn't necessarily mean every literal thing you see -- like the Falling Man -- but it does have to be something that is representative of all the things you saw and heard. Maybe another image would have done that, while being more receptive to the audience. Maybe Falling Man would have been better considered by the audience well after that day, after wounds have been allowed to heal somewhat.
Then again, the root of the word news is new. That's no accident; it's news only if it's new, or recent, or revelatory. Is it news if I hide it when it matters most: right when something is happening? Maybe not.
Yes, you want to tell stories truthfully, even if the truth is brutal. But you don't want to distract from the story's underlying point, either. And we have to serve the audience when they want or need news. Our challenge is to reconcile those three factors, even when it's hard. Like it was on 9/11.
I would have taken the starving girl/vulture pic, and I would have run it. But I would have done something else in-between those actions. I would have taken the girl to a first aid station after getting the pic.
Just taking the pic and doing nothing else is not a good choice, in my view. This wasn't an instance where there were hundreds of people waiting to die, all of whom one journalist couldn't help. This was one child; one child is doable.
But helping the girl without taking the pic I find to be a bad choice. First, the way journalists help the most people while hurting the fewest is by sharing horrible things happening beyond the horizon of our audience. How can they possibly decide this is tragedy and want to make a priority of helping if they don't see how bad it really is there?
Second, we are not there to be aid workers; we are there to be journalists. That's the reason we're there. That's why our news organizations paid for us to go. We can't forget what our job is. It's just that we don't forget we're human, either. We can be both simultaneously. What's more, we need to be both at the same time, never forgetting one or the other.
Given that explanation, I would have done exactly what was done regarding the Vietnam War burned girl pic. I would have taken the pic, illustrating what war really is: not just tanks and explosions, but the very real human carnage of an innocent and terrified girl having her clothes burned off. I would then have done whatever I could to help, like the journalists did in this case by securing medical treatment for the girl.
And then I would have run the pic; again, a story (or pic) without an audience isn't journalism. You need to share what you see. That's why we were there in the first place. And we do no good to the masses if we don't share what we discovered.
What do you guys think on my points? Give it some thought. Quite often, there is no "right" answer in journalism; rather, there's a bunch of good answers. What we look for is the best solution, even if it's imperfect (and it usually is).
Monday, November 27, 2017
JRN 200: Your Turn To Grade Me!
Student Instruction Rating System (SIRS Online) collects student
feedback on courses and instruction at MSU. Student Instructional
Rating System (SIRS Online) forms will be available for your students to
submit feedback during the dates indicated:
JRN 200 004: 11/27/2017 - 12/27/2017
Direct students to https://sirsonline.msu.edu.
Students are required to complete the SIRS Online form OR indicate within that form that they decline to participate. Otherwise, final grades (for courses using SIRS Online) will be sequestered for seven days following the course grade submission deadline for this semester.
SIRS Online rating summaries are available to instructors and department chairs after 12/27/2017 at https://sirsonline.msu.edu. Instructors should provide copies of the rating summaries to graduate assistants who assisted in teaching their course(s). Rating information collected by SIRS Online is reported in summary form only and cannot be linked to individual student responses. Student anonymity is carefully protected.
If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Carlson, (mcarlson@msu.edu, (517)432-5936).
JRN 200 004: 11/27/2017 - 12/27/2017
Direct students to https://sirsonline.msu.edu.
Students are required to complete the SIRS Online form OR indicate within that form that they decline to participate. Otherwise, final grades (for courses using SIRS Online) will be sequestered for seven days following the course grade submission deadline for this semester.
SIRS Online rating summaries are available to instructors and department chairs after 12/27/2017 at https://sirsonline.msu.edu. Instructors should provide copies of the rating summaries to graduate assistants who assisted in teaching their course(s). Rating information collected by SIRS Online is reported in summary form only and cannot be linked to individual student responses. Student anonymity is carefully protected.
If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Carlson, (mcarlson@msu.edu, (517)432-5936).
Friday, November 17, 2017
JRN 200: Classes For The Week of Thanksgiving
Obviously, we have no classes on Friday, Nov. 24. That's during MSU's Thanksgiving break.
But in addition to Thanksgiving break, JRN 200 will also be giving you a break: no class on Wednesday, Nov. 22, either. Please sleep in or go home early or whatever; just don't come here because no one will be here.
That means our next class session will be Wednesday. Nov. 29 at 8 a.m. See you then, and have a safe and happy holiday.
But in addition to Thanksgiving break, JRN 200 will also be giving you a break: no class on Wednesday, Nov. 22, either. Please sleep in or go home early or whatever; just don't come here because no one will be here.
That means our next class session will be Wednesday. Nov. 29 at 8 a.m. See you then, and have a safe and happy holiday.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
JRN 200: Homework For Friday 11/17
Next up is your third multimedia assignment. Your topic will be the same as your third out-of-class story. So when you do your interviews for your third out-of-classer, be sure to gather material for all mediums at the same time: print, video and online.
The multimedia package should include:
... a 1-2 minute video, uploaded to YouTube, with B-roll and at least two source interviews on-tape;
... a 100-200-word preview or one side of the issue, posted to blogger.com and done in a journalistic style, taking a look at the issue going into your reporting or one side of your issue, with at least two relevant working hyperlinks embedded in the text;
... and a 100-200-word recap or other side of the issue posted to blogger.com and done in a journalistic style, taking a look at what you discovered about the issue/how it ended or a second side to your issue, with at least two relevant working hyperlinks embedded in the text.
For this exercise, you may re-interview sources from your previous stories or interview new sources. You may also use what you gathered and your notes from your original stories in putting together your new media news products.
Also, when I say you can do the entire comprehensive story or just an aspect of it, this is what I mean: let's say you did a story on the pros and cons of living off-campus vs. on-campus. The video and tweet stream may just look at one aspect, such as student opinions on the issue. The preview online story might look at the experiences of on-campus residents; with the recap looking at off-campus viewpoints. None of the mediums necessarily have to look at the issue as broadly as you did in a traditional text story (though you may do so if you so choose).
Your deadline for the third multimedia assignment will be 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, via email to omars@msu.edu. Please put ALL your links to your work into a single email, with the subject line of MM3.
Please do your best to put in your best effort on these assignments. In many ways, these assignments are our finals.
We also have one final reading from the RFTM textbook this semester: Chapters 6 and 7 (p. 79-132), by the start of class Wednesday, Nov. 29.
The multimedia package should include:
... a 1-2 minute video, uploaded to YouTube, with B-roll and at least two source interviews on-tape;
... a 100-200-word preview or one side of the issue, posted to blogger.com and done in a journalistic style, taking a look at the issue going into your reporting or one side of your issue, with at least two relevant working hyperlinks embedded in the text;
... and a 100-200-word recap or other side of the issue posted to blogger.com and done in a journalistic style, taking a look at what you discovered about the issue/how it ended or a second side to your issue, with at least two relevant working hyperlinks embedded in the text.
For this exercise, you may re-interview sources from your previous stories or interview new sources. You may also use what you gathered and your notes from your original stories in putting together your new media news products.
Also, when I say you can do the entire comprehensive story or just an aspect of it, this is what I mean: let's say you did a story on the pros and cons of living off-campus vs. on-campus. The video and tweet stream may just look at one aspect, such as student opinions on the issue. The preview online story might look at the experiences of on-campus residents; with the recap looking at off-campus viewpoints. None of the mediums necessarily have to look at the issue as broadly as you did in a traditional text story (though you may do so if you so choose).
Your deadline for the third multimedia assignment will be 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, via email to omars@msu.edu. Please put ALL your links to your work into a single email, with the subject line of MM3.
Please do your best to put in your best effort on these assignments. In many ways, these assignments are our finals.
We also have one final reading from the RFTM textbook this semester: Chapters 6 and 7 (p. 79-132), by the start of class Wednesday, Nov. 29.
Don't forget you also have existing deadlines for your third out-of-class story (Monday, Nov. 27), your optional fourth out-of-class story (Friday, Dec. 8) and job shadow (Monday, Dec. 4).
If you need any assistance, contact me ASAP. And good luck, everybody!
MM #2: Let's Look At Some Vids And Blog Posts!
Here are some examples of your work. The comments are not being made to pick on anyone, and no grades are being shared beyond me and the person whose work it is.
But I am sharing comments to help us all get a sense of what we did well, and what we can do better, and how to do that.
Off we go:
But I am sharing comments to help us all get a sense of what we did well, and what we can do better, and how to do that.
So please take a look at EACH piece of work via the hyperlinks below, and see what ideas you can get by reviewing EVERYONE'S work to make your next multimedia assignment go as well as possible.
Off we go:
Dakota H: housing options video and blog posts one and two: Good B-roll over the A-roll so we show while we tell. The blog posts are nicely written, but are entirely missing hyperlinks. We always need hyperlinks to value-added background info related to our posts.
Shannon M.: anti-Semitism video and blog posts one and two: Even when we think we're holding the camera super-steady, there is still a bit of wiggle. Use a tripod whenever possible.
Rachel Y.: recycling video and blog posts one and two: Good variety of B-roll over A-roll.
Katie K: agriculture at MSU video and blog posts one and two: A-roll subject should be framed using the Rule of Thirds. Better B-roll would show activity: people working on plants, people walking and observing plants, etc. Look for activity. The blog posts complement each other without copying the angle: one is an ag student's view; the other is a non-ag student's view.
Audrey P.: "Rape Trail: video and blog posts one and two: Good A-roll with the video, but the B-roll needed to go over the A-roll, not after it. Plus, the two blog posts essentially copy each other: both are about female students being uncomfortable walking there. Having posts that complement but not copy each other would have meant having one post about what students think and the other post about what cops and school officials have to say about it, for example. Or one post about students who feel unsafe there and the other about students who feel safe, regardless of reputation.
Ian K.: students who work video and blog posts one and two: Instead of being stuck on our first B-roll shot here for an extended period, it may have been better to shoot the same machine from different angles and distances, and mix up those differing B-roll perspectives from that same B-roll subject. While the blog posts each involve student views; the posts complement but don't copy each other because the students offer differing views: one student says working is good; the other says it adds stress.
Jabari S.: fitness video and blog posts one and two. Nice B-roll showing the power of different angles of the same thing. Watch our audio. The blog posts were lacking the minimum number of hyperlinks and adherence to AP Style. What do you think would have made good hyperlinks here?
Catherine B.: personal brand video and blog posts one and two. We are better off shooting different angles and distances of B-roll rather than panning. Nice use of still photos for B-roll. Watch your sound and use a tripod to minimize camera shake. The blog posts complement but don't copy each other; while they are both about students, each student offers a different approach to what they are doing. You compare different students doing different things; not different students doing the same thing.
Shannon L.: The "freshman 15" video and blog posts one and two: Good narration and B-roll. The first blog post sets up the second; the first one defines the "freshman 15" and lays out the issue; the second gets student reaction on what they see in their daily lives regarding that.
Jack K.: Getting around campus video and blog posts one and two. With bus shots, shooting the bus from different angles and distances could have helped break up that one static shot from the same angle and distance.
Remington S.: libraries video and blog posts one and two: Make sure your captions show up well and don't blend into the background, like the second one here. The blog posts complement each other, as the two compare what MSU's library is like versus a traditional library. Each post takes one of those angles.
Jared C.: polluted river video and blog posts one and two: Good use of still pics as B-roll. Good hyperlinks on the first blog post, but the second required two different hyperlinks; it just had one, and that one was from the first post.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Job Shadows: What You Saw, Part 1
Here's a sampling of some of the various job shadows done by you all. Take a look and see what you can learn from everyone's visits. There's a lot of good stuff here to help you decide what you want to do with your lives; what you need to be doing to get there; and what to expect when you do get there.
We will add more job shadow reports to the blog as they are completed. Please give each one of these a quick read, will you?
*****
*****
I had the pleasure of shadowing Joe Aulisio who is a sports
anchor and reporter for NBC affiliate, Wood TV8 in Grand Rapids. I made the
drive to Grand Rapids on October 30, 2017 and arrived at the station around 4
p.m. Aulisio was working on producing the 5 p.m. show when I walked in. He was
writing down the script for what he was going to say as well as what the anchors
were going to say about sports.
Aulisio also showed me how he edits the clips
he’s going to use when on air and explained to me how he gets those clips. He
or one of the other two sports anchors at the station go to the event they want
to cover and film what they want. Or if they can’t make the event then they
just record it on the station’s T.V. and edit together what they need. For
example, Aulisio wanted to talk about Game five of the World Series and he just
pulled the walk-off hit from the T.V. recording as well as a clip of pitcher
Clayton Kershaw so that the viewers know what he’s about to talk about next. I
got a chance to see how he prepares for his hit while also seeing him go on air
for the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. shows and how he reads off the teleprompter that
shows the script he wrote.
For Aulisio he only had two minutes
to fill for his hit and with so much going on in sports he really had to pick
out what was important and going be the most interesting to the viewers, which
is something I learned to be very important in the journalism field.
Shadow Subject: Joe Aulisio, 1(440)346-0317, joseph.aulisio@woodtv.com
*****
Nick Green is a journalistic
jack-of-all-trades. He is both the editor for Michigan Out-of-Doors Magazine
and the Public Information Officer for the Michigan United Conservation Club.
As editor of a small magazine it falls to him to sort through submitted
stories, layout the magazine digitally, write stories and shoot his own
photographs for the magazine, edit submitted photos, communicate with
advertisers, and still complete his duties as editor.
The quarterly
publication can receive up to a few dozen freelance stories for each issue. As
Nick showed me, not all of them are good. Some are downright terrible, full of
grammar and spelling errors as well as being horribly formatted as some people
who submit articles have no journalistic experience and simply like the
outdoors. When Nick took the job as editor a few months ago he had to approach
some regular contributors to tell them their work wasn’t cutting it anymore. He
acts as the voice of the magazine to both readers of it and those who write for
it.
Nick
explained that he had worked at the Cadillac News while finishing his degree in
journalism from CMU. Through that job he met Bob Garner who hosted the Michigan
Out-of-Doors TV show for over 20 years. Bob gave Nick a recommendation to Nicks
now boss which got Nick an interview. What really got his future bosses
attention was in Nick’s resume he included a link to a video he had done about
Woodcock hunting for the Cadillac News. Nick knew through connections like Bob
that the man hiring him was an avid upland bird hunter whose father was the
president of the Ruffed Grouse Society. Nick essentially highlighted a specific
piece to appeal to his audience.
I
think a job like this would fit me. I consider myself a jack-of-all-trades and
I like to keep expanding my knowledge in as many areas as possible. Despite a
lot of time on the computer, I have a good eye for editing and finding mistakes
in writing and the creative portion of magazine layout is a fun challenge.
Working for a small publication would probably offer me chances to write my own
pieces which is one of the best parts of journalism for me. I don’t want to end
up in a position where I can no longer write my own stories. Additionally, the
amount of time that could be spent interacting with other outdoorsmen and women
as well as companies who cater to their demographic would be a great fit.
JRN 200: Homework for Wednesday 11/15
There are two things you will be asked to do:
1. You will be asked to put together a resume for yourself in a structure that adheres to professional standards in the journalism and communications industries, as laid out in earlier related blog posts (putting media experience ahead of other experience, putting education lower in the resume, keeping the resume at no longer than one page, etc.).
2. You will be asked to write a cover letter for yourself in a structure that adheres to professional standards in the journalism and communications industries, as laid out in earlier blog posts (written in more of a narrative voice moreso that a simple businesslike form, etc.).
We'll start working on these with the remainder of our class time today, and then finish them on our own time. Each should be in a separate Word document. Your deadline is no later than 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 20 by email to omars@msu.edu.
1. You will be asked to put together a resume for yourself in a structure that adheres to professional standards in the journalism and communications industries, as laid out in earlier related blog posts (putting media experience ahead of other experience, putting education lower in the resume, keeping the resume at no longer than one page, etc.).
2. You will be asked to write a cover letter for yourself in a structure that adheres to professional standards in the journalism and communications industries, as laid out in earlier blog posts (written in more of a narrative voice moreso that a simple businesslike form, etc.).
We'll start working on these with the remainder of our class time today, and then finish them on our own time. Each should be in a separate Word document. Your deadline is no later than 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 20 by email to omars@msu.edu.
Getting An Internship: Effective Resumes
By JOE GRIMM
When it comes to selling yourself on paper, you will find that media managers are tough customers. After all, they put information on paper every day. There are no bonus points for correct spelling, punctuation or grammar. Those are givens. A single error can consign your resume to the circular file. Edit your work, proofread the final copy and then double-check everything. Twice. Have someone else go over it. Make sure the editor is not the first person to see the finished product. Understand the purpose of a resume. It is not intended to get you a job. It is meant to tell prospective employers enough about you so that they’ll look at your work sample or call you in for an interview. Use the interview, tests, tryouts and other steps to land the job. The resume is the earliest of preliminaries. It is Square One.
In a business where word economy is valued, one-page resumes have traditionally been the norm. This is changing, though not with all editors. Even editors with 20 years and several papers behind them limit their resumes to one page. You’re certainly free to exceed that, but it won’t work with everyone, especially when your experience — compare to the editor’s — is modest.
What comes after name, address, phone number and e-mail?
Stating your career objective can help, but only if it matches the opening. An incompatible career objective can eliminate you in a New York minute. It’s OK to omit this.
Put education or experience next, depending on which is more relevant to the job you’re trying to get. If all your work has been outside of journalism, but you have a degree in it, lead with the degree and details about your coursework. If you’re completing a non-journalism degree and have two media internships, list the internships first. The categories’ chronological order is less important than relevance. However, follow chronological order withincategories, most recent to oldest.
Go beyond simple job titles
Describe your jobs. Don’t say you were a reporter. Say you were a reporter who covered a school district, two police departments and the local court and that you wrote a Sunday column. Mention the more complicated, difficult or humorous accomplishments you had in those jobs. These accomplishments distinguish your resume from others, tell the newsroom manager something about your interests and abilities and could open the door to an interview.
Describe your jobs. Don’t say you were a reporter. Say you were a reporter who covered a school district, two police departments and the local court and that you wrote a Sunday column. Mention the more complicated, difficult or humorous accomplishments you had in those jobs. These accomplishments distinguish your resume from others, tell the newsroom manager something about your interests and abilities and could open the door to an interview.
Use a clean and simple design
Be bold if you can, but not flashy. I have seen cartoon résumés, résumés with little basketballs on them and resumes made to look like front pages. Tricked-up resumes suggest you lack experience or sophistication and do not give you any advantage over other applicants. As more and more companies scan resumes for databases, consider how to make a resume that scans clearly.
Be bold if you can, but not flashy. I have seen cartoon résumés, résumés with little basketballs on them and resumes made to look like front pages. Tricked-up resumes suggest you lack experience or sophistication and do not give you any advantage over other applicants. As more and more companies scan resumes for databases, consider how to make a resume that scans clearly.
Do I include non-journalism jobs?
If you have a short employment history, you certainly may include jobs that are not journalism-related. These help demonstrate that you have worked for others, know how to toil for a living, show up on time and generally are responsible. Emphasize skills that are most similar to journalism: writing, handling information, working with the public, juggling tasks.
If you have a short employment history, you certainly may include jobs that are not journalism-related. These help demonstrate that you have worked for others, know how to toil for a living, show up on time and generally are responsible. Emphasize skills that are most similar to journalism: writing, handling information, working with the public, juggling tasks.
What else should I include?Second languages (but you better have more than the obligatory school minimum), awards, scholarships, extracurricular activities that highlight leadership and personal achievements — if they demonstrate relevant qualities such as resourcefulness, tenacity or responsibility. In one case, I was impressed that a student was a full-time care-giver while carrying a full load of classes.
What about references?Before you list anyone as a reference, make sure it’s OK with them. Ask whether they can give you a good word. Once, I called a reference, and the person said, “He listed me? That was a mistake.” The candidate’s chances stopped there.
Don’t assume people will be your references; ask them. But don’t stop there, as most will be polite and say yes. Ask them, “If I were to list you as a reference, what could you say about me?” If you like what you hear about yourself, then ask them to be references.
If your resume is getting crowded for one page, you can use a second sheet just for references. I don’t think there’s any need to say “References available upon request.” We assume so.
Omit personal informationIt is not relevant whether you are married or single, old or young, a smoker — or a non-smoker. Don’t include those facts. They can say you don’t know what’s relevant and what isn’t.
My curiosity is piqued when someone’s resume carries a list of places visited or lived in. Hobbies can intrigue me, too, but they turn others off. Generally, the more relevant it is to the job, the safer you are using it. Being accomplished at a musical instrument, for example, implies precision, discipline and practice. Saying that you have a passion for coffees or that you bake bread may leave some recruiters cold.
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