"Feeding The Beast" gave me a whole new perspective on media and all the work that is put into daily newspapers and newscasts. After finishing the video, I was under the impression that the beast was the public, and it was the media sources job to "feed" them the news. While reading a newspaper or watching the news on TV, one doesn't realize the effort put forth to get you the news your viewing. All we do is notice maybe a few writers on a paper or 2 anchors on a newscast. What you don't see is what is going on behind the scenes.
News is in such high demand that suppliers work very hard and use a bigger crew to make us happy. Most people don't give enough respect because they would be shocked when they knew how many people worked for the news source. There are editors, managers, reporters, and so on. And for each field, there could be dozens of workers. So Feeding The Beast is about making the viewers happy. We are very critical of news sources and easily switch if we are not happy with the news. Meanwhile, they are busting their butts to get as many news sources as possible to please us. My respect went up for these hard workers, for I had no idea this was troubles they were going through just to keep us entertained.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
2 Special Leads
Contrast Lead:
Jobs on the firing line as defense cuts loom
Narrative Lead:
Back to Work: America's Commuting Nightmare
Jobs on the firing line as defense cuts loom
Narrative Lead:
Back to Work: America's Commuting Nightmare
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Pullman Summers Fun, But Be Safe
PULLMAN, WASHINGTON -- Summertime in Pullman is a time to have fun and enjoy the heat, but being too wild could be dangerous down at the Snake River.
Every summer, students from all over Pullman and Moscow drive down to cool off on a hot day. The dunes near the Lower Granite Lock and Dam and cliffs just east of the Wawawai landing are the local hot spots that most students travel to. Celebrating a hot day with alcohol is a common theme, but could be a recipe for disaster.
Drownings do not happen very often along the Snake River, according to Nannette Bolyard of the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office. Since 1996, there have only been two people who have drowned in Whitman County, Bolyard stated.
Although the number of Snake River deaths is two in the previous 13 years, both of those occurred during the last three summers. The first happened over the summer of 2006, when a 24-year-old Lewiston man went missing across the canyon from the Wawawai Landing near cliffs. He was with four other friends at the time, and none of whom seemed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The friends flagged down a nearby rowing team who got help at the Wawawai Landing.
The other drowning occurred just last summer to a 23-year-old Washington State University student at the sand dunes, when he attempted to swim to a floating device. The student panicked, and soon went under water. Friends were too far out of reach to save him.
“You never know when an event like this will happen,” recent WSU graduate Erica Jensen, said. “These drownings happen out of the blue. No one plans them and that’s why you must be safe when being at the river.”
The sand dunes, just five miles west of the Lower Granite Lock & Dam on the Garfield County side, is a big, sandy beach that at times consists of a few hundred people or more. The sand goes into the river and doesn’t seem to get any deeper for a few hundred yards, making it a hot spot for college kids to hang out and cool off. The cliff, near Wawawai Landing, is the other popular spot. The danger of cliff diving includes hitting unseen boulders, going unconscious from the impact of the water, or becoming hypothermic from swimming in the cold water for a long period of time.
While planning a trip down to the Snake River, people must think about safety, despite the anxiousness and eagerness to relax and enjoy the sun.
“Never swim alone and be prepared for anything to happen. Have life vests nearby, or some other floating device. And don’t go out into waters if you are not an experienced swimmer,” stated Jensen. Many drownings are caused by alcohol/drugs, or inexperienced swimmers going beyond their abilities. Swimming alone lowers the chances of being rescued by friends. Another popular mistake people make is ignoring “trespassing” or other warning signs. “Kids are reckless and don’t usually think before they act. Sometimes the only way they learn is to experience a tragedy, which is unfortunate,” Jensen added.
Alcohol is another mistake that should be avoided at all costs while swimming. For one, swimming while intoxicated makes it very difficult to maneuver through the water. One can easily become fatigued and disoriented while in deep waters. Alcohol also has an effect on body temperature; the Snake River is relatively cold, so swimming under the influence will cause your body to become numb faster than if a person were sober.
Swimming can be fun, but also dangerous. While at the dunes or cliffs, just follow the rules and be smart. It will turn out to be a fun day you will always remember.
Every summer, students from all over Pullman and Moscow drive down to cool off on a hot day. The dunes near the Lower Granite Lock and Dam and cliffs just east of the Wawawai landing are the local hot spots that most students travel to. Celebrating a hot day with alcohol is a common theme, but could be a recipe for disaster.
Drownings do not happen very often along the Snake River, according to Nannette Bolyard of the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office. Since 1996, there have only been two people who have drowned in Whitman County, Bolyard stated.
Although the number of Snake River deaths is two in the previous 13 years, both of those occurred during the last three summers. The first happened over the summer of 2006, when a 24-year-old Lewiston man went missing across the canyon from the Wawawai Landing near cliffs. He was with four other friends at the time, and none of whom seemed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The friends flagged down a nearby rowing team who got help at the Wawawai Landing.
The other drowning occurred just last summer to a 23-year-old Washington State University student at the sand dunes, when he attempted to swim to a floating device. The student panicked, and soon went under water. Friends were too far out of reach to save him.
“You never know when an event like this will happen,” recent WSU graduate Erica Jensen, said. “These drownings happen out of the blue. No one plans them and that’s why you must be safe when being at the river.”
The sand dunes, just five miles west of the Lower Granite Lock & Dam on the Garfield County side, is a big, sandy beach that at times consists of a few hundred people or more. The sand goes into the river and doesn’t seem to get any deeper for a few hundred yards, making it a hot spot for college kids to hang out and cool off. The cliff, near Wawawai Landing, is the other popular spot. The danger of cliff diving includes hitting unseen boulders, going unconscious from the impact of the water, or becoming hypothermic from swimming in the cold water for a long period of time.
While planning a trip down to the Snake River, people must think about safety, despite the anxiousness and eagerness to relax and enjoy the sun.
“Never swim alone and be prepared for anything to happen. Have life vests nearby, or some other floating device. And don’t go out into waters if you are not an experienced swimmer,” stated Jensen. Many drownings are caused by alcohol/drugs, or inexperienced swimmers going beyond their abilities. Swimming alone lowers the chances of being rescued by friends. Another popular mistake people make is ignoring “trespassing” or other warning signs. “Kids are reckless and don’t usually think before they act. Sometimes the only way they learn is to experience a tragedy, which is unfortunate,” Jensen added.
Alcohol is another mistake that should be avoided at all costs while swimming. For one, swimming while intoxicated makes it very difficult to maneuver through the water. One can easily become fatigued and disoriented while in deep waters. Alcohol also has an effect on body temperature; the Snake River is relatively cold, so swimming under the influence will cause your body to become numb faster than if a person were sober.
Swimming can be fun, but also dangerous. While at the dunes or cliffs, just follow the rules and be smart. It will turn out to be a fun day you will always remember.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
3 Pitches
Dear Editor,
Being enrolled for summer school at Washington State University, I found myself sitting around the house more than during the main school year.
There are so many things to do during the main school year because there are so many college kids in town. But with most kids back home for the summer, the options seem to dwindle down to very few things to do.
What does Pullman have to offer during hot days? What can one do during the summer season that you cant during the winter season? With jobs being hard to get, there is just so much free time, and a lot of us don't know what to do with all of it.
I want to find out all the fun things to do around here. I'm going to talk to professors who live here year-round, and graduate students who have been around to know all the secrets of Whitman County. Let me know if the article interests you and i can show you a list next week about all the entertaining things in the area that most students should know.
Sincerely,
Brock Maxwell
Dear Editor,
Pullman and Moscow are identical cities. We have near the same population, a major state college, far away from anything, and are 8 miles away from each other.
When looking into the cities deeper, each one has things that makes them more unique than the other. Pullman has better sports, Moscow has better shopping, Pullman has a nice movie theatre (that U of I students travel to often), and Moscow has better sit down restaurants.
Pullman needs a fun sit-in restaurant, similar to Moscow's Applebees or Wingers. Granted Pullman just got Dupus Boomers, its location is inconvenient for those not on campus. A Red Robin, Olive Garden, or Chili's would fit perfect in downtown Pullman.
The students and workers at the university make up most of Pullman's population, so getting their views on the idea is a must. I would poll them to get their input, and send some of the information your way to see if you might want more details for a story.
Sincerely,
Brock Maxwell
Dear Editor,
Not many people enjoy the long drive home to the west side of the state. At times its flat, and with bad weather, the scenery is a drag. Many friends of mine refuse to make the boring trip over often, citing gas money and boredom the main reasons.
The bad rap that's brainwashed in our heads overshadows the positive things Pullman gives us.
Take UW for example. Want to pick up a pizza at 6 pm on a friday? It might take you 45 minutes to get there and back. What about wanting to attend a basketball game? Enjoy a 20 minute walk, let alone get a seat. Or what about half the students that go home to see mom and dad on weekends? All of those examples I have heard first hand from several friends at UW. And all of those examples are near non-existant at WSU.
Many of us don't enjoy the location of WSU, but once you move in, most things are pretty convenient.
To write this article, I would need to ask how long it takes students at colleges in big cities to run their errands and do daily things outside the house. Then do the same for WSU students and show how much time and stress we save being in our little town.
If this article interests you, email or call me back and I can give you the details on my research.
Sincerely,
Brock Maxwell
Being enrolled for summer school at Washington State University, I found myself sitting around the house more than during the main school year.
There are so many things to do during the main school year because there are so many college kids in town. But with most kids back home for the summer, the options seem to dwindle down to very few things to do.
What does Pullman have to offer during hot days? What can one do during the summer season that you cant during the winter season? With jobs being hard to get, there is just so much free time, and a lot of us don't know what to do with all of it.
I want to find out all the fun things to do around here. I'm going to talk to professors who live here year-round, and graduate students who have been around to know all the secrets of Whitman County. Let me know if the article interests you and i can show you a list next week about all the entertaining things in the area that most students should know.
Sincerely,
Brock Maxwell
Dear Editor,
Pullman and Moscow are identical cities. We have near the same population, a major state college, far away from anything, and are 8 miles away from each other.
When looking into the cities deeper, each one has things that makes them more unique than the other. Pullman has better sports, Moscow has better shopping, Pullman has a nice movie theatre (that U of I students travel to often), and Moscow has better sit down restaurants.
Pullman needs a fun sit-in restaurant, similar to Moscow's Applebees or Wingers. Granted Pullman just got Dupus Boomers, its location is inconvenient for those not on campus. A Red Robin, Olive Garden, or Chili's would fit perfect in downtown Pullman.
The students and workers at the university make up most of Pullman's population, so getting their views on the idea is a must. I would poll them to get their input, and send some of the information your way to see if you might want more details for a story.
Sincerely,
Brock Maxwell
Dear Editor,
Not many people enjoy the long drive home to the west side of the state. At times its flat, and with bad weather, the scenery is a drag. Many friends of mine refuse to make the boring trip over often, citing gas money and boredom the main reasons.
The bad rap that's brainwashed in our heads overshadows the positive things Pullman gives us.
Take UW for example. Want to pick up a pizza at 6 pm on a friday? It might take you 45 minutes to get there and back. What about wanting to attend a basketball game? Enjoy a 20 minute walk, let alone get a seat. Or what about half the students that go home to see mom and dad on weekends? All of those examples I have heard first hand from several friends at UW. And all of those examples are near non-existant at WSU.
Many of us don't enjoy the location of WSU, but once you move in, most things are pretty convenient.
To write this article, I would need to ask how long it takes students at colleges in big cities to run their errands and do daily things outside the house. Then do the same for WSU students and show how much time and stress we save being in our little town.
If this article interests you, email or call me back and I can give you the details on my research.
Sincerely,
Brock Maxwell
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
News Report Differences From Online Sources
I scrolled through many different news websites, trying to find 3 that were much different from the rest. Most were all similar, reading the typical boring news stories that just about everyone else had. There was no opinionated section, just the bare straight facts. A few stood out in my mind for having something unique about their news. Although they still were quite similar, these did something that most others didn't do.
One that I read on a regular basis is CNN.com. They post several headlines in small print vertically, so it's easy to find an interesting story without having to scroll down the page. It follows the Murrow Standard quite closely. Every day, I notice stories about less fortunate people or incidents that may make America or our companies look bad. Today, for example, had a few that fell in that category. 1) a story about a man on death row for 22 years who was exonerated. The story doesn't only tell what and how it happened, but they stated his post-freedom plans and shared his reborn-again life. 2) a story about how employees hired by US Embassies around the world are making less than $1 a day, and are cutting back to one meal per day. 3) a story about a partially blind man who gets a titanium eye transplant and is able to see his wife and kids again. All these CNN stories give a perspective to its viewers, despite who it makes look good or bad. They also give in-depth reports on sad or miracle stories, that most people might not ever here.
Another site where I read news from was PBS.org. That site seemed very liberal for its load of democratic news, art stories, global warming concerns, and health ideas. A lot of the stories also dealt with Obama and also with the economy. They didn't have much shocking news or celebrity news. The stories were very dry and must aim for an older audience. I was quite bored after a long 5 minutes. Hardly any of the stories pertained to an opinion or point of view from a person or group of people. It was just straight news with no add-ons or extras to make different from the rest.
The third news source I chose online was EOnline.com. Before I explored the site, I was assuming to read all about new fashions and the do's and don'ts of how to present yourself. All I really found was basic newsworthy information about celebrities and reality TV shows. If someone was arrested, they made sure to write about it. They hid nothing like the Murrow Standard follows. They also didn't give a certain image as to what America should look like. There was not much advice on how to dress, how to get dates, or how to lose weight (like most fashion sites). They strictly read the noteworthy news and didn't try and persuade the audience, which is very respectible for the image fashion companies have created over the years.
One that I read on a regular basis is CNN.com. They post several headlines in small print vertically, so it's easy to find an interesting story without having to scroll down the page. It follows the Murrow Standard quite closely. Every day, I notice stories about less fortunate people or incidents that may make America or our companies look bad. Today, for example, had a few that fell in that category. 1) a story about a man on death row for 22 years who was exonerated. The story doesn't only tell what and how it happened, but they stated his post-freedom plans and shared his reborn-again life. 2) a story about how employees hired by US Embassies around the world are making less than $1 a day, and are cutting back to one meal per day. 3) a story about a partially blind man who gets a titanium eye transplant and is able to see his wife and kids again. All these CNN stories give a perspective to its viewers, despite who it makes look good or bad. They also give in-depth reports on sad or miracle stories, that most people might not ever here.
Another site where I read news from was PBS.org. That site seemed very liberal for its load of democratic news, art stories, global warming concerns, and health ideas. A lot of the stories also dealt with Obama and also with the economy. They didn't have much shocking news or celebrity news. The stories were very dry and must aim for an older audience. I was quite bored after a long 5 minutes. Hardly any of the stories pertained to an opinion or point of view from a person or group of people. It was just straight news with no add-ons or extras to make different from the rest.
The third news source I chose online was EOnline.com. Before I explored the site, I was assuming to read all about new fashions and the do's and don'ts of how to present yourself. All I really found was basic newsworthy information about celebrities and reality TV shows. If someone was arrested, they made sure to write about it. They hid nothing like the Murrow Standard follows. They also didn't give a certain image as to what America should look like. There was not much advice on how to dress, how to get dates, or how to lose weight (like most fashion sites). They strictly read the noteworthy news and didn't try and persuade the audience, which is very respectible for the image fashion companies have created over the years.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Chevron Oil Lawsuit in Ecuador
The two videos viewed in class took two totally different perspectives on the oil lawsuit between Ecuador and Chevron. Each major story needs to be seen from both points of view, and that is what got to happen in class. In American media, most stories are shared in ways WE want to hear them, and not the others way who are on the losing end or aren't as popular or respected. In this case, Ecuador is sueing Chevron for the oil mess they made back from the 60's-90's. Long story short, Ecuador wants $27 Billion and both sides of the lawsuit have very good arguements and supporting facts.
The first video was the type of video most people in America wouldn't see. This segment was based on the people of Ecuador and their thoughts and feelings of the conflict. Texaco just up and left in 1992 and abandoned dozens of oil pools and contaminated streams. Ecuador isn't a rich country, and that was obvious in the video. I felt bad seeing Indian Tribes upset over dirty water where they bathe and fish. The people also wash their clothes in the same water that at times is black from the oil. Watching the video made me feel bad for the communities and glad they are forming a lawsuit.
The second video took an approach from Chevron's point of view. It was much different because I learned new things that wasn't said in the first video. After the first one, i had formed the opinion of backing Ecuador in the situation. But after watching both, I found myself quite neutral. Chevron and Equador had a deal to clean up a certain amount of the oil mess when they leave, which Chevron did. Another part of the deal stated the Chevron wouldn't be blamed for anything else and were good to go. Well years later, Ecuador is upset. Oil pools still surround the country and water in contaminated. But a lot of the allegations against Chevron tended to be unsupported and had many generalizations.
In the end, it just seems the Ecuador said Chevron did enough clean-up and was good to go home. But years later, they must have thought they let Chevron off the hook too soon. Now they want $27 Billion (which is more than enough) for a mistake Ecuador made. They made a deal and need to stick to it. It just sounds like they aren't happy and are trying to get money from the rich to solve their problems.
The first video was the type of video most people in America wouldn't see. This segment was based on the people of Ecuador and their thoughts and feelings of the conflict. Texaco just up and left in 1992 and abandoned dozens of oil pools and contaminated streams. Ecuador isn't a rich country, and that was obvious in the video. I felt bad seeing Indian Tribes upset over dirty water where they bathe and fish. The people also wash their clothes in the same water that at times is black from the oil. Watching the video made me feel bad for the communities and glad they are forming a lawsuit.
The second video took an approach from Chevron's point of view. It was much different because I learned new things that wasn't said in the first video. After the first one, i had formed the opinion of backing Ecuador in the situation. But after watching both, I found myself quite neutral. Chevron and Equador had a deal to clean up a certain amount of the oil mess when they leave, which Chevron did. Another part of the deal stated the Chevron wouldn't be blamed for anything else and were good to go. Well years later, Ecuador is upset. Oil pools still surround the country and water in contaminated. But a lot of the allegations against Chevron tended to be unsupported and had many generalizations.
In the end, it just seems the Ecuador said Chevron did enough clean-up and was good to go home. But years later, they must have thought they let Chevron off the hook too soon. Now they want $27 Billion (which is more than enough) for a mistake Ecuador made. They made a deal and need to stick to it. It just sounds like they aren't happy and are trying to get money from the rich to solve their problems.
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