Elements of Journalism – By Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel

These two man created what is known today as the journalist “bible”. This book includes journalism rules, what to do and what not to do and general ethics when it comes to journalism. The book states that the first obligation in this field is obtaining the truth and only using the truth of a matter. For example, one should not skew information to gain the public’s attention if the story has been stretched. You should include reliable facts, and use it in a meaningful context. One quote, from the book shows just how everything should be questioned. “All truths, even scientific laws are subject to revision, but we operate by them in the meantime because they are necessary and they work” explain Kovach and Rosenstiel in the book. The journalistic “truth” is the one the comes from the professional discipline of assembling and verifying facts. Also the book states “Journalists should be as transparent as possible about sources and methods so audiences can make their own assessment of the information”. One law that means a lot to me is the law that it must serve as an independent monitor of power. Journalism has the ability to look over things, report on things, but can’t correct things. With that being said, journalism can skew the truth, however reporting the one hundred percent correct story is ethical. The watchdog role means more than looking at the rules of the government alike. These elements of journalism set the guidelines for anyone looking for a career in this watchdog role.

http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/journalism-essentials/what-is-journalism/elements-journalism/ – Click here for all of the laws

– Image of the Journalism “shield” taken from blog.martindale.com

Relative Media Stories – Chinese Imports

Go to Wal-Mart and look around. See just how many products are American industry made versus Chinese industry made. American businesses are losing more and more jobs every day due to this fiasco. Chinese employees work for less, work more, and work in difficult environments. More jobs are being taken by the Chinese because of this global trade confusion. Unemployment right now in America is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Not to mention the trillions of dollars we are now in debt to China. We are going to be work long and hard to pay back this communist country that could strike at any moment. When will enough be enough for China? When will they finally ask for the money or take action. That’s besides the point. This post is about jobs being stolen from the hard working American people. Industries are moving to China only because of cheap labor. Wal-Mart has almost 90% Chinese made products. Think of how many opportunities could be made simply by stopping some of the imports from China. The unemployment rate will go down as well as lower the deficit that we keep accumulating. As a big time business owner, maybe I would look to China to produce my products because of how cheap it is. However, so many products being imported to America are damaged, malfunctioning, or just don’t work. If we keep paying cheap, we will keep receiving cheap products. When will America realize so many jobs can be created through industry production by cutting off China.

– Chinese Pollution, taken from cnn.com

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/23/world/asia/china-beijing-smog-emergency-measures/ – Smog emergencies in China

Relevant Media Stories – Bloomsburg Block Party

As a Bloomsburg University student the talk all year around is about the block party. A whole day filled with binge drinking dancing and trashing the town. Is that all worth what happens to the town of Bloomsburg? Yesterday, I saw more people out on the town of Bloomsburg then I have all year. Friends invite friends and those friends invite friends. From fraternity parties to fetterman ave, friends and students party all day long. The big issue for the students however each year is the cops. How are the cops going to react this year, what will the sheriff be like? Well, this year the cops were very poised and kept things under control. When I was in town I felt safe however I knew I could have a good time. The festivities go on all day long and don’t end until late. The common nap time period is around 8 p.m. All together this was an amazing first block party for myself as a freshman. I met a lot of knew people and enjoyed a beautiful day with my friends in the town of Bloomsburg. But what the town needs to go through to clean up might be a lot. Smashed bottles and cans everywhere, Bloomsburg probably isn’t a very safe place to be walking around for a few days. I can’t wait for the next three years here at this school and seeing what will happen next. Block Party lived up to the hype it has been given and I wish it didn’t end so soon.

– Image taken from bunow.com

http://bunow.com/tag/block-party-2014

Relevant Media Stories – Buzzer Beaters

Last night, Kentucky University basketball was on the good side of a buzzer beater. Unfortunately, Wisconsin was on the wrong end. Buzzer Beaters can happen arguably because of skill or luck. However, this has happened before in the tournament by Kentucky’s Harrison twins. The twins have ice in their veins. By this I mean they are not easily shaken up when a big shot needs to be made to advance their team. The Kentucky Wildcats were down two when this shot was made. It wasn’t a two pointer though, it was three which sent the Kentucky Wildcats to yet another national championship. This begs the question as to why he shot a three pointer over a simple two point basket to tie the game and take it to overtime and try for a better chance at winning. The Harrison twins don’t want to just take it to overtime, they want to go above and beyond and put the game away for good. Like they did before in the tournament making Wichita State their first victims, they have scored a three pointer when down two points in the closing 5 seconds of the game. A heart breaker for the other team, a win and a having the chance to move on for the other. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be on the wrong side of this. Having a clutch mentality to make the last second shot is something not many people posses. I guess the Harrison twins are a rare breed.

– Image of the Harrison twins taken from zagsblog.com

http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/04/05/kentucky-gets-big-lift-from-harrison-twins.html – Article on the big time shooters.

Relevant Media Stories – THON

Today the largest student run fund raising organization for cancer took place. In State College at Penn State students put on a dance to find a cure. The effort is said to engage almost 15,000 students to get involve. It is a 46 hour dance marathon. No sleeping, and certainly no sitting. Last year for THON, Penn State raised over 12 million dollars to go to pediatric cancer research. This year they raised a record breaking $13,343,517.33 for the cause. Since 1977 THON has raised $107 million. The weekend is a culmination of all of THON’s work. They are standing on there feet for 46 hours, all for the kids and to benefit a good cause. It begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, and doesn’t end until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Families even give speeches about what they have went through. The realization that standing on your feet for 46 hours isn’t as bad as some kids have it with cancer. Every day is a battle that they go through. The athletic teams at Penn State even have a choreographed routine to dance to. To interact with the dancers some things you should do are encouraging them, bring their favorite snacks, and encourage them to wait until after the event to get a massage. Some things you shouldn’t say to these dancers are things like the time, and arguing with them. They know that they are there for a long time. Overall, THON is an amazing experience Penn State puts on for cancer. By doing fundraisers like this I believe we are getting close to finding a cure.

http://thon.org/About/Events/THONWeekend – to learn more about THON

– Image taken from thon.org