THIS IS ME

The Temper Trap "Sweet Disposition" - love love love

Fintio to JOUR1111

It has come to the end of my first semester at university. With having no expectations of how university life would be, I now know in order to succeed you must only take one week at a time and it is of the up most importance to ignore the fact that you (well I) still have seven semesters of this stressed and messed up study situation. I have never drowned in so much assessment and exams, sweated over the ridiculous amount of 'required readings' and spent all my precious money at a juice bar. I was not a Brisbane local, my town was Noosa, so when moving to a city and starting university I was constantly affected by those damn butterflies. My first JOUR1111 lecture was a lonely experience, walking into the massive lecture theatre, choosing the back seating as my preference and getting out my boo…oh that’s right, I forgot a book and pen on my first day of university…smooth Sam smooth. However after many lectures, assignment, tutorials and readings I feel comfortable with knowing what journalism is. I went though up’s and down’s wondering if journalism is the career for me, but from the week 12 lecture on ‘investigative journalism’ it excited and inspired me to pursue the tough industry of journalism.

Well until next time when you will be reading/listening to my reporting. 

...a passing thought

As I sit here drinking my tea, blogging away, having the background noise of a relaxing fishing show...wait...relaxing fishing show?

Fishing as a recreational sport has been incorporated into Australian culture, whether its a family outing, Dad and son bonding, boys day out - it's a stereotypical Australian way of living that we (well I) have grown accustom to. It's known to be relaxing and peaceful, releasing those endorphins, however after thinking about 'fishing' from a fish's perspective (I know, I'm weird) this activity seems the furthest thing from 'relaxing'. Imagine swimming peacefully through the calm water then boom your HOOKED, a rusty, metal knife has stabbed your throat, hooked your mouth and then continues to swiftly drag you through the water, to a atmosphere where you cannot breath and into the rough hands of an unknown creature. Us humans commonly kiss the fish (ah, aren't we nice..) and release the injured and traumatised fish back into the water. If we were committing these acts to dogs (for one example) we would be arrested for animal cruelty, so why are we allowed to stab these fish. Where are the animal rights activists to defend these precious creatures? 

"What if fish were in reality intelligent creatures that not only felt pain but also had a sense of self and felt emotions? Would we still be so eager to kill and eat fish if we knew that they were not so different than us? If a fisherman could be a fish for a day it is likely that his attitudes would change very quickly."

Take a look a this perspective: http://www.highstrangeness.tv/articles/fishing.php

This was just a ramble. 

From a fish perspective. 

I found another online fashion website that I once again can spend no money on - but check it out as it is quite nice. They also have their own amazing blog which is linked to the below website. 

http://saboskirt.com/

Flight of the Conchords - possibly the funniest people alive...if your into dry humour

Coldplay - I am in love

I GOT TICKETS TO COLDPLAY AND TEMPER TRAP IN NOVEMBER - OH YES YES

I have an obsession with watching sports. Whether its AFL, tennis, basketball, netball, swimming, athletics, triathlons long jump - I find the nature of it completely relaxing. Whether I'm on the edge of my seat critiquing the game or having the sport as background noise, it makes me feel content. The excitement of the crowd, the sweat of the players, the scruffs on field, the pointless arguing with the umpires its all these components that makes 'sport' sport. As you've probably gathered I am so extremely excited for the Olympics, a mere 43 days, 19 hours, 8 minutes and 55 seconds to go. I think my obsession began when I realised I was not going to become a professional athlete. My mum placed me in the wrong sport from a young age (which I love and continue to love) basketball. I'm 167 cm tall, this is not the definition for a professional basketball player. Why she did not choose gymnastics or even table tennis I do not know, you could have seen me in London winning gold but alas I'm going to be sitting on my couch glued to every move of the athletes. 

WEEK 13 - THE LAST LECTURE

Steve Molk presented the last lecture on all things social media. Steve Molk is a part of the ever-growing blogging phenomenon, with himself creating his own blogging website “MolksTVTalk”. Molk mentioned that regions of China and Korea banned social media sites in fear of the society creating a different opinion than the government and it is reasons like this why blogging is so important in this modern era. It enables us to communicate and connect with millions of individuals with little input from the government or major controlling organizations. Society can create their own communication avenue, still with multiple opinions however does not include over-controlling or manipulative government imputes.

Steve Molk then illustrates how powerful blogging can be. Journalist Mia Freedman at the age of 19 started work experience for the popular youth magazine of Cleo. 5 years later she became editor of chief of Cleo, Cosmo and Dolly.  After working in mainstream traditional media, Mia decided to channel her writing to the new social media revolution. She created her own blogging site of Mamamia, a blog that currently has 500 000 monthly page visits. The blog covers fashion, current affairs and youth culture. Molk went on to say this is why newspapers and magazines are a dying breed, blogging website like Mia’s is what society wants now.

Molk then went to talk about the popularity and importance of twitter. Twitter is instant and allows conversation. Personally, I’m still getting used to twitter, I like that I can connect with anyone that owns a twitter account, but I cant help but think there are still millions of people that don’t have a twitter account, what are they thinking? I already know what celebrities and governments are thinking through television, radio and newspapers. What about the individuals struggling with the famine in Somalia, the North Korea citizens, the slums of India communities? I guess I’m not easily satisfied with a 140 character sentence by Julia Gillard or Miley Cyrus. However I think it’s something ill have to get use to because as Molk saids, it’s hear to stay.

I always wanted to be a journalist writing in actual papers, but I don’t think I’m going to win this battle. I realise that if I do have a journalism career it will be in social media. 

WEEK 12: INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM 

Being a journalist has always appealed to me. I believe I would love the rush of investigating a story that affects our realities. A career I could pursue that would indent my thoughts on the world. However beginning JOUR1111 made me question what journalism actually is, the exciting, active and hands-on life that I imagined was quickly diminishing to an ordinary office job until this second last lecture was presented on ‘investigative journalism’. This lecture reinforced the idea that journalism is not just a career but it is a lifestyle and this excited me. Investigative journalism is about being:

• ·      Intelligent
• ·      Informed
• ·      Intuitive
• ·      Inside
• ·      Invest

  The deeper definitions and purpose behind investigative journalism that Bruce Redman provided was:

·      To provide a voice for those without one and to hold the powerful to account.

I am a true advocate for the peoples voice and allow everyone to his or hers rightful opinion. Becoming an investigative journalist would allow myself to assist in providing an outlet for societies voice to be heard.

Active intervention is investigative journalism, for the journalist to be an active participant in every aspect of producing the story. To be thorough, make a substantial effort, consult numerous sources enabling the story its justice.

From Ettema and Glasser, investigation takes society’s morals and norms and hold breaches up to public scrutiny. Expose to the public stories that would otherwise go untold, let society know about stories which they rightfully should know about.

Journalists have the power to ensure free flows of information necessary for the functioning of democracy by interrogating the judiciary, executive and legislature. 

Dr Redman then talked about some historic investigative journalists that assisted in altering laws and ultimately changing lives for the good.

The story being: W.T Stead, a journalist from the UK, who was heavily involved in promoting social justice. He was involved in “The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon”, a organisation that assisted in stopping human trafficking and the organisation managed to arrest multiple people involved with the trafficking.   Also with assistance from W.T Stead the age consent for sex was increased from 12 to 16 years old.

It is individuals like W.T Stead that makes me want to pursue a career investigative journalism.

In conclusion this lecture was by far my favourite and reassured my choice in studying journalism.