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. 

Annotated Bibliography 

Pearson, M. (2007) The Journalist’s Guide to Media Law: Dealing with Legal and Ethical Issues. Melbourne: Allan and Unwin.

“The Journalist’s guide to Media Law” is written by Mark Pearson, head of journalism at the prestigious Bond University in Queensland. Pearson holds a Master of Laws with a specialisation in media law and has worked as an editor for ‘The Australian’, freelancer for Wall Street Journal, the Far Eastern Economic Review in addition to training several media organisations (Pearson, 2007). With the author’s expert knowledge on law related subjects in the media and journalistic background Pearson is able to academically critique media law. From the beginning of the text Pearson presents his own principles of being a journalist in law related cases, writing it is essential to understand press freedom and the ethical and legal requirements of what can and should be reported (Pearson, 2007). The author then explains how journalists are able to produce ethical reporting and reduce legal consequences by following “…defamation, contempt, confidentiality, privacy, trespass, intellectual property and ethical regulations.” (Pearson, 2007) Pearson also embraces the importance of neutral reporting suggesting multiple opinions need to be included especially in the cases of legal matters. The credibility of the text is advanced with Chris Masters reporter for ABC TV Four Corners and Peter Gregory, Chief Court Reporter for The Age supporting the article (Pearson, 2007). This text by Mark Pearson is supported by the following three texts from different media platforms.

Colvin, M. (2012). International custody dispute could set precedent. ABC Radio. Retrieved: May 29, 2009, from http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2012/s3511478.htm

Award winning journalist for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)(PM, 2012), Mark Colvin is a presenter on the national radio program PM. PM aims to cover “…a broad spectrum of issues relevant to all sections of Australia’s geographically and culturally diverse community” (PM, 2012), this illustrates their intention to create a program that provides for all audiences, with minimal biased opinions.  Mark Colvin graduated with B.A (Hons) from Oxford University and since the 1970’s has travelled internationally to report on current affairs (Colvin, 2012). Colvin’s experienced journalistic history provides a reliable report to the current news story of four Italian girls in an international custody dispute on the Sunshine Coast. Colvin introduces the segment with the direct facts on the revelation then reliable, long-time ABC journalist Annie Guest continues to report on the incident from Brisbane. Differing from commercial programs that report on the decision of where the girls will be located, this segment discusses how this “...could change long-standing rules governing children's representation in custody disputes.” (Colvin, 2012) The inclusion of this reporting transforms the story into national news as it now affects the wider Australian community. Guest reports on the dispute with opinions from the Barrister, custody experts and Deborah Awyzio (The Family Law Practitioners' Associations President). Multiple opinions included supports the programs aim of reporting impartially, therefore creating trustworthy, reliable and neutral reporting.

Adelaidenow. (2012). Fugitive sisters can stay in Australia for now. Retrieved: may 29, 2009, from http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/fugitive-sisters-found-on-sunshine-coast/story-e6frea6u-1226363049054

“Adelaide-now” is a newspaper that is owned by the National newspaper Sunday Mail (Adelaidenow, 2012). This media company is a reputable source with recently Adelaide’s state political editor Brad Crouch crowned Journalist of the Year at SA Media Ball (Adelaidenow, 2012). However this company is also recognized for its journalists of biased opinions and gossip like reports, with Sunday Mail stating “…The Sunday Mail is a colourful and modern newspaper… recognising the value of humour in the news.” (Adelaidenow, 2012) This quote suggests that this media outlet will report, almost comically, or misconstrue the story to receive attention, irrelevant of how serious the topics are. This company recently produced an article about the four Italian sisters caught in an international custody dispute. From the beginning of this text a biased opinion was established, with the heading being “Fugitive sisters can stay in Australia – for now” (Adelaidenow, 2012). With the story still unfolding and facts about the girl’s legal status in Australia being processed this heading creates the opinion that they are illegal immigrants and should leave Australia immediately. It is a subjective view however it makes the story news worthy as it catches the reader’s attention. It also takes the side of the father, suggesting the mother ‘abducted’ the children. Unlike ABC’s report on this story, Adelaide-now’s text has no opinions or quotes from authorities making it less reliable and more biased.

Smith, D. (2012, May 15). Mum Pleads for Daughters to Stay in Australia, Channel Nine News, retrieved 21 May 2012, from http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/mum-pleads-for-daughters-to-stay-in-australia/xtptlud

National Nine News is a broadcasting company for Australia (Nine News, 2012). Nine News currently rates second in highest ratings and employs several award winning journalists (Nine News, 2012). Nine News journalists Davina Smith reported the recent bulletin on the four Italian fugitive sisters caught in a custody battle. The bulletin is captured at the Brisbane international airport where the four girls were suppose to fly out to return to Italy.  Smith comments on the girls refusing to return to live in Italy with their ‘abusive’ father, however this is not a direct comment from the girls, therefore not reliable (Smith, 2012). Smith’s approach conflicts with the above report as ‘Adelaidenow’ sides with the Father and Nine News sides with the Mother. There is an insert of an interview with the Mother, Auntie and Grandmother, Federal MP Alex Somlyay, Campbell Newman but no comment from the Father. This is a reliable amount of sources compared to ‘Adelaidenow’ report however it still continues to be biased with the careful selection of opinions. Nine News had a two-minute report; therefore a detailed analysis could not be created, unlike ABC’s five-minute story.

 Adelaidenow. (2012). Fugitive sisters can stay in Australia for now. Retrieved: may 29, 2009, from http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/fugitive-sisters-found-on-sunshine-coast/story-e6frea6u-1226363049054

Colvin, M. (2012). International custody dispute could set precedent. ABC Radio. Retrieved: May 29, 2009, from http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2012/s3511478.htm

Nine News, (May 28, 2012) Wikipedia Retrieved May 25, 2012 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_News

Pearson, M. (2007) The Journalist’s Guide to Media Law: Dealing with Legal and Ethical Issues. Melbourne: Allan and Unwin.

PM. (2012). About PM. Retrieved: May 28, 2009, from http://www.abc.net.au/pm/about.html

Smith, D. (2012, May 15). Mum Pleads for Daughters to Stay in Australia, Channel Nine News, retrieved 21 May 2012, from http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/mum-pleads-for-daughters-to-stay-in-australia/xtptlud

Another season of the award winning television program of  'Masterchef' has begun, meaning me in the kitchen aspired and attempting to recreate the art that appears on me t.v screen. I love food. Spicy, sweet, savoury, creamy, breads, stir fries, pastas, curries, cheesecakes, salads, vegetarian and meat - I love. Although when I enter my kitchen with an enthused and excited attitude to what I might create, I am utterly disappointed. I try to be 'chefy' and just chuck in a bit of this bit of that (no measuring), but my meals always conclude in either burnt edges, dull flavours or being so spicy my roommates won't stop crying. Its also not as if my food looks great and tastes bad, or vice-verce - it is simply bad presentation, bad sensation which makes me feel like an idoitiation (I know I should be a poet). Although the cooking season has just begun and maybe throughout the shows I will become an amazing cook...I hope....

Week 11 - Agenda Setting


Back from a short break off university I am reintroduced into JOUR1111 with the topic of agenda setting, according to Dr Bruce Redman just a babble of theories. Today we learnt the social construction of reality - what is a journalisms roles in constructing public opinion.

 There are four agenda in the public setting:

1. Public agenda - What public perceive as important 
2. Policy agenda - issues that decisions makers think are salient 
3. Corporate agenda - What big business and corporations value are important 
4. Media agenda - issues discusses in the media

Media shapes what society thinks wants - sees as important (this makes me want to reject my aspiring career of a journalist - I want to report on things society wants - for individuals to make their own decisions on whats important - this seems to me a system of propaganda... but I guess thats just part of the industry) Like Adolf Hitler's 'wing gal' of Leni Riefenstahl, she shaped to the media the news about Hitler through propaganda tools - movies, books, clubs. 

Mass media set the agenda by emphasising specific topics - media shapes peoples minds. 

Dr Redman then went and showed us multiple media agenda settings - illustrating how the media makes the audience think and what to think about. Maybe journalism isn't for me if I'm meant to be, in strong terms, controlling the minds of the public. I believe this is propaganda.

This lecture made me double think my career choice, can journalism be unbiased? Would I be able to report what society actually needs to hear, or what the media wants them to hear? 

Hopefully the coming lectures and tutorials cement my future in journalism.