Thursday, January 28, 2010

Consolidation and Convergence

Since the dawn of the media age, there has been an ongoing homogenization of the information that we receive and the means that we receive it. This media consolidation has brought forth the rise of media conglomerates and turned news from publicly shared information to a commodity that can be sold to the public. Along with this rise in consolidation is the advancement of technologies that place information literally at a persons fingertips.
Although the notion of someone controlling the news has been around since the days of William Randolph Hearst, the current state of media consolidation has made independently owned media outlets an endangered species. The rise of media conglomerates such as News Corp., Viacom, and Clear Channel has allowed only a handful of corporations to control most of the information being released to the public. Along with this is the standardization that comes with information being presented by each corporation. These corporations are at their cores, businesses. Therefore making profit their main operating goal and not unbiased journalism or diverse programming. In order to maintain such a large portfolio of corporate holdings many of these corporations operate under a business model that many of their companies follow. This is done to draw in and maintain a consistent customer base that share the beliefs that these corporations espouse upon.
Next are the ongoing technological developments that has removed the emphasis from radio and print media and replaced these sources with online and mobile content. Smart phones in particular IPhones, Blackberrys, and Google Android phones have made phones not only calling devices, but web browsers and email servers. In order to receive breaking news updates on the go, a person does not need to rely on text messages and phone calls from friends and family. They can use mobile web browsers to find out detailed information to breaking news themselves. The age of print newspapers being the main source of news is long gone with online and mobile content has since replacing it.
Some would say that this type of media consolidation and convergence is a good thing, in that it has made news more accessible and up to date. However these new developments are far from positive. There is too much homogenization of the news with news stations such as Fox and CNN becoming brand names and not independent thinking news sources. Along with this is the creation of online and mobile web sources which place the premium on headline news stories which can be easily accessed and read. This constant convergence and consolidation will create a where the focus will not be on fair and consistent journalism seeking to educate the public, but on easily accessible content marketed for its audience.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Critique

Initially after the earthquake that occurred in Haiti, destroying most of its capital, Port-au-Prince, many of the news articles written were about covering the widespread devastation and loss of life. However as we move a week away from the initial tragedy, secondary stories are being told involving the island nation. For example is it still ethical to view Haiti, at this moment in its history as a vacation destination? A. Pawlowski of CNN.com tackled this issue in their article about Royal Caribbean cruise lines decision to continue to use their private beach resort in Labadee, Haiti less than a week after the earthquake.

The story itself is a successful news article because it is a definite human interest story. The facts of what is occurring in Haiti are well documented, and people’s reactions to the stories and images coming from there are emotional. With this type of human emotional attachment to a story, there are bound to be strong reactions, both negative and positive. By placing the idea that people may be enjoying themselves on vacation while 100 miles away people are dying in the streets, there will initially be comments condemning what is occurring. Pawlowski acknowledges this with both direct quotes from a woman who will be going on one of these cruises, and her wariness to continue on with her families planned vacation. To quotes from online comments posted to CNN.com from outraged readers who are shocked and appalled that people would consider vacationing during a time like this.

On the opposite end of the debate, the CEO of Royal Caribbean defends his company’s decision to send ships to Haiti. He states that by vacationing elsewhere, much needed money will be diverted away from Haiti. However as the piece moves on Pawlowski, uses quotes from noted experts on Ethics and their opinions that back up the CEO’s claims that despite the initial hesitancy to want to vacation in Haiti, that it is not unethical to continue on with their planned vacations. And that it would be of no use to Haiti for people to avoid the country and use their vacation dollars elsewhere.

The article itself is brief and puts forth all of these facts in one page of text. And while the article may be leaning towards putting forth the notion that it is ethical to continue vacationing in Haiti, it does so in a way that is sensitive to those involved in the situation. There is no definitive answer given, just a collection of facts that allows the reader to make up their mind as to what side of the debate they are on. It is with those facts that allow A. Pawlowski to tell a complete and fair account of the situation.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/01/21/haiti.tourism.ethics/index.html?hpt=C2

Friday, January 15, 2010

Ethics in obituary writing

In terms of journalism nothing seems to gain readers attention more than death. From everyday people to those in the public eye, readers are instantly transfixed by these people’s stories. Obituaries are an essential part of any newspaper and with its inclusion in newspapers comes the responsibility to accurately tell their life’s story. However there is also the seeming responsibility to record these facts in a style devoid of malice or contempt. That can be difficult when the subject of an obituary is a polarizing person whom many hold high disdain for.

This happens to be the case for Robert McNamara, after his death on July 6, 2009. McNamara was viewed by many as the behind the scenes man orchestrating the Vietnam War. To few he was viewed as a political advisor, while many others viewed him simply as a war criminal. The obituary that was written for him by Joseph L. Galloway of McClatchley Newspapers was one which made no attempt at trying to hide the authors disdain for McNamara. For example the opening line of the obituary read

Well, the aptly named Robert Strange McNamara has finally

shuffled off to join LBJ and Dick Nixon in the 7th level of Hell.”

Throughout the obituary Galloway makes reference to personal experiences he had with McNamara. At one point even discussing an exchange he had with a friend about which one of them hated McNamara more. The obituary ends as some do with an anecdote. However this anecdote retold the story of how McNamara was almost thrown off of a ferry leaving Martha’s Vineyard by an enraged fellow passenger.

This would leave many out there wondering whether or not this was the most appropriate way to remember someone’s life, even if they were known for notorious reasons. The argument can be made that despite a widespread dislike, even hatred, for a person at least one individual will be affected by their passing. This can argued several ways. First no matter what an obituary is no place to mention a person’s mistakes, character flaws, or past misgivings. Or secondly if someone is made famous or notorious for their deeds their reputation was made from these actions making their notoriety forever the same in the public record. The only right answer is one which can be ascertained by the journalist themselves. There needs to be a happy medium where it is understood that most mistakes in life will be forgotten and your life will be celebrated upon your passing. While if your notoriety was based solely on your nefarious reputation, than those facts will undoubtedly need to be included in any retelling of your life’s story.

Galloway, J. L. (2009, July 6). Commentary: Galloway on McNamara: Reading an obit with great pleasure. McClatchly Newspapers. Retrieved January 15, 2010, from http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/71328.html

McBride, L. H. (2009, July 7). McNamara, Vietnam, the Baby Boom and the ethics of unkind obits. Retrieved January 15, 2010, from http://www.examiner.com/x-2134-DC-Ethical-Issues-Examiner~y2009m7d7-McNamara-Vietnam-the-Baby-Boom-and-the-ethics-of-unkind-obits

First post

To begin simply enough, my name is Adam Morrissey. I am a fourth year English major with a concentration in Technical writing. I took this course at the suggestion of my advisor, when creating a minor. I also feel being proficient in other forms of writing outside of simple technical writing will be a marketable skill when I begin searching for work after college. After experiencing the first week, I would have to say that this course will undoubtedly be good for me. Especially doing the grammar exercises and finding out just how poor my retention of basic grammar was, I would have to say that my goal is without a doubt to just become more focused as a writer. I already have the ability to write well, this course will simply help me refine my writing.