Although I am currently trying to use articles online as the basis for my posts, I would like to take a moment and just observe something in journalism. It is a trend that I have commonly seen throughout the past few years. This pertains to how many journalists approach their sources for information. Now i will say that although I am personally guilty of this as well, I feel that it should be used as a LAST RESORT and not to be used as something that should be abused or what all college students in their first year tend to use for a late assignment...AN EXCUSE. Too many journalists have talked about the complete revolution of the cell phone. Yes, I will admit it is, by far, one of the most impressive inventions of the 21st century and has continued to make our lives more convient and DEFINATELY more organized. However, the consistency of the cell phone has paved a way for journalists to use TERRIBLE ETHICS and TERRIBLE COMMON PROCEDURE when it comes a time to interview that particular source for an upcoming story. I feel that it ruins that story and all the facts MAY NOT BE THERE. Have many journalists lost their spines! Do too many sports journalists have too many FAN BOY or GIRL MOMENTS when they have to interview a sports player they view as an idol? Are their too many journalists that are SOOO SHY to face their sources without stumbling over their words? Have they no reason to go to a source and SCHEDULE with them on the phone a TIME AND PLACE to meet up and get the facts. NO. Many are referring to their cell phones via emailing, text and also (YES to a degree) standard talking in order to get, from what i see as, a hap hazard interview.
Now many would look at me and say a few choice words. They would try to persuade me by saying that if we have the technology, use it (strange, I thought there was always an abuse phrase in that quote). Technology is great and we use it in SO MANY different ways in journalism for photos, crafting a newspaper's structure, building a website, video and audio editing....and yes writing the story. I will offer a solution to people who REALLY want to use their cell phone for an interview...how about using a webcam program that is built into the camera in order to FACE THE SOURCE? YES IT IS TRUE. Most very high tech cell phones today have webcams built into them to make this possible. Computers also have them built in. But if you are not within your budget to afford one of these devices that has one built, you could always buy one for your computer. Believe it or not, I saw a standard one at a Walgreens being sold for 25 dollars. Here is an interesting fact, according to CNBC.com (see link at the bottom of the page), nearly HALF, thats right a HALF MILLIONS homes in the UNITED STATES alone have apple products that range from ipads, Mac computers, ipods and iphones. A ton of people have a way of talking to each others...it seems to make the possibilites of talking to a source(s) endless.
But when i see more reporters TWEETING about how they just got off the phone for an interview that took only 10 MINUTES, thats right 10 minutes; that can mean only a couple things to me. One, the interview was too structured and they just wanted the "simple" quote. Or two, the interviewee was not very exciting and much like the journalist, they both just wanted to get the interview "done and over with." Its funny cause most of these Tweets I mentioned came from acclaimed journalists that work in the Tampa Bay area for ACCLAIMED NEWS STATIONS AND PAPERS.
The reason I post this is because when read how some journalists are using tactics that I was taught in school not to use...it makes me feel how much i think I might have gotten cheated out. When my professors say it is not okay and others are saying that it is; WHO IS RIGHT IN THIS SITUATION? My professors, who have their masters and doctorates for a REASON, or a journalist that uses techniques that may not always deliver the best story; but one to just get the job done and get paid? Here is my opinion. As a journalist, the way I have always seen it is this: When you enter a field such as this, you are required to do one thing I have always felt. YOU MUST FACE YOUR SOURCE. Study their face movements, study how they react when you ask them a question that might be hard for them to answer, or even consider looking at how they react to you asking them a question that may be too personal. All of theses movements and directives can either help you build a basis on how your story is going to go or maybe how you are going to change it and make it something totally different.
Please I would love to hear your comments, post below.
Brad
Link:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/46857053/Apples_Are_Growing_in_American_Homes
Now many would look at me and say a few choice words. They would try to persuade me by saying that if we have the technology, use it (strange, I thought there was always an abuse phrase in that quote). Technology is great and we use it in SO MANY different ways in journalism for photos, crafting a newspaper's structure, building a website, video and audio editing....and yes writing the story. I will offer a solution to people who REALLY want to use their cell phone for an interview...how about using a webcam program that is built into the camera in order to FACE THE SOURCE? YES IT IS TRUE. Most very high tech cell phones today have webcams built into them to make this possible. Computers also have them built in. But if you are not within your budget to afford one of these devices that has one built, you could always buy one for your computer. Believe it or not, I saw a standard one at a Walgreens being sold for 25 dollars. Here is an interesting fact, according to CNBC.com (see link at the bottom of the page), nearly HALF, thats right a HALF MILLIONS homes in the UNITED STATES alone have apple products that range from ipads, Mac computers, ipods and iphones. A ton of people have a way of talking to each others...it seems to make the possibilites of talking to a source(s) endless.
But when i see more reporters TWEETING about how they just got off the phone for an interview that took only 10 MINUTES, thats right 10 minutes; that can mean only a couple things to me. One, the interview was too structured and they just wanted the "simple" quote. Or two, the interviewee was not very exciting and much like the journalist, they both just wanted to get the interview "done and over with." Its funny cause most of these Tweets I mentioned came from acclaimed journalists that work in the Tampa Bay area for ACCLAIMED NEWS STATIONS AND PAPERS.
The reason I post this is because when read how some journalists are using tactics that I was taught in school not to use...it makes me feel how much i think I might have gotten cheated out. When my professors say it is not okay and others are saying that it is; WHO IS RIGHT IN THIS SITUATION? My professors, who have their masters and doctorates for a REASON, or a journalist that uses techniques that may not always deliver the best story; but one to just get the job done and get paid? Here is my opinion. As a journalist, the way I have always seen it is this: When you enter a field such as this, you are required to do one thing I have always felt. YOU MUST FACE YOUR SOURCE. Study their face movements, study how they react when you ask them a question that might be hard for them to answer, or even consider looking at how they react to you asking them a question that may be too personal. All of theses movements and directives can either help you build a basis on how your story is going to go or maybe how you are going to change it and make it something totally different.
Please I would love to hear your comments, post below.
Brad
Link:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/46857053/Apples_Are_Growing_in_American_Homes
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