Frontline: News War

In these mini videos, Frontline shows how the news which was once the only reliable source of news that people turned to every evening is now evolving with the shift in technological advances. With a younger audience, who have been raised in a world that allows them to access news whenever and however they want, it has changed the way news stations report the news. Initially, news programs were mandated by the government, but with the forth coming of 60 Minutes, news stations began to realize they could make a profit from these programs. After that, profit became everything. Today, news stations are changing the topics they are reporting on in order to increase their revenue. It is being done in many ways, but the most common is through disguising entertainment as news.

As a Communication Major, and being a part of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, I have been taught about how Murrow reported stories and what made them so intriguing to the audience he was talking to. I understand that technology is changing the way people search for information, but I do not think that factual news happening in this world should be sacrificed for a profit. I think that the idea of information snacking is a difficult battle to fight because I know that I am guilty of information snacking as well. I do like 60 Minutes acceptance of the concept and the way they have tried to combat it by giving 2-3 minutes of information to ensure viewers are receiving a more "rich" experience.

It was interesting to hear the founder of the Daily Kos talk about how people today are more educated and have been taught to take initiative and no longer want to be standby as things happen and no longer want to be just consumers. This makes me wonder, if higher education is to blame for the decline in newspaper sales and the increase of participation with the decrease in audience. With anyone being able to post things to the internet, anyone with a laptop can become a reporter. This is a scary thought considering the information and topics they are covering may contain sensitive information that requires thorough research and if people are taking these unaccredited sites as fact, there becomes this problem of how to know what is true and what is not.

One of the people Frontline interviewed talked about how anyone with a cell phone and a computer can be a reporter. Although this may sound a little strange he continues to say that if people are coming up with new ideas or taking a picture of something they see on the street that no one else has talked about, and they do it accurately, fully and fairly, it becomes journalism. There is a fine line between people who are just talking and people who are reporting and it is defined by the information that is presented and the research, and time and ethics that have gone into preparing that particular news story. I think that in order to be sure that a news story is fact, it is best to research it on your own. Even major broadcast stations such as CNN and NBC, make mistakes sometimes and if people don't learn to ask questions then the truth will become obscure.

Al Jazeera

1. How effective do you think the Internet will be for Al Jazeera as it attempts to reach a U.S. audience? I think it is going to be difficult for Al Jazeera to use the internet as the sole means of reaching a U.S. audience, but at the same time, although they may not retain steady U.S. viewers, I think they will have a small following as the information is pertinent to U.S. dwellers as well as contains information around the world. I think they need to advertise themselves better in order to gain a U.S. audience through the internet.

2. Based on your own observations, do you think that Al Jazeera English should be allowed to broadcast in the U.S.? Initially I didn't think it should be posted in the U.S. but after I thought about the information that was being presented, I like the way the explain the information and don't take sides. It is simply presented and the anchor's help in the transition. I think U.S. viewers would be refreshed by the diversity in information and location.

3. What, if anything, do you notice about Al Jazeera's approach to telling the news? How is it different than the U.S.-based TV news outlets that you have experienced? On U.S. local news stations, they talk about the news from their news desks and show clips from whatever it is they are talking about. Al Jazeera uses the news anchor as a transition into the next clip and Al Jazeera reporters seem a lot more involved in the reporting. Instead of projecting only what the U.S. is doing, it shows what all countries are doing. It doesn't have a dominating U.S. background support.

4. While on the Al Jazeera site, be sure to check out the network's published Code of Ethics. Based on your own observations, do you think they are adhering to them? I did not see in the Al Jazeera episode that I watched anything that went against their Code of Ethics, and before I read this code I already had commented on how I appreciate that the simply present the information and do not have an opinion.

Social Media Example

Nordstrom, one of the leading clothing and fashion mega stores, has began using Twitter and Facebook to interact with their consumers. The Facebook and blog are linked, and the administrators post leading fashion trends along with photos and how to pair a jacket with a pair of jeans, etc. In the company's latest posts there is a lot of feedback in regards to the new website. The cool thing about this is the site's administrators are responding to the client's comments, so basically Nordstrom shoppers are designing the new website based on what the people want. The facbook poses a place for client's to voice their praises, complaints and concerns. The Facebook alone has over 175,000 fans.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/Nordstrom?ref=ts