1. I think that what Smith meant by his quote is that there is a huge difference between releasing information about someones personal life and exposing information about that person that is morally wrong. In the case of Mayor West a reporter has to be very careful because that person is in the public eye and it would be wrong to "out" that person because it has nothing to do with the position in government that that person has, but exposing his relationship with underage boys has a lot to do with the public and should be shown to the world so that authorities can handle the situation.
2. Morlin didn't assume an identity in the sting operation against Mayor West because it went against what The Spokesman-Review put together as an ethical code. Morlin justified the operation by saying that what he was showing to the public was things that they needed to know, things that affect them and that's why he shed light on it.
3. I think that they reported on this story so much because it was such a huge news story for a place like Spokane. When a reporter gets a chance like that with a story that big they feel the need to almost beat it into the ground. As much as most journalist talk about reporting stories for the reader they also do it for other reasons such as money, readership, and awards and I think that that is why so many stories were written about it.
4. I don't believe the outcome was worth it. in this situation. The Spokesman-Review benefited the most from this story because they broke it and therefore a lot of people read the articles and probably watched the news coming through. But Mayor West definitely was negatively impacted by this, not only was he outed but there was not enough evidence to convict him of anything and therefore the article virtually did no good.
5. I think there is some questionable ethics that we are talking about because in the story it is almost as if they are implying that by his absents he could possibly have AIDS. This leaves the reader to make their own conclusions about him from what the reporters are writing.
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Monday, June 15, 2009
Ethics and Storytelling
1. I think one of the biggest ethical dilemmas that are faced by documentary filmmakers is the question of whether or not they are exploiting the people that they are documenting and if these people know how the light will be shed on their situation or life. Especially if the person is not of right mind, like in "Titicut Follies" and, possibly "Grey Gardens", they may not be aware of the portrayal that is being made about them. Also the subject may think that the documentary is taking a particular angle to their story when the filmmaker may have a completely different view on where the story lies.
2. I think that the person making the documentary should make the decision as to what they are showing within the film based on the story that they are trying to tell and within respect to the subject of the film. I think in "Titicut Follies" the filmmaker shows a lot of footage that is disturbing but he is trying to shed light on the state's treatment of patients so that some hardships may be exposed. I think that while hard to view it is appropriate to show this footage because that is helps define the film and what the filmmaker is trying to show the audience. I think that a filmmaker shouldn't show certain footage if it only portrays the subject badly or questionably but has no benefit to the audience other than a possible "shock and awe" factor.
3. As a person making a documentary I would chose to do documentaries only on subjects that I had strong emotions about but that I also had the ability to distinguish between what I wanted to show to an audience and what I think they would benefit from. I think that as a filmaker you have to be able to show what you want the audience to see about your subject while also respecting the subject and I would take that approach because I think that is the only way to be ethically correct in this situation.
2. I think that the person making the documentary should make the decision as to what they are showing within the film based on the story that they are trying to tell and within respect to the subject of the film. I think in "Titicut Follies" the filmmaker shows a lot of footage that is disturbing but he is trying to shed light on the state's treatment of patients so that some hardships may be exposed. I think that while hard to view it is appropriate to show this footage because that is helps define the film and what the filmmaker is trying to show the audience. I think that a filmmaker shouldn't show certain footage if it only portrays the subject badly or questionably but has no benefit to the audience other than a possible "shock and awe" factor.
3. As a person making a documentary I would chose to do documentaries only on subjects that I had strong emotions about but that I also had the ability to distinguish between what I wanted to show to an audience and what I think they would benefit from. I think that as a filmaker you have to be able to show what you want the audience to see about your subject while also respecting the subject and I would take that approach because I think that is the only way to be ethically correct in this situation.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
WSU brings together students with new Second Life campus
Pullman, WA- Washington State University is now helping students who are located all around the globe have access to the school with the launch of its new 3D campus in the virtual world Second Life.
Second Life is a virtual world that that was created by Linden Labs in 2003 and is featured online. Users can create avatars of themselves, interact with one another and even purchase items.
The WSU campus was designed by the Center for Distance and Professional Education (CDPE) for students that are not at the Pullman campus. It is a way for students that attend the university through a distance degree program to visit the Pullman campus without having to physically make the trip.
“It’s a way to combine on-campus and distance students to work together virtual even thought they might live thousands of miles apart. It might also be a learning environment that on-campus students are part of due to the more globalization and a way to communicate to others,” said CDPE media production manager Brian K. Maki.
Students will not only have access to the campus via Second Life but some course will use the program as a way to communicate. One class is ED AD 520. Over the course of the next year more classes will use the program through the CDPE and students at the Pullman campus will have the ability to collaborate with students elsewhere on projects and other class assignments.
Maki hopes the WSU Second Life campus will bring more students together and feels that it has the ability to bring people together.
“You have like-minded people. You can live anywhere and still be part of Second Life. You can have a physical disability and still be able to do the same things as others,” said Maki.
The launch of the WSU Second Life will be promoted throughout the Pullman campus, as well as other campuses, by different departments, student organizations and classes that plan to use it.
“I think that as more and more people began to hear about the WSU Second Life they will register with the program and have the ability to interact with other students. It will be nice because you can meet a lot of new people that you might have a lot of stuff in common with because you both attend the same university,” said WSU student Dana Smithreams.
The WSU Second Life campus is currently available for access online to students as well as all other Second Life users.
Second Life is a virtual world that that was created by Linden Labs in 2003 and is featured online. Users can create avatars of themselves, interact with one another and even purchase items.
The WSU campus was designed by the Center for Distance and Professional Education (CDPE) for students that are not at the Pullman campus. It is a way for students that attend the university through a distance degree program to visit the Pullman campus without having to physically make the trip.
“It’s a way to combine on-campus and distance students to work together virtual even thought they might live thousands of miles apart. It might also be a learning environment that on-campus students are part of due to the more globalization and a way to communicate to others,” said CDPE media production manager Brian K. Maki.
Students will not only have access to the campus via Second Life but some course will use the program as a way to communicate. One class is ED AD 520. Over the course of the next year more classes will use the program through the CDPE and students at the Pullman campus will have the ability to collaborate with students elsewhere on projects and other class assignments.
Maki hopes the WSU Second Life campus will bring more students together and feels that it has the ability to bring people together.
“You have like-minded people. You can live anywhere and still be part of Second Life. You can have a physical disability and still be able to do the same things as others,” said Maki.
The launch of the WSU Second Life will be promoted throughout the Pullman campus, as well as other campuses, by different departments, student organizations and classes that plan to use it.
“I think that as more and more people began to hear about the WSU Second Life they will register with the program and have the ability to interact with other students. It will be nice because you can meet a lot of new people that you might have a lot of stuff in common with because you both attend the same university,” said WSU student Dana Smithreams.
The WSU Second Life campus is currently available for access online to students as well as all other Second Life users.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Frontline: News War
I though that A New Definition for What's News was very interesting because it highlighted the problems that have to do with media right now. It first caught my attention when they discussed that The Daily Show has the highest rating for a "news" program when it technically makes fun of the other news stations. I think that people feel like this program is more newsworthy because they are appealing to their audience. They are showing the news while discussing the issues in a way that makes the viewer feel on the same level, not like the media is above them or that they are hiding things/changing stories.
In Info Snacking they discuss how the 60 Minutes teamed up with Yahoo! to chop videos that would likely appeal only to an older audience and making it appeal to different segmentation. When they chop it, they call it "info snacking". I think that one of the problem that this displays is that the viewer is only getting slight and different pieces of a news article. The media seems to be trying to make the money that they want through the Internet and the way they feel like they can do that is through the Internet. I feel like the media is not going to be able to effectively use the Internet for an outlet because the audience is changing and they are always wanting something new and personal and I think that is bloggers, real people, that an audience can relate to. I think that the media is overlooking the audience real wants and what appeals to them.
The Story of the Los Angeles Times discusses how Dean Bakay came to the newspaper and changed the outlook of the LA Times which had had bad lighting on it for awhile. They went back to the way of real investigations, big news stories and it was a success. The problem was the stockholders didn't like that their opinions were not shown in their paper. When they sold the paper they had to cut people. This example I think shows how the control that shareholders have too much control over a newspaper. They are looking towards a gain in the financial aspect of the paper when they should be looking at how to make the reader happy. The reason that newspapers struggle is because the control that forces them to cut cost for financial gain giving less news to the reader, which should be the main focus of the paper because they make or break the business.
In Info Snacking they discuss how the 60 Minutes teamed up with Yahoo! to chop videos that would likely appeal only to an older audience and making it appeal to different segmentation. When they chop it, they call it "info snacking". I think that one of the problem that this displays is that the viewer is only getting slight and different pieces of a news article. The media seems to be trying to make the money that they want through the Internet and the way they feel like they can do that is through the Internet. I feel like the media is not going to be able to effectively use the Internet for an outlet because the audience is changing and they are always wanting something new and personal and I think that is bloggers, real people, that an audience can relate to. I think that the media is overlooking the audience real wants and what appeals to them.
The Story of the Los Angeles Times discusses how Dean Bakay came to the newspaper and changed the outlook of the LA Times which had had bad lighting on it for awhile. They went back to the way of real investigations, big news stories and it was a success. The problem was the stockholders didn't like that their opinions were not shown in their paper. When they sold the paper they had to cut people. This example I think shows how the control that shareholders have too much control over a newspaper. They are looking towards a gain in the financial aspect of the paper when they should be looking at how to make the reader happy. The reason that newspapers struggle is because the control that forces them to cut cost for financial gain giving less news to the reader, which should be the main focus of the paper because they make or break the business.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Al Jazeera English
1. I don't believe that the Internet will be as effective in reaching the U.S. audience as they would hope. The reason being that their is a large population of people that they are not able to reach at all within the states and that would be people without Internet. I also think that people will feel like they need a reason to tap into this news station and if it were on the television people would be more prone to watch it without some incentive, but on the Internet I feel that people will not feel the need to put in all that effort to watch the program. But I do think that if people did hear about the controversy surrounding the stations (that they are being shut out by America) people would want to watch it more and it might gain more of a following.
2. I think that Al Jazeera should be allowed in America because they are a worldwide population. I do not think that, from at least my observations, that the broadcasters would bring negativity on Americans. If anything I believe that Americans would get a different point-of-view on situations that they think they know about. The station discussed news that was going on in the region and they can open that up to Americans. Also, we are offered BBC in American and I feel like we should be more open to international affairs because as a nation we are often involved in other countries situations and people should be aware of all the angles.
3. From at least what I saw I though that their approach was more discussion-based. It seemed a lot more formal also, the people were discussing their opinions but they didn't seem as heightened in what they were saying. On other stations I've observed I feel like people get really into their opinions and it often gets somewhat argumentative and I felt a little like the people weren't as real as people on other news stations.
4. I felt like they did in a way but I also felt, like I said above, that they weren't as real about the news that they were discussing as I have seen on other stations, which would go against the second code which says they will bring honesty to the audience. When they discuss the standard that says that they: recognise diversity in human societies with all their races, cultures and beliefs and their values and intrinsic individualities. I felt like they did a good job at upholding that because when they discussed current events and discussed Obama and other American influences on the situation they upheld truth and were unbiased.
2. I think that Al Jazeera should be allowed in America because they are a worldwide population. I do not think that, from at least my observations, that the broadcasters would bring negativity on Americans. If anything I believe that Americans would get a different point-of-view on situations that they think they know about. The station discussed news that was going on in the region and they can open that up to Americans. Also, we are offered BBC in American and I feel like we should be more open to international affairs because as a nation we are often involved in other countries situations and people should be aware of all the angles.
3. From at least what I saw I though that their approach was more discussion-based. It seemed a lot more formal also, the people were discussing their opinions but they didn't seem as heightened in what they were saying. On other stations I've observed I feel like people get really into their opinions and it often gets somewhat argumentative and I felt a little like the people weren't as real as people on other news stations.
4. I felt like they did in a way but I also felt, like I said above, that they weren't as real about the news that they were discussing as I have seen on other stations, which would go against the second code which says they will bring honesty to the audience. When they discuss the standard that says that they: recognise diversity in human societies with all their races, cultures and beliefs and their values and intrinsic individualities. I felt like they did a good job at upholding that because when they discussed current events and discussed Obama and other American influences on the situation they upheld truth and were unbiased.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites renovates aspects of the hotel
Pullman, WASH. -Guest at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites will be surprised when they see the new renovations that the hotel is making to improve customer’s stays.
The hotel is located on Bishop Blvd. in Pullman. It has 130 rooms and offers certain amenities to guest as a deluxe breakfast bar, an indoor pool, and a jacuzzi. For the health-conscious they also have a fitness center with a treadmill and elliptical machines.
The hotel was opened 15 years ago and has had steady business because of its location near Washington State University.
“We are usually between 80 to 90 percent occupancies because of different people that are involved with the university, mainly parents of students, but also different professors that only teach a couple days a week and come from home. Business is always positive,” said Tonia Medina, a three-year employee of the hotel.
During football season the hotel is booked 100 percent, with guest making reservations 50 weeks in advance and only on certain call-in dates. Due to the high occupancy the hotel keeps its renovations up-to-date and is currently making changes to different aspects of the hotel.
The hotel is currently updating 50 different rooms in the new addition wing of the hotel. They have added granite to the bathrooms, as well, as having completely redone the bathtubs. Within the lobby area they have ripped out the carpet and put in all new tiles.
The main reason the hotel decided to renovate was because as a franchise the hotel has standards that they have to follow but Medina also hopes that the renovations will keep customers satisfied with the hotel and help them keep the hotel number one in Pullman.
“We like to keep up with the times and make sure that the customers feel like they are at staying at the nicest place in Pullman,” said Medina.
Customers have noticed the changes and that is what has continued to bring them back to the hotel.
“I have already had several customers tell me that they are impressed with the changes the hotel is constantly making to keep up for the customers wants and needs,” said Ashley Kelly, a new employee of the hotel.
The hotel is open year round and is always taking reservations.
The hotel is located on Bishop Blvd. in Pullman. It has 130 rooms and offers certain amenities to guest as a deluxe breakfast bar, an indoor pool, and a jacuzzi. For the health-conscious they also have a fitness center with a treadmill and elliptical machines.
The hotel was opened 15 years ago and has had steady business because of its location near Washington State University.
“We are usually between 80 to 90 percent occupancies because of different people that are involved with the university, mainly parents of students, but also different professors that only teach a couple days a week and come from home. Business is always positive,” said Tonia Medina, a three-year employee of the hotel.
During football season the hotel is booked 100 percent, with guest making reservations 50 weeks in advance and only on certain call-in dates. Due to the high occupancy the hotel keeps its renovations up-to-date and is currently making changes to different aspects of the hotel.
The hotel is currently updating 50 different rooms in the new addition wing of the hotel. They have added granite to the bathrooms, as well, as having completely redone the bathtubs. Within the lobby area they have ripped out the carpet and put in all new tiles.
The main reason the hotel decided to renovate was because as a franchise the hotel has standards that they have to follow but Medina also hopes that the renovations will keep customers satisfied with the hotel and help them keep the hotel number one in Pullman.
“We like to keep up with the times and make sure that the customers feel like they are at staying at the nicest place in Pullman,” said Medina.
Customers have noticed the changes and that is what has continued to bring them back to the hotel.
“I have already had several customers tell me that they are impressed with the changes the hotel is constantly making to keep up for the customers wants and needs,” said Ashley Kelly, a new employee of the hotel.
The hotel is open year round and is always taking reservations.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sasquatch! Music Festival wraps up eighth year at The Gorge Ampitheater
George, WASH.- Sun beaming down on bare skin. Melodies blaring from giant speaker. Smiling faces. Technicolor on a big screen. Crowd sways to the rhythm of the music.
The 2009 Sasquatch! Music festival arrived at The Gorge Amphitheater this past memorial weekend of May 23rd through the 25th to large crowds and temperatures of 85 degrees and above.
The music festival is known to many as one of the “greatest untouched music festivals that exist right now,” said concertgoer Gabrielle Merz.
“I think that at a time right now when there is a lot of people pushing the same type of music, that isn’t unique, its nice to get to come to a cool venue and see some different types of musicians,” said Merz.
The line-up for the 2009 festival included artist such as: 80’s band Jane’s Addiction, the rock-trip Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the dance-themed Santigold, who is on tour for the first time with a full band.
Sasquatch! Music Festival was formed in 2002 by concert promoter Adam Zacks, who previously worked for The Roseland Theater in Portland. The festival began as one day and has evolved over the past seven years into a three-day musical experience that brings large crowds from all over the country.
In addition to people coming from different areas for the music, many people come to experience the diverse crowds and The Gorge itself, which also offers camping for the three-day music festival.
Due to the high demand for camping and the sold-out days of Saturday and Sunday The Gorge Amphitheater was forced to open up other sections on the area to accommodate the campers.
“I’ve come to The Gorge for a lot of different concerts and I’ve never seen it so jammed packed with campers,” said Washington State University student and Sasquatch! attendant Ksenyia Braginskaya. “It’s really cool because I feel like the line-up was so good this year with band like the Kings of Leon, as well as Chromeo and that brought a lot of people who just want to have fun, camp and listen to good music.”
Sasquatch! kicked off Saturday with The Gaslight Anthem on the main stage and ended the night with the Nashville-based Kings of Leon. Some highlights from Saturday include The Decemberist playing at Sasquatch! for the second time in the festivals’ history as well as The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ singer Karen O performing Maps and Skeletons wearing neon green legging and a glove, consisting of glow sticks.
Sunday brought the lead singer, Boots Riley, of the Oakland-based group The Coup and Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine together to perform with there new band Street Sweeper Social Club. The band performed MIA’s Paper Planes to a cheering crowd and offered free mp3’s of their music to the audience.
Monday wound down the festival with a long performance by the indie-rock group Grizzly Bear, which is known for their soft melodies. Other performances included an R&B set from Erykah Badu and Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 ending the weekend.
The 2009 Sasquatch! Music festival arrived at The Gorge Amphitheater this past memorial weekend of May 23rd through the 25th to large crowds and temperatures of 85 degrees and above.
The music festival is known to many as one of the “greatest untouched music festivals that exist right now,” said concertgoer Gabrielle Merz.
“I think that at a time right now when there is a lot of people pushing the same type of music, that isn’t unique, its nice to get to come to a cool venue and see some different types of musicians,” said Merz.
The line-up for the 2009 festival included artist such as: 80’s band Jane’s Addiction, the rock-trip Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the dance-themed Santigold, who is on tour for the first time with a full band.
Sasquatch! Music Festival was formed in 2002 by concert promoter Adam Zacks, who previously worked for The Roseland Theater in Portland. The festival began as one day and has evolved over the past seven years into a three-day musical experience that brings large crowds from all over the country.
In addition to people coming from different areas for the music, many people come to experience the diverse crowds and The Gorge itself, which also offers camping for the three-day music festival.
Due to the high demand for camping and the sold-out days of Saturday and Sunday The Gorge Amphitheater was forced to open up other sections on the area to accommodate the campers.
“I’ve come to The Gorge for a lot of different concerts and I’ve never seen it so jammed packed with campers,” said Washington State University student and Sasquatch! attendant Ksenyia Braginskaya. “It’s really cool because I feel like the line-up was so good this year with band like the Kings of Leon, as well as Chromeo and that brought a lot of people who just want to have fun, camp and listen to good music.”
Sasquatch! kicked off Saturday with The Gaslight Anthem on the main stage and ended the night with the Nashville-based Kings of Leon. Some highlights from Saturday include The Decemberist playing at Sasquatch! for the second time in the festivals’ history as well as The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ singer Karen O performing Maps and Skeletons wearing neon green legging and a glove, consisting of glow sticks.
Sunday brought the lead singer, Boots Riley, of the Oakland-based group The Coup and Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine together to perform with there new band Street Sweeper Social Club. The band performed MIA’s Paper Planes to a cheering crowd and offered free mp3’s of their music to the audience.
Monday wound down the festival with a long performance by the indie-rock group Grizzly Bear, which is known for their soft melodies. Other performances included an R&B set from Erykah Badu and Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 ending the weekend.
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