The Internet

The internet has become the main resource for finding specific information. With plenty of things posted on the web people have instant access to whatever they’re interest is. Now newspaper is competing for the worldwide audience as internet has made a profound impact on how the public views their information.

 While the newspaper is regarded as the traditional way to read the news, people have turned to their cell phones and other technologies to read the news through the World Wide Web. As this method is more rapid than the traditional newspaper, most of the audiences now depend on the internet for their news. Although the internet saves plenty of time it is unfortunate that the newspaper has to endure hard economic times due to this emergence of the web. As a major fan of tradition it is sad to see the newspaper fade with time as people forget the true value the print industry has. Even if the newspaper falls in popularity it is something that should not be lost in our society.

Using Twitter

In the past decade news coverage has expanded into the internet’s social media. Now journalists incorporate the use of twitter so they can provide instant information for their audience. In the article that Mallary Jean Tenore wrote, she gives ten guidelines on how to use twitter effectively.

Mallary points out ten methods in her article on how to make reporter’s stories available for the public to see. She provides great examples on each advice she gives and explains how it is benefiting. It is a great article to read because it’s straight to the point with enough detail to make it clear for the reader. Some objectivity she gives is getting stockholders to read your writing, give audience behind the scenes look of the story, and start a conversation. With these methods it is guaranteed that people will read your tweets.

When it comes to telling stories, Mallary comments to keep up with the resources to find ideas. It will also help if you understand the reaction of the audience on every story so you can provide them with what they want to read. Interacting with the audience helps reporters gain a level of confidence with the readers. When reporters know how the public will react to a certain story then that gives the writer an advantage for writing his information. Mallary also says to turn investigations into a story telling effort in which others collaborate to help in finding information for you.

In order to build up credibility it is important not to jump to any conclusions when tweeting. Reporters can always phrase statements that give good reference to a story without confirming it as true facts. Another tip she gives is to dig up the past, know well the history behind the stories. Some tweets can be found from some time back that can be really useful. It can provide some detail that could have been over looked during the time of the investigation.    

Jim Trotter

The opportunity came for many aspiring journalist to come and meet a well accomplished sports writer at Southwestern College Wednesday September 16. Jim Trotter a Sports Illustrated write came on campus to give an interview about his career and his life. Giving plenty of advice for students looking to became a reporter in the news industry.

With a casual outfit in a Wednesday morning, Jim talked about some of the major components that lead to having a successful career in the news business. One of the most concerning questions that students had was how to be known in the field, in which Jim's response was, "It’s all about credibility, the more you write stories the more recognize you become". Jim also advised students on how to give interviews, one important point he made about interviews was "Always record by saying let me turn this on, and it’s ok. I have had the tape recorder break down and miss the entire conversation a couple of times. So always take notes". The advice was very helpful and Jim made every piece of information clear so the student could have a better understanding.

Many questions students had were about his job. What exactly are his responsibilities and what does he do to get them done? Jim stated that "When I cover a team (Football) I stay at that city to write a story about the team". He often travels a lot going wherever his job takes him usually staying many nights at a hotel to get the story done. He mentioned that his favorite part of his job was finding a good story; he commented that "It’s just finding a good story. You can get bored after 30 years but its reinvigorating when you find a good story". Also when it comes to his schedule Jim shared that "We talk every Monday and decide on a story and then do it. The schedule is from 7am to 9am, but I mostly have my own time". Jim did stress the amount of work that is required; he repeated plenty of times that "It requires a lot of commitment. You need to be versatile, consistent, and have the will for it". In the business there are many obstacles he said, there are people who either help you or just cause problems, Jim mentioned that "The first editor I worked with told me that I was going to be a journey man (a reporter that goes from one newspaper to another). People are sometimes mentors and supportive, or they can try and tear you down". In all its important not to give up and do what you have to do. It’s an industry based on the commitment of the individual that in the end makes them successful.

Based on the line of duty Jim depends on all sorts of resources, especially now that the internet has become a major community of interaction. One of his tools he said was twitter in which he uses to build a relationship with the reader. "The way I use twitter, still evolving, is to engage with the readers. Online chat, readers like to have relationships with the writers". Jim was also asked his opinion on the path the business is going, unfortunately he disagrees. He stated that "It’s more like TMZ because of the proliferation (to grow rapidly) of shot junk due to iPhones and smartphones". Jim explained that the media coverage now focuses more on scandals rather than the sport itself. He commented that "I’ll retire if i don’t agree to the movement of the business". Although things are changing rapidly in the industry it is still an amazing career path to follow, especially for those aspired students who want to become reporters.      

Reliable Resources

It seems so long ago when this devastating tragedy occurred; September 11th 2001 was a day that many people remember. During the time of the chaos everything was quiet and I remember being alone just watching the news on the television as they passed the video of the planes crashing into the towers. After that it’s all a blur, to be honest I had not thought of that day until recently with all the reemergence of the footage and news coverage that the media has been showing. It wasn’t really relevant to me as I had forgotten, but leading up to the day of the anniversary I had some sentiment, just enough to show respect for the people that lost their loved ones that day and just that. It’s not so much a matter of what the buildings met for the country, but mostly because I know what it is to loose someone. It was a painful experience for America and hopefully it is one that does not repeat itself.



As for the changes in journalism after the terrorist attacks, things have become more available to the public with the current outburst of mass communication technologies. With IPhones, androids, computers, and Ipads people can now have quick access to the news. The networks of the media have expanded into everyone’s hand with a simple device allowing them to see instantly any breaking news that comes up. Along with that, many television networks now have social accounts on the internet such as Facebook, twitter, and many more websites that can be used to interact with their audience. Now people can be informed within seconds with one simple button on their mobile devices.

Media Covarage 9/11

With the tenth year anniversary of the twin towers approaching, the media has made it feel as if the tragedy was happening all over again. Although all of the chaos did not repeat itself, it defiantly brought back old sentiments that where stirred up among the American people. With the constant flash backs in the news it felt as if we were in danger again, causing the fear to grow once more int the hearts of the American people. The media coverage leading up to the anniversary of the twin towers was not the best way to commemorate the fallen heroes of that tragic day. Instead of promoting a progressive remembrance of the tragedy, they reintroduced that fear and anger that was felt during the attack. Usually anniversaries are a way in winch people can look back at the past and focus on the positive changes that this country has gone through since the attack. To appreciate the new plans that are meant to remember those who lost their lives that day and just enjoy the unity that has brought every American together, like a big family. Unfortunately the media coverage of the upcoming anniversary was just a summary of what happened and what was lost when the twin towers fell.

Article Fairness

It can be difficult to cover a story such as gay pride because it is a controversial topic. Sometimes certain expressions might seem bias towards the news event as people might misinterpret the writer's idea. Although it is not the writer's intention to give an unfair story, most of the times it is the choice in descriptions that give off such a critical point of view. In Jeff McDonald's story on the gay pride parade, some descriptions made it seem as if he was being judgmental and characterizing them based on their outfits. Even though most of the story is based on the activities that took place, it feels as if his attitude towards the event was critical making it an unfair article.

Why Journ

I am Ernesto Leon, a 20 year old athletic individual who as well likes to write about anything and everything. The way I manage my life is simple, I go to Southwestern College two times a day and make sure that never spend money that I don’t have so I don’t have to work. Currently I am studying Telemedia so I can start a career as a camera operator in the television industry. I eventually would like to become a script writer so I can produce top quality stories for the movie business.  That is what I currently base my life each and every day, all I want for now is to continue my education until I can establish a foundation in my career.

The reason I am taking a journalism class is to widen the options in my career goal. Journalism is a well recognized job in the television business and it is why I want to learn the skills necessary to find a job in that industry. I like to write so I want to learn the style that journalist use so I can apply it in a future job position that I might get. Other than a second option as a career foundation, I think that journalism is a very intense work environment that can keep me moving and interested.