Week 8-Data Journalism

 

I started a  blog post on this topic and thought I would just add what I had written so far:


 Data journalism is important for many reasons such as gathering, filtering and visualizing what is happening beyond the eye (Gray, Chambers & Bounegru, p.4). 

It's all about creating a 'flow' between data, the journalist and the story. This is displayed in the model shown below:

 The model demonstrates that to create a story you need to find data, then filter what you have discovered whilst visualising how you approach it in the story. The better you get at doing this, you find that the public will value what you have to say as a journalist.

My current major assignment will be using data from Mindframe, Sane Australia and the Department of Health for my feature on 'mental illness'.
The more information you gather the more you be able to uncover the facts. However, it's important to choose appropriate sources such as government documents, research facilities or go straight to the source.
For those who have the time, collecting data through qualitative and quantative tests. For example,

surveys, questionnaires or examining the subject from a distance.

Personally, I say data journalism is not the most interesting topic but I guess it depends on your research topic.

Just an example of journalism at it's best in America:

The image shows basically that the whole country is on fire this week not NSW.

 

Watch the video here.

References:

Gray, J., Bournegru, L. & Chambers, L, 2012, The Data Journalism Handbook, United States: O'Reily Media. 

PR Spin- Addressing the elephant in the room

"Living in a society in which nearly every moment of human attention is exposed to the game plan of spin doctors, image managers, pitchmen, communications, consultants, public information officers and public relations specialists" (Meloney, p.16). 


As stated in my presentation:
"Public Relations is based on relationships and and media management" (Tanner & Richardson, 2013).

PR Spin is based on using the using the relationships to persuade journalists and the media to accept or believe the message they are trying to get across.

The Australian Center for independent Journalism at the University of technology In Sydney with online publication Crikey worked on more than 2,000 articles from 10 newspapers (ABC, 2010).

They found 55% of stories were triggered by public relations firms (ABC, 2010).

I found this and it would have been a great example for my presentation!


That's a lot of PR driven news being released in newspapers.

Example: Supermarkets 





Sources:
'Research finds PR spinning most newspaper stories', ABC News, Australia, 16 March 2010, viewed on 11 October 2013. url < http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-03-16/research-finds-pr-spinning-most-newspaper-stories/366356 >
Tanner, S & Richardson, N (eds) 2013, Journalism Research And Investigation In A Digital World, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Week 7-The Whistleblower

 

All it needs for evil to flourish is for people of good will to do nothing.- Edmund Burke

According to Roberta Johnson, a Whistleblower is someone who individually acts with the intention of information public or with other parties (p.4). 

Here is a great scene from the 1999 film The Insider starring Al Pacino. His character Bergman works in TV journalism and has found new information on a tobacco company thanks to Whistleblower, Wagand (played by Russell Crowe).

Bergman says to Wagand, "If you've got vital insider stuff that citizens of United States, for their welfare really do need to know, and you feel impelled to disclose it and violate your agreement in doing so that's one thing."

Why we need them: 

It's a known fact that some things should not kept secret from the general public specially when it could affect them in anyway.

Corporations and the government should be held accountable for their actions.

Example: Edward Snowden who was a former CIA/NSA employee who leaked documents on the mass surveillance programs (Britain and USA). 

Political Journalist, Robert Taylor said:

"Without whistleblowers like Snowden, turning over the dark rock of empire and spreading the message of liberty would be nearly impossible given the consequences one faces when seriously threatens power and the complex of special interests behind it.
The price they pay is a steep one and may discourage others from speaking out if they know escaping to a foreign country or solitary confinement is their future" (2013).

References: 

Johnson, Roberta.A. Whistleblowing: When it works and why. UK:Lynne Reinner Publishers. (2003). Online. 

Taylor, Robert. Edward Snowden NSA Scandal: Why We Need a Whistleblower Protection Program. Policy Mic. (2013). Website. 
 http://www.policymic.com/articles/47847/edward-snowden-nsa-scandal-why-we-need-a-whistleblower-protection-program

Week 6-Wikileaks and Transparency

 We are the fourth estate.

Since 2006, the media organisation Wikileaks has been publishing online but it was not until the year of 2010 that they really made their mark.

Why? As discussed in class, the 'Collateral Murder' was a video released that contained some really confronting footage of US soldiers indiscriminately firing at innocent civilians on the ground. That was including two children.

A key term that continued to be brought up is 'Transparency'  which has raised more questions as journalism moves into the digital age.

What does Transparency mean? It's a "normative construct that is linked inextricably with public accountability and justification of practice" (Mier, K 2009). Ziomek states that transparency is needed for "enhancing public knowledge and engagement that demystify journalistic practices and clarify journalistic values" (2005, p8).  


This is why we need Wikileaks :

 SMH journalist, Phillip Dorling even refers to Wikileaks as a "transparency group" who has recently leaking information on the global surveillance industry.
Companies are now investing in spying technology able to detect encryption and what people are using their internet data on. Privacy problem?

Read the article here.

Personally, I find transparency to be a complicated topic and one that should be addressed. What Wikileaks is doing by leaking government documents, footage etc is informing the public of what governments are hiding.
If anything, we need to up hold journalistic values and not allow any government/corporations/institutions dissuade us from doing our jobs.

Sources: 

Dorling, P 2013, 'WikiLeaks releases documents on global surveillance industry', 5 Sept 2013, Sunday Morning Herald, viewed on 5 Sept 2013.
 http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/security-it/wikileaks-releases-documents-on-global-surveillance-industry-20130904-hv1m6.html

 Mier, K 2009, Transparency in journalism: credibility and trustworthiness in the digital future, online pdf, viewed on 5 Sept 2013.
http://www0.caerdydd.ac.uk/jomec/resources/foj2009/foj2009-Meier.pdf

Why We Need  Wikileaks 2013, The Wikileaks Channel, Youtube, viewed 4 Sept 2013.
Url:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krEsVDPdh-4&feature=share&list=TL5hG0rQpMnBo

Week 5- We're All A Twitter

Why collecting information from Twitter has it's positive and negative aspects: 

As journalists it's our job to check facts and not just rely one source of information for stories. 

The increasingly popularity of social media, Twitter in particular has changed the way we communicate with others. It has allowed us to talk to millions of individuals, from doctors, celebrities, journalists to people down the street. However, Twitter is a tool that we must use carefully as journalists.

In 140 characters or less, a tweet can send out misleading information that could explode over the internet and false stories based on the source is posted.

The image above is a great example of twitter being used  for the wrong purposes.

Journalist, Alina Selyuch said  "Hackers took control of the Associated Press Twitter account on Tuesday and sent a false tweet of two explosions in the White House that briefly shook US financial markets."

Although, this incident was not AP's fault, Twitter has a global audience and it can still have an effect.  Don't just write anything online...

 While some tweets are just #crazy and complete #nonsense.

It happens. That's what verified sources are for and research.

 

This Youtube video on the impact of Twitter on journalism states that Twitter is a great way for journalists to report things as they are happening. Watch it here.

An great example is the helicopter that crashed in central London on the 16th January. The incident killed two and injured 13 others when the helicopter struck a construction crane on the top of an high-rise apartment building.

As the incident occurred citizen journalists nearby tweeted images, made comments while hash-tagging and uploaded videos. The media items were reproduced by news outlets for their news stories.
Check it out:

Twitter has made society aware and more involved in the news. If anything, it's a tool that can help promote journalists and get stories out there that need to be read.

Do you agree? 

Sources: 

Selyuch, A 2013, 'White House explosions: Twitter hoax shakes US markets',  24 April 2013, SMH, viewed on 4 Sept 2013. 

http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/security-it/white-house-explosions-twitter-hoax-shakes-us-markets-20130423-2idbc.html

The Australian 2013,  'Two dead after helicopter crashes in Central London', 17 Jan 2013, The Australian Newspaper, viewed on 4 Sept 2013.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/helicopter-crashes-in-central-london/story-e6frg6so-1226555369435

Turning to Philanthropic funding

 

image source: http://fundingthenews.usc.edu/report/digital.html

The demand for newspapers in the Western world is declining but our online news websites are expanding and becoming more available than ever before.

Popular websites being:
-ABC News 
-News.com.au 
-Ninemsn

Several options were brought up to handle the issue, including, government and philanthropic funding or creating a paywall to prevent access to content without an subscription.

Philanthropic funding allows others to help the media financially and support those who provide us with the news especially in the investigation department. It's a model being considered by media outlets and it has positive aspects. For example, if a newspaper was being funded by the public and business they would have the responsibility to provide quality content.

 

The Global Mail is a philanthropic funded news and feature website who strive to stand independently and provide original journalism.

The GM website states:
"News comes at every one of us from every angle, at every hour. We think our readers are looking for something more considered, and less breathless. The Global Mail steps back, takes a little time, and offers you perspective and information outside the clamour."

Check out The Global Mail here.

On the other hand, there is also the fear that funding could influence the reporting and chosen stories based on those supporting the newspaper.

 Editor of Orlando Sentinel, Charlotte Hall refers to newspapers having two faces in the community, an editorial face that is independent and that works for public good through reporting and a corporate citizen face, that fulfills civic responsibility. Both of these relationships should be separate, thus not affecting reporting coverage at a newspaper (Westphal, 2009).

Generally, newspapers have had two faces in the community: an editorial face that is independent and that works for the public good through its reporting and editorial positions, and a corporate citizen face that fulfills the civic responsibility of an influential business through philanthropy and board service. The relationship of the business side and philanthropies should not affect news coverage. - See more at: http://www.ojr.org/p1627/#sthash.OsrPdYkX.dpuf

Maybe it's time we accept the fact that journalism is changing and print is no longer significant as it once was, since online news websites came along providing us with 24/7 news instead. Not to mention, the endless twitter news accounts providing exclusive reports.

image: twitter

The problem is do we care enough to fund our newspapers?  and If so does mean we will receive quality news?


It comes down to the people and what we willing to do.




 Sources:

The Global Mail ltd 2012, The Global Mail,  Sydney, Australia, viewed on 22 August 2013.
<http://www.theglobalmail.org/about/ >

Westphal, D 2009, Newspapers may seek philanthropy to support news gathering, Online Journalism Review,  University of Southern California, US, viewed 22 August 2013.

Newspapers may seek philanthropy to support news-gathering - See more at: http://www.ojr.org/p1627/#sthash.OsrPdYkX.dpuf

Generally, newspapers have had two faces in the community: an editorial face that is independent and that works for the public good through its reporting and editorial positions, and a corporate citizen face that fulfills the civic responsibility of an influential business through philanthropy and board service. The relationship of the business side and philanthropies should not affect news coverage. - See more at: http://www.ojr.org/p1627/#sthash.OsrPdYkX.dpuf

Generally, newspapers have had two faces in the community: an editorial face that is independent and that works for the public good through its reporting and editorial positions, and a corporate citizen face that fulfills the civic responsibility of an influential business through philanthropy and board service. The relationship of the business side and philanthropies should not affect news coverage. - See more at: http://www.ojr.org/p1627/#sthash.OsrPdYkX.dpuf

The Future Of Investigative Journalism

 A journalist's job is to collect information, write and share the news.

As many individuals may know, investigative journalism began with newspapers and has been used to maintain accountability. For the people to know the truth and to expose others for their wrong doings. In some ways, investigative journalism is one aspect of journalism that can make a difference in society.

According to Journalism Research and Investigation in the Digital World (2013)  the 2010s has an unclear path and although, much of the news is online, there are not many websites willing to pay journalists to investigate..

What does this mean for the future of journalism?

Journalist, Alicia Shepard said on the subject:
"With a proliferation of news sources across the Internet spilling out a cesspool of information, the need for more strong journalism and more in-depth investigative reporting is even more crucial" 

 The internet has created a change in journalism, information can now be exposed in a public forum and quickly. Another important aspect is exclusivity, getting the information out before everybody else. Take a look at the online page on The Age website dedicated just to their investigations, the paper has been able to produce more investigative journalism in the past seven decades opposed to  other media outlets.

For example, in 2009 journalists Richard Barker and Nick McKenzie uncovered  the a huge scandal related to the Australian Reserve Bank.

Although, the investigative is a longer process, it's definitely worth it in the  end.  There is so much more journalists can achieve in regards to investigative journalism, they just need the support.

It would be great to research this topic further but for now, what do you guys think about the current state of investigative journalism in our society?



Sources:

 Shepard,A 2012, Investigative Journalism Is Now Endangered, The New York Times, viewed on 16/08/13.
< http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/06/13/did-any-good-come-of-watergate/the-journalism-watergate-inspired-is-endangered-now>

Tanner, S and Richardson, N 2013, Journalism Research and Investigation in the Digital World, Oxford University press, Australia.