Blogs at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

Posts Tagged ‘News’

Challenge or Chagrin? – The IFC On Exposure

December 16th, 2008 by Tracy Chimming

Photo by Tracy Chimming

This add served up a desperately needed shot of caffeine on my way home one night, while I wearily tried to keep my eyes open for fear of missing my stop on the Q train. As I focused on the words my first instinct was a jolt of defensiveness. Dumber?  ”Great!” I thought.  ”I’m in Journalism school, heading home at 11p.m. and this add is trying to make my job even harder!”  Yes, I am aware of all the statistics that indicate that public trust in journalists is at an all time low. But really, I thought this was a below the belt jab, a marketing “upper cut.”

The Independent Film Channel launched this project, which they say reveals the truth behind the news and examines the current state of investigative journalism and how it affects our perceptions of the world around us.  A visit to the web site revelaed a host of episodes covering everything from supposed “news fixations and taboos” to the effects of the “pundit-driven” news culture. 

Launched on November 18, project affiliates include Arianna Huffington and Gideon Yago. My issue is, if you’re going to examine the state of the news then you should raise a question not make a statement. While there is value in analysis and accountability,  the add could have read, ” Is the news making you dumber?” It’s possible to rouse public awareness and curiosity without perpetuating negative perceptions.

Messy Reader

October 5th, 2008 by John De Petro

 

In between the 4 o’clock football game and 8 o’clock game, like I did tonight, I usually watch 60 Minutes. One of my favorite parts of the show is Andy Rooney. I like him because he reminds me of someone grand-pa. Not mine but the kind of grandfather you see at park who hits on the moms there by telling old stories of his time spent in the Navy and isn’t afraid to give a little kid the finger.

But anyway, I noticed something tonight I hadn’t realized before. Andy Rooney reads a lot of newspapers. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at his desk. It’s covered in papers from around the country and not very well organized with them. I think he has so much to read and no time to find a recycling basket. Maybe the rags are scattered about because that’s where he keeps his not-yet-house-broken puppies. Or perhaps the papers were placed by a production assistant in a manner causing us viewers to only think Mr. Rooney read every column printed when in fact he has been hiding in secret shame that he is illiterate. Probably not.

Right now I am writing one blog, thinking about two more, writing two pitches for my ethics class, shuffling through four different articles and my desk is a mess. I figured it out! Maybe Andy Rooney is going back to school to get his journalism masters.YouTube Preview Image