Students, welcome to the summer 2015 graduate journalism proseminar. We are going to squeeze a lot of learning into three weeks! I look forward to getting to know each of you.
Front page of Boston Globe, June 22, 2015 There are 5 main articles on the front page of the Globe. If we examine them according to Kovach & Rosenstiel’s Theory of the Interlocking Public (p.38), we see that each article appeals to a different audience.
• BPL artwork called long neglected (appeals to an audience interested in local issues/ investigatory journalism/ non-profit or civic management) • Fewer students found in poverty (appeals to an audience interested in statewide issues/ low-income populations/ economic issues) • Set for the casino era (appeals to an audience interested in statewide issues/ conflict/ personal interest in gaming) • An altered church, a steadfast faith (appeals to an audience interested in national issues/ racial conflict/ religious faith/ crisis management/ general interest) • Gunther Schuller, classical-jazz giant, dies (appeals to an audience interested in local issues/ jazz and classical music/ minor celebrity)
This mix of headlines is designed in such a way that at least one headline will appeal to different populations, increasing the likelihood that people will pick up the newspaper. These stories belong on the front page because of their timeliness in local, statewide, and national current events (each is reporting either on a very recent happening, or following up on the aftermath of an event), but also because the events have an impact on this local community.
Most of the articles do not include the writer’s opinions. Opinions do surface in the obituary of Gunther Schuller (“Mr. Schuller’s vast erudition and range of talents made him an unparalleled figure in American musical life and earned him the abiding respect and appreciation of generations of Boston musicians”), but I find that opinions are common in obituaries of public figures, because the value of publicly lived deeds is subjective and often inspiring of controversy–and, of course, because everyone wants to speak well of our recently departed.
This story belongs on the cover, as it discusses legal and financial law changes in the city of Chicago, which is important information for citizens of Chicago. As journalists, it is their job at the Tribune to make sure the community gets the best, most accurate and most recent news immediately. As a brand, it is the Chicago Tribune’s job to make sure they’re keeping up with their competitors.
The article caught my attention because, it was one of the biggest stories on the front page of the website. Ms. Preckwinkle’s picture caught my immediate attention as well. It also had two key phrases in the title that stood out to me, 'sales tax increase' and ‘Preckwinkle’. Like I stated before. As a Chicagoan, I was eager to hear the news.
I noticed one opinion in the first article, regarding Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Hall Dardick said, “The money would help shore up pension system for county government workers and balance next year’s budget. But getting nine of the 17 commissioners to vote for the sales tax hike could prove challanging, given the enormous backlash that unfolded in 2008 after the County Board increased the sales tax by 1 percentage point.” From my interpretation, Hall included this in the article because he saw this as a valid point to show merit without actually having facts. Hall mentioned the 2008 tax increase. Journalists like to include their opinions and will figure out the best way to either pursue or embed extra point of reason to back up their own opinions when feeding information to their readers. If Hal didn’t provide the 2008 tax increase as a reason, he might not have been able to include this as an opinion (Which it clearly is an opinion - since there is not factual information that it would be difficult to get 17 votes from Commissioners, regardless of the opinions of other people).
The second article belongs on the cover, because it’s the journalists job at the Tribune to make sure they are providing readers with the most up to date news and happenings within entertainment, media and pop culture. Sean Combs is an entrepreneur within entertainment, business,consumer goods, broadcasting, fashion and more.
The second story caught my attention, because it is a story about Sean “Diddy” Combs getting arrested for assault and battery. Sean Combs is a famous entrepreneur around the world. He is also famous for getting in trouble with the law in relation to assault and weapons. The first thing that came to my mind when I cam across the title of the article was “Really Diddy? You’re back at it again?” I was shocked but intrigued as a young person who loves hip-hop and the products he endorses, to see what he is being accused of now.
The second article about Sean “Diddy” Combs getting arrested has numerous opinions spread spread throughout the article. Jim Mora said “This is an unfortunate situation for all parties involved (Tribune wire reports, Chicago Tribune)."
”The article also stated another opinion , “Combs’ son Justin Combs is a redshirt junior defensive back on the UCLA football team, which has been working out on campus (Tribune wire reports, Chicago Tribune)."
I think the opinions in the second article were mentioned to protect and put the reputation of Justin Combs in a positive light towards the public. Public opinion is very important, especially in sports. Justin is also the son of Sean “Diddy Combs” so it is possible that Combs actions could negatively impact the public’s opinions on his son Justin even if Sean “Diddy” Combs actions were not caused or of fault by Justin Combs himself.
Both articles from the June 22nd, 2015 cover of the Chicago Tribune, express opinions and view points that I strongly believe were displayed in attempts to shape the readers perception of the story itself and the people involves. These are big stories, with notable public figures. I find it to be smart but impulsive at the same time, for the writers behind these stories to make sure their opinions and beliefs (including quotes from second and third parties) are visibly noted for the readers to consume when reading this news.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFront page of Boston Globe, June 22, 2015
ReplyDeleteThere are 5 main articles on the front page of the Globe. If we examine them according to Kovach & Rosenstiel’s Theory of the Interlocking Public (p.38), we see that each article appeals to a different audience.
• BPL artwork called long neglected (appeals to an audience interested in local issues/ investigatory journalism/ non-profit or civic management)
• Fewer students found in poverty (appeals to an audience interested in statewide issues/ low-income populations/ economic issues)
• Set for the casino era (appeals to an audience interested in statewide issues/ conflict/ personal interest in gaming)
• An altered church, a steadfast faith (appeals to an audience interested in national issues/ racial conflict/ religious faith/ crisis management/ general interest)
• Gunther Schuller, classical-jazz giant, dies (appeals to an audience interested in local issues/ jazz and classical music/ minor celebrity)
This mix of headlines is designed in such a way that at least one headline will appeal to different populations, increasing the likelihood that people will pick up the newspaper. These stories belong on the front page because of their timeliness in local, statewide, and national current events (each is reporting either on a very recent happening, or following up on the aftermath of an event), but also because the events have an impact on this local community.
Most of the articles do not include the writer’s opinions. Opinions do surface in the obituary of Gunther Schuller (“Mr. Schuller’s vast erudition and range of talents made him an unparalleled figure in American musical life and earned him the abiding respect and appreciation of generations of Boston musicians”), but I find that opinions are common in obituaries of public figures, because the value of publicly lived deeds is subjective and often inspiring of controversy–and, of course, because everyone wants to speak well of our recently departed.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteArticle # 1: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-cook-county-property-tax-increase-0623-20150622-story.html
ReplyDeleteThis story belongs on the cover, as it discusses legal and financial law changes in the city of Chicago, which is important information for citizens of Chicago. As journalists, it is their job at the Tribune to make sure the community gets the best, most accurate and most recent news immediately. As a brand, it is the Chicago Tribune’s job to make sure they’re keeping up with their competitors.
The article caught my attention because, it was one of the biggest stories on the front page of the website. Ms. Preckwinkle’s picture caught my immediate attention as well. It also had two key phrases in the title that stood out to me, 'sales tax increase' and ‘Preckwinkle’. Like I stated before. As a Chicagoan, I was eager to hear the news.
I noticed one opinion in the first article, regarding Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Hall Dardick said, “The money would help shore up pension system for county government workers and balance next year’s budget. But getting nine of the 17 commissioners to vote for the sales tax hike could prove challanging, given the enormous backlash that unfolded in 2008 after the County Board increased the sales tax by 1 percentage point.” From my interpretation, Hall included this in the article because he saw this as a valid point to show merit without actually having facts. Hall mentioned the 2008 tax increase. Journalists like to include their opinions and will figure out the best way to either pursue or embed extra point of reason to back up their own opinions when feeding information to their readers. If Hal didn’t provide the 2008 tax increase as a reason, he might not have been able to include this as an opinion (Which it clearly is an opinion - since there is not factual information that it would be difficult to get 17 votes from Commissioners, regardless of the opinions of other people).
2nd Article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/breaking/ct-sean-diddy-combs-arrested-ucla-20150622-story.html
The second article belongs on the cover, because it’s the journalists job at the Tribune to make sure they are providing readers with the most up to date news and happenings within entertainment, media and pop culture. Sean Combs is an entrepreneur within entertainment, business,consumer goods, broadcasting, fashion and more.
The second story caught my attention, because it is a story about Sean “Diddy” Combs getting arrested for assault and battery. Sean Combs is a famous entrepreneur around the world. He is also famous for getting in trouble with the law in relation to assault and weapons. The first thing that came to my mind when I cam across the title of the article was “Really Diddy? You’re back at it again?” I was shocked but intrigued as a young person who loves hip-hop and the products he endorses, to see what he is being accused of now.
The second article about Sean “Diddy” Combs getting arrested has numerous opinions spread spread throughout the article. Jim Mora said “This is an unfortunate situation for all parties involved (Tribune wire reports, Chicago Tribune)."
”The article also stated another opinion , “Combs’ son Justin Combs is a redshirt junior defensive back on the UCLA football team, which has been working out on campus (Tribune wire reports, Chicago Tribune)."
I think the opinions in the second article were mentioned to protect and put the reputation of Justin Combs in a positive light towards the public. Public opinion is very important, especially in sports. Justin is also the son of Sean “Diddy Combs” so it is possible that Combs actions could negatively impact the public’s opinions on his son Justin even if Sean “Diddy” Combs actions were not caused or of fault by Justin Combs himself.
Raven Davis’s Conclusion:
ReplyDeleteBoth articles from the June 22nd, 2015 cover of the Chicago Tribune, express opinions and view points that I strongly believe were displayed in attempts to shape the readers perception of the story itself and the people involves. These are big stories, with notable public figures. I find it to be smart but impulsive at the same time, for the writers behind these stories to make sure their opinions and beliefs (including quotes from second and third parties) are visibly noted for the readers to consume when reading this news.