Fabricating.

As we wind down our discussion on media law and you start thinking about writing your own stories in the next couple of weeks, it's important that we also focus on media ethics. We all know lying is "bad" and journalists need to seek the truth.

It's the whole point of journalism. Find the truth, and tell the public. Whistle blow. Be a watchdog.

You learned about Stephen Glass and how he fabricated 27 of 41 stories he wrote before ending his career as a journalist. And you listened to the This American Life episode "Retraction," which focuses on a more recent incident of fabricating stories. (If you were absent from class that day for mono, a broken ankle or knee surgery -- good grief, kids --- listen here or read here.)

Your blogging assignment for this week is to respond to those stories. Consider these questions:

• Why did Glass (Stephen not Ira -- they aren't related) and Daisey lie? 
• How did that turn out for them?
• What happens to the publication that prints or airs those fabricated stories?
• If you had read or listened to those stories on your own, how would you feel to find out they lied to you?
• Should you believe anything these "journalists" say?
• How can you avoid doing that with your own writing?

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

A few weeks ago we discussed our freedom of speech, biases and being politically correct as journalists. Some of you made the argument that under the first amendment you don't have to be politically correct when speaking or writing even if your words hurt other people.

If you have been paying attention to the news (I hope you have for your weekly news quiz!), you are aware of the rioting in Libya and what started it. The actions of one American exercising his freedom of speech may have cost other Americans their lives.

If you are not familiar with this news, please read the following blog: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/12/six-things-to-know-about-attack-that-killed-ambassador-stevens/


And now that we are all up to speed on that event, please read one of the following articles about a French magazine that ran an "offensive" cartoon about the Prophet Mohammed (despite growing tension between Muslims and the western world) AND respond to it on your blog.

Free Speech of incitement? French mag runs cartoons of Prophet Mohammed

France on Alert, Closing Embassies, After Magazine Publishes Muhammad Cartoons

France shutters embassies as anti-Islam cartoon spurs fears of new backlash

Your response should focus on the first amendment and how exercising that right can affect other people.

We're Off!

Hazzah! If you're reading this, you've successfully created your own blog. Hopefully you've designed it, read your assignment and are on your way to completing your first post.

Just a reminder (because I'm tired of writing it on the board every day ... apparently we have really tidy custodians), your assignment is to mimic my first post "Blasted Titles Again." Read the post and answer the following:

• How did you choose your blog title?
• What blogs do you like to read (link to them!)?
• Are you comfortable blogging? Why/Why not?
• Are you excited to blog? Why/Why not?

I expect at least TWO paragraphs (you can do it!).

When you are done with that, play around with blogger. Find new blogs. Add photos/videos (MUST BE SCHOOL APPROPRIATE). Enjoy.

 ***************************************************************************

Rooftops! I love chilling on rooftops. This is in Park Slope, Brooklyn. 

Per your request, here are some photos of why I have to move away. Sorry! We'll find a good replacement; I promise!

Parks! Reading in the park is the best.

City Dogs. They are so friendly and
awesome. I want these two. 

Friends! Some of my college friends
moved to New York after school.
I miss them! 

More friends! Even friends from
Beatrice are in New York! 

Singing the Second Semester Blues

After witnessing one of my journalism classes yesterday, I am still terrified for them to express themselves on the internet (for my class that is, I am very aware that all of them are on facebook, twitter or hoe-book or any of that nonsense because they talk about it endlessly). 

Is it really that difficult for teens to understand that there is a time and place for things? It wasn't too difficult for my 8th graders to understand last year. It wasn't very difficult for my classes to understand last semester. However, the maturity level of some of my students this semester is just astounding. Nobody needs to hear your input after every comment in class. Nobody needs to hear that you support proposition-what-ever-the-one-is-with-legalizing -- you are all too young to smoke tobacco anyway, so that law doesn't really affect you right now. Save that discussion for outside of school. Nobody needs to know that you had to use the restroom before class.  

My favorite part of teaching is building relationships with my students. Getting to know them. Getting to know their writing. Having fun in class while still learning. Making an impact. While last semester was different from last year, this semester is totally different than last semester. I'm struggling with mustering the enthusiasm I had last semester for journalism, because it is either met with dead silence or inappropriate comments. 

The point of this post isn't to make my classes feel bad about their behavior because it isn't every student.  It isn't even the majority of my students.

The purpose of this post is to find a way to make writing fun for my students while still protecting my class from rude, inappropriate, out of place comments and drama that seems to be on many teenage minds. Blogging is supposed to be fun. It isn't like writing in any other class. I'm not telling you you need to compare two characters or write a five paragraph essay. Blogs are yours to explore. To think. To share. 

So, second semester journalism classes. If you are reading this, we are going to try to start blogging. But before you build your own, I want you to check out a few blogs to understand what I am expecting. 

General Rules:

1) You are not allowed to write anything related to an illegal activity so long as your blog is connected to this class. That means no talk of drinking, smoking, stealing, bullying (yes, I am counting bullying as illegal), etc.

2) Do not use foul language. -- I am the judge of what is foul. Do not even try to argue that different words are OK to use. Think about the words I use in class. These are Ok.

3) I know tumblr and other sites have "blogs" with just photos and videos with a small caption. This is not acceptable in journalism. I want you to WRITE about what you post. Reflect. Think. 

Check out these blogs:

366 Random Acts of Kindness

Hello Giggles- Photobombs

(notice in this one, that they do use photos or video, but it also has at least two paragraphs of text! WRITING!)

I love the AV CLUB! Entertainment news and opinions. Still uses photos and videos but provides commentary just like you are supposed to do!

My friend's food blog: Freshly Grated Ginger. Again, photos, instructions and still commentary!

Sports blogs. One of my students likes this blog. 

Another friend's blog: Lovely Day

When you are done checking these out you can explore my previous posts to get an idea of what blogging was like last semester. We are going to do things a little differently. 

N to the Y to the C

Currently, I am trying to plan the rest (or at least a few more weeks) of class for journalism 1. Last semester we transitioned very easily into blogging after studying bias, propaganda, credibility and media law.

However, this semester I'm nervous about my journalism classes writing anything on the internet -- way more than last semester. So why not get back into it myself? Get some new ideas that would restrict "inappropriate" content from spewing forth from 17-year-old finger tips. 

First task in getting back into blogging: I remembered I said I would post pictures from my trip to New York this winter and STILL haven't. So here you go, previous journo students!

A fortune I received from Shanghai Inn. 

Looking downtown at the Waldorf-Astoria
(fancy schmancy hotel where I stayed).

Strand. 18 miles of books. Heaven on Broadway St. 

Everyone says NYC is super expensive. However,
you can get a lot of food (like this roll) for cheap
if you eat off the street carts. Sold. I was a sucker
for falafel sandwiches. Yummy.

Washington Square Park. 

On the rocks in Central Park. 

Beautiful garden at Columbia University.

My friend Lindsay (left), who just moved to NYC
in the fall and our friend Emily (center), who was
visiting at the same time. Girl fun!

The Stoning of Soraya M.

Oh my goodness. After meaning to watch this movie for years, I finally watched "The Stoning of Soraya M." last night. And it took me through a slur of emotions. Intrigue. Disgust. Anger. Sorrow.

The movie begins with a French/Iranian journalist traveling through Iran when his car breaks down near a small town. However, the small town has secrets. Secrets that the outside world would find disgusting and incredibly misogynistic.

I would have loved to show this in my journalism 1 classes (and skip the bloody stoning -- which gives it its "R" rating). With parent permission, I encourage all of you to watch it. It sheds a little light on the injustice happening around the world.

Thank you!

Ah, here we are. The end of the first semester. As my second period journalism 1 students are hunched over their tests, only the sound of striking pencils and the rattle of the heater can be heard.

I'm going to miss this class. All of my journalism 1 classes for that matter. I feel as though each journo class has bonded more in just four months than some of my other classes will do in a year. Perhaps it is the age. I know not all of you are underclassmen, but most are, and I feel comfortable with that age group for varoius reasons. Typically, you aren't jaded. You are fairly certain you don't know everything. You are eager to participate after getting to know one another. You are open to ideas or strategies that your other teachers use. You don't get defensive when criticism is given.

Thank you for that. Don't lose your curiosity, spunk and willingness to participate. Take newspaper and yearbook (shameless plug)!

Thus far what I've learned from your comments and discussions is that to improve journalism 1, we should have more visual aids --- something I am totatally capable of providing you with, so thank you for sharing! And we should blog more, which pleases me. I know many of you were timid to blog at the beginning but the responses and thoughtfulness that went into most posts were fantastic to see.

Among my teacher friends we often discuss questions we have about teens. One of which is, "Why are kids so arrogant? They are convinced they know everything about everything and have no desire to further their education." Now, I know that doesn't apply to all of you, but what many of us have concluded is that social networking has made many teens feel as though their every thought,every teeny tiny emotion needs to be broadcasted to the world ... Because, to them, they are the world.

Most of the time this troubles me, but when you guys share your thoughts on real issues, it's great to read your perspectives. You have a lot of insight to offer, so I encourage you to continue sharing ... just remember to listen to others as well and choose your comments wisely.

I hope you all have a great break and second semester. In exactly one week I'll be in NYC and promise to post photos.