Journalists Caught in Lies

I have never considered that the news I read, watch or hear may be untrue. When news is published, most people trust the source and believe that they would only publish the truth. If say, CBC posted an article, most people would believe it is the truth because they are reliable, but if a random website that is not well known posted a website, it is easier to believe it is a lie. 

My reaction to these two articles was that it is unbelievable that actual journalists would be shallow enough to create such vulgar lies. I was very surprised that professional journalists have fabricated news, because it is their job to entertain and tell the news to the public; and it should be truthful!

I agree with Jack Shafers assertion to an extent. People lie for many different reasons and one of those reasons may go along with what Shafer suggests. Certain people have the ability to write a good story and others have to work a bit harder to create a good story, so colleges and universities are mainly doing fine in teaching their journalism students the responsibilities and pressures of being a journalist. Whether or not a university or college expand to teach a journalism student about the responsibilities and pressures, they should know about them anyway. Being a journalist obviously, like any other profession, is not always going to be easy and the students at universities and colleges should know that. 

When issues of ethics arise, a newspaper ombudsman is definitely a big help because they will respond to reader about their complaints and they also provide an independent critique of the paper's performance. 

Work Assignments

This semester, in Journalism 120, I've learned many new things. I've written Top 10 Movies to Watch for Halloween and the same for Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day. Right now, my partner and I are working on an article about Roots of Empathy. When writing these articles my partner and I have learned many new things. Some of these new things would be: how to create a list of good movies that is well organized and interesting, how to embed a picture and even how to embed a video. In my next work assignment I'd like to learn some new things; some new things I'd like to learn would probably be how to create a review on movies/TV shows, and videos. In my next assignment I am hoping to work with my partner and write an interesting and detailed film review. 

Tips for Writing a Film Review


Example of a film review 
This film review (above) is an example of a review that I'm interested in doing. If my future assignment is a film review, this link is to a review similar to one I would do. Also, the link "Tips for Writing a Film Review" would help me greatly in writing this review.

Hard News VS. Soft News

This article Gun Fired Near Campbellton School, Moose Hunter Facing Charged is hard news because it is crime. This article is categorized as a crime article because a man who was hunting in central Newfoundland fired a gun within 300 meters of homes and within 1000 meters of Greenwood Academy. The moose was seized and the hunter will appear in court. If convicted, he will face charges and a possible 5 year ban from hunting. This is hard news because it is a crime and it is an event that requires immediate reporting. 

The article Hair Cuts That Take Off 10 Years is a soft article. This article explains and gives examples of hairstyles that: firm up the jawline, hide forehead wrinkles, sculpt cheekbones and etc. This is an article that has to do with entertainment and lifestyle and that is why it's considered to be soft. Soft articles have more colorful and explanatory language, as does this article.

This article Air Canada Swiftly Reverses Poppy Stand After Outcry From Staff is an article that the line between soft news and hard news is blurred. This article could be fairly hard because shortly after the decision was made against wearing poppies in uniform, it was posted online. After people were upset with the decision that Air Canada made, they changed their minds and posted that wearing  poppies is supported. This article is not quite hard because it is not crime, politics or war, but it is not soft because it is not quite lifestyle, art or entertainment. I would say this article is strictly in between the two.

Shoppers Drug Mart formally applies to distribute medical marijuana

Timing 4/4
The timing of this article deserves a 4/4. CBC posted this article only one day only one day after Shoppers Drug Mart applied to distribute medical marijuana. Also, the article was published at 9:09am, and then edited at 2:06pm, so obviously new information with be added in whenever they receive it.

Significance 3/4
I rated the significance of this article 3/4 because not everyone is interested in the distribution of medical marijuana, while others are constantly keeping updated on it. If someone is interested in medical marijuana prescribed from their doctor, they now know a drug store that will be distributing it.

Proximity 4/4
In Canada, medical marijuana is in midst of being possibly legalized in a limited fashion for recreational use. Soon enough, medical marijuana will be at the nearest drug store.

Prominence 3/4
This article is very prominent to people because medical marijuana is an important drug that could possibly be closely legalized, and knowing where it is distributed is important.

Human Interest 4/4
Humans are very interested in this topic because of the legalization of medical marijuana. It's very interesting and important to know where legalized marijuana is distributed.

Overall mark: 18/20

Woodstock nurse charged with first-degree murder of 8 elderly patients

Timing 4/4
This article deserves a 4/4 because it was posted October 25th, at 8:00am and then was edited at 1:55pm. The trial was the morning of October 25th, so the information was updated and posted quickly.

Significance 3/4
This article is significant because 8 elderly patients were murdered! 8 isn't a lot of patients, but it's enough to get major charges and public attention.

Proximity 3/4
This article is reasonably close to home. It has happened in Woodstock, Ontario.

Prominence 4/4
This article is important to the people related to the murdered elders, also everyone who has friends or family in nursing homes.

Human Interest 4/4
This is very interesting to people, because of their concern for safety in a nursing home. If someone's friends or family are in a nursing home, this article will help convince those to look into the nursing facilities.

Overall mark: 18/20

Saskatchewan community upset after beaver beaten to death with chair

Timing 4/4
The timing of this article is very accurate, as it was posted on October 25th, at 2:41, and on October 26th it was edited at 10:46; so obviously, new information is added when available.

Significance 2/4 
This article is not extremely significant, but it is important to the people in the Saskatchewan community. The people in this community are very upset about this matter.

Proximity 2/4
This article is not very close, and because it s in a rural community, it especially doesn't strike close to home.

Prominence 3/4
Although the matter isn't necessarily important to many of those who aren't located in Saskatchewan, it is reasonably important because of animal abuse awareness! If this issue is shown around Canada, animal abuse awareness will also be spread! 

Human Interest 3/4
This article is not necessarily extremely interesting and intriguing to all readers, but it is reasonably important especially to those people in the Saskatchewan village.

Two local teens organize a support group for foster children.

On Saturday, October 16th, local teens Suzy Smith, Shayne Stewart, Scott Sye, and Sasha Simmons took 28 foster children to the local park on Smythe Street.

With support from their parents and other relatives, the teens were able to organize a group called KJWHF, which stands for "Kids Just Wanna Have Fun". Shayne and Scott declared that, "The reasoning behind the name is literally just what it says. Children are known for having fun, and we decided to help them to learn while enjoying themselves." 

Since the previous Saturday, the group is planning on taking the children to the local park every week and they are currently attempting to fund for a field trip to the Zoo in Snapfield. Head to https://ca.gofundme.com/KJWHF to donate to the cause.

Leader of the group, Sasha Simmons, said, "Taking the children to the park helps them to experience the act of kindness, manners and sharing."

Suzy Smith stated, "The children learn easily when having fun, and by playing in the park they can learn to be polite and wait their turn while having fun."

Sierra Sage, whom is a child attending the program, told Saint Stewart News that the program is what she looks forward to every week. She is pictured to the right, enjoying her turn the slide.

On Wednesday evenings, from 4:30-6:30, the KJWH are planning regular meetings at the Saint Stewart hall to help the children learn about experiences they might encounter, and do fun crafts!

To register please call 1-866-407-2222 or come to the meeting on Wednesday, October 19th.

Article Responses

Article #1: A Mom Says She Asked Her Kids If They Wanted To “Go To Heaven” Before Killing Them

A 29 year old mother of two children, a 9 year old boy, Rene, and a 7 year old girl, Lilianna. Amber Pasztor suffocated her two children after asking them if they wanted to "live or go to Heaven with God and be better off." This took place on September 26, 2017. Pasztor abducted the children from their fathers residence in Allen County and killed them in a car. The authorities are still investigating why Pasztor did this.

The lead in this story in my opinion is very effective. I think it is effective because of the drama involved, when the reader reads the first few lines, or even just the title, they automatically want to continue on. A quote from Amber, the children's mother: '“They were in good hands, but I don’t think they were safe,” Pasztor told WANE. “My kids are in a better place. They’re in heaven now. They don’t have no worries no more.”' The most important information is at the beginning of this story, but important information is all throughout the story because every aspect in a murder case is important. the very ending of this story is “Her two children, our tiny victims, deserve justice and they will get it.” spoken by the county’s prosecuting attorney, Curtis Hill Jr. This is a good ending because it shows the readers that justice will be served. Amber will not get away with murdering her own children.

Article #2: Someone In A Clown Costume Tried To Grab A College Student

At Texas State University on October 5th, 2016, someone in a clown costume tried to grab a student. The University police sent out an alert to students because a student said a clown grabbed her at a campus housing complex. Since August, sightings of creepy clowns have been reported throughout the United States and some in Canada; the reason for people to be dressing like clowns is unknown but some say it’s an attention-seeking behavior, which makes them feel as though they have power and control other others. When they dress up, they're hidden by the mask so they can say and do things they wouldn't normally do, which makes them feel powerful. This clown likely reached out to grab the student only to feel like he has control over someone.

The lead in this story is very effective because where there is all the drama and posts on social media about clown sightings, it is interesting. There is plenty of videos and pictures of clowns, but not usually do they seem to touch anyone; they usually just stand there creepily. When the reader sees that a clown grabbed a student, it's very eye-catching. "The clown was described as 6 feet, 2 inches tall with an athletic build and was wearing a black-and-white striped jumpsuit, green wig, and white face paint with black around the eyes." the police said. The important information was told first in this article, although most of the information is quite relevant. The story has a good ending because it assures the readers that other students at the University of Texas State will be safe and escorted by a uniformed officer on campus.

First Newspaper

First Newspaper

By:

Sammy Arseneault

The newspaper now has changed extremely from what it was like back in the 1700’s and 1800’s. Back then it would take a lot of searching to find out information to put in the newspaper. You’d have to travel, ask many more questions and make sure that what you’re putting in the newspaper is true. Today it is very easy to find out information because it can be displayed on the internet in a short time  simply by typing something in. The news back then took lots of time due to no internet and how it was displayed and made. Also, newspapers today are more appealing with advertisements, interesting pictures and color!

The government basically has control over everyone and the government tells us what we can and cannot do. But, honestly I don’t think government should be allowed to shut down newspaper companies and stands because maybe a newspaper could be publically displaying a threat to the government. If the government is doing something wrong that could affect us, we deserve to know. If they aren’t doing anything bad, then what advantage would they get by shutting newspapers down?

Some of the news today is critical to the government, and I think the reason they are published is because people should be informed of critical events happening around us and we deserve to know if there is something happening that could affect us substantially. If a business were in critical condition it’s good to inform us of why it’s happening, when and if it will it affect us as a population. The government doesn’t bother to shut newspapers down that are criticizing businesses or other things because if it isn’t affecting them, I don’t really think they care.

I was very surprised to find out that the first newspaper was published and made in Halifax. I would expect a big city like Ottawa or Toronto to publish the very first newspaper, I think a big city might be educated and experienced a little more than the people from a small little province like Nova Scotia. I thought that a big city would have more resources and corporations to print and publish a newspaper. Bigger cities usually have big corporations and can easily make these things, but surprisingly the great accomplishment of first publishing a newspaper came from Halifax, a place close to home. I’m glad it came from the maritimes because it shows that we aren’t just those hillbillies that live in a place barely visible on the map of Canada, it shows the fact that we are very smart to come up with the idea first.