Multimedia: force for good-and danger

It's ironic that I am writing a blog about the danger of multimedia. Some may say blogging and social networking is the main cause of dangerous journalism. First, we must admit it's not going away. People who refuse to accept or use multimedia will only continue to fall behind. Student journalists need to use multimedia, but must be careful of the dangers. The base of knowledge students receive about journalism should remain the same. Traditional methods still need to be taught as scholastic journalism advisers should still stress the rights and responsibilities of journalists. If students are properly taught they will hopefully not fall into the dangerous traps of multimedia. They need to be very careful that speed does not sacrifice accuracy. Also, students need to be able to separate what is pure journalism from simply gossip or unsupported opinions. Since many advisers and potential mentors are still be part of a generation which did not grow up with the major amounts of multimedia we experience now, hopefully students are being properly educated to recognize the differences.

Guidelines for Reporting

A journalist needs to be fair, objective, and accurate. He/she needs to be a good storyteller, while understanding his/her audience's needs, all while not being censored by any controlling power. Journalists also need to be very concerned about deadlines while trying to fit as much information into shorter pieces. Following all of these guidelines on a daily basis is not easy, especially for student journalists who are only just learning the process of how to gather news and report on it. Not to mention student journalists are also taking four or five more classes often covering completely different material and of course trying to be a normal high school or college student. It's safe to say this job is not easy. However, there is a glory that comes with it. Student journalists need to know they are representing the citizens. It is their role to share information. This is a giant responsibility and should not be taken lightly.

Sensitive Issues Part Two

Everyone's definition of "sensitive" is different, as is everyone's definition of respect. It can even vary from day to day and even minute to minute. In journalism often our sensitive side is altered by deadlines, ratings, pressure from management, and the coverage of events which cause us to become cynical, jaded, or even numb. Sometimes sensitivity depends on the generation you were born in. Stories which I would think would be risque may be seen as perfectly fine by a younger generation. It's difficult to have blanket policies for handling sensitive stories. It really needs to be handled on a case-by-case basis. Scholastic journalism advisers should provide plenty of scenarios to prepare students in case a sensitive issue does arise. If and when the sensitive issue/story happens it needs to be discussed by a student editorial board. Sometimes this puts an adviser in a difficult spot, especially if his/her opinion varies from the editorial board. However, if the goal is to operate a true student publication, the adviser needs to let the students make the decisions.

Handling Sensitive Issues as a Journalist

I'm sorry, but this scenario below is NOT journalism. 


A student journalist writes a "news" story based on a gossip trail of information on some social media website and then tells the audience his/her own opinion. End of story. (This is awful.)


Sure, the student journalist may have met his/her deadline, but at what cost? I have some major concerns about accuracy and objectivity. Although this fictional scenario which I just created seems a bit far-fetched, I will bet it happens. It goes against everything that a journalist should be.  I completely agree with the Poynter Institute's list of values and standards which are accuracy, independence, fairness, transparency and professional responsibility. Journalism is not a game. Students need to know this is not just an extracurricular activity. It is a responsibility. The words and images which are presented by an journalist can last forever and need to be presented in a serious manner. Student journalists need to be mature, creative, dedicated, and follow the rules. Too many "bad" journalists have been modeling "bad" habits. It's time to get back to the basics and follow the fundamentals of traditional journalism. You can call me old-fashioned, but at least I will be accurate and objective.