Story ideas May 27, 2008

For my final project story…

I decided that I will be doing two stories. One on the effects of unsafe tanning and the other on the growing industry that tanning is becoming. 

I plan on contacting the owner of ELectric Beach Tanning, the largest chain of tanning salons in Corvallis. I will ask him a variety of questions about why he got involved in the industry and how his expanison to two stores has either helped or not helped his business. The way this connects to students is the amount of  money students are willing to spend tanning and how that is compared to other necessities that may be neglected to get that glow.

With the side effects article, I plan on using an article from a magazine I read a month ago, I believe it was Cosmo, but I will need to find it to make sure. I plan on also going to a dermotologist or at least conducting a phone interview with the information of people ages 18-24 that come in with skin conditions due to tanning or sun exposure.

And the last result will be hopefully, my decrease in the excessive tanning I do myself, and sun-worshiping I will be doing on my trip to Miami and Puerto Rico. Doubtful, but we never know.

beat journal May 27, 2008

Obama and the Waterfront Park Rally

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/usa/2008/05/72000_rally_for_obama_in_portl.html
Blog by Daniel Nasaw

In Nasaw’s blog, he noted the importance of the major attendance of the rally in Portland on Waterfront Park. He quoted the story from the Oregonian that stated that thousands of people were in attendance at this event.

This event has definitely made history since Oregon is usually not looked upon as an important state to campaign to.

www.katu.com/news/local/16835011.html – 50k
On KATU’s website there was a video where you can see the hundreds of people waiting in line to see this motivational speaker. I felt like it lacked the concept of having Obama actually appear in the news clip it, but it did show his very dedicated supporters show their support.

Beat Journal May 27, 2008

Women in Media:
www.womensmediacenter.com

I read a story on this website about how NARAL is endorsing certain candidates for the Presidential Elections. In the story written by Peggy Simpson, she goes over why possible NARAL offices are beginning to endorse Obama over Clinton.

In her article she wrote about how some individual state headquarters are reacting to the source. Texas has heard from various supporters that they will not longer donate money if their chapter endorsed one candidate over the other. Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas have agreed to not endorse a certain candidate.

Many believe this change is due to the “reality” that Clinton may never get Presidency. It is a safe way for democrats to all collide together in order to increase the Democratic vote.

I think a voice pod-cast of the NARAL president would have been interesting and added to the story because then we could listen to her speak and make the official endorsement.

RR7 May 27, 2008

While looking on the Newstrust.net website, I stubbled upon a story about false identifying yourself on social network sites.

Megan Meier, 14, committed suicide after having a heated argument over their online relationship with a boy she met on Myspace. After the death of their daughter, the Meiers investigated the boy whom their daughter was talking to and discovered that the site was made up by a women and her two daughter ( 13 and 18 at the time).

Under Myspaces terms of conditions, it states that you may not create fictional profiles or create false files for other people. There is now a lot of upset of what is considered fictional and legit to put on Myspace.

The website itself is very interesting, as it has many different categories in which you can visit in order to get the news you are most interested in. Another great option is that you get news from all over, so you have an open availability to information.

There is also a wide selection of multimedia on the website as well. Just on the opening screen you are able to see their use of video media and how it relates to the story they are reporting. The website is also very easy to navigate oneself through. And in case your having trouble, the website also offers tutorials.

I also enjoyed that they had many key words that you could click on and it would take you to the most recent and relative stories on the topic. There is also the option of submitting your own fabulous story as well.

RR6 May 27, 2008

Reporter Jailed:
The story about the reporter being jailed in Zimbabwe left me completely in awe. I could not believe that there was such a censorship to not allow reporters in their elections.

I would have probably died before being admitting into the jail if I was in that situation. He was definitely a brave person for going through this incident. I also was impressed to find out that he had not been beaten while being there. I have heard so many horror stories about people in foreign jails and it completely frightens me.

My grandma once told me of when her nephew was unlawfully jailed. He was placed in a dirty cell and my aunt actually went in a paid a fee for him to be in a cell by himself and have better meals until his “court date.”

RR 5 May 27, 2008

Elizabeth Edwards Essay:
I was very interested in what Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Senator Endwards, had to say about the way this election has been publicized.

Edwards mentioned many candidates that I had never even heard of. At this point I am not sure how exactly it was that I missed these potential candidates, but apparently I am not the only one who missed it as well. Edwards had a good point when she said when we ready about the political campaign we don’t always hear about the important stuff, but we hear of the scandals, and cost of how much each person needed to make an event possible. Also, I have heard more about the “tactics” these candidates are using rather then how they are going to help our Nation.

Why is it, we have been so blind-sighted by the real issues? Personally, I believe because people see this as a historical election in itself. I honestly believe that regardless of who the democratic candidate is, McCain will not become President. Look at the history of our elections in the past. White middle aged male… vs… white middle aged male.

Now we have a Black man, as well as a Women running against a “really old” white male. The other day, I asked my brother about school and if they were talking about the elections in his class. He told me no, (he’s 7) and that either way he would vote for Obama… because “our nation has always been governed by a man.” Well, if a little boy, with little political knowledge, can see the pattern of what our history has had in the past, of course he’s going to have those views. OUr generation has not been educated on what are the underlying issues and how to get the resources we need for them.
I completely agree with Edwards. If we did not have the internet, we wouldn’t be able to be our own reports on the real issues that are occurring and how each candidate is going to “resolve” the issue. Maybe it is time that we figure out the flaws of our media and start to realize the real news that needs to be delivered to everyone.

RR4 May 27, 2008

When I read the article from Ball State University, I was somewhat suprised by the amount of time people spend with a media source.

The article was about how the average American has learned to mulitask in todays society. The article suggests that people are actually using more then one media at a time. Well my interest is in Advertisment and this is good news for our field. As reported in the article, Fridays tend to be the highest “readership” for most media sources.

As a typical student, I definitely look at the friday paper to see what I can do throughout the weekend. I do although, enjoy reading the Sunday paper most of all. It lets you recap on everything that has happened throughout the week as well as let you know of any other important events or dates that are going to occur the following week. And lets be honest, it has better coupons.

The idea that society has been able to adapt to the various sources of media along with putting multiple mediums together to create the full spectrum is in itself an accomplishment of todays technology.

Look around at different ideas that have been presented this year alone in the safety of college students after the Virginia Tech incident. Schools are now having a mass text message alert when they need to reach a high volume of students at once in case of an emergency.

Many cell phone companies are now adding features similar to the safety precaution, except not as serious. You can now receive information on your cell phone in regards to stock, weather, breaking news, and any other information you would need.

My new phone even has the option to watch TV on it. I can be sitting in my office and watch CNN from my phone, as well as receive their text messages about breaking news and other important information.

Its very interesting to see how technology has updated itself to become useful in everyone’s daily life. Although it is an improvement, I still believe it is taking away from some important sources of information. Some people prefer to read the news in a news article either online or in print, while other listen to it on their radio. Regardless, the idea of mixing technology with the media can be dangerous. Although sometimes they do compliment each other.

RR3- Edu and Stress April 15, 2008

The article that the GT wrote in regards to Chelsea Clinton’s visit to Oregon State and the Associate Press’s article on Stress in the lives of college students have a great deal in common.  I know that as a student, I stress most about being able to pay for school once I graduate. It is an ongoing fear of mine that I am not going to be able to get out of debt and establish myself because of all the student loans I have taken out… and I still have two more years to go.  Chelsea Clinton spoke about her mother’s attempt to get rid of the Fafsa… which is a GRAND idea. I loath having to fill that thing out every year. Also, the policy of being “independent” from your parents at 23 is absolutely ridiculous. I am one of those people that have to make choices that is based on salary rather than what would ultimately make me happy. I would absolutely love to go to cosmotology school and being a hair stylist. I want to open up my own Salon, but i know that it will take me a very long time to get successful enough in that industry in order to pursue my dreams.

Yea, I’m back April 9, 2008

Yes, I am taking another shot at this blogging thing. What to chat about? I have no idea. Today in NMC 441, Media Law, I learned about censorship and how people censor us on a daily basis but it isn’t fought as our first amendment. I attended a Catholic high school and I knew from day one that people in administration didn’t always appreciate my opinion nor other students at times. There were instances when we could not read a certain section of a book because it cursed or had ideas that did not agree with the catechism. That personally just isn’t my cup of tea.

In all honesty I believe being censored means hiding the truth or rights from people, regardless of the reasons behind it. According to our constitution we only have 2 “reasons” to be censored; “clear and present danger” and “prior restraint”. Both which the government has control over. In my case, it was my rights being checked when I came in through the door.

Finally! January 18, 2008

Thank you Romensko. I can talk about my point of interest. So Romensko wrote about a great topic, ADVERTISEMENT!!! This is my calling everyone, so listen up to the information I’m about to give about our advertising situation and how it contributes to us on a local- campus level. <br>Local advertising is at about the same rate that it was last year. Our problem is that we are now dealing with other forms of media trying to also mass produce in the Corvallis area. Our selling point is that we are supported by the school and are the only authentic way of showing your Beaver pride. These other sources of advertisement (bookstore sheet, student survival, and beaverrent) are driving me crazy. Yes they are wonderful competitors but deliver false information and are able to charge much less due to their distribution strategies.<br>ON the other hand, national advertising has declined a great deal. We are not the only school to feel this drift in ad sales, schools across the country are suffering from lack of ad dollars as well.<br>So where is  this money going? Unfortunately, online. Okay, so its not all that bad, but it is affecting the “thickness” of the paper. Hopefully advertisers won’t lose sight of how advertising in a college newspaper would truly be beneficial, but for now we just have to wait and see where that money is going.