3.02 First Amendment Freedoms

Sund v. City of Wichita Falls, Texas, 121 F. Supp. 2d 530 (N.D. Texas, 2000): 

      The school board of  Wichita Falls City Council voted to inhibit students access to two books, "Heather Has Two Mommies" and "Daddy's Roommate". They disapproved of the books because of it's depiction of homosexuality. As a result, the council of Wichita Falls stated that they would remove all access to the book if three-hundred people signed a petition asking for the restriction. Some people were even angered when they moved them out of the children's section and into the adult area of library. In my opinion, the ignorance just kept doubling. Although they received their three-hundred votes, the seemingly clear-cut case ended up to not be so "black and white".

    It was not the usual lengthy process of deciding like other cases of it's kind. Instead, it was a quick and speedy trial, as the District court was appalled. When this case was brought to court, the District court permanently declared that the city could not allow the removal of the two books. They felt that the city's resolution was based on discrimination, was unconstitutional, and "improperly  delegated any three-hundred private citizens who wished to remove a book from the children's are of the library. Like most cases after the constitution was written, it dealt with a person's freedom of press, not freedom of speech. By trying to omit information to public children, they were in a sense, wrongfully censoring them in a way that our first amendment freedoms protect us from. 

      In essence, I believe that this activity in question should never be restricted. Just because a kid read a book, it doesn't mean that they will become "gay" and it doesn't mean they wont, but they shouldn't keep the government shouldn't keep this away from it's citizen's because it's not the majority. The public has a right to explore and know all the trivial and even political ways of the world. This is how one forms compassion, love, and respect for those around us. Hatred is pure ignorance. Maybe the three-hundred people that initially signed the petition need to read those two books they were trying to ban to gain greater character and confidence in themselves. Interracial dating and communication was once illegal. Alcohol was once illegal, Even having an opinion different from the government was illegal. Isn't funny how America was built because of such injustices and because they wanted more freedom, yet when it was built, they continue to wrong do those in their own "new world".

        On top of it being unconstitutional or "illegal" in a way, it is morally wrong in my eyes.  Many states still don't offer marriage license to homosexual couples and on top of that, they are usually shunned. Enough is enough. Many people feel a marriage is solely for procreation purposes only and should be between a man and woman. Who is to say this is true? Just because one person believes it is wrong it doesn't mean it is wrong, but instead a preferences or another opinion. Many churches feel homosexuality is immoral and a sin. But in the bible, it also says that they should not judge others. Basically their ignorance is a huge contradiction.. If that is not your choice then go your own path and do what you wan tin life. I never understood how people could have so much anger for people whom they've never met because of their personal preference. It's digusting how humans can be so cruel. We as a nation need to come together. There are two many labels that still divide us like race, ethnicity, sexual preference, and even sex, that need to stop. How are we suppose to be "one nation, under god" when we can't even be kind to the person next to us. The world truly needs to see what's important and it's not theses issues at hand. it's the bigger ones like world hunger or even education in rural areas. 

   

Sources:  http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorshipfirstamendmentissues/courtcases

Lesson 2.05 Assessment

Wilson, Yazmin 

3/25/14

Internet: News,Blogs,etc.

               It is human nature to want to know the world around us. News comes in many formats and  involve various topics on daily events. Newspapers, radio, television, and  the internet, all provide news and other credible information to the public. Everyday people use these sources to form opinions or their views on certain local, national, and even daily current events. Although all of these sources broadcast their reports abroad, they have very different ways of expressing their findings. 
             One of the first forms of communication that people were able to use to receive vast information were newspapers. Newspapers were and still are great ways to read interesting articles and store them away for further reading or safekeeping. Most of the resources and sources used are all legitimate and credible. On the down side, many people such as environmentalist's think that newspapers are wasteful when many aren't sold. Also it is said that they are extremely harmful to the environment because of the continuous cutting down of trees that are needed to make them.
            The next major form of news to be produced in history was the radio. The radio allows people to listen to the news while they are doing other activities or preoccupied. For example, you could be laying down drinking a cup of coffee or even riding a bike while listening to entertainment and other news information on the radio. Although the radio broadcaster is giving details of different visuals, a listeners cannot visual a picture or see a picture like they can on a newspaper article. 
           Television has the best of both worlds. Television has the advantage of both visual and audible characteristic to enhancing the listener's understanding. Television provides up to date and credible information to the public in a timely manner. The only downfall to this is that viewers must be near a television to hear the news which is not always compatible. Like the television, a fairly new advancement to communication is the internet. The internet gives vast information. Although the internet provides a variety of sources/details, because anyone can post anything they want on here, most of it's credibility then becomes depleted and lessens. 
            In essence, all of these forms of information keep information updated on current events.They all have opinionated and factual data that each person must differentiate on their own. In my opinion, I prefer the internet as my main source of information. The internet is speedy and easily accessible. Also, when doubt or suspicion of a topic comes up I can just do more research to see if it is reliable or not.
             

3.01 Code Of Ethics

Wilson, Yazmin 3/16/14

Journalism 1-

Assignment: 3.01 Code Of Ethics

                               
1. Abstain from adding in your bias ideas and opinions.

•     Try to avoid incredible sources that can weaken or devalue a report because it will not be trustworthy. 

2. Be a good listener.

•  listen to others and whom your interviewing so you can not only receive the main focus, but get the minor details that sets similar topic reports apart from the rest and allows for fluent communication to transpire with very few misunderstandings. 

3. Do not give false information out to the public.

• The public wants to hear the truth, therefore as a journalist you must give it to them and not change the topic events or crucial information just for a good headline or "story."

4. Be courteous and cautious towards others feelings or emotions of the victims involved and bystanders.

• When dealing with sad situations such as a death or something similar, it is crucial that you understand how they will feel with photos and certain unnecessary information being shared to the public. You must be understanding and respect their privacy. 

5. Don't accept bribes or other forms of incentives.

• Just to make a little extra cash or earn your way up in the company you should not accept these forms of payoff at the cost of sending false information and misinterpretation to the public. 

I believe that these guidelines are the most important standards to follow not only because I made them of course, but because it adds to the credibility and trustworthiness of the report. Once this is established, more people will believe in your reports and increase your readers along with revenue.

3.00 Introduction to Ethics

Wilson, Yazmin 

3/16/14

Chapter 3: Introduction to Ethics

                         In my my mind, being ethical means to use what you think makes sense in both your head and heart in order to make a decision on what's morally "good" or "bad". This means that in order to make a decision to a dilemma you must take a step back from the situation and look at it as a whole, rather than from one side. Some examples of being ethical include being honest even if you know you may be persecuted or maybe deciding to tell your best friend that her boyfriend is cheating on her even though you are fairly close to both of them. An ethical person is not one who leans on bias or favoritism, rather they are people who live by the rules of dividing what's right from wrong. In essence, not only is ethics important in order to provide accurate and truthful information, but it could possibly help a situation or even save a life.

                          For example, let's say your friend has been very depressed and tells you that she is not only mentally damaging herself, but she is causing physical harm as well. She tells you not to tell anyone, especially her parents, because it's her problem and it would cause her parents to be even more strict when it comes to her. What would an ethical person do? Well, being the caring friend I am and following the guidelines of ethics, I would definitely tell her parents or an adult who could help her like a therapist, doctor, or even a older sibling. Because of the severity of this situation, in which many lead to death of serious complications later on, it it important to tell the truth even if it isn't what she wanted. In the end, she will see that my actions were merely because of my love for her and not to get her in trouble at home. Even if she doesn't get it right away or even after years of holding a grudge deep in the heart of an ethical person, you will know it was the right thing to do. 

                    Ethics are everywhere in journalism. These type of dilemmas are presented in all changing situations, from cultural to technological. A reporter must have morals or ethics in order to conduct their jobs thoroughly. They must get critical information out to the public without harming the credibility and standards that should be upheld by the paper. This is what makes their jobs especially hard at times because their occupation description involves so much more than conducting interviews, contrary to popular belief. Ethics go hand in hand with the or statement in the constitution where it says that people have freedom of the press and speech. Overall, ethics is a key role   

2.04 Broadcast-Television

Wilson, Yazmin 

Journalism

3/16/14

Journal Entry-

                      Good morning readers, did you miss us? Well, my fellow colleagues and I were very busy yesterday watching a new television program called TMZ. It is a form of entertainment news. This refers to any news that can add popularity and fun to reporting rather than just crucial, everyday information. I classified this programming as entertainment news because it contains many forms of information covered such as movies, celebrity gossip, jokes and even their own comical opinions on social media and celebrity mishaps. 

                    I must say, although entertaining, many of us thought the show was very one-sided. They always seemed to be on the opposite side of a person's pain, making the saddest mistakes seem humorous. With the open-ended questions, sarcasm, and even skits of various social media, their motives of always entertaining their viewers are clearly undeniable. For instance, Harvey Levin, celebrity reporter of TMZ, shouted at the fact that Chris Brown may be going back to jail for a decent amount of time, "bound to happen to crazy singers like him" and "just what the doctor ordered for Chris after he prescribed Rihanna her medications for her bruises by him back in 2009." This jokes are definitely not for everyone, and are used to get a good laugh out of everyone, except for Chris Brown of course. They also spoke on another celebrity who recently landed in jail, known to the hip-hop world as Tyler the Creator. He supposedly started a riot at one of his concert's last Thursday and now cops have a warrant and cuffs with his name on it. After explaining the events that happened to Tyler, everyone began with their jokes, antics, and other side thoughts on the topic. One reporter named Chris Reed stood out the most to me. In his speech about this young man, he continues to insinuate how "he just wants attention" and is a "pretender from the suburbs". I couldn't agree more with his statements. 

               This show was pretty effective in informing me on the recent celebrities who have been in trouble with the law. This show always made sure to tell exactly what the key events were and the facts first, then their opinions. This is a definite plus and allows for the reader to make their own judgement before they hear TMZ's thoughts on the matter. One thing that I believe could be better is sometimes siding with the celebrity. Like I said before, it seems to me TMZ wants to make profit and by messing with the rich and the famous, they can make a lot by the boatloads. Although money should be made, i think by lessening the negativity especially when it's unecessary, will make the show more credible and less one-sided. Thus, this will not only make its news more believable, but also increase their viewers and eventually their income as well. 

            

                     

2.03 Broadcast-Radio

Wilson, Yazmin 

3/12/14

2.03 Assessment: The Hindenburg Disaster

        This broadcast was about a German Zeppelin called the Hindenburg. It was built to transport passengers between Europe and the United States. However, on May 6, 1937,  it blew up in flames when landing at Lakehurst Naval Air Station. It was one of the very first time recordings of a news event were ever broadcast.  A total of thirty-six people died in this terrible accident. From this broadcast, not only did I learn how catastrophic this event was for those who lost their lives on this day, but also for those who watched the Hindenburg crash in awe in and fear. 

         This broadcast was given by a radio reporter named Herbert Morrison. I learned that this reporter not only reported this incident but also saw it first hand with his own eyes. He was a very credible up and coming announcer at the Chicago radio station WLS. Herbert and Charles Nehlsen, one of the sound engineers were sent to this site to record the celebration of the first anniversary of transatlantic passenger service, instead they divulged into something much greater that would out them on the map. To support his story, Herbert used his own first hand accounts and other reports from survivors. 

         Furthermore, not only did he continue to interview those who were in the disastrous zeppelin, but he also questioned many of those who came to the aid of the wounded and the dead. Herbert's speedy and professional response, along with his own emotional heartache at this event made it everlasting in people's minds for years. Overall, I would say that this news source is pretty credible. Although some information was misconstrued at first, like Herbert believing there was one hundred and six people aboard when there was really ninety-seven aboard, and the Presto 6D recorder, which ran about three percent slow. But those are minor mishaps, far from the extreme one's that some reporter's make today, such as slander and plagiarism. Slander and plagiarism cannot only risk their jobs, but follow with legal action as well. Today, this radio recording is known as one of the most famous broadcasts in history. 

Resources: Picture http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2013/11/hindenburg-beer-up-for-auction/

                       Text http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgWHbpMVQ1U    

                       http://www.airships.net/hindenburg/disaster