1.)Gambling among college age people has increased in the last few years due to the explosion of the World Series of Poker. Many kids spend hours and hours a day playing on-line poker when they should be studying or doing other things in college. But there are young people that do make it in the poker playing world. This article would take a look at the problems that have aroused in the last few years with youth gambling but also take a look at a few cases where playing poker has actually helped students get by in this tough economic time. Article might also look at other gambling forums such as casino games, or sports betting and their impact on young adults.
2.) An idea I previously pitched in class. I want to look at how media messages effects the beliefs of citizens. Do where people get their news effect their political views? Or do people with certain political views watch certain channels. How has the emergence of blogs and political commentary influenced peoples opinions of media? Do they prefer more traditional news sources or do they like where this new media is headed?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Summer School's Worth Still Up for Debate Among Students
Washington State University students have found many benefits and drawbacks of summer school when comparing it against a regular semester.
Washington State University provides its students with an opportunity every summer to take full credit classes in less than half the time it takes for a regular fall or spring semester. WSU offers a wide range of classes during the summer. All of the basic classes are offered and most upper division classes are offered at least once during the multiple mini semesters of the summer.
But taking summer classes at WSU doesn’t come without a price. In-state students are charged $380 per credit hour they take, according to information provided by the university. That means a student who takes six credits, the norm in summer school, pays $2,280. That number jumps to $3,420 with nine credits. The rates are even higher for out-of-state students. Zach Wittman, a junior Communications major, weighed in on the issue.
“What we pay for summer classes is ridiculous,” Wittman said. “With all the added fees and books it could be just as expensive as a regular semester.”
Those extra fees include a $86 charge for use of the Student Recreation Center, a $72 charge for the Compton Union Building, and a $54 charge for the Student Health and Wellness Center. Add in a couple hundred dollars for text books and the costs soon rise to match what students pay in the fall and spring.
With the upcoming tuition raise kicking in next fall, many students are trying to take as many classes at the cheaper rate as they possibly can. According to WSU, tuition will be nearly $4,300 per semester for in-state students next year. Out-of-state students will pay a whopping $9,800 per semester.
Senior Elementary Education major Keith Noren is one student who is trying to take classes this summer to cut down on costs.
“I’m trying to take as many classes this summer as I can,” Noren said. “It will save me money in the long run.”
There are other benefits for students who decide to stay in Pullman for the summer. Class sizes are usually smaller in numbers, which can lead to a better relationship with professors and other students. Students often say that summer classes are more relaxed and stress free then regular semesters even though the length of class is cut by two and a half months.
“I really like meeting everyday of the week,” Wittman said. “It keeps my focus where it needs to be and I don’t get behind in course work.”
Some students disagree and Noren is one of them.
“I like how we only meet two or three days a week during the regular semester,” Noren said. “It allows me to digest the information in class better then the go-go-go atmosphere of summer classes.”
The length of the different semester has also been debated by students. Some think that the six week sessions are appropriate in length. While others think that they are a little too quick to fully understand all the information discussed in class.
Wittman believes the summer session is the right amount of time and would like to see regular semesters become shorter in length.
“We don’t need 16 weeks to take a class,” Wittman said. “Quite frankly, we are learning the material at the rate we should be during the summer. I wouldn’t mind seeing the university switch to the quarter system to make class length shorter during the regular school year.”
None the less, students have found a variety of reasons to stay in Pullman during the summer.
Washington State University provides its students with an opportunity every summer to take full credit classes in less than half the time it takes for a regular fall or spring semester. WSU offers a wide range of classes during the summer. All of the basic classes are offered and most upper division classes are offered at least once during the multiple mini semesters of the summer.
But taking summer classes at WSU doesn’t come without a price. In-state students are charged $380 per credit hour they take, according to information provided by the university. That means a student who takes six credits, the norm in summer school, pays $2,280. That number jumps to $3,420 with nine credits. The rates are even higher for out-of-state students. Zach Wittman, a junior Communications major, weighed in on the issue.
“What we pay for summer classes is ridiculous,” Wittman said. “With all the added fees and books it could be just as expensive as a regular semester.”
Those extra fees include a $86 charge for use of the Student Recreation Center, a $72 charge for the Compton Union Building, and a $54 charge for the Student Health and Wellness Center. Add in a couple hundred dollars for text books and the costs soon rise to match what students pay in the fall and spring.
With the upcoming tuition raise kicking in next fall, many students are trying to take as many classes at the cheaper rate as they possibly can. According to WSU, tuition will be nearly $4,300 per semester for in-state students next year. Out-of-state students will pay a whopping $9,800 per semester.
Senior Elementary Education major Keith Noren is one student who is trying to take classes this summer to cut down on costs.
“I’m trying to take as many classes this summer as I can,” Noren said. “It will save me money in the long run.”
There are other benefits for students who decide to stay in Pullman for the summer. Class sizes are usually smaller in numbers, which can lead to a better relationship with professors and other students. Students often say that summer classes are more relaxed and stress free then regular semesters even though the length of class is cut by two and a half months.
“I really like meeting everyday of the week,” Wittman said. “It keeps my focus where it needs to be and I don’t get behind in course work.”
Some students disagree and Noren is one of them.
“I like how we only meet two or three days a week during the regular semester,” Noren said. “It allows me to digest the information in class better then the go-go-go atmosphere of summer classes.”
The length of the different semester has also been debated by students. Some think that the six week sessions are appropriate in length. While others think that they are a little too quick to fully understand all the information discussed in class.
Wittman believes the summer session is the right amount of time and would like to see regular semesters become shorter in length.
“We don’t need 16 weeks to take a class,” Wittman said. “Quite frankly, we are learning the material at the rate we should be during the summer. I wouldn’t mind seeing the university switch to the quarter system to make class length shorter during the regular school year.”
None the less, students have found a variety of reasons to stay in Pullman during the summer.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Second Day Lead
The search is still on for 4-year-old Angela Melissa Norton, who has been missing for over 24 hours.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Al Jazeera
I find it interesting that the United States doesn't seem to matter as much as us Americans think to the rest of the world. There seems to be a lack of coverage of U.S. affairs when looking at foreign media sources. However, I don't think this is unusual. Those media outlets should cover what is important to them locally. That is the same reason why a small event in another country is not covered here in the United States.
I think the internet will be one of the only and most effective tools that Al Jeezera can use. I don't believe they will ever be able to broadcast nationally in the U.S. like most news media outlets so they must use what they have available to them.
I think they should be allowed to broadcast in the U.S. but like all news organizations I believe they should be closely monitored by some sort of watchdog agency.
They seem to cover a wide variety of news. Many different topics and many different nations.
I'm not sure if any news organization is really adhering to their Code of Ethics any more but it seems like Al Jazeera is no better or worse then other news sources in that regard.
I think the internet will be one of the only and most effective tools that Al Jeezera can use. I don't believe they will ever be able to broadcast nationally in the U.S. like most news media outlets so they must use what they have available to them.
I think they should be allowed to broadcast in the U.S. but like all news organizations I believe they should be closely monitored by some sort of watchdog agency.
They seem to cover a wide variety of news. Many different topics and many different nations.
I'm not sure if any news organization is really adhering to their Code of Ethics any more but it seems like Al Jazeera is no better or worse then other news sources in that regard.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Story Ideas
1.) Difference between summer classes and regular semester classes.
Summer classes are only 6 weeks long compared to normal semesters that are 16 weeks long. I would like to compare and contrast the two. That will be the focus of the piece. I think this idea is news worthy because we are all here taking summer classes currently. It's has timeliness and relevance to the people in this class, which are probably the only people that would be reading the article anyway. It would be newsworthy for students who are interested in possibly taking summer classes in the future and would like some more information about summer session. I think this would be something that you might see in a campus newspaper.
I would like to examine the quality of the class during the summer and if things get left out because of the shortened semester. Possibly sources for this article would be students who are currently enrolled in summer classes or that have taken them in the past. Also, professors that teach during the regular school year and in the summer.
2.) Recent Graduates and plans for the future.
Today, more so then ever before, it is harder for a college graduate to break into the job market. Many kids that obtain a degree are having hard time finding work and if they do find work it may not be something that pays more than minimum wage. I would like to examine some of the hardships that college graduates are facing and how they are simply managing to survive.
This is newsworthy because this is a issue that a lot of college graduates are facing. There is a conflict element here. Plus, we are all going to be in this same position in the very near future. It is relevant to all college kids but also the general public. I would interview graduates from the past couple years and ask them questions relating to searching for jobs and living out in the real world for the first time. I would also like to interview an employer who hires a lot of fresh graduates and get their take on the issue.
3.)With news media pretty much every where we turn, are young people tuning in?
With the explosion of blogs and news commentary broadcasts over recent years, are young people paying attention? Do young adults care what is going on in the world? If they do, where are they getting their information and why? If they don't, what are they doing instead? I have a theory that a majority of young adults tend to care about news, especially politics, around presidential election and then after that enthusiasm wanes. That would be the most likely angle of my story unless I was proved otherwise during my researching and interviews.
This is newsworthy because young people have a great impact on the rest of our country and we as young people need to be educated on the world around us. I would interview a variety of young adults from all different backgrounds in order to gather information on how they perceive the world. I would ask what they are paying attention to and how they are receiving their information.
Summer classes are only 6 weeks long compared to normal semesters that are 16 weeks long. I would like to compare and contrast the two. That will be the focus of the piece. I think this idea is news worthy because we are all here taking summer classes currently. It's has timeliness and relevance to the people in this class, which are probably the only people that would be reading the article anyway. It would be newsworthy for students who are interested in possibly taking summer classes in the future and would like some more information about summer session. I think this would be something that you might see in a campus newspaper.
I would like to examine the quality of the class during the summer and if things get left out because of the shortened semester. Possibly sources for this article would be students who are currently enrolled in summer classes or that have taken them in the past. Also, professors that teach during the regular school year and in the summer.
2.) Recent Graduates and plans for the future.
Today, more so then ever before, it is harder for a college graduate to break into the job market. Many kids that obtain a degree are having hard time finding work and if they do find work it may not be something that pays more than minimum wage. I would like to examine some of the hardships that college graduates are facing and how they are simply managing to survive.
This is newsworthy because this is a issue that a lot of college graduates are facing. There is a conflict element here. Plus, we are all going to be in this same position in the very near future. It is relevant to all college kids but also the general public. I would interview graduates from the past couple years and ask them questions relating to searching for jobs and living out in the real world for the first time. I would also like to interview an employer who hires a lot of fresh graduates and get their take on the issue.
3.)With news media pretty much every where we turn, are young people tuning in?
With the explosion of blogs and news commentary broadcasts over recent years, are young people paying attention? Do young adults care what is going on in the world? If they do, where are they getting their information and why? If they don't, what are they doing instead? I have a theory that a majority of young adults tend to care about news, especially politics, around presidential election and then after that enthusiasm wanes. That would be the most likely angle of my story unless I was proved otherwise during my researching and interviews.
This is newsworthy because young people have a great impact on the rest of our country and we as young people need to be educated on the world around us. I would interview a variety of young adults from all different backgrounds in order to gather information on how they perceive the world. I would ask what they are paying attention to and how they are receiving their information.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Can we call the Drudge Report and the Huffington Post real news organizations?
At first glance, I noticed a striking similarity between the Drudge Report and the Huffington Post websites. They don't look like, at least to me anyway, credible news organizations. Just the way their actual websites are put together reek of amateurism. Possibly I am a little biased towards news organizations that were established before the take off of the Internet. But I just think that websites such as the New York Times, CNN and even Fox News look like reliable news sources. But the jury is still out on Fox News...The Drudge Report and the Huffington Post both look like they were put together by your nerdy friend who knows some html code but who isnt actually good enough to work for a real company.
At the moment that I am examining the two websites they differ on what they deem as the most important story. The Drudge Report's main headline is about how the federal deficit is 4 times higher this year, meanwhile the Huffington Post's main headline is about the current oil spill crisis. I don't find this too out of the ordinary, with so many different things going on in the world it is common that news organizations will decide to cover different stories.
Both websites have obvious traces of political leaning littered throughout their respective websites. The Drudge Report has an article titled, "Obama Plans to Punish Oil Firms with Tax Hike." Who says raising taxes was a punishment necessarily. There are many other articles about President Obama's nomination for the Supreme Court. Most of them are very critical of his choice. The Huffington Post meanwhile, has writers such as John Kerry, who ran for President as the Democratic candidate in 2004, and Bill Maher. Their articles, had lefting leaning agendas. And in comparison, their articles about Obama's nomination are attacking the GOP for attacking Kagan.
I certainly believe these "news organizations" have an influence over the general public. In today's world people want to hear ideas that are similar to their own. While they might not get that from tradional journalism they will certainly get it from one of these two websites. The problem with that is that people go to these websites and only get one side of a story when usually there is at least two different sides to every story and possibly more. They come away from these websites having a skewed vision of the world. It is websites like these that are helping polarize viewpoints of our society. Something has to change.
At the moment that I am examining the two websites they differ on what they deem as the most important story. The Drudge Report's main headline is about how the federal deficit is 4 times higher this year, meanwhile the Huffington Post's main headline is about the current oil spill crisis. I don't find this too out of the ordinary, with so many different things going on in the world it is common that news organizations will decide to cover different stories.
Both websites have obvious traces of political leaning littered throughout their respective websites. The Drudge Report has an article titled, "Obama Plans to Punish Oil Firms with Tax Hike." Who says raising taxes was a punishment necessarily. There are many other articles about President Obama's nomination for the Supreme Court. Most of them are very critical of his choice. The Huffington Post meanwhile, has writers such as John Kerry, who ran for President as the Democratic candidate in 2004, and Bill Maher. Their articles, had lefting leaning agendas. And in comparison, their articles about Obama's nomination are attacking the GOP for attacking Kagan.
I certainly believe these "news organizations" have an influence over the general public. In today's world people want to hear ideas that are similar to their own. While they might not get that from tradional journalism they will certainly get it from one of these two websites. The problem with that is that people go to these websites and only get one side of a story when usually there is at least two different sides to every story and possibly more. They come away from these websites having a skewed vision of the world. It is websites like these that are helping polarize viewpoints of our society. Something has to change.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
New Technology has opened a lot of doors. Some should stay closed.
The conflict between Chevron and the people of Ecuador is certainly one that needs to be covered in the news media. There are places for that sort of discussion which are appropriate and necessary. A segment on the television show 60 Minutes would be a place for such talk. Chevron itself reporting on the matter is not appropriate.
New media is a scary thing. The very fact that a major oil company, Chevron, can put together a piece of "news" and then distribute it concerns me for a number of reasons. First of all, Chevron deals with oil and gasoline, not journalism. They are not qualified to be journalists. They know this, and we know this. So what do they do? They PAY someone to do this story to counter the one that 60 Minutes was in the midst of producing. I wonder what sort of slant that story had to it? All of their interviewees or scientific experts were "Chevron Consultants" which basically means that Chevron hired them to say what Chevron told them to say. That is not objective journalism. That is simply a major corporation abusing its power and resources in a weak attempt to manipulate public opinion. While I do not believe that a truly 100% objective journalist is out there, I know that what Chevron did was not objective in any way, shape or form.
In my opinion, 60 Minutes may be the closest we currently have to the idea of the "Murrow Standard." After all, Don Hewitt, a "Murrow Boy" came up with the idea for 60 Minutes. It is a hybrid between Murrow's Person to Person and See it Now news broadcasts. Some may argue that the show showed a bias in favor of the people of Ecuador and that they cast Chevron in a bad light. Well they certainly didn't help Chevrons image. But it is not my opinion that journalists must be strictly objective. I actually believe some persuasion in journalism is necessary. If in fact 60 Minutes did all the proper research, and interviewed people from both points of view, and they found that what Texaco did was wrong and that Chevron should indeed have to pay this $27 billion lawsuit then the world needs to know about it. There is nothing wrong with picking a side as a journalist. That is what I, as a reader or viewer, expect that person to do.
The problem lies in the fact that just about anyone can become a "journalist." Anybody with a blog, a youtube page or a facebook account can update the world on whats going on. But that doesnt mean what they are broadcasting to the public is at all accurate. Unlike real news organizations, people posting things on the interent dont have to fact check their sources or information. Now people may like online websites such as the Drudge Report or the Huffington Post because they tend to lean in certain political directions and people like to read or watch things they like and agree with. BUT, a majority of the public takes what they hear on news commentary shows or blogs as facts when they are merely opinions. That is my biggest issue with all this new media. I can not imagine Mr. Murrow being to pleased with the current state of most news media.
New media is a scary thing. The very fact that a major oil company, Chevron, can put together a piece of "news" and then distribute it concerns me for a number of reasons. First of all, Chevron deals with oil and gasoline, not journalism. They are not qualified to be journalists. They know this, and we know this. So what do they do? They PAY someone to do this story to counter the one that 60 Minutes was in the midst of producing. I wonder what sort of slant that story had to it? All of their interviewees or scientific experts were "Chevron Consultants" which basically means that Chevron hired them to say what Chevron told them to say. That is not objective journalism. That is simply a major corporation abusing its power and resources in a weak attempt to manipulate public opinion. While I do not believe that a truly 100% objective journalist is out there, I know that what Chevron did was not objective in any way, shape or form.
In my opinion, 60 Minutes may be the closest we currently have to the idea of the "Murrow Standard." After all, Don Hewitt, a "Murrow Boy" came up with the idea for 60 Minutes. It is a hybrid between Murrow's Person to Person and See it Now news broadcasts. Some may argue that the show showed a bias in favor of the people of Ecuador and that they cast Chevron in a bad light. Well they certainly didn't help Chevrons image. But it is not my opinion that journalists must be strictly objective. I actually believe some persuasion in journalism is necessary. If in fact 60 Minutes did all the proper research, and interviewed people from both points of view, and they found that what Texaco did was wrong and that Chevron should indeed have to pay this $27 billion lawsuit then the world needs to know about it. There is nothing wrong with picking a side as a journalist. That is what I, as a reader or viewer, expect that person to do.
The problem lies in the fact that just about anyone can become a "journalist." Anybody with a blog, a youtube page or a facebook account can update the world on whats going on. But that doesnt mean what they are broadcasting to the public is at all accurate. Unlike real news organizations, people posting things on the interent dont have to fact check their sources or information. Now people may like online websites such as the Drudge Report or the Huffington Post because they tend to lean in certain political directions and people like to read or watch things they like and agree with. BUT, a majority of the public takes what they hear on news commentary shows or blogs as facts when they are merely opinions. That is my biggest issue with all this new media. I can not imagine Mr. Murrow being to pleased with the current state of most news media.
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