Media City.

In a week that involved a trip to Media City in Manchester, the practices and principles of Journalism have taken more of a back seat to trips out and analysis of these very blogs.

Monday started with a critical appraisal of our blogs so far, from the 'good' to the 'passable' to the 'ridiculous'. Quoting works of authors and journalists seems to be the order of the day, and to make a blog that would provide an analytical appraisal of our work will require a number of different sources that back up or prove our points, which ultimately would contribute towards 1000 words that will be part of our end of semester marking for Practices and Principles.

Whereas last week we had a Thursday lecture with Nick in which we were out and about in the City Vox Popping people for their opinions, this week was a more academic drone on the ethical code of practice for Journalists, interesting yes, informative yes, but a drone still nonetheless. Journalists must

"strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty". [1]

The fact that "Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility"[1] is vitally important as is the idea that "members of the Society of Journalists share a dedication to ethical behaviour and adopt the code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice."[1]

To be able to learn early on the codes and principles of Journalism that we have to adhere to is useful, as is the fact that we can now put the principles into practice the next time we write, interview or undertake any piece of journalism. To be able to practice now in an environment that is somewhat guarded is a very valuable feature of University life, and will allow us to adhere to the code to the letter when we are writing in the 'real world'. It may have not been the most stimulating of lectures, but surely its principles will have real world meanings for us soon enough.
 

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[1] SPJ Code of Ethics | Society of Professional Journalists | Improving and protecting journalism since 1909

In-text: (Spj.org, 2013)

Bibliography: Spj.org. 2013. SPJ Code of Ethics | Society of Professional Journalists | Improving and protecting journalism since 1909. [online] Available at: http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp [Accessed: 24 Oct 2013].

 

Reflections, Vox Pop's & Interviews

Starting from vox pop’s, through to interviews and finishing up with article writing in a variety of different forms, this week has been full of a number of different journalism ‘productions and practices.

Interview technique, though not part of production practice came to the fore this week, when on Tuesday I had an interview with William ‘Bill’ Graham, one of only two independent members of the City Council. Writing down my initial opening salvo as well as making sure that I had a solid question base to work from ensured that I was able to ask questions that I felt were to the point, and gained me some solid quotes which to base my 500 word article, in for next Monday on.

Because I was able to guarantee that my information was correct, I was able to be confident in my pitch over the phone, and therefore came across, I hope, as professional and relaxed. Sourcing through the Council’s website, as well as through clippings found online from other points in his career allowed me to base a background profile on Mr Graham before the interview, and allowed me to converse with him fluently rather than nervously and often disjointedly, something that has become an issue for me over the past year.

Come Thursday and the vox pop’s for Nick Turner. We were in town at 10am and were set loose into the City centre for an hour, gathering opinions on topics ranging from the school teacher strike to badger culling to England’s chances in next year’s World Cup. This form of collecting information from the public has become one of the biggest chores of modern journalism, annoying Southampton Football Club to such an extent that they banned .conducting vox pops with fans on land outside its ground[1].

I chose the world cup question and immediately came up against a brick wall of resounding  ‘No’s’ as well as the classic ‘ignoring the guy with the notepad’. After my first few failures a strategy developed, a strategy that ultimately gained me what I would describe as a moderate success, and allowed me to collect relevant quotes, as well as a few background details which could be used to make my article more relevant to the regular Joe out on the street.

As a journalist you must:

‘Walk up to people confidently, notebook and pen in hand. Smile and be positive, use the word journalist, along with your name and the publication you’re working for as soon as possible’ [2]

By developing a persona, a smiling face and an initial patter, I was able to draw people into answering the question rather than just scaring them away. Introducing yourself by name and profession (student journalist) I was able to let people see that I wasn’t selling anything, and was merely a ‘harmless student’ looking to get a quick quote and get out of the cold just like they were. From bored cold men waiting outside various clothes shops, to women loitering outside HMV there were a variety of people who looked to have free time to answer. Asking people walking with a purpose or currently engaged in something else would lead to a sure fire rejection, and as such a theory of spotting where to trap certain people led to a learning of how to correctly conduct a vox pop.

If it is one of the most hated jobs in journalism, then I may just have developed a liking for the jobs that other journalists wouldn’t want to go near.

Finally, article writing. With the conducting of the newsletter, and a meeting on Thursday lunchtime with our third year group, the overall outline has been set and the articles are beginning to come in. From a piece on the Lakes Comic art festival, to a nib on the sexual assault at the Sugarhouse in Lancaster, articles are becoming a regular occurrence out of my printer at home. Pages being drafted, redrafted and finally printed have led me into a schedule of churning out piece after piece. Getting the right quotes and being able to frame them in the middle of articles has become a hobby, allowing me to hone my skills in order to produce pieces not only for print, but also for online journalism. Different formats need different editing, and although I had problems at first coming to terms with the way in which I was meant to edit and quote in print when compared to online, I now believe that I have improved to a point where I am confident in my own abilities.

Although I may not be the most proficient of journalist, not the most talented, and not the easiest to talk to, I do feel that through the first month of production practices I have improved drastically as a journalist, and at University, surely, improving and learning Is what you are meant to do.

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1] Lambourne, H.

Football club bans journalists from vox pops at ground

In-text: (Lambourne, 2013)

Bibliography: Lambourne, H. 2013. Football club bans journalists from vox pops at ground. [online] Available at: http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2013/news/football-club-bans-journalists-from-vox-pops-at-ground/ [Accessed: 17 Oct 2013].

 

2] Adams, S. and Hicks, W.

Interviewing for Journalists

In-text: (Adams and Hicks, 2009, p. 18)

Bibliography: Adams, S. and Hicks, W. 2009. Interviewing for Journalists. [e-book] Taylor & Francis Ltd - M.U.A. p. 18. Available through: University Of Cumbria Ebooks https://www.dawsonera.com/abstract/9780203888858 [Accessed: 17 Oct 2013].

 

Back To Work

After a long summer break work has begun again, and now a few weeks into the new semester it is time for another blog post.

On Saturday and Sunday last week I started and pretty much finished my notes on the seminar for the Wednesday just been, which was on Technology, Culture and Profit and its role in the evolution of Journalism. Using different sources, from books to articles in papers to online journals, I certainly found it a lot easier this time around than I did last March when I was probably less prepared, and aware of the demands of a seminar.

I do also feel that this time around I was able to be more confident in my points, and ultimately feel a little less nervous, though by no means perfect. It would count as an improvement, but one that required even more if I am to perform to the best of my ability in other seminars.

Article writing has also carved out a big portion of my time over the last few weeks, with NIBS being written for a Tuesday session with Nick Turner from the CN Group, as well as an article on international students being completed, having to contact the S.U as well as a number of foreign students for their views on Carlisle, and its subsequent culture.

The article that interested me the most was definitely the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, from which I was able to get a few quotes from the founder of the festival. To follow up with this I have been asked to write a short ‘3 places not to miss’ for the event, which I will be completing later today. Although it may be seen as a ‘fluff’ article, it is something that interests me, and if you find something interesting, than it is undoubtedly going to be a better piece of work than something that you are not.

Finally we come to Councillors, the current bane of my life. In order to interview a councillor, they first have to answer my phone calls or reply to my emails, something that a number of them seem unable to do. Surprising, given that they are meant to represent the people, and listen to them. I will keep on at them, and eventually one of them will reply, and just at this moment of time I wouldn’t care if it was the County Council leader, right down to the lowest Parish bookkeeper.

Thanks for reading, and look forward to the next one,

Jon

Follow Me On Twitter @JonCarter1994