How To Restore Journalism
Every since I have been taking journalism classes, rather it’s a simple intro class, to a more advanced magazine writing class, the theme has been the same: journalism is dying a slow death. Now you may think, what exactly do you mean when you say that journalism is dead? To be more specific, let’s just focus on the newspaper aspect of journalism. Let me give a few statistics so you can fully understand what I mean:
• Audit Bureau of Circulations show average weekday circulation fell 8.7 percent in the six months (from September 2009 – March 2010)
• Sunday circulation (of all newspapers in America) fell 6.5 percent (from September 2009 – March 2010)
• The San Francisco Chronicle's weekday circulation dropped nearly 23 percent from 2009 to 2010
• The Washington Post, average weekday circulation fell 13.1 percent to 578,482 and dropped 8.2 percent to 797,679 on Sundays.
• USA Today lost 13.6 percent of its circulation
Circulation
If you are not sure what circulation is, it’s simply the number of copies a newspaper distributes on an average day. Circulation is not always the same as copies sold since some newspapers are distributed without cost to the reader. Also, it is assumed that the actually readership stats (the amount of people who just read the paper) are higher than circulation stats (the amount of people who purchase the paper) since one paper is typically read by more than one person. For instance, Dad picks up the paper at the gas station. Mom reads the gossip columns, kids read the funnies, and grandpa checks out the sales on a tool kits.
Why journalism is dying
Now that we have the statistics out of the way, the question to ask now it why? Why are all of these newspapers failing? It’s actually a simple answer: technology. Technology has completely changed the way that people receive the news. How easy is it to get online and access your local news with the click of a button? Very! And how much does it cost you? Nothing! The internet, cell phones, even I-pods allow you to get news without having to leave your home.
Why the newspaper is important
News obviously can be obtained elsewhere, not just from the paper. The TV and radio also gives you reports. But what about the classified ads? A lot companies still use this section to post ads. What about the funnies that we all read as a child? Of course times are changing, but the newspaper is a classic component to American history. Online news is very convenient and fast, but it’s not always accurate. Not to mention that our older generation is not savvy like our “now” generation. While a lot of seniors are becoming more familiar with the internet and computers in general, a pretty high number of our parents and grandparents have no idea what a “browser” is.
What is replacing the newspaper?
The paper consists of a lot more than just hardcore news. Let’s revisit the topic of the classifieds again. Internet sites such as craigslist and ebay have pretty much taken over when it comes to selling. In the Ann Arbor news (a paper that is slowing failing) they have a section called spotlight, which gives the readers an outlook on local events. With social sites such as Facebook and Twitter, the newspaper can’t hold a candle. Events, parties and other social events are the sole reason some people create their account, since you can access thousands of people so easily. Even checking the weather in the paper has been replaced by I-phone and Blackberry apps, as well as the advice columns, games and sport updates.
How to bring the newspaper back
Many have attempted to restore the journalism economy, but none have successfully succeeded…yet. However, there are a few online publications that have already started using a pay model:
• Newspaper: Daily Gazette
City: Schenectady, New York
Average paid circulation: 44,242
Pricing plan: Online-only subscriptions are available for $2.95 a week; while print subscribers, who pay $3.00 a week for home delivery, can pay an additional penny each week to also get unlimited access to the website as well as to an electronic edition. Blogs, AP stories, TV schedules, photo galleries, and breaking news remain free.
When pay wall was introduced: August 2009, although the paper was already charging readers to access the electronic edition
Results: Website traffic has plummeted by 40 percent in the three weeks since the Gazette started charging for most of its online content, including obituaries, managing editor Judy Patrick tells us. But she says “online subscriptions are slowly building.” There are 670 online-only subscribers.
• Newspaper: Valley Morning Star
City: Harlingen, Texas
Average paid circulation: 23,294
Pricing plan: Online-only subscriptions are available for 75 cents a day, $3.95 a month, or $39.50 for the year. Daily print subscribers get free access to web content and also to an e-edition of the paper. Weekend subscribers have to pay an additional $3.16 per month for online access, while Sunday-only subscribers have to pay $3.56 a month. Event listings, obituaries, AP stories, video, blogs, and classifieds all remain free.
When pay wall was introduced: July 2009
Results: A representative did not respond to a request for comment, but since the Morning Star started charging for online content in mid-June, another Freedom Communications daily, the Lima News, has followed suit. Traffic to the Morning Star’s website was actually slightly up in July.
• Newspaper: Albuquerque Journal
City: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Average paid circulation: 101,810
Pay model: The Journal charges $110 a year (or $38.25 for three months) for full access to the paper’s website, along with an electronic edition of the paper. Readers can also pay $185 a year for a subscription to the print edition, the electronic edition and online access. Alternatively, they can pay $153 a year for home delivery and online access.
When pay wall was introduced: 2001
Results: Assistant Managing Editor Donn Friedman says that between 1,500 and 2,000 people pay extra each month for some sort of additional online access—a number that he says has “remained fairly consistent” over the past eight years. Each month, about 300 people who go to the site and then see a notice saying that they need either an online or print subscription to access online content sign up for some sort of subscription, he says. Paid daily circulation is down about 6 percent since the newspaper instituted the pay wall. Asked whether it has been a success, Friedman says, “We are still committed to the print retention model and the idea that our content has value.”
Comment: The rival Albuquerque Tribune was shut down last year, although the Journal still competes with the Santa Fe New Mexican, although it has a smaller staff.
These are just a few examples of papers using a pay model. They haven’t exactly reached The New York Times circulation of success, but it is a start.
Here are some other ideas to jumpstart the journalism economy (that are easier said than done, of course):
• Start buying the paper on your own! Every time you stop at a liquor store or gas station, find some loose change and grab a paper
• Encourage others around you to buy the paper as well
• Subscribe to an online publication, even if it’s just the Sunday paper
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Presentation day!
Today was presentation day! I was nervous about presenting, but after rehearsing with the group prior to presenting, I felt much better about it. We met in the library upstairs in one of the private rooms to rehearse. While rehearsing, we ran into a few small issues. We only had to run through it a couple times before we got it right.
We decided to do skit for the opening of the presentation. The skit was about how easily it is for people to deceive each other online. Kaiya and I played two young girls that were getting into a chat room and talking to a guy that told us he was 16. He was really a 37-year-old creep that was seeking out young girls. Kaiya and I were only 13, but we lied and said that we were 15. The purpose of this skit was to show easy it is to create any type of image that you want to have.
The rest of the presentation went as scripted. I discussed the community and suicide, Kaiya discussed the role of the parents in the girls suicide, and asked the audience what they thought about the adults. Erin was sort of like the coordinator and the summarizer of the whole skit. Shana discussed privacy issues with social media, then ended her portion with a few rhetorical questions. We also did a poll in the beginning of the presentation asking the following questions:
1. What was your first screen name?
2. Growing up, did your parents have blocks/restrictions on the internet?
At the end of the presentation, our group was very happy with the outcome. Every member worker together and pulled their weight to make the presentation a success. I could not have asked for a more active and supportive group. I think we worked well as a team because each member had so many ideas. The hardest part for us was having to eliminate really good ideas for the sake of time.
My favorite part of the presentation was the audience participation. We thought that all of our questions would go unanswered, but we had a good number of people participate, as well as some of us answering each others questions. Also, the skit was a hit! I think our acting debut was hilarious, but it got us 5 extra credit points so it was well worth the embarassment.
All in all, I am happy it was a success. Even happier that it's over!
We decided to do skit for the opening of the presentation. The skit was about how easily it is for people to deceive each other online. Kaiya and I played two young girls that were getting into a chat room and talking to a guy that told us he was 16. He was really a 37-year-old creep that was seeking out young girls. Kaiya and I were only 13, but we lied and said that we were 15. The purpose of this skit was to show easy it is to create any type of image that you want to have.
The rest of the presentation went as scripted. I discussed the community and suicide, Kaiya discussed the role of the parents in the girls suicide, and asked the audience what they thought about the adults. Erin was sort of like the coordinator and the summarizer of the whole skit. Shana discussed privacy issues with social media, then ended her portion with a few rhetorical questions. We also did a poll in the beginning of the presentation asking the following questions:
1. What was your first screen name?
2. Growing up, did your parents have blocks/restrictions on the internet?
At the end of the presentation, our group was very happy with the outcome. Every member worker together and pulled their weight to make the presentation a success. I could not have asked for a more active and supportive group. I think we worked well as a team because each member had so many ideas. The hardest part for us was having to eliminate really good ideas for the sake of time.
My favorite part of the presentation was the audience participation. We thought that all of our questions would go unanswered, but we had a good number of people participate, as well as some of us answering each others questions. Also, the skit was a hit! I think our acting debut was hilarious, but it got us 5 extra credit points so it was well worth the embarassment.
All in all, I am happy it was a success. Even happier that it's over!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Getting ready for the presentation!
Today our group figured out how we are going to organize our presentation. After reading the article, we concluded that there are so many different topics that can be discussed. We deployed every group member with an interesting topic. My topic is about the community.
Other topics included the introduction to the story. Erin, the group leader, plans on summarizing the story for the beginning of the presentation. Another important aspect of the article, called "The Friend Game", was the fact that different personas can be created on the internet. Discussing safety issues on the internet for minors is very important as well.
Instead of just doing the typical and boring presentation, we are debating on doing some type skit or two different skits for the sake of time. But we are still debating about what type of skit we will do, or how many.
Since the story was about a young girl who committed suicide, I decided to tie in suicide stats with the community. I found out that the suicide rate is higher nationally than the homicide rate. I also found out that Megan, the girl who committed suicide, fits the description of a person who is likey to commit suicide. The rate of white females in the age group of 13-24 is on the rise, not to mention that her home state ranks number 20 out of 50 states with the highest suicide rate.
On Monday, we will meet a hour before class starts to rehearse and figure out the order of presenters.
Other topics included the introduction to the story. Erin, the group leader, plans on summarizing the story for the beginning of the presentation. Another important aspect of the article, called "The Friend Game", was the fact that different personas can be created on the internet. Discussing safety issues on the internet for minors is very important as well.
Instead of just doing the typical and boring presentation, we are debating on doing some type skit or two different skits for the sake of time. But we are still debating about what type of skit we will do, or how many.
Since the story was about a young girl who committed suicide, I decided to tie in suicide stats with the community. I found out that the suicide rate is higher nationally than the homicide rate. I also found out that Megan, the girl who committed suicide, fits the description of a person who is likey to commit suicide. The rate of white females in the age group of 13-24 is on the rise, not to mention that her home state ranks number 20 out of 50 states with the highest suicide rate.
On Monday, we will meet a hour before class starts to rehearse and figure out the order of presenters.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The Journal Paper
I used American Literary History to write my journal paper. I ran into a lot of issues attempting to write this paper, that I had no control over. The first issue was reading all of the articles in the journal. Some of the articles had up to 30 pages of long, technical jargon that I didn’t initially understand. I had to go back and read them. Re-reading took a long time. With my other classes and homework that I had to deal with, reading all of the articles seemed impossible.
Then, I had no idea where to start. I wanted to mention the articles that had similarities first, and then talk about how they related to each other. I found that a few of the articles talked a lot about criticism in the media, so I explain each of the articles and then made a connection. The other articles were rich in content that were unrelated to criticism, so I discussed those separately.
I absolutely hated doing the annotated bibliography. After I complained and bitched my way through it, I actually found it helpful for when I was re-writing and revising my final paper. I forgot to incorporate the page numbers in my paper. Instead of having to look up the journal again, I just referred back to my bibliography to find the page numbers of the articles. Having the annotated bib was actually a great source.
Then, I had no idea where to start. I wanted to mention the articles that had similarities first, and then talk about how they related to each other. I found that a few of the articles talked a lot about criticism in the media, so I explain each of the articles and then made a connection. The other articles were rich in content that were unrelated to criticism, so I discussed those separately.
I absolutely hated doing the annotated bibliography. After I complained and bitched my way through it, I actually found it helpful for when I was re-writing and revising my final paper. I forgot to incorporate the page numbers in my paper. Instead of having to look up the journal again, I just referred back to my bibliography to find the page numbers of the articles. Having the annotated bib was actually a great source.
Monday, May 17, 2010
YouTube Videos
Today I looked at numerous YouTube videos. My goal was to try and find something controversial and interesting. With YouTube, there are so many videos to search so it was hard to find a place to start.
The first topic that I wanted to search was about my major, which is journalism. I figured since there is so much talk about how journalism is dead (or dying) that this would be good topic. I found a few videos that I may could have used, but they were all too long. I couldn't really find any videos that had a meaningful message, so I moved on the next topic.
My partners' major is math, so she wanted to search for something in that category. Specifically, she was interested in how girls and boys compare in math, and how there is a stereotype that boys are better than girls in math in grade school, as well as middle and high school. We found a few videos in this category as well, but nothing that would make for a good presentation.
Lastly we decided to search ads. Political ads normally have a lot of hidden and interesting meanings behind them. We found campaign ads that were all great. We searched videos about social networks as well, and found a good one about about Facebook. We choose this one because everybody is familiar with Facebook, and it's probably a clip that most people haven't seen.
The first topic that I wanted to search was about my major, which is journalism. I figured since there is so much talk about how journalism is dead (or dying) that this would be good topic. I found a few videos that I may could have used, but they were all too long. I couldn't really find any videos that had a meaningful message, so I moved on the next topic.
My partners' major is math, so she wanted to search for something in that category. Specifically, she was interested in how girls and boys compare in math, and how there is a stereotype that boys are better than girls in math in grade school, as well as middle and high school. We found a few videos in this category as well, but nothing that would make for a good presentation.
Lastly we decided to search ads. Political ads normally have a lot of hidden and interesting meanings behind them. We found campaign ads that were all great. We searched videos about social networks as well, and found a good one about about Facebook. We choose this one because everybody is familiar with Facebook, and it's probably a clip that most people haven't seen.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Strengths/weaknesses of student papers
Reading the paper "Home-Schooling Opposed to Public Schooling", my first reaction was that the title was inappropriate for the what the body of the paper is about. Reading the title, it seems that the article is solely about home-schooling, and sending kids off to public schools, and not the notion that home-schooling is "unschooling".
The transition between each paragraph was good. It seemed to flow in an organized manner. At the end of the first paragraph, the author states which devices she will use in the body of the paper, then executes exactly what she says.
I was indifferent about how the author used a lot of quotes. A lot of my classmates said that the author used too many quotes, but I thought the quotes backed up the point that he/she was trying to make. I do think that there were a lot of quotes, but he content of them were good for the article.
In "A Rudy Awakening", I think this article was well-written. The difference between this student paper and the other's is that this one was very focused and planned. I liked the ananlysis of the title. It's simple play on words, but it was a good choice because this ananlysis gives you an idea of what the article is about.
In profreeding our student papers, I wished that I could have gotten one-on-one commentary for my paper. This paper was surprisingly more difficult to write than what I expected. I'm normally good writing papers, but since my major has changed to journalism, the focus hasn't been on how many pages you write; it's more content focused and if all the information is in a chronological order of importance.
The transition between each paragraph was good. It seemed to flow in an organized manner. At the end of the first paragraph, the author states which devices she will use in the body of the paper, then executes exactly what she says.
I was indifferent about how the author used a lot of quotes. A lot of my classmates said that the author used too many quotes, but I thought the quotes backed up the point that he/she was trying to make. I do think that there were a lot of quotes, but he content of them were good for the article.
In "A Rudy Awakening", I think this article was well-written. The difference between this student paper and the other's is that this one was very focused and planned. I liked the ananlysis of the title. It's simple play on words, but it was a good choice because this ananlysis gives you an idea of what the article is about.
In profreeding our student papers, I wished that I could have gotten one-on-one commentary for my paper. This paper was surprisingly more difficult to write than what I expected. I'm normally good writing papers, but since my major has changed to journalism, the focus hasn't been on how many pages you write; it's more content focused and if all the information is in a chronological order of importance.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Underage Drinking Today
ATLANTA, Ga. - Underage drinking isn’t exactly something new, but it’s an issue that is still very prevalent and needs more attention.
“I was terrified when I seen those lights in my mirror. I was so drunk; the thought of running even crossed my mind for a minute. Isn’t that crazy,” 20 year-old college student Lola Wynn said. “I knew I shouldn’t have driven, but at that time, I honestly thought that I was fine.”
2007 Statistics of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services say that almost 10 percent of 12 year olds admitted to having at least once drink. By age 13, that number is almost doubled. And by age 15, approximately 50 percent have had at least one drink.
Even worse statistics, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2007, about 33 percent of the 15- to 20-year-old drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. had been drinking, a number that is continuing to increase every year.
“My 13-year-old has never even seen a wine bottle at home,” Sharon Scruggs, mother of three said. “I’m sure at school she has friends who’ve drank, but it’s not accessible to her at home.”
Although most kids probably don’t drink for the first time in their homes, it still happens. Rather it’s out at a friend’s house or a hang out spot, accessing it is quite easy to under-agers, according to Wynn.
“My first time was at my best friend’s house when I was freshman in high school. She supplied it. She was one of those types of parents’ whose philosophy was ‘I’d rather you do it here with me then outside of my house,'” Wynn said. “But I think that can be detrimental to a child’s future.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, research conducted in 2008 indicate that drinking patterns that began at a young age are likely to continue throughout adulthood. Teens are also very vulnerable to alcohol-induced brain damage. This can lead to cognitive destruction, as well as creating the potential problem of a future habit.
"Getting a DUI at 20 was really an eye opening experience. I lost my job, I almost killed myself, and I dropped classes to be able to work more so that I could pay it off. Very expensive," Wynn said.
Underage drinking isn’t only a problem just happening on college campuses or during house parties. Venues that serve alcohol are dropping the ball in this area as well. For instance. Club Oz in Ann Arbor had to shut its doors back in 2008 due to losing its liquor license.
“I started promoting parties for a 21 and up event in downtown Detroit when I turned 19,” party-promoter Samira Montloius said. “Of course I drank there. My friends who were underage were able to drink too. All we had to do was take them to the bathroom and bring the shots in there.”
The fact that a person can serve liquor, but cannot legally consume it may seem a little contradictory. According to Michigan.gov, the Michigan liquor law license states “do not allow a person who is less than 18 years of age to sell or serve alcoholic beverages.”
“There also isn’t any penalties for minors who attempt to buy alcohol, but there is for the bartender or the club owner," Montloius said. "This is how a lot of places lose their license in the first place.”
(Below is a slide show featuring Lola Wynn)
“I was terrified when I seen those lights in my mirror. I was so drunk; the thought of running even crossed my mind for a minute. Isn’t that crazy,” 20 year-old college student Lola Wynn said. “I knew I shouldn’t have driven, but at that time, I honestly thought that I was fine.”
2007 Statistics of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services say that almost 10 percent of 12 year olds admitted to having at least once drink. By age 13, that number is almost doubled. And by age 15, approximately 50 percent have had at least one drink.
Even worse statistics, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2007, about 33 percent of the 15- to 20-year-old drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. had been drinking, a number that is continuing to increase every year.
“My 13-year-old has never even seen a wine bottle at home,” Sharon Scruggs, mother of three said. “I’m sure at school she has friends who’ve drank, but it’s not accessible to her at home.”
Although most kids probably don’t drink for the first time in their homes, it still happens. Rather it’s out at a friend’s house or a hang out spot, accessing it is quite easy to under-agers, according to Wynn.
“My first time was at my best friend’s house when I was freshman in high school. She supplied it. She was one of those types of parents’ whose philosophy was ‘I’d rather you do it here with me then outside of my house,'” Wynn said. “But I think that can be detrimental to a child’s future.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, research conducted in 2008 indicate that drinking patterns that began at a young age are likely to continue throughout adulthood. Teens are also very vulnerable to alcohol-induced brain damage. This can lead to cognitive destruction, as well as creating the potential problem of a future habit.
"Getting a DUI at 20 was really an eye opening experience. I lost my job, I almost killed myself, and I dropped classes to be able to work more so that I could pay it off. Very expensive," Wynn said.
Underage drinking isn’t only a problem just happening on college campuses or during house parties. Venues that serve alcohol are dropping the ball in this area as well. For instance. Club Oz in Ann Arbor had to shut its doors back in 2008 due to losing its liquor license.
“I started promoting parties for a 21 and up event in downtown Detroit when I turned 19,” party-promoter Samira Montloius said. “Of course I drank there. My friends who were underage were able to drink too. All we had to do was take them to the bathroom and bring the shots in there.”
The fact that a person can serve liquor, but cannot legally consume it may seem a little contradictory. According to Michigan.gov, the Michigan liquor law license states “do not allow a person who is less than 18 years of age to sell or serve alcoholic beverages.”
“There also isn’t any penalties for minors who attempt to buy alcohol, but there is for the bartender or the club owner," Montloius said. "This is how a lot of places lose their license in the first place.”
(Below is a slide show featuring Lola Wynn)
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