The Fourth Estate and the Third Sector

How demanding is your college experience?

2011-01-26T17:22:00.000-05:00

The New York Times is reporting a study by two sociologists that claims half the students surveyed took no classes requiring 20 pages of writing in the previous semester, and a third took no courses that required as much as 40 pages of reading a week. How does this compare to your college experience?

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/01/24/does-college-make-you-smarter?src=me&ref=general

JMC 455 &555 Diversity Issues

2011-01-11T18:54:00.000-05:00

Questions of the Day...
1. Define diversity

2. Which of the following elements should be considered by journalists when writing?

A. Choosing the right words

B. Avoiding stereotypes

C. Omission

U.S. Constitution Week

2010-09-18T23:14:00.000-04:00

Marshall University invites you to attend the following event celebrating Constitution Week:

“Politics, Poliical Parties and the Media in the 21st Century,” Edwards Playhouse, 11 a.m., Sept. 21, 2010.

Journalism students will use this space to blog about all the learning that took place. Ready, set, go...

West Virginia media delight in 'sex-happy' snub

2010-09-17T06:00:00.002-04:00

West Virginia media seem to celebrate a bit when state residents receive national recognition. A couple of media types seemed prideful -- almost giddy -regarding recent results of a Men's Health article that ranks Charleston low on a listing of "America's Most Sex-Happy Cities." (http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/metrograde-sex/index.php) A Charleston newspaper reported that Charleston was the only West Virginia city on the list and took a swing at bastions of conservatism:
"Surprisingly, New Orleans (46th) and Las Vegas (70th) ranked lower than traditionally conservative cities Salt Lake City (23rd) and Wichita, Kan. (30th)." (http://sundaygazettemail.com/News/201009150886)

Did TV journalist report from New York Jets locker room in business attire? Did the players respond appropriately?...

2010-09-15T14:10:00.000-04:00

Dr. George Arnold, a Marshall University professor emeritus and author of "Media Writer's Handbook," has some interesting things to say about the Mexican journalist and the locker-room controversy.

"For more than 40 years, I have advised journalism students (and professionals during seminars) that part of their preparation for face-to-face interviews is TO DRESS APPROPRIATELY. Appropriately means to match one's attire to the situation. Dress conservatively for dress up interviews (dinners, awards ceremonies, political conventions, inaugurations, religious events, etc.). Wear conservative casual clothing when accompanying subjects on field trips, excursions, county fairs, etc.

"The woman is NOT DRESSED APPROPRIATELY, and she knows it. Her bosses also know it and allowed it. She doesn't just wake up each working day and put on the first thing she sees in her closet. Both she and her bosses are taking advantage of her sexual attractiveness. Is there any sane person anywhere who doesn't think her dress is provocative? She would have to be incredibly stupid to think she would attract no more attention from men (and women, too) dressed the way she was instead of wearing something more conservative (looser fitting and covering more).

"The behavior of the men she complains about is not justified, regardless of her dress. The team management should complain about the reporter's appearance with her bosses and also make clear to their own employees that their behavior is unacceptable regardless of the provocation."

"This reporter needs to make up her mind whether she wants to be a show business sex symbol (posing on the web in brief bathing attire, dressing inappropriately as a reporter) or a committed professional journalist. She can't be both.

"And that's what I have to say about that!"

george

P.S. Let me know how the debate turns out. Very interesting topic.

Ines: Jets locker room no haven for choir boys

2010-09-14T12:59:00.000-04:00

By now you've heard of the Azteca TV reporter's complaints against the New York Jets. Did she set back American journalism or expose chauvinism in the locker room?
http://news.lalate.com/2010/09/13/ines-sainz-gives-photos-from-jets-controversy/

Changes at USA Today

2010-08-29T16:32:00.002-04:00

Major reorganization at USA Today.

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/usa-today-will-reorganize-and-shed-jobs/?src=busln

Public records request gone bad...

2010-08-28T10:02:00.000-04:00

I love this FOIA request from the public records coordinator in Memphis. Bridgett lost her job, but she wrote a textbook request. I think she'll win if she contests the firing. She only asked for info that should be available to all citizens. The only weakness in her case, in my opinion, is that she made the request during business hours. She shouldn't be conducting her personal business on the clock. She even used her government e-mail account -- another no-no for personal business. But they're not firing offenses. She'll be OK, however, if she was conducting official business, but who would need a coordinator for such an investigation? Reprimand, but no firing.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/aug/27/city-memphis-records-coordinator-fired/

Don't forget to read her e-mail request posted on the Commercial Appeal site. http://media.commercialappeal.com/media/static/handy-clay-email.pdf

Simulate vs. Assimilate

2010-08-27T02:47:00.000-04:00

Does anyone have a problem with this headline?

"Heard scrambles to assimilate OSU"
Published Aug. 25, 2010
www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x254026511/Herd-scrambles-to-assimilate-Buckeyes?r=p

Dr. Laura

2010-08-20T15:22:00.000-04:00

I predict Dr. Laura will sign a major deal with Fox News before the end of the year. What do you think?

Covering the nonprofit beat...

2008-11-11T12:45:00.000-05:00

Professor Burnis Morris offers some advice to those just starting out on the nonprofit beat.

Nonprofits and Journalism.ppt

What's Hot?

2008-11-10T19:46:00.000-05:00

Take a look at an overview of the changes to the Form 990 at