J202 Blog in a New Space

Hi everyone,
If you're still following this J202 blog, I'm moving it over to WordPress. Check us out at http://j202.wordpress.com/ for interesting media cases, issues and events.

Can the law keep up with technology? - CNN.com

Can the law keep up with technology? - CNN.com

Sent by two 202ers.

Video and advertising

From a 202er:

I saw this article and thought it had some relevance as we are building our own IS sites and lab Web sites.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/business/media/11adco.html?_r=1&ref=media

Iran and the hikers

From a 202er:

Katy,
I'm not sure if you are still posting news stories to the blog, but if you are this might be relevant. You may have heard about the three hikers detained in iraq for crossing the border illegally, and the Iran government has just said they believe they will be charged with espionage. One of the hikers, Josh Fattal, happens to be my cousin and my family and I are trying to get people to sign an online petition at freethehikers.org. Here is one of the stories about it http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5in71twmHOjypysOpxaK96Kn77pKgD9BSRDAG1
Thanks,

Tinkering with a brand

From a 202er:

I found this article on the NY Times website and thought it was pretty interesting. The character of Mickey is so much embedded in our culture, and the thought of changing him to be a mischievous character completely contrasts the character's stereotype. However, I think the idea for the new video game sounds really cool and would love to try it when it comes out late next year. I think is is interesting our Disney is viewing this character change almost as a re-branding for the Disney company.

Disney Will Give Mickey Mouse a Makeover - NYTimes.com

KC News Meeting

In the news this week?
- Barbara Lawton out
- Abdullah Abdullah out
- some guy named Brent coming to play a game in Green Bay
What would you add to the list?

Writing on sensitive subjects

WisOpinion, Wisconsin's Premier Political News Service

Check out this story. I was impressed when I was being interview because the report, Erik Gunn, was clearly working through the ethical calculus of how to report on what was being called an outrageous and false accusation without repeating and amplifying that lie. How well do you think he handled it?

Do my nieces and nephews feel this way?

Aunt not welcome as Facebook friend -- chicagotribune.com

A fun post from a 202er:

Hi Katy,

This isn't a MAJOR ethical problem, as its kind of comical, but so many people run into this problem using Facebook when family members contact them and friend them. People always wonder if they should block, defriend or privatize parts of their profiles are visible to family members.

It's interesting, while social media can be so beneficial, opening so many doors it can provide some obvious and awkward limitations. My mom sent me this article/ column from the Tribune, asking me if it reminded me much of my own Aunt---who fits this dilemma perfectly!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/columnists/advice/chi-1028-ask-amyoct28,0,5573119.column

Thought it might be interesting!

Sex and Brand

Hey Katy-

I found an interesting story about ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips being fired over a scandal with one of his co-workers. According to the article, ESPN let him go because "his ability to be an effective representative for ESPN has been significantly and irreparably damaged, and it became evident it was time to part ways."

I think this is relevant to what you and the J202 TAs have talked about in regards to the integrity of a journalist. This article shows that errors and bias in a journalist's articles/stories/columns/etc. may not be the only way to destroy his or her reputation.

Here is a link to one of many articles on his scandal

Thanks,

Steve Phillips FIRED By ESPN Over Sex Scandal, Entering Treatment Facility

More on celeb tweets

The Cost of Larry Johnson’s Gay Slur on Twitter: $213,000

Celebs and tweeting

From a 202er:

Hi Katy,

In response to the "Celebrity Twitter" post on the ethics blog, Miley Cyrus recently deleted her twitter because everything she said was completely taken out of context and published by the tabloids and other media outlets. Anyways, to let everyone know why she deleted it, she recorded a rap video and posted it to You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tSOTQPUQoU&feature=fvsr

I just thought it was interesting.

I hope you had a great weekend!

Twitter 101

University Makes Twitter a Required Class for Journalism Students

What do you think? Should 202 take a whole lab and dedicate it to Twitter?

And btw, if you want to follow your J-School on Twitter, it's @uw_sjmc

NPR's social media guidelines

Beats and Tweets: Journalistic Guidelines for the Facebook Era - Inside NPR.org Blog : NPR
An interesting take on journalism in the social media age and how to comport yourself ethically.

Reflection on a controversial video

Poynter Online - Al's Morning Meeting
Interesting Q&A on the airing of the Chicago beating video. Pay particular attention to the thought processes that went into the decision and their ethical dimensions.
What factors push toward running the video? What concerns speak to not going with it?

Tweeting celebs

From a 202-er:

Hi Katy-
I found an interesting article about social media (and Twitter in particular) making it difficult for PR teams to keep tabs on information their clients know, but shouldn't leak to the public. Apparently many contracts now have 'social media clauses' to protect that info now. I thought the article's take was very interesting.

http://mashable.com/2009/10/16/celebrity-tweeting/

Thanks!

KC news meeting

What happened in the news this week? You haven't been commenting much to this post, so rather than going from my own thoughts, I'm leaving it entirely up to you.

What was worth knowing this week?

A focus group in action

Check out this focus group on TV news in Kansas City. Be sure to double-click each image to watch the video of the viewers. Their responses astounded the reporters and editors who watched.

What are your reactions?

Pay to play or a panel of experts?

Check out this effort by a local TV station to sell participation in its Web site's list of "experts."

Is this "pay to play," forcing sources to cough up money in exchange for coverage? Or is it a legitimate way to sell advertising?

On hair

Check out this post:

http://mije.org/richardprince/good-hairquot-tv-set

How much of ourselves do we surrender when we try to look like we're "supposed to"? How hard is it to stand up?

McCain and media

From a 202er:

http://mashable.com/2009/10/15/meghan-mccain-twitter/

Even though she herself is not a politician, should Meghan McCain be held to a standard in communications/social media?