The Air Force PIO from MacDill Air Force Base spoke to our Public Affairs Reporting class. it was interesting and a great learning experience, even with little knowledge of the military.
Rebecca began by describing her education and training and role with the United States Air Force.
She ensured the class that student journalists are treated the same as professional journalists and given the same privileges. She recommended similar to things as the Hillsborough County PIO: ask very specific questions, and build a good relationship with the PIO early to get the most and best information.
She advised that the journalist cover general day-to-day activites as well as special event. This will make the relationship more beneficial to the reporter, and also prevent the Air Force PIO from feeling used, so to speak.
She did state a few downfalls of working the MacDill beat. The first is that the position is revolving door, every few years there is a new PIO. Although the people in the position change often, if a journalist has a bad relationship with a previous PIO, it may be beneficial to them that there is a new PIO. It is also a very reciprocal relationship. If you publish something false or inaccurate, she will hesitate to give as much information next time.
Her advice gave good insight into working with military PIOs, considering very few have interacted with the military as students.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Manjoo Ch. 5
In chapter 5 Manjoo discusses the perception of experts. Until reading this chapter, i never thought an expert could be subjective. Manjoo proved it is. However, each person's idea of an expert is relative to their stand or perception on the topic. My favorite example is the example of the mathmetician who knew how to calculate, but couldn't calculate correctly because she was fleunt in the context in which was calculating, the election.
Manjoo also addresses the impact a presentation or speech has on its audience. This was nothing knew to me. People,in general, at the grocery store, post office, teachers, bosses, and politicians get ahead because of eloquence and charisma. I found myslef saying it a lot throughout the election. "Obama is very well spoken, very characsmatic." I'm not sure how much more i buy into what someone is saying based on their eloquence, but I know I am much more likely to listen to them.
Something that I never thought about, just did subconsciously was the way I make decisions. I try to think of myself as a responsible person, who makes educated, decisions that are thought through. But the truth is that I also go on impulse. I never realized that sometimes I think through, in steps, some decisions, and other times just take what other people say into consideration and make my decision. I'm aware as to why I would take some advice and not others. if I am unfamiliar with a person, or don't know their background, I take their opinion/advice with a grain of salt.
I like this chapter the best. I found myself more receptive and less critical to these concepts. I've found fault in the other chapters but this time my eyes were opened and not cynical.
Manjoo also addresses the impact a presentation or speech has on its audience. This was nothing knew to me. People,in general, at the grocery store, post office, teachers, bosses, and politicians get ahead because of eloquence and charisma. I found myslef saying it a lot throughout the election. "Obama is very well spoken, very characsmatic." I'm not sure how much more i buy into what someone is saying based on their eloquence, but I know I am much more likely to listen to them.
Something that I never thought about, just did subconsciously was the way I make decisions. I try to think of myself as a responsible person, who makes educated, decisions that are thought through. But the truth is that I also go on impulse. I never realized that sometimes I think through, in steps, some decisions, and other times just take what other people say into consideration and make my decision. I'm aware as to why I would take some advice and not others. if I am unfamiliar with a person, or don't know their background, I take their opinion/advice with a grain of salt.
I like this chapter the best. I found myself more receptive and less critical to these concepts. I've found fault in the other chapters but this time my eyes were opened and not cynical.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Election coverage. I investigated what Midtown, a prominently democratic, black community with low voter turnout was doing to bolster voter turnout
About 22,000 people call Midtown St. Petersburg home. More than half of them will vote in the upcoming election, in part because of community initiative programs and local leaders.
Community organizations have teamed up to encourage Midtown residents to vote. The ONE Community Coalition is just one example.
The ONE Community Coalition is made up of the African American Voter Research and Education Committee, fraternities, sororities, civil rights and advocacy organizations. Its goal is to show how a community can build and keep local interest and involvement in politics.
“Local organizations are going to partake in phone banking, also text blasting and e-blasting to approximately 15,000 concerned citizens to remind them to get out and vote,” Tamika Leaks, Get Out To Vote coordinator of the ONE Community Coalition, said.
Atwater’s Cafeteria held 2 voter registration drives with the Tampa Bay O-Train, a grassroots organization focused on electing Barack Obama as president.
“We want a record turnout and we will get it,” Gypsy Gallardo, ONE Community Coalition co-chair, said
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Pinellas County Urban League and 15 local churches have coordinated transportation to the polls for early voting and Election Day. This collaboration is historical because these three groups have never worked together before, the Rev. Martin Rainey, first vice president of the NAACP, said.
The ONE Community Coalition is reaching as many people it can through its organizations. Each organization is taking its members to the polls on a specific date. Each member is bringing at least one person from outside the organization to vote with them.
“This one is a each one, reach one election,” Gallardo said. “So, it’s really, really about that one-to-one, and having everybody do that.”
Gallardo’s nephew is voting.
“I want to make sure my 18-year-old republican nephew gets out there to vote, and votes for Obama,” Gallardo said.
The coalition has engaged the community by hosting a local candidate forum, candidate interviews, endorsing candidates, circulating 7,000 flyers, and finding the voters and inspiring them to vote.
“We have lathered this community with information. Every site, everywhere we could be, at little league parks, at churches, at community centers, in the neighborhoods. Everywhere we could possibly be, we have had groups out pushing get out to vote, pushing restoration of rights,” Leaks said.
It is important to go to places where people spend their time, because the traditional methods of sending information to voters in Midtown aren’t always effective, Leaks said.
The coalition and Atwater’s have both endorsed Obama, but the focus is also on the local elections.
“We have quite a few prominent African Americans who are participating in our local races, which has also engaged more of the Midtown population,” Leaks said.
In the last year, more than 500 Midtown residents registered to vote. Between November 2004 and November 2007, fewer than 100 voters registered.
“Many of them are just interested in the race this time, and obviously there are reasons why. Obama is a big reason, clearly,” Leaks said.
Community organizations have teamed up to encourage Midtown residents to vote. The ONE Community Coalition is just one example.
The ONE Community Coalition is made up of the African American Voter Research and Education Committee, fraternities, sororities, civil rights and advocacy organizations. Its goal is to show how a community can build and keep local interest and involvement in politics.
“Local organizations are going to partake in phone banking, also text blasting and e-blasting to approximately 15,000 concerned citizens to remind them to get out and vote,” Tamika Leaks, Get Out To Vote coordinator of the ONE Community Coalition, said.
Atwater’s Cafeteria held 2 voter registration drives with the Tampa Bay O-Train, a grassroots organization focused on electing Barack Obama as president.
“We want a record turnout and we will get it,” Gypsy Gallardo, ONE Community Coalition co-chair, said
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Pinellas County Urban League and 15 local churches have coordinated transportation to the polls for early voting and Election Day. This collaboration is historical because these three groups have never worked together before, the Rev. Martin Rainey, first vice president of the NAACP, said.
The ONE Community Coalition is reaching as many people it can through its organizations. Each organization is taking its members to the polls on a specific date. Each member is bringing at least one person from outside the organization to vote with them.
“This one is a each one, reach one election,” Gallardo said. “So, it’s really, really about that one-to-one, and having everybody do that.”
Gallardo’s nephew is voting.
“I want to make sure my 18-year-old republican nephew gets out there to vote, and votes for Obama,” Gallardo said.
The coalition has engaged the community by hosting a local candidate forum, candidate interviews, endorsing candidates, circulating 7,000 flyers, and finding the voters and inspiring them to vote.
“We have lathered this community with information. Every site, everywhere we could be, at little league parks, at churches, at community centers, in the neighborhoods. Everywhere we could possibly be, we have had groups out pushing get out to vote, pushing restoration of rights,” Leaks said.
It is important to go to places where people spend their time, because the traditional methods of sending information to voters in Midtown aren’t always effective, Leaks said.
The coalition and Atwater’s have both endorsed Obama, but the focus is also on the local elections.
“We have quite a few prominent African Americans who are participating in our local races, which has also engaged more of the Midtown population,” Leaks said.
In the last year, more than 500 Midtown residents registered to vote. Between November 2004 and November 2007, fewer than 100 voters registered.
“Many of them are just interested in the race this time, and obviously there are reasons why. Obama is a big reason, clearly,” Leaks said.
October School Board Meeting - Contract
Pinellas County teachers, pled their opposition of the middle school schedule change at the October 28th school board meeting.
In June, the board voted to add 14 minutes and a seventh period to the middle school schedule.
Adding a seventh class breaks the teachers’ contract, which allowed no more than five teaching periods a day. Under the new schedule, teachers are teaching six periods.
The teachers agreed the intentions were good, and money-saving, but have not proven beneficial to students. The students have more homework because there is less class time, which requires more parent involvement.
Sara Jensen, teacher at Osceola Middle School, surveyed her students. Six of the 134 liked the schedule. One of their reasons was because they get out of the classes they dislike faster.
he board’s legal team has addressed the breach of contract, but did not comment about it at the meeting.
“Be like Thomas Edison. Keep working ‘til you get it right,” pleaded Jensen.
In June, the board voted to add 14 minutes and a seventh period to the middle school schedule.
Adding a seventh class breaks the teachers’ contract, which allowed no more than five teaching periods a day. Under the new schedule, teachers are teaching six periods.
The teachers agreed the intentions were good, and money-saving, but have not proven beneficial to students. The students have more homework because there is less class time, which requires more parent involvement.
Sara Jensen, teacher at Osceola Middle School, surveyed her students. Six of the 134 liked the schedule. One of their reasons was because they get out of the classes they dislike faster.
he board’s legal team has addressed the breach of contract, but did not comment about it at the meeting.
“Be like Thomas Edison. Keep working ‘til you get it right,” pleaded Jensen.
September School Board Meeting - Budget
The Pinellas County School Board held its second budget review meeting Tuesday, September 9th at 5 p.m.
The board reviewed the 2008-09 annual budget, which totals $1.6 billion.
The budget is less this year than last year, but is costing local tax payers more. Funding from the state has decreased significantly. 40% of funding is coming from the state, the other 60% is coming from local taxes. Taxes have increased 13%.
The largest set of spending is operational. The operational budget is over $900,000. Operations include daily district operations, salaries and benefits. Salaries and benefits are 80% of the operational costs
Although Pinellas County enrollment is declining, this year the board will construct over 200 classrooms in 33 schools, due to the class size amendment. The amendment has required the district to increase the number of teachers and classrooms, increasing the operational budget.
The board reviewed the 2008-09 annual budget, which totals $1.6 billion.
The budget is less this year than last year, but is costing local tax payers more. Funding from the state has decreased significantly. 40% of funding is coming from the state, the other 60% is coming from local taxes. Taxes have increased 13%.
The largest set of spending is operational. The operational budget is over $900,000. Operations include daily district operations, salaries and benefits. Salaries and benefits are 80% of the operational costs
Although Pinellas County enrollment is declining, this year the board will construct over 200 classrooms in 33 schools, due to the class size amendment. The amendment has required the district to increase the number of teachers and classrooms, increasing the operational budget.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Manjoo Chapter 3
Chapter 3 discusses the concept of selective perception: two people with opposing views, can overcome their differences and watch the same video, with biases aside, still will not see or interpret the same thing.
I like and believe the quote by Hostorf and Cantrill, "'an occurance becomes and event' - it becomes something we notice--'only when that happening has significance.'" We hear an uncountable number of facts and opinions each day, we only remember and recount those that are we belive as truth or impact us.
This chapter, as I assume the rest of the book will, addresses changing technology. As journalists, technology is working against us, instead of helping us. Everything is easily altered, there are countless blogs, and opinions that are being marketed as truth. Pictures, thanks to Photoshop are being altered and used in journalism, which is ethically against standards.
Author repeatedly proposes that people will always see things differently. However, as he discusses Avery's works, he doesn't refute them with "facts" or support from the other side. He, instead, places his bias as an opposing interpretation. Which is fine, to illustrate his point, but to use it to refute avery's view, I think is not fair to the audience. He editorialized, so to speak. Even though this is not a journalistic piece, I still find it out of place.
I like and believe the quote by Hostorf and Cantrill, "'an occurance becomes and event' - it becomes something we notice--'only when that happening has significance.'" We hear an uncountable number of facts and opinions each day, we only remember and recount those that are we belive as truth or impact us.
This chapter, as I assume the rest of the book will, addresses changing technology. As journalists, technology is working against us, instead of helping us. Everything is easily altered, there are countless blogs, and opinions that are being marketed as truth. Pictures, thanks to Photoshop are being altered and used in journalism, which is ethically against standards.
Author repeatedly proposes that people will always see things differently. However, as he discusses Avery's works, he doesn't refute them with "facts" or support from the other side. He, instead, places his bias as an opposing interpretation. Which is fine, to illustrate his point, but to use it to refute avery's view, I think is not fair to the audience. He editorialized, so to speak. Even though this is not a journalistic piece, I still find it out of place.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Manjoo ch 2
Chapter 2 of True Enough discusses how people prefer to seek out views parallel to their own. I’m not sure how I feel about this premise. I find myself second guessing its validity. I think that it is true to an extent. It is more comforting to hear views that support your own. However, as I suggested in the Chapter 1 reflection, only seeking like views will lead to ignorance in society. I strive to seek out all perspectives to make an educated decision and opinion.
I find myself thinking back to chapter 1 a lot as I think about the premise Manjoo made in chapter 2. Manjoo has presented various research information and studies that show that people subconsciously choose opinions and information that supports their ideologies. So now why am I questioning this research? He has provided me facts and research.
I am questioning this research because I strive to seek out many different outlooks on something I am interested in. I feel this is the best way to get informed and make a sound, confident stand on any subject.
Manjoo also discusses how media logos on news stories affect the responsiveness of the partisan reader. This leads me to open the topic of the role-related responsibility of journalism, something I strongly believe in and am passionate about. A journalist’s responsibility is to provide true, unbiased information to help the people self-govern. As much as I try to provide unbiased information, as a journalist, someone, somewhere is going to see it as bias or false, or ridicule me for being a journalist because of the large companies that owns what medium/publication I work for. There is nothing I can do about it, which frustrates me.
I find myself thinking back to chapter 1 a lot as I think about the premise Manjoo made in chapter 2. Manjoo has presented various research information and studies that show that people subconsciously choose opinions and information that supports their ideologies. So now why am I questioning this research? He has provided me facts and research.
I am questioning this research because I strive to seek out many different outlooks on something I am interested in. I feel this is the best way to get informed and make a sound, confident stand on any subject.
Manjoo also discusses how media logos on news stories affect the responsiveness of the partisan reader. This leads me to open the topic of the role-related responsibility of journalism, something I strongly believe in and am passionate about. A journalist’s responsibility is to provide true, unbiased information to help the people self-govern. As much as I try to provide unbiased information, as a journalist, someone, somewhere is going to see it as bias or false, or ridicule me for being a journalist because of the large companies that owns what medium/publication I work for. There is nothing I can do about it, which frustrates me.
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