1. When referring to the allegation that Mayor Jim West was pursuing underage boys
online, why do you think editor Steven Smith differentiated between a legitimate news
story and one that is not legitimate when he said, "If he's [Mayor Jim West] engaged in this activity … we need to know that. If he's not -- there's no story" ?
The story is only legitimate if the mayor is breaking the law. If he is not breaking the law and engaging in this immoral activity, then there is no story. Is a mayor chasing young but legal men a story?
2. How did reporter Bill Morlin justify the use of a concealed identity on Gay.com as part
of The Spokesman-Review's and the FBI's "sting operation"? Why didn't Morlin himself
create the assumed identity to engage Mayor West online?
He justified concealing an identity on Gay.com because the Spokesman-Review believed that this was the only way to really find out if the person online is the mayor. They chose to make thier fake identity a 17-year-old boy to see if the mayor would go after a boy opposed to a man. When the boy turned 18, the conversation turned sexual.
3. Why do you think The Spokesman-Review ultimately published so many articles on
Mayor West's alleged improprieties?
The story was not about the mayor being gay, the Review said, the story was about public abuse of office; offering young men jobs/internships for sexual favors. I think the Spokesman-Review believed more was hidden beneath West's personal life. Steven Smith suspected that more victims would accuse West, but following the initial stories, no one came forth. The paper continued to publish stories about abuse of office.
4. In the final analysis, who benefited from The Spokesman-Review's decision to expose
Mayor West and his alleged improprieties? Who was hurt? Do you think the outcome was worth it? Explain your reasoning.
The case against the mayor was much more than about his sexual orientation. Representatives from both major parties were involved in the committee to take Jim West out of office. The mayor and the gay community of Spokane were affected and hurt by this story. The small gay community trying to become accepted in a conservative town were hurt because the mayor felt ashamed. The gay community were angry because in order to protect his identity, the mayor went out of his way to inhibit the gay communities rights. Jim West introduced a bill into the legislature to prohibit gay teachers from teaching in the community. West believes his anti-gay record was overstated.
No one said that Jim West sexually abused them. Morlin eventually dug up sources who accused West, but one source had already accused another deputy and made a claim for damages. The source would only contact the Spokesman-Review and would talk to no other media.
Jim West was exiled and basically fell from power. West was "outed," admitted to being gay, and did admit that he opposed certain gay rights movements, but there was never any proof of truth behind the harmful allegations the paper wrote about concerning abusing young boys. I think the outcome came about in an inappropriate way and pieces of the process were unethical.
5. The Spokesman-Review has been criticized as conducting a "witch hunt" in its reporting on the private lives of some city officials. Below is a link to another recent article on Spokane Deputy Mayor Jack Lynch. Do you think that there are any ethical problems in the reporting in this story? Why or why not?
I think there is a limit to investigating stories about private lives. It is important for journalists to report the news for the community, but to draw out allegations and really hurt people for no reason is unethical.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Second Life Story
Emily Taflan
Second Life
The Virtual In-World Experience
A Second Life representative announced a new interactive feature called Showcase Thursday morning that will be available to residents of their virtual world.
“The purpose for Showcase is to connect people who are users of this world to the pool content,” Brett Atwood, Web editor for Linden Lab, the creators of Second Life, said. “Second Life is full of exciting 3-D spaces that are created entirely by Residents, but some of the best content and communities have been difficult to find until now.”
Atwood said Showcase is like a TV guide for the virtual world of Second Life. The guide features locations such as Weather Channel Island, Virtual Mexico, “CSI: NY” Island and Thomson Reuters Island.
Atwood said that Second Life is not a game. “It is more of a social engagement area,” he said. “There are actual classrooms and training sessions in-world.”
A 3-D voice function was introduced recently to enhance in-world tools and interactions. Second Life residents can talk to each other in addition to communicating via Instant Messaging and through chat functions.
Organizations are taking advantage of the Second Life experience and 3-D voice function through the Second Life Grid. This area is a Website that shows you how you can use 3-D voice for business, education, and non-profit organizational purposes.
Atwood said business organizations like IBM and Nissan are currently using Second Life as a promotional outlet. Nissan’s space even allows Residents to test drive new models of their cars.
Universities and libraries are doing more than just test driving their plot in the virtual world, according to Linden Lab’s Website. Harvard Law School’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society opened a campus extension in Second Life. Educational entities make use of the large amphitheaters available in-world to teach classes and give lectures.
The public areas available to business and education are also open to artists said Atwood. U2, a rock group from Dublin, Ireland, recently performed in-world to raise money for ONE organization. This non-profit, humanitarian association utilized this benefit event to help fund their efforts to fight AIDS and extreme poverty.
While organizations make use of their spaces to better their groups, individuals are also attempting to flourish in the virtual world. Atwood said architects often display their work in-world and Residents can pay to have their land developed by these designers. “One woman really took to the space and built sort of a real estate tycoon,” Atwood said. “Some people’s primary income in the real world is from the virtual world.”
According to Linden Lab, Second Life is growing throughout the world with more than 100 countries utilizing the space. On a bad day 45,000 people will visit Second Life, Atwood said. On a good day, the peak nears 65,000. Its business, educational, non-profit, and creative aspects may be used as a unique tool to further global relations.
###
Second Life
The Virtual In-World Experience
A Second Life representative announced a new interactive feature called Showcase Thursday morning that will be available to residents of their virtual world.
“The purpose for Showcase is to connect people who are users of this world to the pool content,” Brett Atwood, Web editor for Linden Lab, the creators of Second Life, said. “Second Life is full of exciting 3-D spaces that are created entirely by Residents, but some of the best content and communities have been difficult to find until now.”
Atwood said Showcase is like a TV guide for the virtual world of Second Life. The guide features locations such as Weather Channel Island, Virtual Mexico, “CSI: NY” Island and Thomson Reuters Island.
Atwood said that Second Life is not a game. “It is more of a social engagement area,” he said. “There are actual classrooms and training sessions in-world.”
A 3-D voice function was introduced recently to enhance in-world tools and interactions. Second Life residents can talk to each other in addition to communicating via Instant Messaging and through chat functions.
Organizations are taking advantage of the Second Life experience and 3-D voice function through the Second Life Grid. This area is a Website that shows you how you can use 3-D voice for business, education, and non-profit organizational purposes.
Atwood said business organizations like IBM and Nissan are currently using Second Life as a promotional outlet. Nissan’s space even allows Residents to test drive new models of their cars.
Universities and libraries are doing more than just test driving their plot in the virtual world, according to Linden Lab’s Website. Harvard Law School’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society opened a campus extension in Second Life. Educational entities make use of the large amphitheaters available in-world to teach classes and give lectures.
The public areas available to business and education are also open to artists said Atwood. U2, a rock group from Dublin, Ireland, recently performed in-world to raise money for ONE organization. This non-profit, humanitarian association utilized this benefit event to help fund their efforts to fight AIDS and extreme poverty.
While organizations make use of their spaces to better their groups, individuals are also attempting to flourish in the virtual world. Atwood said architects often display their work in-world and Residents can pay to have their land developed by these designers. “One woman really took to the space and built sort of a real estate tycoon,” Atwood said. “Some people’s primary income in the real world is from the virtual world.”
According to Linden Lab, Second Life is growing throughout the world with more than 100 countries utilizing the space. On a bad day 45,000 people will visit Second Life, Atwood said. On a good day, the peak nears 65,000. Its business, educational, non-profit, and creative aspects may be used as a unique tool to further global relations.
###
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
In-Class Research Exercise
1. Several crime statistics are available at the FBI's "Uniform Crime Report" Web site:
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm.
At this site, you should be able to search for crime statistics by year.
Write a brief paragraph detailing the crime statistics for "Offenses Known" at Washington State University (Pullman campus) in 2006. How does WSU compare to other Washington universities?
Washington State University in Pullman, WA, had 23,544 students enrolled in 2006. Crime offenses known at WSU included 6 violent crimes, 4 forcible rapes, 2 aggravated assaults, 200 property crimes, 30 burglaries, 167 larceny-thefts, 3 motor vehicle thefts, 3 arson cases, and no murders or cases of robbery. WSU falls about mid-way between the other Washington universities on the known offenses crimes. The University of Washington has the most crimes and Eastern Washington University has the least (close to Evergreen State College, but this is a college).
2. Followthemoney.org is a Web site that allows you to track flow of money in state politics. Use the site to research and answer the following questions:
- Which Washington state house candidate and senate candidate received the most political donations in 2006? How much did each of them receive in total tracked donations for 2006?
Washington state house candidate Troy Kelley received the most political donations in 2006, an amount totaling $305,599.
Washington state senate candidate Christopher J. Marr received the most political donations in 2006, an amount totaling $565,880.
- For each of these candidates, what individual or organization was the largest donor (aside from their donations to themselves)? How much did they give?
For candidate Troy Kelley, the largest donor was the Washington State Democratic Party contributing $42,974.
For candidate Christopher J. Marr, the largest donor was the Washington State Democratic Party contributing $46,615.
- Use the same tool to investigate how donations play a role in politics. Use the "Explore" and then "Industry Influence" button to load in charts by each industry topic. What political party was the recipient of more donated money for anti-gun control regulations in Washington state in 2006? What political party received the most donated money for "women's issues" in Washington state over the past few years?
The political party that received more donated money for anti-gun control regulations in Washington state in 2006 was the Republican party (a donation totaling $72,000).
The political party that has received the most donated money for "women's issues" over the past few years has been the Democrats.
3. Use Google's Patent Search to find the patent application with the FIRST REFERENCES to these technologies:
* Digital Video Recorder
http://www.google.com/patents?id=TGeNAAAAEBAJ&dq=digital+video+recorder&as_psra=1
* Social Networking
http://www.google.com/patents?id=QMCGAAAAEBAJ&dq=social+networking&as_psra=1
* Automobile
http://www.google.com/patents?id=C_qEAAAAEBAJ&dq=automobile&as_psra=1
For your response, simply include the Web link to each patent filing. Please note that in your search results, you may need to sort by date.
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm.
At this site, you should be able to search for crime statistics by year.
Write a brief paragraph detailing the crime statistics for "Offenses Known" at Washington State University (Pullman campus) in 2006. How does WSU compare to other Washington universities?
Washington State University in Pullman, WA, had 23,544 students enrolled in 2006. Crime offenses known at WSU included 6 violent crimes, 4 forcible rapes, 2 aggravated assaults, 200 property crimes, 30 burglaries, 167 larceny-thefts, 3 motor vehicle thefts, 3 arson cases, and no murders or cases of robbery. WSU falls about mid-way between the other Washington universities on the known offenses crimes. The University of Washington has the most crimes and Eastern Washington University has the least (close to Evergreen State College, but this is a college).
2. Followthemoney.org is a Web site that allows you to track flow of money in state politics. Use the site to research and answer the following questions:
- Which Washington state house candidate and senate candidate received the most political donations in 2006? How much did each of them receive in total tracked donations for 2006?
Washington state house candidate Troy Kelley received the most political donations in 2006, an amount totaling $305,599.
Washington state senate candidate Christopher J. Marr received the most political donations in 2006, an amount totaling $565,880.
- For each of these candidates, what individual or organization was the largest donor (aside from their donations to themselves)? How much did they give?
For candidate Troy Kelley, the largest donor was the Washington State Democratic Party contributing $42,974.
For candidate Christopher J. Marr, the largest donor was the Washington State Democratic Party contributing $46,615.
- Use the same tool to investigate how donations play a role in politics. Use the "Explore" and then "Industry Influence" button to load in charts by each industry topic. What political party was the recipient of more donated money for anti-gun control regulations in Washington state in 2006? What political party received the most donated money for "women's issues" in Washington state over the past few years?
The political party that received more donated money for anti-gun control regulations in Washington state in 2006 was the Republican party (a donation totaling $72,000).
The political party that has received the most donated money for "women's issues" over the past few years has been the Democrats.
3. Use Google's Patent Search to find the patent application with the FIRST REFERENCES to these technologies:
* Digital Video Recorder
http://www.google.com/patents?id=TGeNAAAAEBAJ&dq=digital+video+recorder&as_psra=1
* Social Networking
http://www.google.com/patents?id=QMCGAAAAEBAJ&dq=social+networking&as_psra=1
* Automobile
http://www.google.com/patents?id=C_qEAAAAEBAJ&dq=automobile&as_psra=1
For your response, simply include the Web link to each patent filing. Please note that in your search results, you may need to sort by date.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Feeding the Beast
Who or what is the "beast"?
The "beast" is the audience. The readers, listeners, and viewers who will pay attention to what the news media puts out there.
Why does it need to be fed?
The audience needs to be fed because if they are not, they will turn to another feeding ground. The information and trust that is built between the "beast" and its news source is important and essential to keep the "beast's" attention.
What compromises (if any) might occur in trying to feed the 24-hour news cycle in print, TV and the Internet?
There could be a discrepancy between the original journalistic work and the 24-hour news cycle, TV or the Internet. It is important that the immediate news sources maintain a journalistic approach, give credit where credit is due and report the facts. These sources also need to establish and maintain a trust with other news sources to keep their processes running smoothly. Twenty-four-hour news cycle in print, TV and the Internet have to be careful not to compromise the facts and not to rush potentially harmful/inaccurate information into circulation.
Not only must these outlets maintain a trust with sources, they must also maintain a viewer/reader/listener trust. If this trust is violated, the news outlet's credibility will deteriorate.
The "beast" is the audience. The readers, listeners, and viewers who will pay attention to what the news media puts out there.
Why does it need to be fed?
The audience needs to be fed because if they are not, they will turn to another feeding ground. The information and trust that is built between the "beast" and its news source is important and essential to keep the "beast's" attention.
What compromises (if any) might occur in trying to feed the 24-hour news cycle in print, TV and the Internet?
There could be a discrepancy between the original journalistic work and the 24-hour news cycle, TV or the Internet. It is important that the immediate news sources maintain a journalistic approach, give credit where credit is due and report the facts. These sources also need to establish and maintain a trust with other news sources to keep their processes running smoothly. Twenty-four-hour news cycle in print, TV and the Internet have to be careful not to compromise the facts and not to rush potentially harmful/inaccurate information into circulation.
Not only must these outlets maintain a trust with sources, they must also maintain a viewer/reader/listener trust. If this trust is violated, the news outlet's credibility will deteriorate.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Feature Story
Emily Taflan
Pullman Cost of Living
Empty Pockets in Pullman
Cars fill the streets. Pedestrians run through intersections. Luggage. Bedding. Books. School is starting.
Washington State University is practically synonymous with Pullman, WA because it represents a majority of the town’s population when school is in session.
Most businesses’ revenues come from students, but do the students suffer from high prices and little competition?
According to the American Chamber of Commerce Research Association, cost of living in Pullman, WA is 7 percent higher than the national average.
Alexandra A. Bond, a 19-year-old sophomore attending WSU, said she thinks the cost of living in Pullman is high. She said she spends about $500 a month just on rent, utilities and food.
“I’d rather live in a box outside of Safeway and dumpster-dive for my dinners every night,” Bond said. “I think the cost of living in Pullman should be a main concern for students.”
“My rent is pretty cheap,” Cody J. Williams, a 21-year-old junior attending WSU, said. “Before I moved into the house I’m in, I was paying $415 a month just for rent in a one bedroom apartment off campus.”
Williams said he thought the cost of living in Pullman was high, but that it could be a lot higher. He said he was surprised the cost of living was higher than the national average, because Pullman is a college town and students do not have as much money to spend.
“You learn to live like a college student and don’t buy the top brand toilet paper,” Bond said. “Shopping trips are cut down, but there’s really no place to shop in Pullman.”
Williams said he goes to Moscow, ID whenever he really needs anything. He said everything is located in the same general location, the tax is less, and things are cheaper. Gas prices have not affected his trips to Moscow because it is only eight miles from his house, and in any other town, this is a relatively short distance to a shopping center.
Both Bond and Williams said they receive financial aid from their parents.
Bond said most of her money is withdrawn from her personal savings account, but if she needs more her parents contribute.
Williams said, “I’ve never really felt like I’ve had a monetary problem because I’ve always had the bank of Brian and Debbie to back me up.” He said he tries not to purchase many unnecessary items because his parents are providing so much for his education.
Bond said, that as a college student, her one weakness, and the item she considers an extraneous buy, is coffee. She said she spends around $20 a week at Zoë Coffeehouse and Deli on coffee.
“If your parents pay for everything, you may not have the real picture,” Bond said. It is important to make a budget every month now, to prepare for life after college.
While Bond and Williams differ in opinion about the severity of Pullman’s cost of living, both students said they are attending college to ensure financial security for the future and the cost of living associated with it.
###
Pullman Cost of Living
Empty Pockets in Pullman
Cars fill the streets. Pedestrians run through intersections. Luggage. Bedding. Books. School is starting.
Washington State University is practically synonymous with Pullman, WA because it represents a majority of the town’s population when school is in session.
Most businesses’ revenues come from students, but do the students suffer from high prices and little competition?
According to the American Chamber of Commerce Research Association, cost of living in Pullman, WA is 7 percent higher than the national average.
Alexandra A. Bond, a 19-year-old sophomore attending WSU, said she thinks the cost of living in Pullman is high. She said she spends about $500 a month just on rent, utilities and food.
“I’d rather live in a box outside of Safeway and dumpster-dive for my dinners every night,” Bond said. “I think the cost of living in Pullman should be a main concern for students.”
“My rent is pretty cheap,” Cody J. Williams, a 21-year-old junior attending WSU, said. “Before I moved into the house I’m in, I was paying $415 a month just for rent in a one bedroom apartment off campus.”
Williams said he thought the cost of living in Pullman was high, but that it could be a lot higher. He said he was surprised the cost of living was higher than the national average, because Pullman is a college town and students do not have as much money to spend.
“You learn to live like a college student and don’t buy the top brand toilet paper,” Bond said. “Shopping trips are cut down, but there’s really no place to shop in Pullman.”
Williams said he goes to Moscow, ID whenever he really needs anything. He said everything is located in the same general location, the tax is less, and things are cheaper. Gas prices have not affected his trips to Moscow because it is only eight miles from his house, and in any other town, this is a relatively short distance to a shopping center.
Both Bond and Williams said they receive financial aid from their parents.
Bond said most of her money is withdrawn from her personal savings account, but if she needs more her parents contribute.
Williams said, “I’ve never really felt like I’ve had a monetary problem because I’ve always had the bank of Brian and Debbie to back me up.” He said he tries not to purchase many unnecessary items because his parents are providing so much for his education.
Bond said, that as a college student, her one weakness, and the item she considers an extraneous buy, is coffee. She said she spends around $20 a week at Zoë Coffeehouse and Deli on coffee.
“If your parents pay for everything, you may not have the real picture,” Bond said. It is important to make a budget every month now, to prepare for life after college.
While Bond and Williams differ in opinion about the severity of Pullman’s cost of living, both students said they are attending college to ensure financial security for the future and the cost of living associated with it.
###
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Story #2
Emily Taflan
Tourism and Travel
Hospitality Emergency?
How far does America’s economic recession stretch? The slump may be stuck somewhere in the rolling Palouse Hills, but perhaps not. The La Quinta Inn in Moscow, Idaho has felt few repercussions from recent years’ market dive.
“We are not a destination point,” Jason J. Penkacik, general manager of the La Quinta Inn, said. The hotel’s primary source of business results from the University of Idaho and Washington State University.
“If the universities were to close tomorrow, we would have to shut down too,” Christian J. Perry, director of sales at the La Quinta Inn, said. “For us to have that guaranteed business is keeping us alive right now.”
The recent decline in the growth of the tourism and travel industry, from 3.9 percent in 2007 to 3 percent in 2008, has not shaken the United States from its presiding role as the largest tourism economy, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
However, Travel Industry Wire cited a national survey from Access America which says that American’s summer vacations are likely to be down 7 percent this year compared to 2007.
Penkacik said Moscow is not a place where families plan to spend their summer vacations. He said the hotel is not anticipating any new type of customer this summer or in the future. The hotel will remain focused on the existing market and will develop new strategies to beat out the competition.
“Our sales department has been shifting,” said Perry. He said the hotel is reaching out to the sports teams of colleges competing with UI and WSU.
Perry said the hotel wants both universities’ sports teams to do well. With the price of travel today, fans will not spend money to see a losing team.
Here in lies the issue for America. The U.S. may lead the world’s tourism market, but challenges are increasing in the form of a weak dollar, gas prices, and environmental concerns.
Perry said, “We have to shift with economy change, particularly gas prices.”
There is a general annoyance felt by guests as they learn that hotel room rates are rising along with gas prices. Perry said what a customer needs to understand is that hotels are not making money in the off-season. The La Quinta actually loses money a few months out of the year when school is not in session.
The latest trend in lodging hospitality is building, or remodeling, to environmentally safe standards. The U.S. Green Building Council developed a voluntary building certification program called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). This program rates buildings in several areas, including water efficiency and materials and resources.
Penkacik said the La Quinta encourages guests staying for more than one night to reuse the sheets they slept in the night before. A yellow card located on every bed-side table indicates to the housekeeping staff whether or not to change the sheets.
A majority of hotel owners, developers, and project managers said they will have at least one green hotel in the next five years, according to a survey by Lodging Hospitality magazine. The benefits of going green for the hotel industry are not only environmental but also economical. Changes can result in a lower operating cost and in a nation that is experiencing economic down-fall this is an important factor in decision making.
Penkacik said he will work harder to retain business because although the economy is not directly affecting the La Quinta, many other factors related to economy are. A trip to Moscow, Idaho is easily cancelled Penkacik said, but “People will still visit Disney Land.”
###
Tourism and Travel
Hospitality Emergency?
How far does America’s economic recession stretch? The slump may be stuck somewhere in the rolling Palouse Hills, but perhaps not. The La Quinta Inn in Moscow, Idaho has felt few repercussions from recent years’ market dive.
“We are not a destination point,” Jason J. Penkacik, general manager of the La Quinta Inn, said. The hotel’s primary source of business results from the University of Idaho and Washington State University.
“If the universities were to close tomorrow, we would have to shut down too,” Christian J. Perry, director of sales at the La Quinta Inn, said. “For us to have that guaranteed business is keeping us alive right now.”
The recent decline in the growth of the tourism and travel industry, from 3.9 percent in 2007 to 3 percent in 2008, has not shaken the United States from its presiding role as the largest tourism economy, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
However, Travel Industry Wire cited a national survey from Access America which says that American’s summer vacations are likely to be down 7 percent this year compared to 2007.
Penkacik said Moscow is not a place where families plan to spend their summer vacations. He said the hotel is not anticipating any new type of customer this summer or in the future. The hotel will remain focused on the existing market and will develop new strategies to beat out the competition.
“Our sales department has been shifting,” said Perry. He said the hotel is reaching out to the sports teams of colleges competing with UI and WSU.
Perry said the hotel wants both universities’ sports teams to do well. With the price of travel today, fans will not spend money to see a losing team.
Here in lies the issue for America. The U.S. may lead the world’s tourism market, but challenges are increasing in the form of a weak dollar, gas prices, and environmental concerns.
Perry said, “We have to shift with economy change, particularly gas prices.”
There is a general annoyance felt by guests as they learn that hotel room rates are rising along with gas prices. Perry said what a customer needs to understand is that hotels are not making money in the off-season. The La Quinta actually loses money a few months out of the year when school is not in session.
The latest trend in lodging hospitality is building, or remodeling, to environmentally safe standards. The U.S. Green Building Council developed a voluntary building certification program called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). This program rates buildings in several areas, including water efficiency and materials and resources.
Penkacik said the La Quinta encourages guests staying for more than one night to reuse the sheets they slept in the night before. A yellow card located on every bed-side table indicates to the housekeeping staff whether or not to change the sheets.
A majority of hotel owners, developers, and project managers said they will have at least one green hotel in the next five years, according to a survey by Lodging Hospitality magazine. The benefits of going green for the hotel industry are not only environmental but also economical. Changes can result in a lower operating cost and in a nation that is experiencing economic down-fall this is an important factor in decision making.
Penkacik said he will work harder to retain business because although the economy is not directly affecting the La Quinta, many other factors related to economy are. A trip to Moscow, Idaho is easily cancelled Penkacik said, but “People will still visit Disney Land.”
###
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Ace in the Hole
1. In "Ace in the Hole," reporter Charles Tatum uncovers a compelling news story when he stumbles upon a man trapped in the rubble of a mine collapse. As a journalist, what responsibility (if any) did Tatum have in helping to rescue the trapped man? What are the ethical considerations faced by Tatum in his pursuit of the "big story"? What should he have done differently?
Technically, Charles Tatum had no responsibility to rescue Leo. As a person with a conscience however, one would think that Charles Tatum would do everything in his power to help. Not to say that he couldn't still get a story. He just should not have emersed himself like he did. The ethical condsiderations that Tatum faced included playing with a man's life, further corrupting the political base of the town, attacking a woman, and trapping (or playing with) the emotions of family, friends, and plain citizens who just wanted the news. I think that Tatum should have reported the story. It was a good human interest story, but it should not have become his "big story." I think Tatum should have taken himself out of the story. He should have simply reported the facts, not created fiction. It was also wrong of him to hinder the other press' ability to report on the story.
2. A carnival-like atmosphere develops amidst the sensationalized media coverage of the mine collapse. Do you think that this 1951 film's depiction of the media offers an accurate representation of how some tabloid journalists operate today? Are there are recent examples you can cite in today's news media coverage?
I definately think that there are corrupt journalists out there who, like Tatum, are always looking for their "big story," and don't think or care about the consequences. At times, the press seems more like a carnival, there for entertainment only, than as an information outlet. The best example I can think of are the press who surround famous people. They take advantage of every mistake they make and sensationalize it to capture attention.
Technically, Charles Tatum had no responsibility to rescue Leo. As a person with a conscience however, one would think that Charles Tatum would do everything in his power to help. Not to say that he couldn't still get a story. He just should not have emersed himself like he did. The ethical condsiderations that Tatum faced included playing with a man's life, further corrupting the political base of the town, attacking a woman, and trapping (or playing with) the emotions of family, friends, and plain citizens who just wanted the news. I think that Tatum should have reported the story. It was a good human interest story, but it should not have become his "big story." I think Tatum should have taken himself out of the story. He should have simply reported the facts, not created fiction. It was also wrong of him to hinder the other press' ability to report on the story.
2. A carnival-like atmosphere develops amidst the sensationalized media coverage of the mine collapse. Do you think that this 1951 film's depiction of the media offers an accurate representation of how some tabloid journalists operate today? Are there are recent examples you can cite in today's news media coverage?
I definately think that there are corrupt journalists out there who, like Tatum, are always looking for their "big story," and don't think or care about the consequences. At times, the press seems more like a carnival, there for entertainment only, than as an information outlet. The best example I can think of are the press who surround famous people. They take advantage of every mistake they make and sensationalize it to capture attention.
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