Final Lecture and Semester Reflection

The final lecture for the semester featured guest lecturer "Steve Molks", a blogger and entertainment journalist. This guy was pretty cool, and he spoke about areas of journalism that I see myself drawn towards in the future. He emphasised the potential of becoming a 'new media' journalist, which is becoming a growing approach to the profession. Blogging and social media is a growing key medium in the world of journalism. He was quite encouraging with his point that journalism is a broad profession. This guy would be a quite a handy mentor, so I'm going to add him to my list of contacts. And so this brings me to my final reflection for the semester. JOUR1111 has proved to be a very engaging course and my most enjoyed course I've studied thus far at UQ. Its inclusion of speakers and experienced people from the industry have offered considerable insight into the profession. Tutorials were a very stimulating environment and gave great oppertunity to listen to other's ideas and be heard. I found head lecturer Bruce Redman to be quite knowledgable and charismatic, and gave interesting talks. Despite my slackness this semester, I made it my mission each week to make it to JOUR1111 lectures.

Agenda Setting & Investigative Journalism

Agenda Setting:This week, the topic of Agenda Setting was covered in the lecture. He started off by showing a clip that took the mickey out of the format of today's news stories and the way they are reported. As cynical as it was, it was quite true! The content of the lecture was similar to that of last week's News Values. Bruce discusses the four agenda's- these were:
Public Agenda- Topics the community perceive as important.
Policy Agenda- Issues that decision makers believe as salient
Corporate Agenda- what do corporations think to be important e.g Coal Seam Gas
Media Agenda- Issues discussed in the media

Investigative Journalism:
Week 12's lecture looked at Investigative Journalism. Unlike last weeks topic which bored me to death, this one seemed to be relatively engaging. It looked at investigative journalism, which involves a journalists questioning and investigating skills. The idea behind it is to be intelligent, informed and intuitive in its approach critical and thorough journalism. Bruce made the point of 'shoe leather journalism', meaning a journalist is required to get out there as an active participant in search of valuable information for the public's best interest. A huge emphasis was placed on the facts, and interviews, observations, documents,briefings were a means of gaining them. It was also interesting to hear the biggest threat to this kind of journalism is propaganda, which contradicts its primary values.

News Values

Todays lecture covered the topic of News Values. Bruce started out with a definition. He said News Values are the degree of prominence a media outlet gives to a story, and the attention given to it by and audience who receives it. "If it Bleeds, it Leads", refers to stories with high degrees of tragedy are often the headlining stories. Topics of this include the shooting of superstars, car accidents etc. If its local, it leads- is another phrase used to describe how local stories are most prominent news stories. What I found interesting was the point that editors hold considerable power in the news room, having the ability to choose the stories worthy of public attention. He also discussed various types of news values- these included:
-Negativity
-Coseness to home
-Recency
-Currency
-Continuity
-Uniqueness

Annotated Bibliography

Mulder, A. (2006). Media. Theory, Culture & Society , 1-9.

Arjen Mulder, an academic and media theorist of Nottingham Trent University brings experience to a thorough analysis of Media in theory, culture and society. At the beginning he introduces the subject matter through a loose definition that ‘media is a means of reaching others’. His opening remarks funnel to a more specific definition, ‘media are extensions of our sense into the public domain’.  From here, Mulder elaborates on media and modernism. He effectively refers to the work of academic Marshall McLuhan, who explored how earlier examples of media clear in Cubism and impressionist paintings were ‘mediums with a message’, allowed artists a means of communication to the world they lived in. Finally, Mulder discusses the media as we know it today, with the growing role of journalists, emerging hybridisation of new media and television as a significant modern day medium. He more or less defines current media to be a ‘collection of machines with their operators’. The use of citations could have been used to a greater extent to further validate the interesting points made by the author. Despite this, Mulder‘s ideas address our understanding of media overtime, from its earlier incarnations to what we know it as today.

This annotated bibliography will explore the news surrounding the current Craig Thompson scandal through the scope of The Australian, The Courier Mail and The ABC’s 7.30 Report. The mediums of print newspaper, online internet news and television segment were analysed. Each conveyed both similar and different views surrounding the scandal, allowing generous insight into the issue.

Higgins, E., & Rout, M. (2012). Defences at Odds with the Record. The Australian , 6.

The Australian published an article about Craig Thompson’s defence against allegations of spending union funds on escort services. The article’s authors, Ean Higgins and Milanda Rout are distinguished writers of the widely acclaimed newspaper known for its highest-selling status, adding credibility to the source. The article states how Thompson’s defence made in the House of Representatives runs contrary to findings by Fair Work Australia and statements of The New South Wales Police Department that he had paid for services using documents of identification. Following Mr. Thompson’s implied statements that deputy president of the FWA Michael Lawler was the culprit behind the investigation, the authors provide a detailed report on how this rested on false grounds. Despite The Australian being an example of commercial media, a profit-driven form of media production, the article provides a detailed exploration of the story with reference to credible public figures. The story includes a comprehensive table that juxtaposes statements made by Thompson to official findings and statements made by figures involved in the investigation.

 
Report, A. 7. (2012, May 21). Craig Thomson outlines 'set up' in HSU scandal. Retrieved May 23, 2012, from ABC News: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb0--K6bfdQ

 The author of this piece, political editor Heather Hewitt of the 7.30 report brings her expertise in political journalism to address the Craig Thompson scandal.  Hewitt uses with great effect the opinion of multiple experts and involved individuals in the issue, which will influence the outcome of allegations made towards Mr. Thompson. This particular story angle explores the consequences of Mr. Thompson’s parliamentary address to the House of Representatives. The report hears from Health Union member Marco Bolano and acting national president Chris Brown, who offer counter arguments to Mr. Thompson’s claims. Hewitt continues by highlighting the lack of evidence Mr. Thompson holds in his defence that he spent Union funds on brothel visits and phone records to prove. At the end of the segment features various parliamentary figures who endorse Mr. Thompson’s rights to a fair trial. Overall, the author manages to remain impartial throughout the analysis of the issue through the use of counter-perspectives, adding credibility. Furthermore, The 7.30 Report of the ABC is an example of public media, whose mission is to serve and engage the public and not turn a profit. This exclusive report reflects this public service ethos through its balanced perspectives and support of democratic processes.

Westthorp, T., Lewis, S., & Clennel, A. (2012, May 25). Escort's claims could sink MP Craig Thomson. Retrieved May 25, 2012, from Couriermail.com.au: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/escorts-claims-could-sink-mp-craig-thomson/story-e6freooo-1226366258203

The authors, Tanya Westthorp, Steve Lewis and Andrew Clennel of the Courier Mail present a story heavily in favour of Craig Thompson’s dismissal. In contrast with the other sources, this story appears to offer limited evidence into its subject matter, with inadequate references to support the points covered. It is an example of commercial media, thus, only serves to give brief information without going into much depth. It reveals that the woman at the centre of the latest scandal to be within speaking distance of The Daily Telegraph’s reporters. The author’s also briefly highlight the high probability of Craig Thompson’s wrong-doing with NSW police claiming evidence of use of a third credit card. Again, the article appears to show narrow points without much elaboration into the issue, which severely detracts from the credibility of the source. It shows heavy bias and lends no support to counter-arguments into Craig Thompsons conviction.

Reflection on Storytelling/ Ethics Lecture

I'm fortunate to say that I'm the youngest of Gerard Freer's 14 grandchildren. So having said this, the process of telling my grand-father's story proved to be a very fun and reflective exercise.

The lecture given on ethics I found particularly interesting, and the guest lecturer was very engaging. The majority of the lecture involved viewing a series of images and videos, and then rating them based on their ethical value and taste. At first I was quite confused, because I initially associated the two to be interrelated. By the end I had learned there to be in fact a clear difference between an adveretisement's ethical value and its tastefulness. He then discussed the aspects of dentology, namely the rules, principles and duties that fall under Australia's ethical codes. A lot of the examples used were quite hilarious, it was undoubtedly my favourite lecture thus far.

Factual Storytelling- "Mr Chips"

Gerard James Freer was born in 1926 as the youngest of eight children while Australia was in the midst of the Great Depression.  Three of his elder siblings were lost to the Spanish Influenza, leaving five children including Gerard. When he was 18 months old, His father William died at age 48 from a work related accident, leaving Gerard to be raised by mother Annie and his two older brothers Bob and Bill. In those days jobs were scarce, and his family received no sick pay or worker compensation.  His mother Annie out of support for her children sent Gerard and his two sisters Anna and Monica away. For this reason, much of Gerard’s early childhood was spent living in orphanages or with relatives and seeing his mother in between, who worked as a cook in the railway refreshment rooms of outback Queensland. As an eight year old, Gerard would walk one mile from St. James School to Wyllie’s Boarding House in New Farm to save the penny of a tram fare. The Penny bought a Peter's ice-cream cone. As well as this, he among other youngsters would chase after the horse-drawn fruiterer’s cart calling “any specks, mister?”

Despite poor and bleak beginnings, Gerard’s sheer determination to make something of his life would see him become a pioneer and innovator in Brisbane’s food business world. He left school after junior to work by day and study by night. From the years of 1945 to 1950, he worked as a food chemist for Queensland Country Traders on Coronation Drive. While being one of two chemists to work a six day week, Gerard attended night classes in Industrial Chemistry. During these night sessions, he’d slowly sip a sixpence beaker’s worth of milk over 3-4 hours’ worth of lectures and experiments to ease thoughts of hunger. It was during these night classes as he strained to hear the voice of lecturers he recognised the onset of deafness. Undeterred, he persevered every day and night until 10pm when classes finished.

In 1950, Gerard began work under boss Norman Myers as production manager at Mynor, manufacturing potato crisps in a Brisbane factory. He’d always dreamed of owning his own business. Soon Gerard developed complete deafness in one ear and half in the other. In 1953, he was engaged to future wife Maureen Evans. Together, they had one tangible asset- an Austen A40. With both of them aware of the possibility Gerard would be soon totally deaf, they remained hopeful of finding a block of suburban land at a cheap price. After three months, they found five acres of bushland, selling the Austen A40 for three hundred pounds to grant them their new home.

After ten years working under his boss, Gerard resigned as production manager to register a new trade name called Superfoods. The first of his products were bacon crisps and cordial extract. He went on to produce 84 lines of snacks from potatoes, rice, corn, nuts, wheat and fruit juice. The most popular of his products was Red Seal Chips. After years of day-to-day labour in kick-starting his own business, Gerard had transformed a little laboratory/shed of his own into a beautiful brick factory. Soon he was creating new food ideas sourced from spices, and developed his own flavours such as barbeque, tomato, salt and vinegar and the famous Burger Man. Also he developed sugared almonds and chocolate macadamias, among these was caramel corn, another snack favourite. Real Seal went on to win a taste-testing competition conducted by Queensland Chamber of Manufacturers, defeating all crisp manufacturers including Arnott’s, Smiths and Cottees. He had accomplished the dream.

Gerard’s business was thriving, but there would be occasional non-profit years and lean times for his family firm that had to compete with multinationals. In 1987, during the world stock market crash and burdened by hefty interest rates, Gerard was approached by Arnotts ,who wanted to buy Red Seal and rent his Bardon factory. Now past sixty years of age, and thinking a big company like Arnotts could provide better job security for his workers, Gerard agreed on the condition that they kept the business running. Arnotts hadn’t lived up to their promise, and soon began shutting down Gerard’s Red Seal production. Gravely upset by this, Gerard offered to buy back all machinery and re-employ his staff. He was refused offer and soon his personally designed factory machinery was demolished using bolt cutters. Arnotts had bought him out, violated the conditions of their deal, leaving a heart-broken Gerard redundant. Gerard wasn’t through yet. Determined not to let the multinational competitive figures beat him down, he applied for a bank loan to refurbish his still owned factory and get Freer Foods back on its feet again. Six months after being put out, Gerard was able to re-employ his past staff and find a way back as the headman of his business.

In 1998, Gerard was approached again, this time by a group of three Queenslanders wishing to buy his successful Freer Foods. Having recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, Gerard agreed. Later on, his factory and land was bought by the Stuartholme School. Over the course of his life, Gerard was confronted with many challenges, including childhood poverty, onset of deafness in his teens and having to work both for his own and mother’s financial support. Despite this, he remained optimistic and pursued his visions. A pioneer and creative inventor of his time, he had no mentors or financial backstops, only savage banks and fierce business competitors. Gerard James Freer will always be remembered as Queensland’s “Mr Chips”.

 

 

Commmercial and Public Media( Lectures 6 & 7)

Week 7 is upon us. I'm fresh out of the mid-semester break and I've entered yet another lazy mental phase to procrastinate at all costs. I was fortunate to spend the break up the coast. This of course was great, but like all holidays, it didn't seem long enough!

 Before the Mid-sem break, Week 6's lecture covered Commercial Media. It was discussed how Commercial Media is a profit-driven system. Commercial Media survives or fails based on business success and ability to generate audiences. Examples of it include the Channel 7,9 and 10 networks. These channels create audiences through selling advertising. Bruce discussed the disadvantages of Commercial Media, and outlined how the value of profit over social responsibility equates to a lack of quality information and faulty ethic. The most interesting aspect of this week's lecture was a quote presented by C.P. Scott(Editor of the Guardian) who emphasised that the media's primary duty is to "shun the temptations of monopoly", and to preserve facts the best it can.

Week 7's Lecture addressed Public Media. As opposed to the motives of Commercial Media, Public Media's primary objective is to serve the public and not turn a profit. The ABC and SBS networks are known to embed the public service ethos. Overall public value is cherished. Its primary functions are to preserve a national heritage and support democratic processes. Perhaps the most interesting point Bruce raised was the need for the ABC and SBS networks to remain impartial in the face of political matters.