The New Newsweek

On Monday, March 7, Newsweek hit newsstands with what they hoped would be a fresh new look.

Dirk Barnett, who came to Newsweek from Maxim magazine, is trying to take Newsweek in a new design direction.

The new design is focused more on photos. The old Newsweek lacked the visual appeal of many magazines, and therefore had a hard time attracting readers that are more visual readers.

Although the company had good intentions, the feedback about the new Newsweek has been almost brutal.

In an article published by Columbia Journalism Review, the quotes presented are all negative towards the new Newsweek design. The New York Post stated, "New Newsweek hits streets with a whimper."

Others have been even more harsh on the new design. An editor of The Awl, Choire Sicha, voiced his opinion by saying, "Mmm, it’s like soaking in a nice warm bath of a comfortable yesterday." He then goes on very bluntly, talking about how even the new Newsweek appears to be geared toward 40-some year olds in the doctor's waiting room.

Even though this criticism may be accurate, the new design is still a visual improvement from before. The magazine isn't going to recover overnight, and this is a big step in the right direction

To view some of the new pages of Newsweek click here.

Photo credit: FontShop via Flickr on Creative Commons

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Apple is Number One

When it comes to marketing, there are certain companies that not only do it well, but they do it best. Apple, ranked No. 20 on the Interbrand Best Global Brands in 2009 and 17th in 2010, has always risen to the occasion when launching a new product. There's always a fascination with the company, when they speak, the world listens.

Last week, Apple unveiled the much awaited arrival of their second generation iPad, the iPad 2. The second generation will be available this Friday. It offers a completely new thinner design, faster processor and includes two new applications: iMovie and GarageBand. The selling point for this product has to be the price, $499.

In a recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism found that Apple grabs more headlines than any other technology company. Apple is great at marketing because it uses a few key strategies.

1. They're everywhere - Apple plants its brand everywhere: posters, billboards, television commercials, etc... Their commercials are fun to watch and invite individuals to experience the Apple lifestyle while giving the impression that if you buy one, you're part of an exclusive group and people thrive on this idea.

2. They understand the importance of reviews - When people hear good reviews about products, they want to own it themselves. Apple embraces this concept and promotes the positive customer experience.

3. They focus on customer service - Apple is known for inviting the customer into the store and experiencing their products first hand. They have great customer service. You walk into the store and they let you play around with the devices and ask as many questions as you can fathom. They are very knowlegeable which gives the customers security in their choice. With the positive customer experience they have, it will leave them coming back for more.

Photo Credit: CreativeCommons, Robert Scoble.

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Get The Most Out of Twitter

Twitter is amongst the top-10 websites worldwide and has affected society and social media to the max. A unique trait about Twitter is that users are restricted as to how they interact with others, being that there is a limit of only 140 characters per tweet.

Little do we know that there are other options available through Twitter that allows us to communicate beyond the 140-text limit. Listed below are other options that exist in order to help Twitter users get the most out of their “tweets.”

Twitpic: Gives users the opportunity to upload images to their Twitter feed.

Tweetie: Allows instantaneous access and update ability for numerous Twitter accounts. The only downfall is that this application is only available for Macs.

Formulists: Lets users arrange their Twitter lists based on the number of followers, activity, keywords and location.

Tweet Memo: This app is similar to post-it notes because it lets users send themselves reminders, in which will pop up on their feed at the scheduled time planned.

Only the links: Sorted based on tweets that have Web links.

Tweriod: Evaluates followers Twitter streams and analyzes when they are online the most. After doing so, it lets users know when it is the best time to tweet.

Storify: Allows users to produce narratives by joining tweets together.

All of these apps allow users to become more organized while using Twitter. Test these apps out and see how they can help benefit your Twitter experience.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

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The Right Body Image

Journalism plays a key role in shaping many minds about what their body should look like.

Magazines such as Cosmo, Seventeen, and People demand writers to show readers what the "ideal" body shape is in our society. Many times, this body shape is pressuring young women to have an extremely thin body.

Media writers have a huge impact on shaping people's beliefs, ideas, and images of themselves. People that have exposure to any type of mass media have been given what the "right" idea of an acceptable body shape is.

Faces of celebrities such as Mary-Kate Olsen, Lindsay Lohan, and Jessica Alba are plastered on
many magazines so readers can see what "real beauty" is supposed to look like walking down the streets of America.

Often times a magazine may leave out that many celebrities have been diagnosed with some type of eating disorder on his/her journey fitting into that size 0 pair of jeans, such as the three ladies listed above.

Which leaves writers with the question: How do you write a piece for readers and not offend anyone by giving them a negative image about his/her body?

Last week, Brian Steffen showed us the different angles there are to approaching a story when it is assigned.

There are many different approaches that can be used when writing about body image.

Create a human-interest story that could involve somebody who suffered from an eating disorder or put together a how-to piece on how readers can lose weight in healthy ways.

Another great tip for writers is to simply report the facts.

Don't make your story about the 105-pound celebrity with the fancy car and underground pool seem like that is what every person has to be like in order to survive.

People come in all different shapes and sizes. Know what you are reporting to readers may influence the daily life of somebody.

Use journalism as a positive tool to make readers feel good. When writing about a topic such as body image, report reality, not the celebrity world.

Photo Credit: The Chic Fashionista via Creative Commons

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Scanning is a No No

Last Monday I attended the Professional Communication Skills Workshop at Simpson College. Maria Volante, the senior vice president of Dardis Communications, focused on one main part of communicating with others, eye contact.

I have given many presentations throughout school, but I have always been taught to scan the audience. Until recently, I learned that scanning is something that can hinder a speaker's presentation.

Volante said that when speaking infront of an audience, the speaker should connect each thought with one set of eyes. This doesn't mean to stare at your audience, but to make things easier on yourself.

Now your asking, "How is looking at one person while speaking about one idea make it easier for me?"

If a speaker is scanning the audience the brain is processing all of the different images and faces it sees. This often makes the speaker lose focus and talk faster.

You now have the answer as to why you tend to zoom quickly through a presentation.

Next time you have to stand up in front of a group of people try connecting with certain eyes. Your brain will thank you later.

Photo Credit: Eric Feng via Creative Commons

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It May Be 2011 But Women Are Still Out Numbered

In a recent study by Women in Journalism it was found that 75% of journalism jobs are held by men. That means about a quarter is comprised of women.

How is this the case, it's 2011-shouldn't it be more equal than that? I don't expect women to make up 90 percent, but wouldn't 60-40 make more sense?

Are women bad reporters or are they discriminated against based on gender?

In my opinion there are a few reasons for this disparity.

First, I think there are men who choose not to hire women because they are women.

Second, job availablity plays a role in which person gets hired. In the study it was found that 3 percent of sports journalists were women.

Do women not like sports enough to write about it, if this is the case then it would make sense that more men interview for these positions and therefore get hired.

Third, while the Glass Ceiling has cracked there is still progress to be made.

Getting to the same plane as men in the workforce will take time. After all women in the United States have only been able to vote for 90 years.

The next Nellie Bly is out there and I can't wait to see what she will contribute.

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The Perks of Positive Perception

Englewood, Chicago, is a district with a written history that is discouraging and depressing. Most timelines and books about Englewood and West Englewood focus on the history of crime, racism, and poverty.

Students in Englewood today, working with Tonika Johnson, are working to change that perception by doing their own journalism, and choosing to focus on the positive advancements in their hometown.

Johnson, with two others, is providing the kids with a free, eight-week after school program in which they will work to deconstruct the negative images of Englewood put forth by the media.

The project calls attention to the ways that the media can both create and further the perceptions of an area, or a group of people. Of course, if the only media representations available to Englewood children are over-represented images of crime and impoverishment, the children won't have healthy role models in the media to look up to.

The article profiling Johnson and her students brings up a key example of how the media can create very flawed representations of reality just by leaving out one important, positive attribution.

Tatiana Hood, one of Johnson's eighth grade students, recalls an article describing a peer who was shot and killed outside of school. Leaving a vivid impression, she said, "Nobody ever said he was on the honor roll."

Photo courtesy of Flickr, via CreativeCommons.org

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Photo Taking Tips

Something that catches your eye when looking at a newspaper, magazine, book, etc. are pictures. It has been said a picture is worth a thousand words, but that is only if the picture has meaning and is of good quality.

Combined tips from Kodak and hp, listed below give photographers tips to make their photographs more appealing.

1. Use a plain background. You don't want your background to take over what the main focus of the picture is about.

2. Use a flash outdoors and know your flash's range. Along with your flash, be aware of the lighting around you. Too much lighting can overexpose photos, while too little can underexpose photos.

3. Move in close and lock in your focus. Whether it be with zoom or physically, you want your focus to be the majority of the photograph.

4. Take some vertical pictures. Remember, your camera is able to turn, allowing you to format your pictures and some variety.

5. Move it from the middle. Instead of the typical focus being in the middle, have it off center for a greater balance.

6. Get down to their level. Do not tower above your subject, unless that is the desired effect for the photo.

7. Hold the camera steady as you shoot the picture, this well reduce blur.

Hopefully, these basic tips can help you take better photos, but remember creativity is important to.

Photo credit: Via Creative Commons

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I Have Presentation Skills. How About You?

You are in your calculus class, and the teacher says you have to present a presentation about the conceptual look at limits and how you are trying to get a grasp on just what they are and what they can tell us. Gulp. Awesome right?

Thou shall not fear, I am here to give you some tips on how to keep your nerves to yourself and how to present yourself to your clueless audience. You will be the kid known as, The Kid with the Professional Communication Skills.

Eye-to-Eye:
When you look at an audience, the first thing you usually do is move your eyes rapidly to see everyone. This is called 'scanning', and scanning increases your butterflies in the pit of your stomach, which is not good.

The solution to this problem is simply talking to a person one at a time. By doing this, you are in control of your voice and you are not in visual overload.

Step one. Check.

Visual:
Your audience will not only be paying attention to your awesome conceptual look at limits, but they will be focusing on you more.

Your audience receives your messages by how you look, how you sound, and what you say. They will be paying attention to your facial expressions, stance/posture, gestures, eye movement, volume and vocal tones.

Even if you don't know exactly what limits are, you need to look confident! First off, plant your feet in a balanced stance and make sure you move with a purpose. We don't want to see you shift your leg to the other. We also do not want to see you sway from side to side. We aren't in dance class.

Second, get your hands out of your pockets! Unless you have spare money to give, then go ahead. We want to see gestures from the shoulder, not the elbow. Emphasize what you mean with your hands. Make sure to use an open palm, and let your hands fall to your sides after using them.

Feeling pretty confident now, eh?

One last step.

Vocal Energy:
Have you ever been to class, and you couldn't hear your professor? Or you listened to a boring monotone voice? Yea, this isn't the way to go.

You want your audience to be able to hear you and be engaged at what you are saying. Even if it is about calculus and limits...

First off, you need to increase your volume to a 6-7 level on a 10 point scale. Then you need to use inflection to get rid of that monotone voice.

And of course, don't forget to breathe so you can project your soothing, non-monotone voice to your audience.

These presentation skills can be used in everyday life, not just when you are presenting power points about limits. You can use these skills when you are being interviewed for that once in a lifetime job, or even when you are interviewing someone else.

These are great tips for journalists because we can be calm when situations get hectic or we have to do a fly on the job. I hope you ace your presentation about the conceptual look at limits and you get the most wicked nickname ever, The Kid with the Professional Communication Skills.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

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The Most Important Political Interview Ever

In 1977, the world will know the thruth about the Watergate scandal thanks to the work of a british journalist, Sir David Frost.

What we call the Nixon interviews is a series of interviews of former United States President Richard Nixon that were recorded on television in four programs in 1977.

Richard Nixon was away from public life for two years after his resignation in 1974 and the discovery of the Watergate scandal. Sir david frost will pay him to obtain these interviews. Unlike conventional political interviews, Nixon was not aware of the questions that would be ask to him and he appeared surprised and tensed.

For a journalist, the work of Sir David Frost is an example that demonstrates how to get the truth from a politician and how to run an interview that will have an impact on the audience.

A Gallup poll conducted after the interviews aired showed that 69 percent of the public thought that Nixon was still trying to cover up, 72 percentstill thought he was guilty of obstruction of justice, and 75 percent thought he deserved no further role in public life.

It is the role of a journalist to find the truth, to investigate, to ask questions that can lead to a great answer and in this case, Frost did a wonderful job.

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What Happened to The Paperboy?

Not as many physical newspapers are being produced as they once were causing paperboy and girls to be a thing in the past.

The boy or girl riding their bike throwing news papers in peoples yards or bushes was 13% of how newspapers delivered their papers in 2008. It has declined 70% from 1990.

Newspaper companies are now more cost-conscious than they once were and are finding ways to save as much as possible. They have switched to distribution centers in order to deliver more papers in a wider area. The paperboys and girls have been replaced by adults who can drive.

Paperboys and girls use to collect subscribers money today few carriers do so. Today's carriers drive up and put the newspapers in mailboxes and drive away.

Culture is another factor of the near extinct paperboys and girls. Kids simply do not walk to places like they use to. The percentage of walkers was 50% in the 1960's and is now down to 16%.

Kids not walking to as many places could be a result of having the fear of being kidnapped. Another factor is more families are moving from suburbs to exurbs and live too far away from places to be able to walk to them.

The paperboys and girls are not completely gone, there is just not as many in today's society. We can thank The U.S. daily and the Times News for keeping the nearly extinct population of paperboys and girls in existence today.

The U.S. daily and the Times News have around 14,000 subscribers and they employ all youth carriers to deliver their papers. They pay the kids 12 to 15 cents per delivery depending on how close together the homes are on their routes.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons, Kelly B.

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Different Types of Journalism

So I was thinking recently about all the different types of journalism. There's television; there's radio; there's newspapers; there's online; there's photojournalism.

I thought it might be a good idea to do a quick overview of all the different kinds and some specifics for each.

Broadcast journalism includes all types of journalism in which the news that is being reported is being aired or shown in some way. This obviously includes television, radio, and even podcasts and Youtube newscasts. These all include the use of voice(sound) and/or appearance(visuals) to help enhance the news that is being shown.

Print journalism includes journalism that is only found in a form that you can read, but not watch. This obviously includes newspapers, magazines, and online text publications.

Photojournalism can be utilized by both print and broadcast. It focuses on images that help enhance the news story by displaying the emotions, color, reality.

Within each type of journalism, specifically television, newspapers, and radio, there are different levels: local, national/international. There are various overlaps between these categories, but typically local news stations (like KCCI) or local papers (The Des Moines Register) focus on news that cannot be found anywhere else.
National stations and papers (Fox News, USA Today) focus mostly on news that is important throughout the company, which many times also includes national news.

Nearly all types of journalism are now catering towards online as best they can in order to attract new readers or viewers. However there are still the specifically online publications such as blogs, Youtube videos, and podcasts.

Photo credit: creativecommons.org

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Facebook Creating Privacy Issues?

Facebook has decided to give third-party developers and external websites authorization to access users' home addresses and cellphone numbers despite criticism from privacy experts, Facebook users, and even congressmen Edward Markey and Joe Barton.

"Mobile phone numbers and personal addresses, particularly those that can identify teenagers using Facebook, require special protection," said Rep. Edward Markey. "We must ensure that this sensitive information is safeguarded, with clear, distinct permissions so that users know precisely what's in store when they opt to share this data with third parties.

After the congressmen sent a letter to Facebook expressing their concerns over the new functionality, Facebook responded and ultimately reaffirmed it's decision to still allow third parties to request access to users' addresses and phone numbers.

Facebook's plan to open up users' addresses and phone numbers to third-party sites and services is the latest frontier in Facebook's often controversy-filled efforts to encourage users' to be looser in sharing their information.

Privacy experts have warned that even if this new feature included improved notifications and protection for minors, it could still endanger users' personal information and increase their risk of being targeted by scams, spam, and identity thieves.

"People never thought when they were posting this data that it would be accessible to anyone but friends. There's a real mismatch of expectations around that," said Mary Hodder, chairman of the Personal Data Ecosystem Consortium.

Facebook is once again walking the thin line of breaking users' privacy. So, what's your take on Facebook's latest move? Are they officially crossing the line of privacy? Or are they still in the right since Facebook is, in fact, a public site?

I can't help but feel bad for Facebook users because it seems that Facebook's approach really is "Everything on here is public, therefore, you give us anything and it's completely fair game." I am at least happy about Facebook saying they will make an effort to keep users aware of when they could be giving information away and asking for permission.

Photo Credit: digitaltrends.com via Creative Commons

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Climbing the Mountain Again

In the media world, the idea of ever-changing is as common as driving to work or school on a daily basis. Most journalists, I assume, would not have imagined having to use Twitter as an outlet for their daily jobs. Having to make transitions in any business can be a tough thing to do, especially when it comes to a job loss.

As a media student, I cringe when I see newspapers not being able to withstand the digital flow. Newspapers are one of the major types of medium that has been around since the 1800’s and now to see it start to fade is troubling for one who enjoys writing this much.

“Goodbye, Colorado.”

This was the headline that stood out on a February 2009 morning in Denver which froze many newspaper people to the core. The first major newspaper in America had died. Many believed that others, such as the San Francisco Chronicle and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, would follow suit and crumble. They did not.

The reason for the fall is money. As Time magazine pointed out in a March 2009 article, Scripps Co. were the ones who were responsible for the avalanche of one Denver newspaper. Even though the paper was seeing an increase in circulation and advertising, those in charge in Cincinnati assumed that "it was the business model's fault."

So what are the journalists who got ran out of the Rocky Mountain News doing now?

Blogger John Temple of Temple Talk called around and asked how others were getting along since the Rocky's fall. Guess what he used to do? Own the paper himself under Scripps's supervision.

In a nutshell, those who are calling somewhere else other than Denver home are doing fine. In fact, most of them are doing well. Some of the emotions ex-Rockies are facing nowadays are appreciation of a job, newfound freedom, determination, and of course, anger and loss looking back.

Media will always be here for us. Granted, some companies may have to wither away now and then, but as long as news succumbs society, there will be a job somewhere, someway waiting for us students to grasp once we receive our diplomas.

Photo Credit: Ed Kohler via Flickr via Creative Commons

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WikiLeaks' Technology Groundbreaking?

A recent column over at TechnologyReview.com featured Jason Pontin talking about how WikiLeaks' lasting effects may be different from what many people assume.

Pontin doesn't believe WikiLeaks has a high probability of lasting very long in a world where it exposes powerful governments' secrets, but the new opportunities provided by their "secure drop box" have prompted others to use their methods in increasingly successful ways.

Pontin mentions how other organizations dedicated to leaking information (with less controversial and obstinate stances toward governments) are starting to use the drop box method with success. He believes even mainstream news organizations like Al Jazeera and The New York Times will begin using this method to get a lot more information out there that is relevant.

I would prefer to see more news and information being shared that is not thought up by a cable news network director or paparazzi or to fill up a portion of programming, but rather real news from real places that people wouldn't know about unless it was leaked.

If this drop box method ends up changing a lot of things I can see the job of a journalist in future years being more diverse as he or she seeks out what would be the most important story among thousands of anonymous submissions. That might not be a bad job to have at all.

Photo Credit: Oliver Tacke via Creative Commons

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Tuneful Journalism

As we all look into the future and contemplate where we would like to end up in our careers, one branch of journalism that is often overlooked is music journalism.

Like any other current event, social or political issue, or sports story, music is news too. Not only is music news, but there are endless aspects of the business that need to be covered.

The obvious components of the music industry that need to be reported on include awards shows, concert tours, new breakthrough sounds, and album releases. However, there is so much more to the industry.

Aspects of the music world such as new recording techniques, and covering issues regarding the industry itself are often overlooked.

In an article published by the Seattle Weekly the ups and downs of the music industry were portrayed.

Many music journalists can often be overwhelmed with new music to the point where it blurs together. After listening to so much they are not able to form good opinions on each new artist or sound.

As a result of this, it is important for music journalists to listen to each new track, record, or artist with an open mind. If journalists are constantly comparing new music to sounds they have already heard, the content of their writing becomes mostly negative.

Many music journalsits get tired of always critiquing. A main part of a music journalist's job is to listen to, and review new music. It becomes a very difficult job to fairly judge someone else's artistic ability and career work.

Many artists and journalists have expressed how hard interviews can be. In the article in the Seattle Weekly one artist was quoted as saying that they just get fed up with cut and dry interview questions. They made the point that if readers and journalists really care about their art form, they will ask questions that have deeper meaning.

So, as developing journalists, that is a point we need to keep in mind. Always do research before an interview no matter who you are interviewing. The interviewer will be much happier to answer deeper, more personal and relevant questions than questions that don't really matter.

Photo Credit: stuartpilbrow on Flickr via CreativeCommons

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What's Next?

Many of us are currently working towards a career in journalism, so what exactly can students do in preparation for entering the real world of journalism?

8 things college journalists should do before they graduate has a great list of ideas to get students started. Here are a few:

1. Blog- A blog shows potential employers one important thing: consistency. Employers will see that you can produce work on a consistent basis, and therefore will be a committed journalist down the road.

2. Get a new wardrobe- Many college students' wardrobe selection is anything but professional or appropriate for the working world. Invest in a professional looking outfit or two, especially if you are going into broadcasting.

3. Clean up your social network profiles- Be sure to delete any poor language or inappropriate photos on your Facebook or Twitter.

Employers often check the profiles of candidates, and anything they see and don't like could make or break a potential employee's chances of getting the job.

4. Talk to your professors- Professors often have connections to important people or jobs in the journalism business. Professors also make great references to use on resumes.

5. Create a portfolio- Gather together what you feel is the best work of your college career in journalism.

This could be anything dealing with internships or even stories featured in the campus newspaper. The portfolio will help in identifying your strengths and skills.

To check out the rest of the tips, click on this link. Photo Credit: Creative Commons

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Four Basic Facts to an Interview

When conducting an interview every beginning journalist asks the question: What do I need to know? There are four basic facts that every journalist needs to know prior to their first actual interview.

1. Have the right tools ready for the interview.
The tools that every journalist needs for an interview are a notebook and a recorder. A lot of journalists will say that it is a debate to which tool you'll need, but having both is ideal. It is very easy to start your recorder, hold it, and then throughout the interview take notes. This way you will have a back up plan if one of the methods fails, and you can be sure to get the story your source is conveying.

2. Make sure you are asking the right questions.
Each interview is different from the next. You aren't going to ask Micheal Jordan the same questions as Professor Steffen when you are interviewing them about the upcoming March Madness. This may require a little research prior to the interview, but will allow you to prepare questions for your upcoming interview.

3. Take great notes.
When interviewing you aren't able to ask your source to slow down, quit talking, or to repeat their last quote. Therefore you will need to learn how to take quick notes. This may require some practice. My suggestion is to watch some clips on YouTube, but try to take notes on the clips why watching. After taking those notes re-watch the clip and see how well you did.

4. Choose the best quotes.
The quotes are the heart of the story. As a reporter you will try to take notes of as many quotes as possible, but when writing you will not want to include every quote from the interview. Compare the quotes from your interview to your lead, and then decide which are most relevant to your lead. Those quotes with the most relevance are what you should include in your story.

Interviews are much easier then beginning journalists think. Just relax and remember these four basic facts. Then you will produce a great interview, which in turn will produce a great story.

Photo Credit: scragz, Flickr

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