J 201 - Section 310

My Online Report II

2012-03-02T14:44:00.001-08:00

1) How well did the journalistic community live up toits responsibility to present the ‘facts’?

The journalistic community in general didn’t do a good jobdisclosing the truth. As Warren Strobel said “The top rule of being an intelligenceagent, or a journalist, and they are really not that different, is you’reskeptical of defenders, because they have a reason to exaggerate.” In thecoverage of leading U.S. to the war, however, mainstream media failed to bethat skeptical and stand up for journalism. Their coverage did not best servethe interest of people, especially those who were to send to the war, butrather favored the need for the government.

2) Where they failed, why did they do so?

Basically journalists wrote their stories in a way tosupport the government and discard opposite voices. For example, no articlesquestioning government’s decision on war were put in the front page on nationalpapers and demonstrations against the war received little media attention. Theywere also in full trust of government authorities and created the kind of “self-confirmingleak circle” to sell the war. The New York Times also “teamed up” withFrontline for a documentary on the defectors justifying the decency of the wareven without enough evidence showing Saddam Hussein’s acquisition of WMD.

3) What kinds of pressures did news organizations face?

The news organizations face the pressures from governmentauthority, peer media groups and the over-patriotism of the general public thatwas immediately generated after 9/11. The false coverage wouldn’t have happenedif there were no such synthesis of effects. I also agree with what WalterPincus commented that “people don’t have a fear of irritating the White House,certainly not at the Washington Post. But, they do worry about sort of gettingout ahead of something.” After all, news organizations are formed by individualjournalists. And journalists are human beings. Although they are willing to bethe first to report news, they may not be willing to take the risk and to beregard as being soft towards the war as it is the case for everyone else.

4) How did different kinds of news outlets cover theissue differently? What was the difference between these outlets?

Two of the major differences might be the readership demographicand the relationship between the media outlets and government/political parties.The Knight Ridder is noted as one of the first outlets investigating andquestioning the government’s claim after 9/11. However, Moyer also mentionsthat Knight Ridder has no outlets in either New York or Washington and it’s notas influential in political reports as mainstream news outlets. On thecontrary, he New York Times, Washington Post and Fox news are the three outletsin favor of the war. FOX accused CNN as unpatriotic for their reporting of thewar scenes shows the intention to stop the war. And the FOX coverage was mostlyto unify the nation to go for the war.

Online Assignment #2

2012-03-02T11:47:00.002-08:00

1) How well did the journalistic communitylive up to its responsibility to present the ‘facts’?

a. The journalistic community has aresponsibility to find the facts and tell the truth. In this situation, they listened to authorityfigures and did not investigate more. They did not do the work that was needed to find the truth.

2) Where they failed, why did they do so?

a. They failed at not investigating andasking the right questions to know the whole situation.

b. Why they failed is because the listenedto authority officials and did not question what they were being told.

3) What kinds of pressures did newsorganizations face?

a. News organizations faced pressures fromthe government and from other news organizations saying they were un-Americanor un-Patriotic. Not only that but they also had problems with "what would happen if they did not follow" and the consequences that would go from that.

4) How did different kinds of news outletscover the issue differently? What was the difference between these outlets?

a. Some news outlets investigated more,questioned more, and found information to not be accurate. Then when they sought people to interview ortried to get clarity, they would get shut down and not be able to get noticed.

b. The difference between these outletslies in the questioning and finding answers to their confusions. The ones that kept seeking and finding answerdid not care what other news organizations were doing but just wanted to get tothe truth and share it. The neworganizations that chose to follow what the government was saying and to notinvestigate more, cared about their reputation and what would happen to them ifthey did not follow what was expected of them by the government officials.

Online Assignment #2

2012-03-02T09:59:00.003-08:00

1) How well did the journalistic community live up to itsresponsibility to present the ‘facts’?

Idon’t think the journalistic community lived up to its responsibility to presentthe facts very well at all. The allowed the country to believe that the 9/11attacks were the doing of Iraq and Saddam Hussein when this was not the case.

2) Where they failed, why did they do so?

Theyfailed because they knew that there was little to no evidence connecting Iraqand the 9/11 attacks. They allowed themselves to be manipulated by thegovernment. A good example of this isduring a press conference with George Bush he had a specific list ofjournalists he was supposed to call on. It was also known that the Pentagon senta CIA agent into Iraq to find anything connecting them with the terroristattacks and they were unable to find anything. The press had this knowledge yetthey continued to report going to war with Iraq as the best possible option forthe United States at that time. They even had evidence against Saddam Hussein,that he was a control freak and to “introduce a wild card like Al Qaeda” wouldnot be something he would do.

3) What kinds of pressures did news organizations face?

Newsorganizations face pressures from many different angles. They face pressuresfrom the American public. If they report something that people don’t want tohear or in this case, something that was “un-American”, they will lose manyviewers and often times, credibility in many people’s eyes. They also facepressures from the government. As we also saw in this case, they basically hadto report what the government wanted. They were being manipulated into showingthe American public what the government wanted them to believe all along. Thegovernment got prime space from the press to make their case that it was Saddamwho ordered 9/11. The government pressured the press into giving them thisspace.

4) How did different kinds of news outlets cover the issuedifferently? What was the difference between these outlets?

Thereare many different kinds of news outlets that present the same stories. Some ofthem are more influenced by outside sources than others. Some people tried topresent the truth but they were seen as un-American during that time in ourcountry. There are also the ones that are more influenced by the government andthey are obviously going to present things the way the government wants themto. The New York Times is one of the most influential newspapers in the countryand they were printing stories about the connections between Saddam and theattacks. Obviously many people were listening to what the media was tellingthem because even after it was proved that there was no connection, a majorityof Americans still thought there were.

Julia Skulstad - Online Assignment 2

2012-03-01T20:41:00.002-08:00

1) How well did the journalistic community live up to its responsibility to present the ‘facts’?
Before considering if the journalistic community lived up to its responsibility to present the facts in the case of reporting in times leading up to the Iraq War, first, exactly what responsibilities journalists as a institution have must be taken into consideration. If journalists are responsible to report the truth stone cold and with no fluff, then no, they did not live up to their responsibility to present the facts. As seen in the video, journalists fell into president Bush’s trap. For example, in one instance reporters were following along with a script in a press conference about Bush’s decision to go to war. These reporters proved that they knew the war was going to happen but in their actions they showed that they basically accepted bribery just to stay out of the way. Journalists failed to live up to their responsibility to present facts by not having the courage to ask any hard questions, by not taking the time to get evidence, and by neglecting their responsibility to the public to act as a trustworthy resource. There were no ‘facts’ apparent in this situation because the journalists simply accepted what was spoon-fed to them by the government.

2) Where they failed, why did they do so?
In the time leading up to the Iraq war, the press and government became one and this proved to be very dangerous for the public. Through the press uniting with the government, they too became hawkers for the so-called “Patriotism Police.” This invisible police force existed throughout the reporting community and forced all reporters to remain loyal to the government. From this, journalists failed to find their own voice. People on news staffs knew not to criticize the president and those who did where silenced through threats. Furthermore, in the case of reporting about weapons of mass destruction, reporters and different news mediums practically bet their lives on the weapons existence, reporting with ‘anonymous sources’ to validate their claims that the reporters themselves did not have evidence of. Though harshly put, it can be said that journalists failed to find the courage necessary to challenge the white house propaganda machine that was selling the war to the American public.

3) What kinds of pressures did news organizations face?
News organizations, in responding to the 9/11 attacks, were faced with many pressures from the American government. The government adopted a dangerous ideology that if they continued to say the same thing over and over, eventually the public would start to see it as true. In this case, the government was trying to make the public believe that Saddam Hussein and Acadia were not only responsible for 9/11, but that they were also working together and hiding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. All of these efforts were created to mobilize the country for war. Additionally, even when it was proved that Iraq was not responsible for 9/11 and when claims of weapons of mass destruction fell through, the majority of Americans still believed in these arguments. This again ties into the argument of the “Patriotism Police” pressures stemming from the White House’s tactics to market the war, which heavily influenced the press. The heavy influx of media messages in support of the government and rallying for war won over the public and because the public was convinced, the press was forced to fall into the government’s hand as well.

4) How did different kinds of news outlets cover the issue differently? What was the difference between these outlets?
The issue of 9/11 and the question of what to do with Iraq heavily impacted all news outlets. It was hard to find the truth and it was up to the news reporters to decide what to make of all the government’s messages circulating around this topic. Some saw through the government’s forced media message and decided to investigate the president’s claims. For example the Knight Riders was one news outlet that decided to report on the issue from an un-biased perspective. However, the Knight Riders were in the small minority of news outlets who chose to report without government influence in the height of mobilization for war. Even the big guns like the New York Times newspaper fell into the republican message to mobilize for war. For example, the argument for weapons of mass destruction was taken much more seriously once the Times reported on it. However, the difference between the Times and the Knight Riders lies in their significance and worth to society. Since the Times is considered to be a highly credible news outlet, because they gave the argument for weapons of mass destruction their stamp of approval, the public was left with no choice but to assume truth in the weapon’s existence.

Online Assignment 2

2012-03-01T19:26:00.002-08:00

1) How well did the journalistic communitylive up to its responsibility to present the ‘facts’?

The journalistic communitydid not always live up to its responsibility to present the facts. Thejournalists knew war was almost guaranteed, and did not attempt to go againstthe government and public feeling, even if it was in the public interest. Apress conference for then President George W. Bush showed an uncomfortable meetingfilled with scripted questions and answers and nervous or embarrassed laughter;the journalists would not break the charade and ask questions that would revealthe truth. The journalists did not want to take on a wartime president becauseof the immediate negative consequences, so they did not follow up on sourcesand “facts”.

2) Where they failed, whydid they do so?

The journalists servedtheir country as patriots, not as critical journalists. Journalists werereporting that Saddam and Al Qaida were working together on the 9/11 attacks,which journalists who had spent time in Iraq knew to be absurd. Those that wentagainst the partnership knew a controlling dictator like Hussein would notyield any responsibility to a wildcard like Al Qaida. While the Bushadministration was stretching to connect Hussein with Al Qaida, skepticism wasrare and the media felt it was wrong to scrutinize. The media focused on Iraqidefectors who fed stories that could not be substantiated and that raised redflags after being published. The defectors had reason to exaggerate, and themedia should have been dubious.

3) What kinds of pressuresdid news organizations face?

The news organizations didnot want to be accused of being unpatriotic for the threat of beingdiscredited. Journalists felt that if they were critical of government actions,then they were somehow doing something wrong. They felt that because theyimmediately lined up with the president in the beginning, they lost theirability to criticize. News organizations also felt extreme pressure from bothadvertisers and the Bush administration because their best interest was moneyand support, which would be diminished by the reporting of the truth.

4) How did different kindsof news outlets cover the issue differently? What was the difference betweenthese outlets?

As a visual news outlet,television news programs had to balance images of the hardships of civilians inIraq with talk of patriotism and reminders of the horrors of 9/11. Print news organizationsreceived threatening emails, which sometimes affected what was written. The Weekly Standard repeatedly called forSaddam Hussein’s death and said letting him live in 1991 was a mistake. Themagazine Vanity Fair took outrageousstories from Iraqi defectors that had numerous inconsistencies and had to beretracted later. Over time there were two messages circulating: the message bythe public administration and the message from intelligence communities anddiplomats. It was unclear to news organizations what the truth was, and theyreported what they were given in their different ways.

Online assignment #2

2012-03-01T15:59:00.005-08:00

1) How well did the journalistic community live up to itsresponsibility to present the facts?

Following the September 11th devastation, a wave ofpatriotism swept across America and captivated many journalists. A strongemphasis on this rediscovered patriotism pressured many journalists to adhereto its idea. They were forced to support the government's actions, or theycould be seen as un-American and be publicly ridiculed. This caused largelyone-sided opinions in support of government action to declare war in the MiddleEast. The few oppositional views that some journalists had were shushed,discredited, and kept relatively silent.

2) Where they failed, why did they do so?

Journalists had a hard time presenting un-biased opinionswith completely factual information because of the pressure from society toonly produce articles in support of the war, which became synonomous withAmerican patriotism. I also believe many journalists kept their oppositionalviews silent out of fear of public ridicule and possibly losing their jobs.

3) What kinds of pressures did news organizations face?

News organizations faced the same pressures as individualjournalists did, which was the pressure to be patriotic and support thegovernments decisions regardless of relevant information that said otherwise.News organizations even sought out information that could verify thegovernment's actions. For example, they searched Iraq for "credible"sources that could confirm the existence of weapons of mass destruction andother reasons that would justify the Bush's administration to go to war.

4) How did different kinds of news outlets cover the issuedifferently? What was the difference between these outlets?

Despite the pressures from the government and society, somenews outlets tried to cover the Iraq issue from an un-biased perspective andwith a careful skepticism of what was presented as true. One of the newsoutlets featured, The Knight Ridder, saw the Bush's administration's call forwar as a very serious decision that needed to be explored from many differentangles before people simply accepted it as the best choice. They took on aresponsibility to their readers to provide them with the most un-biasedinformation and let them make rational decisions for themselves.

Online Assignment 2

2012-03-01T14:04:00.004-08:00

(1) How well did the journalistic community live up to its responsibility to present the 'facts'?

Many journalists definitely did not live up to their responsibilities to present the facts. I say this because the journalistic community seemed to go with everything the government was throwing at the US citizens. Many journalists were afraid to publish articles going against the war because it seemed like all of America was so fired up and ready to go to war. No matter what happened, most journalists believed that America was going to go to war regardless.

(2) Where they failed, why did they do so?

The journalistic community failed in presenting the truth and giving views opposing the choice of George Bush to go to war. I believe many of these journalists didn't present the facts because the feeling of America immediately following 911 was to go to war. From my own personal experience, I never met one person who held the view that America shouldn't go to war, and if they did they were afraid to say it. I also think the journalistic community with- held information because the government was putting pressure on them not to publish just how bad things were in Iraq, along with opposing the decision of Bush to go to war. I also feel like many of the journalists thought that if they would do this they would jeopardize their career.

(3) What kinds of pressure did news organizations face?

News organizations faced many different kinds of pressures throughout the time period from the beginning of the war to the end. Many people were so set on going to war that anyone who challenged this idea were pressured and called " un- American." News organizations were also urged not to show what was going on in Iraq including deaths and pictures such as dead civilians.

(4) How did different kinds of news outlets cover the issue differently? What was the difference between these outlets?

Different news outlets covered the stories and issues very differently. For example Republican news channels tended to side with the government and sparked even more interest in going to war. A lot of this was because, at the time our president was Republican. More democratic outlets tended to be with the idea of going to war but didn't agree with certain aspects of the presidents plan that he laid out. Many Democratic outlets also tried to get ahold of defectors and publish their stories about what was really going on in Iraq. Some other outlets and mediums covered the defectors as well regardless of if the information was true or not because they could still make money off of it.

Online Assignment 2

2012-03-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

(1) How well did the journalistic community live up to its responsibility to present the 'facts'?

The journalistic community did not live up to its responsibility to present the 'facts' to Americans after 911. After 911 the country was extremely patriotic and wanted revenge. The journalistic community went along with the government and further reinforced the connection President Bush was creating between 911 terrorists and Iraq. Many journalists moved out of the way because they thought the war was going to happen no matter what they published. Because journalists presented facts supporting the view of the government, they never gave the public the alternative view needed to give them perspective on the situation. The journalistic community did a good job of reinforcing the connection between 911 and Iraq, never giving one opportunity to question it for they never provided any information that went against this claim.

(2) Where they failed, why did they do so?

The journalistic community failed to present information that went against the opinion of the government. At a time of intense patriotism coupled with a vocal government, it's hard to present information against what the government and public believe in at a time of war. Journalists at this time were in fear of being turned against and losing credibility if they were to report the other side. Due to the environment these journalists were working in, they were under pressure to not present the facts they may have wanted to therefore not living up to their responsibility.

(3) What kinds of pressure did news organizations face?

News organizations faced extreme pressure to present information that was "American" and not against the government. Networks faced pressure from advertisers to not show civilian causalities deeming it "anti-American". These organizations had a general consensus that it wasn't a good idea to criticize the government during war time. Therefore, news organizations felt they had to present information to the public that would find acceptable, which meant presenting America in a positive light.

(4) How did different kinds of news outlets cover the issue differently? What was the difference between these outlets?

Newspapers were the most powerful news outlet during the time after 911. Information published in the New York Times, for example, would be talked about on the nightly news and taken by all as fact. Television presented information from abroad as well as interviews of government officials discussing topics brought up in the paper. For example VP Cheney wasn't able to discuss further details about nuclear weapons in Iraq until the New York Times published something about it. The only opposition papers like the New York Times faced was from the Knight Riders which was one of few to examine the governments reasons to go to war. It presented information in an non-fantastical manner, focusing only the facts. In Vanity Fair, an article was published about the Defectors which was extremely fantastic and fill of twisted facts.

Online Assignment #2

2012-02-29T20:25:00.000-08:00

1)    How well did the journalistic community live up to its responsibility to present the ‘facts’?
Though not applicable to all journalists in America, I believe that the journalistic community as a whole completely failed to live up to its responsibility to present the facts. There were a handful of times talked about in the documentary where journalists simply played into the government’s desires to, for lack of a better term, talk the American public into war. News stations like FOX used their influence and the overwhelming feeling of patriotism to blow up the thoughts that if you were against going to war you were anti-American. Well respected journalists and news sources were publishing articles confirming the government’s claims without even attempting to conduct the type of follow up investigating necessary. All of these instances directly violate journalists’ responsibility to deliver news that is truthful in order to allow the American people to develop an opinion based on facts.

2)    Where they failed, why did they do so?
The overwhelming feelings of patriotism filled the country in the time following 9/11 was the primary reason for journalistic failure. Anything in opposition to the American government was seen as “un-American”. Many journalists did not want to be seen as unpatriotic or un-American. With this pressure placed on their shoulders, many journalists were encourage to accept information that they would have otherwise been skeptical of or avoid investigating where they normally would.

3)    What kinds of pressures did news organizations face?
Organizations faced the pressure to reflect the patriotism that was felt in every corner of America. There was little tolerance for scrutiny of the government. This idea had consumed the American people’s minds that America needed to retaliate against SOMEONE, and anyone who was opposed to making that happen as quickly as possible was “anti-American”. News organizations played right into that idea, and even fueled it. This then directly influenced journalists, who felt the pressure from the government and the public as well as their own organizations to support going to war.

4)    How did different kinds of news outlets cover the issue differently? What was the difference between these outlets?
There was different coverage depending upon an outlet’s political bias and their viewer base. Sources like FOX News automatically sided with the government and used the culture of extreme patriotism to push the idea of war as the only true “American” plan of action. Vanity Fair and various talk shows looked for the “wow factor” in coverage. They published and covered the stories about defectors spilling their guts about terrorist training camps and WMDs. They knew that these were fascinating stories, whether or not they were true, and that people would pay to read or see them.

Assignment #2

2012-02-29T16:16:00.002-08:00

How well did the journalistic community live up to its responsibility to present the ‘facts’?

In general, not well. Some journalists had inside knowledge that this war was wrong and of the devastating outcome it could have for America's economy and military, and sat idly by and watched it all happen. Though I will give credit to some smaller media sources that tried to get the information they knew of out there.

Where they failed, why did they do so?

I think there are many reasons why these journalists failed in presenting the correct facts. Personal gain and fear of losing their credit in the journalistic community, pressures from the government, pressures from their news company, and pressures from the American people.

What kinds of pressures did news organizations face?

I think that these news organizations and journalists faced pressure from the public and the government. After 9/11 the public was so full of patriotism and nationalism, that they would have not taken kindly to anything but revenge at that point. To make readers and the public happy, as well as to continue to have readers, the news organizations probably felt that they had to put out the popular opinion at that time. Also, there was government pressure. The government obviously wanted to go to war at that point, and they had various ways of infiltrating and controlling the media to make sure that pro-war messages were being sent to the public.

How did different kinds of news outlets cover the issue differently? What was the difference between these outlets?

From watching the video, it seemed that the bigger and more well known news stations covered the same information, but in different ways. CNN and FOX are clearly both huge news outlets and they each felt that they needed to side with the government and send out pro-war messages. The difference was that FOX sent these messages in a very conservative way, being aggressive and playing on America's need for revenge. CNN still covered this topic, but in a much more liberal way which sometimes earned them the label of being un-american. It seems that smaller news papers, for example the Night Ridder, did report on the facts and doubts on the war. It seems that they felt and obligation to their readers who would be sending their children into the war, to let them know what was really going on.

Online Assignment #2

2012-02-29T09:21:00.001-08:00

1. How well did the journalistic community live up to its responsibility topresent the ‘facts’?

The journalistic community did a poor job in livingup to its responsibility to present the ‘facts.’ Instead of asking serious questions that needed to be answered, the reporters just played along with the scripted presscoverage. Most journalists didn’thave scrutiny like they should when reporting and did not demand evidence from governmentsources.

2. Where they failed, why did they do so?

The journalistic community was hesitant toscrutinize the alleged facts that the Bush Administration was presentingbecause it was immediately after a very tragic and emotional event. After a tragedy like 9/11, the countryis brought together in solidarity and a renewed sense of patriotism. The “patriotism police” would callanyone disloyal or anti-American if they criticized the government.

3. What kinds of pressures did news organizations face?

News organizations faced the pressure from thegovernment and the American citizens to be sympathetic after such atragedy. They were told to balanceimages of destruction in Afghanistan, like civilian causalities, with images of9/11.

4. How diddifferent kinds of news outlets cover the issue differently? What was thedifference between these outlets?

Fox News was presenting the question of war as necessary. They sided with the Bush Administrationand presented the connection of Sadam Hussein and Al-Qaeda as valid. Fox News criticized CNN as being tooliberal and anti-American when they raised questions about the administration’sclaims. The very prominent newspapersnear Washington D.C., like The New York Times and The Washington Post coveredthis issue with strong emphases on the ‘facts’ of the Bush Administration andreasons why we have to go to war. Newspapers that don’t reach the Washington area, like Knight Ridder,were the ones to dig deep into the allegations that Iraq had weapons of massdestruction. When questions wereraised, they were placed later in the newspaper, never on the front page.

Buying the War - Online Assignment #2

2012-02-28T15:33:00.004-08:00

1) How well did the journalistic community live up to its responsibility to present the ‘facts’?

The journalistic community did not do a very good job living up to its responsibility to present the facts, this is due to multiple reasons. First off all, after 9/11 emotions hit everyone, including journalists, which is completely understandable. Naturally this created a bias towards America when reporting on these events. Leading up to the war, parts of the community created fake stories to help convince the nation that war was necessary. I feel that part of that can be given credit to the fact that it was what the people wanted to hear. The press is a business, the need to have circulation, if the people don't like it, they wont read it.

2) Where they failed, why did they do so?

Sort of as I said before, This was a time when the majority of the country wanted war, they wanted revenge for what happened on 9/11. If they reported on things that were negative, there is a chance that papers popularity would decrease. On top of this, the government seemed to have some reporting agencies eating from their hands, trying to make war even more what the people wanted. Trying to convince them that there truly was a reason for invading Iraq.

3) What kinds of pressures did news organizations face?

They faced many different pressures. They faces pressures from the people of the US to provide accurate news to them, as well as being news that they want to read. They faced pressures (some agencies) from the government to produce the news that they told them to produce. They also faced pressures from withing, knowing what they should be reporting on, what they shouldn't be reporting on, what they've been told to report on, what they have been told not to report on. Most of the internal pressures have to do with ethics that personal reporters and organizations themselves possessed.

4) How did different kinds of news outlets cover the issue differently? What was the difference between these outlets?

The Knight Ridder news outlet wanted the public to know what was really happening, how there was proof that Saddam actually had no WMDs and the other stories were based on know true evidence. This outlet felt the country should have the truth. The New York Times and Vanity Fair were actually producing fake stories to try and convince the public that Iraq had and was producing nuclear weapons, they were tied in by the government to help legitimatize the war in Iraq.

Buying the War video: online assignment #2

2012-02-27T20:01:00.002-08:00

1. How well did the journalistic community live up to its responsibility to present the facts?
Journalists were faced with a major dilemma when trying to report about the war. Many of them were in the middle of the chaos of the Middle East and saw the real terror of war. One technique that many journalists used was to balance the casualties of the war with reminders of the events on 9/11. This gave the consumers somewhat of an excuse for the actions taking place in the war.

2. Where they failed, why did they do so?
After the events of 9/11, America was overwhelmingly patriotic. With this in mind, journalists had an advantage whenever writing a piece about how America was coming together as a nation. At the same time, however, it was difficult to report about the negative aspects of the war in the Middle East. Some reporters decided to show very little of these parts of the war, or maybe completely disregard them altogether.

3. What kinds of pressures did news organizations face?
Reporters were pressured by advertisers and corporations to portray their paper in a way that would not hurt their companies. The newspaper corporations were torn between presenting the news accurately and keeping their reputations in tact.

4. How did different kinds of news outlets cover the issue differently? What was the difference between these outlets?
Some media outlets were better than others when it came to accurately presenting the facts of the war. CNN, for example, was often criticized for being too liberal and not presenting the facts correctly, or even at all. Conservative FOX news on the other hand reported the harsh real-life news, no matter how graphic they were.

News Coverage Leading Up to the Iraq War

2012-02-27T12:12:00.003-08:00

How well did the journalistic community live up to itsresponsibility to present the facts?

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 had a significant impact onthe emotions of Americans-journalists were no exception. A deep sense of patriotism swept through thenation, and most news media reported stories that reflected this feeling. As a result, many failed to present unbiasedfacts, especially those pertaining to the Bush administration who sought tolink Al Qaida to Saddam Hussein. In addition,President Bush and his supporters claimed that Saddam was in possession of WMD’swhich, as we now know, was not true. Oneof the main responsibilities of journalists is to view information with acritical eye, not just report whatever facts are coming out of the white house.

Where they failed, why did they do so?

As stated before, many journalists did not critique thestatements of the Bush administration as thoroughly as they should have. This is due in large part, I think, to thesense of hysteria that resulted from the unprecedented acts of 9/11. As stated early in the video, most peoplefelt like military action needed to be taken; that we could not sit idly bywhile terrorists oversees plotted another attack. This changed the way in which journalistsreceived and reported news coming out of the white house. Most were less skeptical of the facts thatwere presented by Bush and his supporters because reporters, along with mostAmericans, felt a need to take action. This contrasts with some reporters, though, like the two gentlemen for The Knight Rider who were assigned toinvestigate the Bush administration’s campaign to wage war on Iraq. These two showed an extraordinary ability tomaintain reason when analyzing the facts being presented. They were able to overcome their feelings offear and anxiety, and think rationally about the material. Because of this they were able to deliberatethat Iraq’s link to Al Qaida and Saddam’s possession of WMD’s, as insisted bythe white house were, in fact, not true. Had more reporters acted like these two gentlemen America may have beenable to avoid the war entirely.

What kinds of pressures did news organizations face?

The attacks of 9/11, as have been stated now several times,caused a great deal of hysteria, fear, and ambivalence among Americans. Popular opinion insisted upon military actionbecause there was a great fear that similar attacks could occur again. Any dissent, therefore, was generally perceivedas unpatriotic. If and when a newsorganization was critical of the Bush administration, and resisted the notionof waging war on Iraq, or, as in the case of CNN, reported heavily on civiliancasualties once American troops had invaded Iraq, it was perceived generally asunpatriotic.

How did different kinds of news outlets cover the issuesdifferently? What was the differencebetween these outlets?

The traditionally liberal New York Times, and Saffire specifically, became notorious forsupporting the case for war in Iraq. Other news outlets acted similar like Fox New-which, of course, surprisednobody. Papers like the Knight Rider were more skeptical of informationdisplayed by the Bush administration, and their stories reflected thatskepticism. In general, most newsoutlets accepted statements made by the white house with little skepticism,while some did not.

Discussion Questions: "Media That Stir Emotions"

2012-02-15T10:21:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of the article, Sparks illustrated how watching The Twilight Zone turned out to be a nightmare in his childhood. Do you also had experiences like that? Or is there a film or TV program that made you regret to have seen it?
What are the major differences between children of age 2~7 and the older kids according to the cognitive theory? Based on this theory, what are some of the cognitive treatments that Spark mentions could be helpful for protecting younger and older children from the harm of horror films respectively, and how do you think about that?
Sparks argues that the MPAA ranking for films is not sufficient in this case. What is your experience of deciding whether to watch a film--do you refer to the rankings at all? And how do you think the system could improve?
Do you enjoy watching thriller films? If you do, do you feel that the "theory of expectation transfers" makes sense for you at all?
What are the other kinds of emotions other than fear that Spark claims media could generate? Which film or TV program you've seen could be an example?

What are your opinions about the last note in the article: "Perhaps the ways in which we are expected to respond emotionally are being shaped daily by our media experiences.

Discussion Questions: “Wounded but not slain: The orderly retreat of the American newspaper.”

2012-02-14T20:10:00.000-08:00

Who received a family newspaper when at home? Who currently receives a newspaper? Do you think this is a good representation of a wider trend?

In the article, Baughman sites a quote referring to the existence of “journalistic isolation” in a wide majority of daily newspapers. What do you believe is meant by “journalistic isolation”? How has this impacted newspapers?

Would you prefer to receive information from an all-in-one source or a specialized source (such as ESPN, E!, etc.)? Or does it depend on the type of information? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of source?

How will the transition of newspapers to the internet impact the newspaper industry? Do you believe that newspapers will eventually move to a solely online form?

In what ways are television’s impact on newspaper and its impact on movies similar? How are they different?

Discussion: "The Unbeautiful Game"

2012-02-07T14:23:00.000-08:00

Discussion: "The Unbeautiful Game"

• Did you watch the Superbowl because you wanted to see the game or the commercials? Do you think the Superbowl has become more about the half time show and advertisements than the game itself?

• What doyou think the title means? Does the use of a the made up word "unbeautiful" signify anything about the credibility of the author or the message the author is trying to convey?

• Did the various popular culture references (Ex: Joe Pepitone) in this articleenhance or add anything to your reading of this article?

• When yougo see a sporting event do you have a different view point of how the playersare playing than when you watch the game at home on your TV as Joe Namath discussed?

• When you're team loses, what does it mean to you if you are at home or at the game? What is meant by the statement“the essential experience of watching sports is experiencing loss”?

• Do youthink the media glorifies or exaggerates sports importance though outlets suchas ESPN's Sportscenter, sports radio shows, and movies such as Friday NightLights and The Blind Side?

Paul Starr, "Coda: The Advent of the Media" Discussion questions

2012-02-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

While European countries tended to have more centrally located media outlets, the US has had a history of the opposite, which began with the freedom of the press. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a centrally located media power? Was the press's autonomy inevitable because of liberal tendencies in the colonies, or was it more coincidence? (For example, the Stamp Act resistance and its importance to printers.) Is government censorship of news/media ever acceptable or valuable?
The increased circulation and increased advertising in US newspapers led to its commercialization. What are the pros and cons that resulted from this commercialization?
Walter Lippmann believed there was a need to reform journalism to guarantee trustworthy and relevant news. What was the "sense of evidence" he wanted journalists to develop? Why is Lippmann's reform important to journalism and the public? Whose responsibility is it to censor news/media?
Paul Lazarsfeld did a study during the 1940 presidential election that studied voting decisions and how they were developed. What were the findings of this study, and what impact did they have on scholarly opinion of media effects?

Intro

2012-02-06T10:12:00.001-08:00

Name and hometown: Franco LaTona, West Bend, WI

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now? Hopefully something in politics. Most of my interest in politics stems from studies here at school. I especially admire Bill Clinton, and FDR, though.

Do you consume "news"? If so, what are your main sources? Unfortunately, the only news I consume these days is The Daily Show, with John Stewart. I find it to be an hilarious way to get the world news, but I sometimes wish I got a better variety.

What kind of music do you like? I like a wide variety of music (my ipod is proof), but my favorite is rap/hip hop. My favorite artists are Kanye West and Lil Wayne.

Favorite online video: Every Day Average Normal Guy

What recent pop culture expression do you love? I say dude all the time, sometimes even to girls (accidentally, of course).

Paul Starr: "The Creation of the Media"

2012-02-06T09:49:00.001-08:00

In his book, The Creation of the Media, Paul Starr discusses the complex andincreasing influence of media in American culture. He specifically points to newspapers, motionpictures and broadcasting, all of which were changing the way masscommunication functioned in America at the beginning of the twentieth century. In the chapter we read, one of Starr’sprimary goals is to contrast the difference in government policy betweenAmerican and European telecommunications, and explain why the former, adecentralized, private system that received its funding from advertisementrather than government subsidies, achieved greater success.

Paul Starr is employed by PrincetonUniversity where he holds the Stuart Chair in Communications and Public Affairsat the Woodrow Wilson School. Theopportunity to sit in lecture’s given by Starr on a regular basis is quiterare. Indeed, in 2010, only 9% ofindividuals who applied to the master’s program were accepted, making it themost selective school of public policy/international affairs in the UnitedStates. Before Starr held tenure atPrinceton-back in the early 1990’s-he served as the senior advisor to PresidentClinton and his proposed Health Care Reform Plan.

Starr earned a Bachelorette of Artsdegree from Columbia University in 1970, and a PhD in sociology from Harvard in1978. Since then, American society,politics, and public policy are a few of the many subjects Paul Starr has writtenabout. In 1984, he won the PulitzerPrize for nonfiction as well as the Bancroft Prize for his piece The Social Transformation of AmericanMedicine. In addition, in 1990,Starr cofounded “The American Prospect,” a liberal magazine which includestopics in politics, policy, and ideas. Thepart of the book we read, The Creation ofthe Media, won the Goldsmith Book Prize, an award intended to credit authorswho create works that “improve government through an examination of theintersection between press, politics, and public policy.” All of the reviews I read on the internet-onefrom a law professor at William Mitchell College of Law, one from Publishers Weekly,and another from Booklist-were all positive.

Teaching graduate students atPrinceton is a difficult task, indeed. One must maintain an extraordinary interest in the topics they discuss,and this is the case with Paul Starr. Hewrote this book in an attempt to increase people’s understanding of the historyof the media, and how it developed into a highly influential source in terms ofshaping individual and group perceptions. Paul Starr is a highly regarded intellectual in the field ofcommunications and government policy. Hehas a great number of credentials that contribute to a solid reputation. Students can be confident that this assignedreading for the week was created by an author who has studied extensively inmass media and communications, and is undoubtedly qualified to write about it.

Introduction

2012-02-03T10:10:00.000-08:00

Name and hometown: I'm Don Stang and I am from Burlington WI

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now? A future job that I have always been interested in doing is working for the entertainment industry. I would like to do something with marketing for big companies such as Warner Brothers or Universal Studios.

Do you consume “news”? If you do, what are your main sources? I consume a lot of different forms of news. Some of the biggest outlets I use are Twitter, and Facebook. I also like to read the newspaper and various articles online.

What kind of music do you like? (It could appear in lecture.) I listen to all types of music including rock, hip-hop, alternative, and R&B just to name a few. Some of my favorite artists include Coldplay, U2, Jack's Mannequin, The Fray, and 50 cent.

Favorite online video (link to it): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI-o25K6B-E&ob=av3e

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)? "TFTC" (Too frat to care)

The Age of Egalitarianism: The Penny Press

2012-02-03T09:57:00.001-08:00

The Age of Egalitarianism: The Penny Press

Imagine a place where information isn’t in the palm of your hand whenever you want it to be. You want to know what the weather is going to be like tomorrow or what the stocks look like but unfortunately, you cant. You may want to know what the Presidential Primary race is looking like but once again, you cant. This is a world without any news or media and it is what our nation used to be like hundreds of years ago. Since the early ages of our nations history news and media has come a long way. In Michael Schudson’s 1978 book “ The Age of Egalitarianism: The Penny Press,” he describes just how far media and the newspaper have come up to the 19^th Century. In this section of the book Schudson focuses on three aspects, how technology has shaped media and the press, how literacy played a huge role in the history of the newspaper, and finally, how there was democratization for the middle and lower classes in society.

After doing some researching it was interesting to find that Schudson is actually a Journalist himself as well as a sociologist who works in the fields of journalism, history, and public culture. Schudson has taught at The University of Chicago, UCSD, and is currently a professor of Journalism at Columbia University. He has written several books about Journalism and mass communication. He has also continues to publish co-ops in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The San Diego Union, and the Financial Times. Since he is highly regarded in the field of Journalism and teaches at a very well regarded University, it is safe to say he is an expert on Journalism and all of its history.

Schudson focused on how the Penny Press changed the way reporting was done in that it actually was the first paper to hire reporters and correspondents to seek out the

news, something that is now a critical part in all news companies. He also speaks about how the Penny Press was able to bring the news to the working class and their interests, something that was never done before. This bringing of the press to the working class was made possible by selling the paper for only a penny. His other main point was how the Penny Press was always the first to install the latest machinery in printing. This made is able to make more impressions and to reach the hands of more people, in a faster way.

In my opinion this book is definitely credible because of Schudson’s accolades and high regards in the research and history of journalism and communication. Schudson is primarily a sociologist and this book also encompasses just how media and Journalism have shaped society and make such a huge impact on our daily lives. As a professor of Journalism it is clear that through this book he is trying to reach people interested in media and how it has changed so much over the years. It’s obvious to me that his work is credible because many other Universities have adapted this text and made it a primary read in their Journalism classes. All in all I am very confident in the material presented here. Scudson has received many honors, he is a Guggenheim fellow, a McArthur foundation genius and carries a doctorate degree in sociology from Harvard. I would suggest this read to anyone interested or studying journalism or someone who is just curious about American history in general.

Discussion: "How Luther Went Viral"

2012-01-31T16:10:00.000-08:00

Are revolutionary ideas getting the same amount of attention when posted online as when the ideas would be solely circulated on paper?
How does the ability to respond to an idea instantly after it is posted online, as opposed to writing and sending it out to the people on paper, change what is said? Negative/Positive?
Have you seen anything online that has inspired you? Stirred you to discuss with your friends? Take action? Change the way you do things? How about a speech? Or a book? Are they different? How?
What are some similarities and differences between social media of Luther's time and social media of now? (Way it spreads, who recommends, how TV and radio come into play now and singing then, which is more personal, etc).
What is the credibility of the anonymous author? How does it being in the Economist affect the credibility?

Research Report: "How Luther Went Viral"

2012-01-31T14:09:00.000-08:00

The Economist article, “How Luther Went Viral,”describes the relation between social media in the 16^th century andnow. Although we have a much moretechnological perception of social media today, the article aims to link thepast forms of social media to that of today. Luther had the printing press resulting in pamphlets andbroadsheets, while we have computers and smart phones for Facebook statuses andTweets. The article makes thereader contemplate this connection and realize that the past is now. The Economist is a prestigious newspaperaimed toward a highly educated audience with staff members that are committedto their area of expertise. Further research indicates that this article contains factualinformation and can be considered “the truth.”

Thisarticle was included in the Christmas edition of The Economist (December 17, 2011). Thisarticle was perhaps written with those ideas and individuals because it isaround the time of a religious holiday. Also, social media is now an importantpart to most people’s everyday life, whether it entails Facebook or Twitter. Thepopularity of social media is impossible to ignore and gives the reader arealistic comparison to the past. The authors show that something many think to be trivial, like theprinting press, is extremely relevant to the here and now.

Theanonymity of the authors could make a reader somewhat skeptical of their legitimacyand qualifications. This beingsaid, The Economist is a credible,well-known newspaper that has been around since 1843. The newspaper covers topics ranging from business andfinance to science and technology. The content of diverse topics and an emphasis on current events targetshighly educated readers. Therefore, the staff members at TheEconomist are presumed to be highly educated and, in this case, well roundedin history and technology. The online article collaborates with the Babbageblog which, according to The Economist,is where “correspondents report on intersections between science, technology,culture and policy.” This proves the papers credibility and its staff members’professionalism.

Thecomments after the article depict, for the most part, a positive reaction tothe information presented. ALutheran pastor praised the authors for their “excellent piece” and evenmentioned how he and other pastors have made similar comparisons. There were a few comments from readersthat were angry over the comparison to the Arab Springs and “their”culture. However, for themost part there seemed to be a positive reaction from the readers includingstrong words like “inspirational” and “insightful.” The authors even wrote back to some of the readers’comments, further solidifying their credibility.

Atypical reader is not likely to do an investigation after every article theyread. That’s unrealistic. However, it is important to do a littleresearch instead of just assuming that if it’s published, it’s the truth. A critical eye will confirm thecredibility of this article due to the qualified authors who put it together,the legitimacy of The Economist as apaper, and the positive response from a highly educated audience.

Assignment 1

2012-01-29T19:20:00.000-08:00

Name and hometown: Evin See and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now?

I am looking into accounting right now. I would like to get involved in non-profit or small business, but I'm really not sure EXACTLY what I want to do with the rest of my life yet.

Do you consume “news”? If you do, what are your main sources?
I get a lot of information from Facebook. If I see something posted and I am interested or curious, i will usually Google it and find out more that way. I also have iGoogle as my homepage, so i often get updated on big topics from that. I read the Badger Herald or the Daily Cardinal from time to time as well.

What kind of music do you like? (It could appear in lecture.)
I love anything that Justin Vernon has ever done, especially his earlier solo work and his stuff with DeYarmond Edison. I'm also currently very into bands like Deer Tick, Dawes, The Tallest Man on Earth, and Justin Townes Earle.

Favorite online video (link to it):
There are a lot of online videos I like, but my most recent favorite is Sh*t Nobody Says.

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)?
I find myself saying things are "cray" (like crazy, get it?) way too often lately. I also say "it's whatever" all the time.

Online Assignment 1

2012-01-29T17:12:00.000-08:00

Name and hometown: Brandon Struebin; Beloit WI

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now? I want to pursue a business career. Although it would take a lot of money and creativity, I'd really like to own my own company. Benjy Grinberg is an entrepreneur who founded Rostrum Records in 2003.

Do you consume “news”? If you do, what are your main sources? I don't consume news nearly enough. While at home, I sometimes read the Beloit Daily News or The Wisconsin State Journal. However at school I don't really use print news. I learn about most news issues through talking to friends or from TV.

What kind of music do you like? (It could appear in lecture.) I can appreciate all kinds of music but my favorites are hip-hop, R&B, etc. Recently, I've been listening to Drake's Take Care album endlessly.

Favorite online video (link to it): I wish I could jump..

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)? My friends and I call each other "faahhmm." Its sort of making fun of how people call each other fam in short for family. What up faaahhhhmmm?

Online Assignment 1

2012-01-29T15:07:00.000-08:00

Name and hometown: Julia Skulstad. Glenview, IL.

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now? Right now I am a receptionist at a salon in my hometown. It works for now [minimum wage and all] but I do have hopes to move on from Teddy’s in the future. I cannot say that I know where I will end up, especially because I don’t have a major chosen yet. I know I want to major in Journalism and am considering double majoring in something like Environmental Studies with a certificate in German. So I guess you could say my dream job is something that combines all of those elements and maybe would involve employment in Germany… we’ll see.

Do you consume “news”? If you do, what are your main sources? I would say that I mostly consume news through social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter. Aside from that, if some news topic is discussed in class I usually take the initiative to check it out on news websites online as well.

What kind of music do you like? (It could appear in lecture.) Anytime someone asks me this I always just say Andrew Bird because he is a staple to my music library. He’s great. Aside from him, right now I am listening a lot to the band Gotye.

Favorite online video (link to it): Banksy in the Museum

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)? J-Chillin and GEEKING OUT.

Online Assignment 1

2012-01-29T13:39:00.001-08:00

Name and hometown: I'm Changmin Shen and I'm from Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now? Thinking about technology related business, maybe some telecommunication company. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are the persons I admire most. Although they have very different skills and personality, their work shaped how we connects the world.

Do you consume “news”? If you do, what are your main sources? I do consume lots of news. For general news I read News Republic which is an integrated news gateway that contains news from AFP, associated press and so on. Also I like Engadget which is a technology news blog.

What kind of music do you like? (It could appear in lecture.) Not any particular type, but any some that "feels right" to me. Some of them are rap and some are mild.

Favorite online video (link to it): I like the one of the trailers of Battlefield Bad Company very much. It's for the map Par for the Course

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plOclq1vNNQ

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)? Don't really understand this... Is "Then I cought an arrow in my knee" a pop culture expression?

about me

2012-01-29T11:10:00.000-08:00

Name: Frannie Gilligan a Sophomore from Saint Paul, Minnesota

Possible future job: Either a broadcast journalist or a fashion journalist writing or editing in a magazine. Erin Andrews on ESPN has my ultimate dream job in TV. In fashion, Andre Leon Talley, the editor of Vogue. I'm dreaming big!

Do you consume news, if so what are your sources: I read the paper everyday when I am at home in Minnesota but here at Madison I get most of my news from following CNN on twitter. It is just convenient and a quick way to keep up with the world.

What kind of music do you like: My favorite's right now couldn't be more different. Adele, Bon Iver, J. Cole or Eric Church

My favorite online video: is http://youtu.be/Vkc_5ZevHy4. It makes me smile every time I watch it.

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)?: I say hash-tag a lot even when I am not tweeting. It sometimes becomes a problem I say it too much to my friends.

A Brief Intro to Myself

2012-01-28T17:20:00.000-08:00

Name and Hometown: My name is Ye Du, and I'm from Shandong Province, China.

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now?

I would like to be a journalist, PR or other kinds of media practitioner with a good understanding of economics as well as the respect to the cultures from different countries. I really admire Yang Lan, who is perhaps one of the most famous business woman and talk show host in Chinese mass media industry. However, it is not because how successful she is right now, but her gut, her decisiveness and dedication to her job that impressed me the most.

Do you consume “news”? If you do, what are your mainsources?

I do, mostly from browsing online.The only printing news I literally buy is the Wall Street Journal, and I share it with my roommates. I used to buy the Economist and New York Times as well, but only read them online now.

What kind of music do you like?

Pop music, music from movies and sometimes light music when writing a paper. I love the music from Micheal Jackson, David Garret, Jay Chou and Taylor Swift.

Favorite online video (link to it):

He's a Pirate

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or findyourself using)?
Honestly, seriously, I use a lot of them, but they all are in Chinese. Sorry about that, and hopefully I could pick some up from you guys in this class=]

Assignment 1

2012-01-28T16:17:00.000-08:00

Name and hometown: My name's Joey Harson and I'm from Rockford, IL.

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now? I'm planning on getting my degree in Law but that's only because I want to get into politics and it seems like there are a lot of politicians that are lawyers. And I really admire Bill Clinton and not because of what he did during his personal time.

Do you consume “news”? If you do, what are your main sources? My main sources for news would be between Twitter and the news widget on my phone. But when I'm home, over the summer, I enjoy reading the newspaper.

What kind of music do you like? (It could appear in lecture.) I usually listen to rap music by a range of different artist but my favorites are Tech N9ne, Plies, and Eminem. But if I'm not listening to hip-hop, I'm usually listening to The Fray, OneRepublic, or Explosions in the Sky.

Favorite online video (link to it): I'm a big fan of the SNL Digital Shorts; my favorites would have to be Dear Sister and People Getting Punched Before Eating.

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)? I find myself quoting It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Scrubs, and the movie Knocked Up anytime it seems fit.

My Online Assignment 1

2012-01-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

Name and hometown: Liz Asher. Long story short I was born in Chicago, Illinois but grew up in London, England

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now? I'm not really sure what my "dream job" would be, however I might want to do something in advertising. I really admire my Aunt Judy who works for a small marketing firm in Chicago because when she talks about her job it makes you want to join her team. I hope that when I enter the professional world I'll love my job as much as she does.

Do you consume “news”? If you do, what are your main sources? I think it's fair to say that my phone is never far from my reach for I check Facebook, Twitter, and my e-mail constantly to keep up to date with my friends. I also use Instagram to share my photos with friends and to see theirs. Although the majority of my news consumption is social, I do follow the New York Times and BBC on twitter to keep up to date on what's happening in the world.

What kind of music do you like? (It could appear in lecture.) I'm a huge Coldplay fan. Between them, John Mayer, and the Country station on Pandora they keep me company at the library.

Favorite online video (link to it): Charlie Bit My Finger

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)? I find myself saying "hash tag" more and more often, specifically when saying something I'd "tweet" out loud. When its used, a up roar of laughter usually follows. I think one of my favorite pop culture expressions is "SMH" just because I think its hilarious, however, I can't see myself ever saying it.

My Online Assignment 1

2012-01-27T19:33:00.000-08:00

Name and hometown:

Chelsea Williams. Born in California, raised in Colorado, and from age 10 on I lived in Oregon, Wisconsin.

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now?

I would love to be a museum curator or an anthropological marketer.

Do you consume “news”? If you do, what are your main sources?

Yahoo is set as my homepage on my computer, and since I am slightly internet addicted that's where I get most of my news from!

What kind of music do you like? (It could appear in lecture.)

I LOVE Selena Gomez, and I'm proud of it!

Favorite online video (link to it):

Fantastic: Nyan Cat meets Bollywood!

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)?

I'll always be a Colorado girl at heart, so... TEBOWING!

Online Assignment 1

2012-01-27T08:56:00.001-08:00

Name and hometown: Alex Lehr; Glenview, Illinois

Possible future job? Anybody in thatjob you really admire now?

I’m thinkingabout law school after college, but I don’t think I would be a practicinglawyer. Thurgood Marshall was my hero when I was little; Brown v Board of Education was the first law case I had everlearned about. I admired him for his work and that he was the first AfricanAmerican Supreme Court justice. I also admire my father because of the work hedid as a public defender and the work he continues to do now in his job and asan advisor to my sister, who is in law school now.

Do you consume “news”? If you do, whatare your main sources?

At home Iwatch the news with my parents, but at school I mainly get it from Facebook andrandom articles. If I hear about something I’m interested in that I knownothing about, I’ll Google it.

What kind of music do you like? (Itcould appear in lecture.)

Right now I’minto the Black Keys. Their songs are the soundtrack to many a car commercial,but I suggest giving their album “Brothers” an actual listen.

Favorite online video (link to it): This is always a good one.

What recent pop culture expression doyou love (or find yourself using)?

“J-Chillin’” is a big one I use(meaning just chilling out, hanging out). “Come at me bro!” is a good one in afight, but I don’t find myself in many of those so I save it for specialoccasions.

First Online Assignment

2012-01-26T18:28:00.000-08:00

Name and Hometown: Jared Bodoh, Dousman, Wisconsin.

Possible Future Job? Anybody that you admire in that job now? An Advertiser, I want to create advertising campaigns and write commercials for products/companies. There isn't anyone I particularly admire in this field as of right now, but I'm sure I will come to eventually.

Do you consume "news"? If you do, what are your main sources? I don't very often, but if I do, I will watch some of the news or pick stuff up off the Internet. Other than that, I find out a lot of my news from other people.

What kind of music do you like? When it comes to music. I generally am open to almost anything, I enjoy most types of music.

Favorite Online Video: Ultimate Dog Teaser

What recent Pop culture expression do you love? I often find myself saying: "I'm living' the dream" in response to "How's it going?"

Online Assignment 1

2012-01-26T11:05:00.000-08:00

Name and Hometown?
Molly Palzkill. Middleton, WI

Possible Future Job?
Well I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur of some sort. I really admire my current boss who started the bar I currently work at. He has made it into one of the best businesses I know of. My dream job would be to be an OPI nail polish namer.

Do you consume "news"? If you do, what are the main sources?
Yes, I consume news. I read the NY Times online a few times a week as well as the Badger Herald and I use Facebook, Twitter, etc.

What kind of music do you like? (It could appear in lecture.)

I like all different types of music. I listen to a lot of hiphop but I have recently started listening to more dubstep. A song I like a lot right now is the Fat Rat Remix of Don't Stop by Foster the People.

Favorite online video (link to it): I don't know if it's my favorite but it's kind of cool.. Wishery (Disney Remix)

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)?

I recently started using twitter so hashtags are something I've been using a lot more.

Online Assignment

2012-01-25T19:54:00.000-08:00

Name and hometown: Molly McCall. Edgerton, Wisconsin.

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now?

I see myself working for a news station or writing for a newspaper in the future. I admire Erin Burnett on CNN because she is from a small town and has made a living traveling the world and telling stories.

Do you consume “news”? If you do, what are your main sources?

I watch CNN daily and check the NY Times online a couple times a week. I follow a lot of reporters on Twitter as well. And of course The Badger Herald!

What kind of music do you like? (It could appear in lecture.)

I love anything by Dave Matthews Band, especially Shake Me Like a Monkey. My favorite song at the moment is You Da One by Rihanna.

Favorite online video (link to it): Denver the Guilty Dog!

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)?

I’m really into abbreviations right now. I’ll say "obv" instead of obviously and "def" instead of definitely.

First Blog Post

2012-01-25T18:34:00.000-08:00

Name and hometown: Austin Lanners. Born in Aurora, Colorado. Raised in Victoria, Minnesota

Possible future job? Anybody in that job that you really admire now? My parents are both VP's of Sales and Marketing at their respective jobs. I really admire them and I think I would really enjoy following in their footsteps. My dad's company makes air-conditioner and heating parts and my mom works for a company that makes pro, collegiate, and high school dance and cheer apparel. I would love to work for a company that I have a lot of interest in. Maybe in the entertainment, food, or retail industry.

Do you consume "news"? If you do, what are your main sources? I hear most news on Twitter first, otherwise I see it on the Yahoo! homepage or hear people talking about it.

What kind of music do you like? Alternative, Rock, Chill music. My favorite bands are The Maine, Forever the Sickest Kids, Jack's Mannequin, Parachute, and All Time Low.

Favorite online video? One of the many reasons why I love Parks and Rec.

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or find yourself using)? I really like the twitter account firstworldpains, so whenever someone complains to me about something that's really not that big of a deal, I just say "first world pains".

2012-01-25T09:32:00.000-08:00

Name and hometown: Kay Xiong from Wausau, WI

Possible future job? Anybody in that job you really admire now? A Writer of children books and inspirational books. I admire John Maxwell, his books on leadership are excellent!

Do you consume “news”? If you do, what are your mainsources? News...I get it from facebook posts (my facebook wall), twitter and yahoo's home page. These are mainly it.

What kind of music do you like? (It could appear inlecture.) I like korean songs like You and I by Park Bom and english songs like Superbass.

Favorite online video (link to it): Nigahiga's Twilight Parody

What recent pop culture expression do you love (or findyourself using)? Not sure if this is one, but I say it a lot, "I can handle this" it's from The Karate Kid with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith.