Sophia's Blog for Journalism

Exciting work projects

2010-04-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

Today, my boss gave me an assignment that I did not expect at all.

"You're communications and journalism majors, right?" He asked, and I dragged myself into his office, wondering what that had to do with being a law clerk in his office. He shows me a homepage of a Web site, in which he is trying to bring his legal assistance to small and medium businesses in financial trouble. He currently pays a company to run the site and to bring in traffic. But the site hasn't gotten any hits so far. No new clients. No new cases. Nothing.

My job was to figure out why the Web site wasn't generating any traffic. I had no idea how I was going to do with, since I have little experience working on Web sites. But it turns out that I knew a lot more than I thought. He threw all these questions at me like, "What's this RSS feed? What does it do? What's a tag cloud? Why are there so many different links? Where does this link go? How does this tag work?"

I was surprised that I could answer ALL of his questions. I gave my boss a list of things wrong with the site, and why it wasn't generating any traffic.

Turns out that the information that I gave him from what I've learned was accurate. He was wasting money, paying a company to run a free weblog for him. Now it's my job! I had no idea that even the law firm that I work at would have trouble using social media applications and they would need MY assistance!

This is why I love Twitter!

2010-04-02T07:48:00.000-07:00

So, I'm bored at work, tweeting away, and I'm looking through my list of celebrities. Lily Allen tweets "http://friendsofcelebrities.blogspot.com." So I decided to check it out and it has everything from celebrity gossip, a shop to purchase items, and if you follow it, a celebrity (who is slightly human) may want to be friends with you and start talking to you if you subscribe! It's just a fun blog that I can't stop reading. Social media, bringing all kinds of people together. I love it!

Friends of Celebrities

Privacy on the Internet?

2010-03-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

Social networking programs and applications have made it difficult to maintain privacy on the Internet. However, we all have control over what information we put up on our profiles and what others can see. Then, why is it that people still have a problem about their privacy? Why are people's reputations getting ruined on the Internet? Personally, I think it has to do with the information they share with others online. How else would people get that information if it didn't come straight from the source?

Lesson: Learn how to use all the applications you are using, especially the privacy settings.

I just wanna dance!

2010-03-19T07:08:00.000-07:00

The whole idea of a flash mob is so intriguing to me. After the influence it can have on a giant crowd of people, I mean why not? It looks as if it would take a lot of organization, but in a way it takes your mind off what's going on and focuses on the little things in life. Take this example: People in Stockholm tried to lighten the mood after the death of Michael Jackson with this tribute.

Sharing is Caring

2010-03-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

"Information sharing produces shared awareness among the participants and collaborative production relies on shared citation, but collective action creates shared responsibility by tying the user's identity to the identity of the group." --Clay Shirky Here Comes Everybody

Mr. Shirky makes a good point, especially using his example of VOTF in Chapter 6. People are all trying to access all types of information through different mediums. Shirky points out that the best way to get this information, and the fastest way, is to keep sharing it through different social media tools that are provided to us. There is a constant want and need for information and displaying it throughout different mediums gets the information faster to the public. There are different ways of now sharing information that should be embraced.

Take Twitter for example. Before I even open my web browser, I open TweetDeck to check out all of the updates. Then, when I look at different news Web sites, I've already seen more than half of the information. Isn't that very helpful?

Social Networking Research

2010-03-09T08:23:00.001-08:00

According to the Pew Research Center, younger generation are no longer blogging. Older generations are taking over the social networking revolution, while the younger generation is "dying down." Why could this be?

Social Media and Young Adults, a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, gives specific statistics of youths using the social media tools that are provided to them. I found this specific finding to be interesting: "While blogging among adults as a whole has remained steady, the prevalence of blogging within specific age groups has changed dramatically in recent years. Specifically, a sharp decline in blogging by young adults has been tempered by a corresponding increase in blogging among older adults."

Why is that? Why do you think older generations are embracing these social networking tools rather than younger generations?

Where's my audience?

2010-03-09T08:11:00.000-08:00

After starting this blog, I can't help but wonder where my readers are. How is it that I get get readers? How will my blog survive without a somewhat dedicated readership?

It's all about networking. I put myself on Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, SoulPancake, and even added my blog to my signature at the end of every e-mail I send out. Is that enough?

I came across a post from another blogger that addressed the same concerns I had and showed me the light at the end of the tunnel.

Then I realized, the only way I could do this is if I read other blogs, comment on other blogs, find other readers, and drag them along to mine, hoping that I can make my blog interesting enough to maintain a readership.

Isn't that similar to the problem the newspaper industry is having?

What does social media mean to you?

2010-03-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

Media 2010: How Blogs are changing Journalism

2010-03-05T09:34:00.000-08:00

I attended a blogging conference which addressed the issues of blogging and the mass explosion that the media has seem to take over the web. I couldn't help but wonder what does this mean for the traditional ways of newspapers?

Someone in the audience, a fellow journalism student, asked about how the conventional means of reporting that we have been taught are basically thrown away when it comes to reporting. I can't help but agree, that the biases in blogging (basically about anything) does lean towards one way. But doesn't everything else? Should we embrace this new social media that others are reluctant to turn to?

So, where is the journalism industry going? What does all of this mean?

Maybe this video can answer some questions

Add some syrup to your social networking-Soul Pankcake!

2010-02-28T12:10:00.000-08:00

I started following Rainn Wilson on Twitter and his background said "SoulPancake" I decided to go onto the Web site and I came across something that I didn't realize would take up all of my time. SoulPancake is a Web Site for people to join, ask questions about life, answer the questions of others, and ponder the reasons for our existence

After joining, I've read questions and answers that have come to mind, either when I'm drunk, or just bored out of my mind. Looking through everything, I couldn't help but wonder, why aren't more people taking advantage of this social media tool?

It's completely different than Twitter or Facebook. You connect with people you don't even know, who have the same questions that you do about life.

As Soul Pancake puts it "It's a space to ENGAGE in art, philosophy, creativity, truth, and beauty. And ultimately, SoulPancake is a community of people who are digging DEEPER to figure out what it means to be human and to experience this rich, strange, difficult, and awesome journey called life."

Publish First, Filter Later

2010-02-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

As Clay Shirky puts it in his book, publishing has remained expensive and there were restraints on filtering. Printing a newspaper, magazine, etc. required publishing first, and filtering later. Throughout his book, Shirky discusses the power of the Internet with the use of its social media applications and tools. Web sites such as YouTube, LiveJournal, MySpace, Facebook, Wikipedia, Twitter, and others allow people to publish FOR FREE. The publication costs that are required for publishing news and information in the traditional sense aren't necessary for publishing on the Internet.

This is where microblogging comes into play.

Twitter allows us to publish information in 140 characters or less that can be seen as news. Ever since I have been using Twitter, I have been receiving information as it comes in. Instead of using conventional forms of journalism, like the broadcast media Shirky mentions, I can log onto Twitter and see what's been going on. The new social media applications that we all use are the new way of sharing that Shirky is referring to.

With the tools and the information in our hands, we can all share news and information through different means. It's been getting easier to share this information throughout the world. Why not embrace it?

Image used with permission of Creative Commons

How has Twitter helped me?

2010-02-17T17:00:00.000-08:00

After reading a few chapters from Mark Briggs' Journalism Next, I've found different ways in which Twitter can help me gain more followers that will help in research and journalism. I have been following different news publications to stay up-to-date about what is going on, locally and nationally. Without staying in tune with what is going on, it would be hard to progress in a career in journalism. After using Twitter on a daily basis, I get breaking news without going through different media outlets. I've retweeted news stories that have interested me and gotten responses from my followers who have heard about the same or who haven't heard about the news. For example, I didn't hear about the tragic suicide of Alexander McQueen until I read the different tweets on my TweetDeck.

I feel if I keep tweeting different news stories and stay in contact with publications, I can expand my group of followers and even use my current ones for sources and story ideas what may help in the future.

Digital Nation: A Nation Distracted

2010-02-17T16:28:00.000-08:00

The Frontline Digital Nation special "Distracted by Everything" really showed me how the technology that I use affects not only me, but others around me. I feel as if I can multitask successfully, but until it gets in my way, I do have to slow down a bit.

I recently read a study in which students were asked not to have their cell phones during class. After the class was over, most students experienced bouts of depression and anxiety without having their phone with them. Some may find this crazy, but I feel that since we are a nation that has all this information being provided to us, and different ways to obtain it, we become so hungry for it.

Are we a nation that is constantly distracted with technology? I would say so. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Embracing that technology only brings us further in what we are trying to accomplish.

Share your experiences!
Join the Discussion: Roundtable with Douglas Rushkoff

Is Wikipedia Legit?

2010-02-17T16:17:00.000-08:00

Personally, I think Wikipedia is a legitimate source to use for information. Although, as students, we don't necessarily use it in college term papers, we still refer to it for its links and references to scholarly Web sites and journal articles. I came across another blog post that agreed with my viewpoint on the use of Wikipedia, particularly in academia.

Whenever I search something on Google, the first link that pops up is Wikipedia. I can quickly look at a brief description and get information on what I was looking for. If I feel like I need more, then I can refer to the links referenced in the article.

Isn't that what people are looking for? Short-hand, accurate versions of information presented to them? Wikipedia has been exactly that for me.

As this article from Mashable proposes, there should be a system that determines how reliable information on Wikipedia is based on a color scale. This can pave the way for professors to allow students to use Wikipedia as sources based on how trustworthy the information they are receving actually is.

Image used with permission of Creative Commons

Why I Stalk Celebrities (on Twitter)

2010-02-12T15:56:00.000-08:00

I have to say, that even when I notice the covers of magazines littered with gossip about celebrities, it rarely intrigues me. But for some reason, celebrities using Twitter and actually posting interesting information and reaching out to their fans show how "human" they actually are.

Top 10 interesting people I follow on Twitter

Edward Norton has always been one of my favorite actors. His Twitter posts consist of calling out his followers to donate to charities and the work of other actors that inspire him.
Christina Applegate isn't one of those celebrities who just tweets everything that goes on throughout their day. She's an avid reader of the Huffington Post and exchanges interesting information with other celebs.
Lily Allen is one of my favorite musicians. She uses Twitter to promote different blogs and includes debates concerning celebrities.
I haven't seen this on other celebrities' pages but Neil Patrick Harris will post the names of other stars on Twitter and ask his followers to follow them as well. It's interesting how connected he is with his fans.
I used to be a huge Star Trek fan, so following William Shatner is a must to me.
Bob Saget has grabbed my attention since the Full House days. Even years after the show ended, I followed him stand up comedy for a while (i.e., documentary about The Aristocrats joke) and his tweets are just hilarious.
Danny DeVito is another comedic genius that I admire. I love his role in the show It's Always Funny in Philidelphia and his tweets keep me wanting to read more.
Kevin Spacey is one of my favorite actors. He actually responds to some of the tweets from his fans that follow him, which further shows how Twitter can connect all of us.
Stephen Colbert's show The Colbert Report exhibits in-depth reporting that I haven't seen in conventional journalists. I'm always interested in what he has to say.
Matisyahu is another one of my favorite musicians. His tweets are just as clever as his lyrics and musical ability.

Calling all Journalists: Embrace Twitter!

2010-02-12T15:22:00.001-08:00

After listening to Marcy and Brian discuss the benefits of Twitter, I can't help but wonder, why aren't more journalists taking advantage of this tool?

Why more journalists should use Twitter

Allows them to search different locations to get breaking news
Gain & keep sources by frequently using Twitter
Look at "We Follow" and find your specific beat
Encourages you to write shorter and be concise
Look at who others follow and follow them for potential sources or story ideas

Blogs for Newspapers: Helpful or Wasteful?

2010-02-03T07:51:00.000-08:00

Blogs for newspapers are becoming to be more relevant on issues concerning the general public. It's interesting how involved blogs are becoming with politics recently. This blog in the Wall Street Journal took a more in-depth look at the economic aspect of President Obama's speech.

Elizabeth Williamson of the Wall Street Journal reported on how businesses reacted to the State of the Union address. The Wall Street Journal invited CEOs and presidents of businesses to put in their input about the speech and their reaction to what President Obama plans on doing to address the issue of the economy. His focuses on creating more jobs and helping out the middle-class families will help improved the economy, and therefore provide a positive outlook for businesses.

Can the President deliver on his message of change?

Image used with permission of Creative Commons

Why Do You Use Social Networking Applications?

2010-01-29T08:17:00.000-08:00

So, why is it that people use or do not use social media applications? What applications are better than others? Students at the University at Albany campus were asked which applications they frequently used and why.

Jarrett Valdero, 22, from New Haven, CT, refuses to use any social networking Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter. He considers them useless tools, especially for him. Valdero works as a supervisor at a correctional facility, so anything that would appear to show him in a negative light could jeopardize his career. He doesn’t see himself using any social networking applications in the future. Valdero has used MySpace in the past, but deactivated his account because he found that it ruined many relationships in his life.

Kaitlyn Rooney, 19, from Albany, NY, uses many social networking Web sites that include MySpace and Twitter. She used Facebook, but decided to stick with MySpace, because it was easier for her to do so. She likes the capability of changing the design layout of her profile and posting pictures, which she couldn’t do on Facebook. She admits that MySpace is a bit outdated, considering most of her friends use Facebook, but she likes to stick with something she’s comfortable with. She finds MySpace easy to use and the best way to find people.

Marco Gambino, 20, from Long Island, NY, uses Facebook as a social media outlet mainly because he can stay in contact with people he does not see on a regular basis. He finds that the interaction between him and his friends on Facebook is a great way for all of them to stay in touch. Although he uses Facebook, he is against the use of Twitter. He finds tweeting to be a waste of time. He said tweets are just a bunch of Facebook statuses over and over again. He feels that Twitter can be important for businesses, politicians, special interest groups, and other organizations for promotional purposes. However, the average Joe using Twitter, describing every minute detail about their day is meaningless to Gambino.

Image used with permission of Creative Commons

iPad: Apple's New Toy

2010-01-29T08:14:00.000-08:00

News about Apple’s tablet the iPad was released today. Not knowing much information about this new technology, I decided to do some researching. It does seem to have features that are similar to the iTouch. Some are calling it an “iTouch on steroids.” It does seem really cool, a

nd seems to be inexpensive. But Apple products that have been newly released seem to have some sort of problems. One of the big downsides of this product is that it does not have the ability to multitask. For it to be something that would replace computers and laptops, it can’t even do the same things as one. Personally, I wouldn’t invest in this product for that reason. Hopefully Apple will go back to the drawing board and figure out some advancements towards this product.

What do you need to know about Apple's new iPad?

Haiti

2010-01-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

As a field reporter working in Haiti, witnessing the aftermath of the devastating earthquake first hand, there are many reaching out in need for assistance. Having medical skills would allow me to help those in need. Images of disaster have been going through my mind. There are so many people still in need for medical attention and care. People have been reaching out to the reporters for assistance. While witnessing the first hand accounts of these people suffering, I cannot help but provide assistance to those in need. The people of Haiti are in agonizing pain, and on top of that, they have nothing. When I see someone in need, I feel as if it is my duty, not as a journalist but as a human being, to help a fellow human being. We are people before our professions.

Although we are giving a voice to the voiceless, it is our responsibility to be humane to our fellow man. My job as a journalist is not to make the story about me. My intervention in helping another bears no burden on what I am reporting. What do I do if a woman comes up to me, bloody, face littered with cuts, lacking the ability to walk, begging for me to do something, anything? In a way, wouldn't journalists reaching out and helping another show the audience a different side of the media? It gives journalism a more positive connotation that can be associated with heroism. Looking at these images, it is troubling to even realize that there are those who would not put down their note pad and microphone to lend a hand. We are all these people have to rely on. Not providing out assistance would be an injustice to mankind itself.

AP's senior managing editor, John Daniszewski said, "Of course journalists are human and normally in such situations will set aside their cameras and notebooks to offer help, giving away whatever food or water they have on them. But that misses the larger point that by doing their jobs they have a more effective way to assist people in need."

Obviously, informing the public if these atrocities is an effective way to assist people in need, because the audience can become involved in different ways of sending assistance. However, since journalists are already in that situation in which help is being begged from them, it would seem logical that they would assist before they worry about their own story. This gives the viewing audience a better understanding of what is going on in Haiti and the gravity of the situation, where these people are in need of immediate assistance.

You've seen children and their mothers dying, people looting from each other, beating others to death for the simplest things. You've seen those without food, water, even shelter, begging for the smallest necessities. Ask yourself this: Would you finish your story, head back on an airplane and leave, guilt free? Or would you put down the camera and lend a hand?

Images with permission from Creative Commons