Journalism has lost one of its icons. Tim Russert, Moderator of Meet the press, died yesterday from a heart attack.
Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to see Russert speak at the University of Miami. In his speech, he easily engaged the young audience by mentioning his son Luke in several occasions.
As a journalism student I feel the loss of a great example.
Last night, I was watching Larry King on CNN while he interviewed many journalists from different networks, NBC, ABC, CBS, about Russert. All of them shared similar thoughts about him, hard worker, professional, knowledgeable, and a relentless competitor. They all had something beautiful to say about him, especially as a father and a husband.
One of the things that really touched my heart in this entire situation was the Journalism camaraderie that came together. There were no competitive feelings among the journalists, it was more of a family celebrating his life while struggling to say goodbye to a person that will always be remembered.
Sunday mornings will never be the same.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
IRE Conference
Next weekend Miami is going to have the honor of having a group of the best investigative journalist in the United States.
This year, the IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors) Conference is going to be held in Miami. Many professionals from the Journalism industry will gather to share and learn new tips and trends in investigative reporting.
Of course, the online world is part of it. Subjects such as, getting your investigations online and giving them punch, best web sites for investigations, and nontraditional ways to present investigations on the web among others, will be part of the discussions.
If you are interested in Investigative Journalism, like me, check the IRE website (www.ire.org) and don’t miss this tremendous opportunity.
See you there!
This year, the IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors) Conference is going to be held in Miami. Many professionals from the Journalism industry will gather to share and learn new tips and trends in investigative reporting.
Of course, the online world is part of it. Subjects such as, getting your investigations online and giving them punch, best web sites for investigations, and nontraditional ways to present investigations on the web among others, will be part of the discussions.
If you are interested in Investigative Journalism, like me, check the IRE website (www.ire.org) and don’t miss this tremendous opportunity.
See you there!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Motherhood or a career?
Is it possible to have it all? Sitting in my living room next to my beautiful five weeks old baby, I wonder if it’s still achievable for me to have enough time to be a wonderful mom and to have a successful journalism career.
Am I capable of managing it all? The fact that I am not the only woman in this situation gives me courage and motivation, but there are also many journalists out there with the opposite situation.
The industry I am currently studying it is very demanding and consuming. We need to be on top of the news, always alert of what is happening in the world.
As I was thinking about this, I found a very interesting article in the Columbia journalism Review. In this one, Joyce Purnick (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/nyregion/columns/joycepurnick/index.html) mentions how it was easier for her to become the Metro editor of the New York Times without having children.
It is a decision that at some point we need to face or a family or a career. Perhaps some of us are capable of having them both. I guess for me, time will tell.
Check out the article in the Columbia Journalism Review (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3613/is_199807/ai_n8795299/pg_1)
Am I capable of managing it all? The fact that I am not the only woman in this situation gives me courage and motivation, but there are also many journalists out there with the opposite situation.
The industry I am currently studying it is very demanding and consuming. We need to be on top of the news, always alert of what is happening in the world.
As I was thinking about this, I found a very interesting article in the Columbia journalism Review. In this one, Joyce Purnick (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/nyregion/columns/joycepurnick/index.html) mentions how it was easier for her to become the Metro editor of the New York Times without having children.
It is a decision that at some point we need to face or a family or a career. Perhaps some of us are capable of having them both. I guess for me, time will tell.
Check out the article in the Columbia Journalism Review (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3613/is_199807/ai_n8795299/pg_1)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Getting ready for the real world
When I was ready to start writing my blog, I started thinking about the importance of being prepared for media convergence. Convergence is changing the journalism industry, but nobody knows where it is actually going.
As I have said in some of my previous blogs, some schools are incorporating into their curriculum some courses and even majors with the new media focus, but I think it is difficult to fully prepare students for something that is still in a developing stage.
Multimedia packages give websites’ visitors a great amount of knowledge through the convergence of different storytelling techniques, such as text, video, audio, graphics, and photography.
Aside from this, these types of projects also generate the need for constant teamwork and interaction between the content providers and the designers. A small miscommunication can significantly affect the assignment, especially those with deadlines.
One of the assignments for my online journalism class was the creation of a multimedia page. For this project, our professor designated a couple of partners’ students from a web designing class to join us – the journalists and content providers.
Some of the teams experienced miscommunication and some misunderstandings. It was a learning experience for all of us. It wasn’t about blaming anybody; it was more about recognizing the importance of getting prepared for the real world in the new media convergence industry.
The melding of media formats requires more multi-tasking from the reporter, more technology knowledge and definitely a higher level of teamwork.
It is exciting to be part of a new revolution in the journalism industry and it is even better to have the support from professors that truly care about their students in this discovering process.
No one knows where it is all going. But there is no question convergence is here to stay. We’d better be prepared and get used to it.
As I have said in some of my previous blogs, some schools are incorporating into their curriculum some courses and even majors with the new media focus, but I think it is difficult to fully prepare students for something that is still in a developing stage.
Multimedia packages give websites’ visitors a great amount of knowledge through the convergence of different storytelling techniques, such as text, video, audio, graphics, and photography.
Aside from this, these types of projects also generate the need for constant teamwork and interaction between the content providers and the designers. A small miscommunication can significantly affect the assignment, especially those with deadlines.
One of the assignments for my online journalism class was the creation of a multimedia page. For this project, our professor designated a couple of partners’ students from a web designing class to join us – the journalists and content providers.
Some of the teams experienced miscommunication and some misunderstandings. It was a learning experience for all of us. It wasn’t about blaming anybody; it was more about recognizing the importance of getting prepared for the real world in the new media convergence industry.
The melding of media formats requires more multi-tasking from the reporter, more technology knowledge and definitely a higher level of teamwork.
It is exciting to be part of a new revolution in the journalism industry and it is even better to have the support from professors that truly care about their students in this discovering process.
No one knows where it is all going. But there is no question convergence is here to stay. We’d better be prepared and get used to it.
Blogs: the diary of the travelers
Travelers all over the world have found an easy and accessible way to share their experiences. Blogs allow adventurers to involve strangers to come along on their trips.
Many people like to keep dairies, but the Internet has created an open book of possibilities for the writers to share their thoughts while they are away.
A great website where readers can learn about a young aviator and his historic flight around the world covering 27 countries and its cultures is www.experienceaviation.com. I love it!
Barrington Irving, a 23-year old, who became the first person of African descent and the youngest person ever to fly solo around the globe, has visited countries, such as Dubai, Saudi Arabia, India, Italy and Japan. He kept a journal along with photos and videos about his amazing experience.
Websites like his create opportunities to connect with other foreign bloggers. It’s a good way to make new friends.
I love to read blogs about other people and places. It mentally allows me to imagine flying to destinations that I have never been before. It’s just like reading a great book!
Many people like to keep dairies, but the Internet has created an open book of possibilities for the writers to share their thoughts while they are away.
A great website where readers can learn about a young aviator and his historic flight around the world covering 27 countries and its cultures is www.experienceaviation.com. I love it!
Barrington Irving, a 23-year old, who became the first person of African descent and the youngest person ever to fly solo around the globe, has visited countries, such as Dubai, Saudi Arabia, India, Italy and Japan. He kept a journal along with photos and videos about his amazing experience.
Websites like his create opportunities to connect with other foreign bloggers. It’s a good way to make new friends.
I love to read blogs about other people and places. It mentally allows me to imagine flying to destinations that I have never been before. It’s just like reading a great book!
Video Biography: The resume of the… present?
New technology is giving us the opportunity to go an extra step further and expose ourselves a little more to our future employers with video biographies.
Video biographies? Yes, you read it right. Online resume is the new trend among students, especially those into media or performing arts.
More and more companies are admitting the use of the search page Google to find additional information about applicants. And more and more applicants are using online resources such as youtube.com, myspace.com, and visualvc.com among others to post more details about their personal and professional lives.
If you are interested in having your own website or perhaps your own online resume make sure to look professional and to let the viewers see your skills and talents.
When doing a video biography, please don’t go beyond two minutes. A simple 30 to 45 seconds video would be more beneficial than a long “film” about you. And if you don’t feel quite comfortable with video cameras, a sound slide would work just fine.
Video biographies? Yes, you read it right. Online resume is the new trend among students, especially those into media or performing arts.
More and more companies are admitting the use of the search page Google to find additional information about applicants. And more and more applicants are using online resources such as youtube.com, myspace.com, and visualvc.com among others to post more details about their personal and professional lives.
If you are interested in having your own website or perhaps your own online resume make sure to look professional and to let the viewers see your skills and talents.
When doing a video biography, please don’t go beyond two minutes. A simple 30 to 45 seconds video would be more beneficial than a long “film” about you. And if you don’t feel quite comfortable with video cameras, a sound slide would work just fine.
Citizen Paparazzi
The Internet is creating a new movement that involves the community as a whole. This concept is a trend that allows the public to participate in the dissemination of news, photos and information.
Digital cameras and the accessibility to the online world are leading to an increasing popularity of 'Citizen Paparazzi.' More photos taken by non-professional photographers are being published on gossip celebrity web sites, such as Perez Hilton, which obtains many of the content from its own audience.
If you are one of those people that always carry a camera around, snapping photos of celebrities can earn you some extra bucks. This revolutionary idea is generating tension among competing professional paparazzi. But it also creates new opportunities for the average person to be part of the "celebrity" industry, for better or for worse.
For more information on this subject, read The Rise of the 'Citizen Paparazzi' published in The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120214555663941015.html?mod=technology_main_promo_left
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