What would you do if you had a foot condition and the doctors didn't know what to do about it? Over 15 years ago, Melody Brittingham started battling with a serious foot condition that seemed to have no cure. As the discomfort started to increased, she went to the doctor. However, the doctor sent her to a foot specialist who diagnosed her condition as foot fungus. Thus began Melody's journey of searching for a cure to ease the discomfort that the fungus caused.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Standing for the Truth
Working environments can often arouse mixed emotions. Some people thrive on a face-paced environment. Others need a quieter working environment in order to focus, while others are more interested in boosting their career even at the expense of those closest to them.
Decisions, deadlines and a marital crisis confront Henry Hackett, an editor for the New York Sun, in this stimulating, awarding-winning film “The Paper.” “The Paper” follows Henry Hackett on a crazy 24 hour journey where he must decide what is more important: family, his adrenaline-fueled career or justice. Throughout the movie, a more upscale newspaper, the Sentinel, offers him a higher-paying job, but, Henry, who thrives on the fast-pace of the Sun’s newsroom, seems hesitant to make a career change despite his wife’s urgent pleas. Such a career change would mean less hours, and more money, but far less exciting for his tastes.
In the midst of a family crisis and potential career change, Hackett comes across a story that tests his ability to make ethical decisions as a journalist. Hackett learns that two minority youths have been arrested for the murder of two white men. While the police have reason to believe that the killings may be a mob hit, in the court of public opinion, the suspects are being held guilty. With the rising pressure, even the police seem to be giving in. Upon hearing of this injustice, Hackett desperately works with his staff to unravel the truth and prove the boys’ innocence. One of the important principles that journalists should remember is; “Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.” In this case, it appears that some of the reporters were drawing their conclusion about the boys’ innocence based upon their race. This is poor reporting ethics.
“The Paper,” presents an accurate picture of the confusion that rises among reporters who hold different values in their careers. While some reporters do hold to a value, unfortunately, many reporters do not, and such reporters are also pictured in “The Paper”.
I thought that Hackett did a great job at “seeking truth and finding it.” According the SPJ Code of Ethics, “Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.” This was well illustrated by Hackett in his decision to seek the truth behind the story of the two boys who are unjustly accused. Rather than giving in to the pressure, he chooses to spend time investigating the truth behind the murder of the two white men, which happened to take place in a low-income neighborhood. In this story, Hackett also illustrates another principle, “Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.” In this case, Hackett was criticized for wanting to investigate and verify facts. Even Alicia Clark, one of the head editors argues, “It [the story] only has to be right for a day.” Henry responds by saying, “the whole world can change in 24 hours.”
It would have been very easy for Hackett give in to the pressure and have a story printed that was not true. However, as a journalist, Hackett was not content with printing a false story for the sake of meeting a deadline. Hackett followed a very important principle: “Give voice to the voiceless.” In this case, the accused had no voice; they had no one to step in to defend their case.
Journalists have such an incredible opportunity to influence people. In some respects, impact, and change rests in the power of the pen. What journalists report online as well as in print will, inevitably influence the reader’s thinking. For this reason journalists must carefully consider what they publish.
Decisions, deadlines and a marital crisis confront Henry Hackett, an editor for the New York Sun, in this stimulating, awarding-winning film “The Paper.” “The Paper” follows Henry Hackett on a crazy 24 hour journey where he must decide what is more important: family, his adrenaline-fueled career or justice. Throughout the movie, a more upscale newspaper, the Sentinel, offers him a higher-paying job, but, Henry, who thrives on the fast-pace of the Sun’s newsroom, seems hesitant to make a career change despite his wife’s urgent pleas. Such a career change would mean less hours, and more money, but far less exciting for his tastes.
In the midst of a family crisis and potential career change, Hackett comes across a story that tests his ability to make ethical decisions as a journalist. Hackett learns that two minority youths have been arrested for the murder of two white men. While the police have reason to believe that the killings may be a mob hit, in the court of public opinion, the suspects are being held guilty. With the rising pressure, even the police seem to be giving in. Upon hearing of this injustice, Hackett desperately works with his staff to unravel the truth and prove the boys’ innocence. One of the important principles that journalists should remember is; “Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.” In this case, it appears that some of the reporters were drawing their conclusion about the boys’ innocence based upon their race. This is poor reporting ethics.
“The Paper,” presents an accurate picture of the confusion that rises among reporters who hold different values in their careers. While some reporters do hold to a value, unfortunately, many reporters do not, and such reporters are also pictured in “The Paper”.
I thought that Hackett did a great job at “seeking truth and finding it.” According the SPJ Code of Ethics, “Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.” This was well illustrated by Hackett in his decision to seek the truth behind the story of the two boys who are unjustly accused. Rather than giving in to the pressure, he chooses to spend time investigating the truth behind the murder of the two white men, which happened to take place in a low-income neighborhood. In this story, Hackett also illustrates another principle, “Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.” In this case, Hackett was criticized for wanting to investigate and verify facts. Even Alicia Clark, one of the head editors argues, “It [the story] only has to be right for a day.” Henry responds by saying, “the whole world can change in 24 hours.”
It would have been very easy for Hackett give in to the pressure and have a story printed that was not true. However, as a journalist, Hackett was not content with printing a false story for the sake of meeting a deadline. Hackett followed a very important principle: “Give voice to the voiceless.” In this case, the accused had no voice; they had no one to step in to defend their case.
Journalists have such an incredible opportunity to influence people. In some respects, impact, and change rests in the power of the pen. What journalists report online as well as in print will, inevitably influence the reader’s thinking. For this reason journalists must carefully consider what they publish.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
A Channel for news
“Beep…beep…beep…” 6:00 a.m. flashed across the clock. Mr. McBride sluggishly crawled out of bed, put on his spectacles, woke his wife and then aroused the rest of the slumbering house. It was customary for the McBride family to wake up at the crack of dawn, and check the latest news headlines in order to discuss them over breakfast at 7 a.m.
Mr. Bride sat down at the computer to enjoy his morning ritual of reading the New York Times online with his cup of coffee. The birds chirped gleefully, welcoming the morning glory, the rooster crowed expectantly, and the morning sunrays cast a glossy glaze over the pond in the backyard. Mr. McBride glanced from his paper, and chuckled quietly as his 12-year-old son Johnny, grudgingly came downstairs, laptop in hand and then positioned himself across the room to watch the Huffington Post. Mrs. McBride, the typical multi-tasking housewife, headed straight for the kitchen to whip up some pancakes while listening to the news on the National Public Radio.
Today, the use of text, video and audio has made the web the most popular tool for accessing the news. Three news outlets, in particular, that illustrate these differences include The New York Times with a text emphasis, Huffington Post, emphasizing video and National Public Radio incorporates audio.
Despite their differences, each site incorporates news values, news elements and the “pillars of online news.”
All three sites incorporate the news values of timeliness and impact, illustrated through the recent 9/11 story. However, each news channel highlights a different story that reflects September 11’s impact, ten years ago. For example, The New York Times features a story of a bold soldier who did the unpopular, and joined the military quickly following the 9/11 attack, called They Signed Up to Fight. The NPR engages the reader by asking a question in the following: Describing Sept. 11 In A Word, by asking a question; Finally, The Huffington Post provides a story of conflicting interest, in the following: Ten Years After 9/11: Has Religion Driven Us Apart or Drawn Us Together?
In addition, each site makes incorporates the news elements, “who, what, where, when and how.” However, the approach differs. The New York Times incorporates more text to answer the questions, while the Huntington Post incorporates more visuals, pictures and videos, and the NPR makes great use of the radio.
Furthermore, all three sites incorporate the “pillars of online learning.” The New York Times’ strongest pillars are demand and interactivity. The homepage is full of various stories that give snippets of information that leads to links that elaborate on the information. The New York Times covers a wide-range of topics including sports, politics, opinions, arts and entertainment. On the left column, the viewer has the option to click the selected topic. Multi-media is also used, but is often overpowered by the use of text.
The Huffington Post also covers a wide-range of topics, and effectively uses multi-media through video blogging, pictures and flckr images. Many stories are accompanied by a link that leads to a video clip.
Finally, the NPR incorporates the multi-media with an emphasis on radio news. For example, it provides:
o 24-Hour program stream, where one can hear continuous Streaming.
o Hear the latest Show and talk of the nation.
o Hear the Latest news featuring five minutes of hourly updates news.
Furthermore, the NPR provides and option in which you can click “programs,” select a subject and listen to the most current news report.
Whether one retains information best through audio, text, or multi-media, the ever-evolving news broadcast provides an outlet for everyone.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Facing the Storm
Rebecca Brittingham
Rain echoed throughout the building; thunder shook the ground; lightning flashed across the sky, and the howling wind prematurely ripped leaves off the branches. In the midst of the rising storm, the weather man’s warning echoed in my head…. “Hurricane Irene, currently a category 4, will hit Wilmington, NC Friday evening and then makes it way up to Virginia Beach, by Saturday with winds raging close to 115 miles an hour followed by tornado and flash flood warnings.” Is this the end? Or is this just the beginning of what could be the most catastrophic hurricane yet to hit the East Coast?
As the day progressed, I could sense the subtle silence, a rising fear and underlining panic that loomed in the air even among the student body here at Regent University. By evening, Virginia Beach was in a whirlwind of confusion. Here it is Thursday night, the hurricane hadn’t even made landfall and yet, the intensity of the evening’s storm seemed threatening. Evacuation was in the horizon. According to Shore News Today, much of the east coast was mandating an evacuation. I left campus that evening confused. Was this the storm before the major storm?
It didn’t end there! The 13 WVEC stated that Virginia Beach was in a state of emergency and evacuation was mandated. What do I do? Where should I go? Should I leave or should I stay in Virginia and hope for the best? What should I take with me? Immediately, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Ivan in Pensacola washed through my mind. Could Wilmington, and then Virginia Beach possibly have the same fate?
Upon arriving home Thursday evening, completely drenched from the early storm, I just stood in my room contemplating what possessions were most valuable. I had seen the aftermath of tragic storms. I had even had direct contact with refugees from previous storms, but could this actually be happening to me? Other people lose loved ones, but could I actually lose someone dear to my heart? According to USA Today, over 2 million people along the East Coast were evacuating. Panic started to grip my heart.
At this moment, my thoughts shifted to the safety and well-being of my family living in Wilmington. My family! My family! They could be in danger….I need to get to them… I need to make sure that they’re okay. Therefore, early Friday morning, I scrambled out of bed, gathered the few belongings that I could carry and headed out of town with the crowd.
For me, this weekend wasn’t just about preparing for a storm; it was a weekend that helped me to evaluate what holds the most value in my life. I often live life as if I am invincible and nothing could happen to me. No one knew what the outcome was going to be. No one even knew for sure whether they would live to see the following week. While possessions bring great joy, they are replaceable. However, loved ones can never be replaced. Once gone, they can never be brought back, so cherish every shared moment.
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