Discussion 1

I was watching the 1 o’ clock evening news today and I heard the reporter announce, “A phone company is now letting you upgrade whenever you want, we’ll tell you who it is when we return”. This is how they introduced the topic just to catch the attention of their many viewers. When they returned from commercial, they announced that the company was T-Mobile and gave brief details about the new plan the company is now offering. This is news because it is relevant to T-Mobile customers mainly, and other phone carriers. This news can be proximity because it is local and important to the local T-Mobile subscribers who have been looking to upgrade their phones. This news report was also useful because it helped T-Mobile get their announcement out about their new Jump on Demand plan, as well as let the customers now you can walk in now and upgrade three times a year. However, the news did not go into full detail about the plan, so went to Google news and found an article that better helps the subscriber know what the plan is and how it will affect them. The headline on the article read, “T-Mobile’s Upgrade Plans Offer a Binding Kind of Freedom”. This headline uses the word freedom that catches the reader’s attention. As the article goes on they give you the pros and cons of the new plan, which the news did not do.

This topic is news as mentioned to catch the subscribers’ of T-Mobile attention. For example, the only reason I paid attention to this topic was because I am a T-Mobile customer who has been looking to upgrade their phone. I wanted to know more information about the plan so I looked for more articles on the topic.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2486722,00.asp

Discussion 2

To come up with a story, I believe it has to be something that interest the reporter/writer of the story for it to be good and interesting. The story has to be based around something you want to know more and more about, the outcome, and how it may affect you or the people around you. This is exactly what I based my story idea off of. I took the society which I live in and looked at the people around me. I grew up and live in South Central where you either make it or don’t, those are your only options. Most people get caught up in the scenery around them, but there is always that one person that seems to make it out and their lives turn out positive. So, my story is about an African American male who grew up in South Central and has always had the love for football. Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard stories like this before, but what makes this one different, is that this young man really does what he puts his mind to and is not your typical stereotype of an athlete. He was not the star player of his team, did not get a scholarship out of high school, and even gave up on football after graduating high school for a year. He was a skateboarder, made music, and could also draw amazing pictures. This is just a few details about the main character of this story idea.

This story may interest other males, no matter what race or where they grew up to not let how people think about you determine your future. Also, it might inspire the young boy to do everything he feels is possible. Just because he is an athlete, does not mean he cannot be a skateboarder, or even sing, or produce music, or create amazing pictures. People stick to the stereotypes given to them and believe that is how it must be.

So to come up with a story, like I mentioned, make sure it interests you so when writing about it you have passion in it and write it so the readers can believe it is as well. Research relating topics and see how they developed the story, but make it your own and go with what you know.

I completely agree with you Brandon on that a story must make you curious. Often great ideas as you mentioned comes from talking with people with know best. Your idea is very interesting for technology is rapidly taking over our generation. I have a friend who had given up on dating for a while, then she used one of these dating apps and found someone who she made a spark with. I think one possible angle to take just as a suggestion is to see how people feel when they are using these apps and find one or two people that are holding their interest. What possible emotions could they have when meeting this person for the first time? What makes the app different from meeting a random person in person? Also, I think your question "Is this the future of dating?" also a good approach to take as well.

I definitely agree with you on Obama handling the situation in an appropriate way. He could of easily snapped and the story could have been written another way. With him being a huge figure in the U.S we are always used to him being professional and sticking to the script, but to see him address a situation not only as our president, but a honest human being, lets the people know he is still human. This story is considered news as you mentioned because it is relevant to LGBT Month and it also impacts and makes the story more interesting when viewers see their president reacting in a way they are not use to.

Discussion Unit 6

When it comes to the story of Norman E. Creger, it is difficult to say what I would’ve done as editor because “technically” I was not in this position. If I were though, it would take deep thought. I would think of the ethnic codes for journalism, with the first one being “Seek Truth and Report it”. Reading the Fallen Hero article, some interesting points were made that I agree with. One being the idea of putting out a story about the city doing an investigation on the death of firefighter Creger. This way, when the results of the investigation are final and the reporter goes to make the story, it won’t seem as the newspaper is just looking to take credit or shine from someone. Readers are always going to have something to say about the newspaper because they only see the result of what goes on behind scenes, therefore their opinions should not matter if the job of seeking the truth and reporting it is getting done. When doing business in many aspects, you have to put your personal opinions and feelings aside and just simply do your job, even when you disagree. The last ethnic code is to “Be Accountable and Transparent”. As editor, you want to make sure your reporter has followed up multiple times with investigators, witnesses, the results of the autopsy, to make sure the story is true and not made up. This way, you have proof that this is what really happened and you are just doing your job.