Week 11 - Reporting for Duty

Reporting for Duty

1. I would most probably run the story. However, this would evoke discrimination from the police, and may result in being left out from getting crime stories. Although contacts are highly important to journalists, what is in the public interest is paramount. If the discrimination occurs, it can, "motivate a meeting between the editor and senior police" (Conley & Lamble, p. 244). If a policeman is found to be corrupt, then other, honest policemen would want him to pay for his unjust actions. Although, some protection must be put in place for whistle blowers. This raises a whole new set of rules and regulations. One large story was that of the journalists who got given court sentences as they would not uncover their sources because it was against the journalistic code of ethics.

2. This is a difficult question to answer and can most probably not be answered correctly until I was put in that position. On the one hand you could report the story, as you have a duty to the newspaper and public to report all such incidents. You are protected from charges of defamation or contempt in such cases, provided you are accurate and fairly represent the evidence. They must also cover both sides if both were presented in court.

On the other hand, it is an ethical and legal issue. Perhaps you could contact a mental health institute or the police. I would be very unsure of where to go from in a case such as this.

3. I would report the case. Not only would it be a large story, but a journalist has a duty to the public to report all such findings. It would also be a huge scoop. People in the public eye, although are most probably under a lot of stress, must follow the same legal system as everybody else. It is their responsibility to abide by it accordingly. It would also be insulting to a credible journalist to be offered such rewards.

4. I think it would be important to contact legal advice as soon as possible. If there is any chance that this is true, I would protect the identity of my whistle blower, as it is in line with the journalistic code of ethics. I would not run a story concerning the issue as I could be charged with, "scandalising the court" (Conley & Lamble, 2006, p. 247). If you are charged with this, you are guilty until proven innocent, a reversal of normal rules.

Family First candidate dumped over internet photos

Posted Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:42am AEDT 

Updated Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:01am AEDT

Family First has dumped one of its election candidates over compromising photographs that have surfaced on the internet.
A party spokeswoman says Andrew Quah has been disendorsed and expelled from the party because he "does not share the party's values".

One of the three photographs appears to show Mr Quah exposing himself.

Today's Sydney Morning Herald quotes Mr Quah as saying that his "political enemies" may have drugged him to force him to pose for the photos.

But he denies his genitals are shown on the photo, saying someone may have photoshopped them in to the shot.
Family First wants to make it harder to access pornography on the internet and Mr Quah says that in the past he has questioned the feasibility of doing so.

Mr Quah was a candidate for the seat of Reid in mid-western suburbs of Sydney.
Family First says another candidate will be chosen in the next few days.
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I really wonder about public figures sometimes. But this article has really incited more worry! This is a complete oxymoron of the party's policy, and has been embarrassing for everyone involved, especially Mr Quah.

Situations like this serve as huge reality checks to the rest of society - these politicans or public figures are human, just like you and me. Another time when a reality check has been served was the incident involving Kevin Rudd at 'Scores', a strip-club. We, and sometimes the media, tend to put these people up on pedestools, and expect them to be seamless. Their parties also expect this of them, especially when they are the face.

This article was timed so badly, the government released all that information concerning safety on the internet to all houses, and then this arises. Mr Quah would definitely be regretting his decisions. Blaming his actions on "political enemies" who may have drugged him to pose for photos is so feeble that he really should have made no comment rather than this.

I wonder if any more interesting information will surface about our political leaders in the weeks moving closer to the election.

Family first link:

http://www.familyfirst.org.au/

One funny photo:


This is unrelated to my article, but I still find it hilarius!

Week 10 - The Story Factor

The Story Factor

1. I would most probably run with the story, as if another media outlet publishes the story the day after, it can negatively effect them. Although I would know that the story would most probably be written at a better standard if it was a day after, wouldn't a lot of stories have that same problem? I would simply have to just write it to the best of my ability. If the source would rather the information be left until the next day, I would have to explain to them my situation. And, why would they have brought up this information unless they wanted it to be printed or revealed?

2. This is a tough situation, with your personal ethical standpoints coming into serious play. I would find this decision to be very daunting. Although it is very much in the public interest to know about this situation, as several guests and staff have become ill, there is the fact that 120 jobs may be risked. I am leaning towards publishing the story, as it is the responsibility of the kitchen to be health-orientated and to not be in these conditions. With already so many incidents, the kitchen would surely not survive in today's standards of cleanliness.

3. I would find this source to be very untrustworthy and would be very hesitant to follow off his comments. As I have no experience in the journalism industry, this question is difficult to answer as there is probably a code or steps to follow when an incident such as this occurs, or relating to sources.

4. I would be unsure of what to do in the situation. As a junior journalist, it would be a very difficult decision to make. An editor's opinion would be highly regarded as they know the newspaper well and know how to angle a story. The policeman, although probably experienced when dealing with journalists, is still a policeman who does not work at your newspaper. Although, maintaining contacts in important. Perhaps further research of the story would make for a meet somewhere in the middle.

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UN envoy arrives in Burma amid further protests

Posted Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:12pm AEST 
Updated Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:40pm AEST

Just before the arrival of the UN envoy, protesters again took to the streets (AFP)
• Related Story: Burma death toll much higher than reported: Downer
• Related Story: Japanese Minister heading to Burma
• Related Story: Satellites show Karen villages burnt in Burma

The United Nations special envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, has arrived in Burma to try to persuade the military authorities to end the suppression of the pro-democracy movement.

Just before his arrival, protesters again took to the streets of Rangoon.

After landing in Burma's largest city, Mr Gambari left immediately for the country's isolated administrative capital, Naypidaw, where he is expected to meet top junta leaders.

There were small groups of protesters on the streets today, with security forces charging a crowd of about 100 in the centre of Burma's main city Rangoon, beating many of them and arresting five, witnesses said.

The group had gathered on the Pansoedan bridge in downtown Rangoon and as soon as they started to clap their hands, the security forces swooped and began attacking them, they said.

"They beat people so badly, I wonder how these people can bear it," said one Rangoon resident who witnessed the scene.
"I saw the security forces arrest about five people on the streets."

The small protest was the first to be held in Rangoon today, as an overwhelming security operation successfully choked off daily rallies that yesterday attracted 10,000 and tens of thousands earlier in the week.

UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon has called on the Burmese Government to commit to a path of peaceful national reconciliation.

Global pressure on the military regime to halt the crackdown on demonstrations has intensified.

Members of the protest movement vowed to come out on the streets again Saturday, despite a three-day offensive by security forces that has left at least 13 dead and hundreds more jailed.

"We are ready to go to town again. We will start it all over again and we are very hopeful that things will become much more intense as the hours go by," one pro-democracy campaigner involved in the protests said.

Dr Gambari's itinerary has not been released, but on previous visits he has met with regime leader Senior General Than Shwe, and once with opposition activist Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for most of the past 18 years.

The United States has urged the country's leaders to let Mr Gambari meet with anyone he wishes, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

Back online

Internet access has been restored to Burma, a day after the main internet link was cut off to stop reports and pictures of a crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations reaching the outside world.

Internet users inside Burma are now able to see domestic Web pages as well as send e-mails outside the country.

Pictures and video footage sent to the international media by Burmese protesters have fuelled global condemnation of the government's actions.

Earlier, witnesses said soldiers were beating and arresting people found with mobile phones or cameras.

Food aid stalled

Meanwhile the World Food Program is having trouble delivering food to the hundreds of thousands of people it supports in Burma because of the latest unrest.

Program spokesman Greg Barrow says it is now getting very difficult to move food around.

"At the moment, we're trying to feed around half a million [people] and all of them are potentially affected if this goes on for a long time," he said.

"I think you have to realise that when you have a big food assistance operation, there's a long chain of movement going on there, and if one link in that chain is disrupted it has a knock-on effect down the line."

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This is such a terrible situation. Reading articles such as these evoked a lot of strong, emotional feelings. The situation in Burma is terrible, with people coming to such measures to try and combat their government.

"They beat people so badly, I wonder how these people can bear it," said one Rangoon resident who witnessed the scene. - This line is probably the saddest. The way people are being treated in Burma is appauling. It makes me realise how lucky we are to be living in a democracy, and in such a fortunate country as Australia.

One incident of a photographer being shot at point-blank distance was high on the media's agenda. They had direct footage of the incident, which effectively communicated the true magnitude of not only the armed forces, but of the completely biased Burmese media, who inappropriately said that forces were dealing with protesters accordingly.

The second of this article relating to food aid is very disturbing and worrying. The people of Burma are affected on so many levels.

I really hope that peace is restored in Burma, and that negotiations with the UN are definitely underway.

Some interesting links are:

Photos of Burmese Protests

The Telegraph (UK)

Week 9 - Interviewing: A Core Skill + Computer Assisted Reporting

Discussion Questions

1. I think I would run with the original quote. As the text book states, "Tidying' and 'cleaning up' quotes can...have serious legal implications". Who am I to change a direct quote just to suit my story. If anything was to change, it would have to be with the highest level of caution, so as to completely reflect the speaker's intent. I believe that paraphrasing the quote, which would misrepresent the speaker's quote, but bring much larger consequences than running a direct quote which is a little bit ambiguous.

2. No, I do not think it is appropriate for a journalist to intimidate an interviewee with public exposure. "A journalist should remain calm, firm, friendly, respectful, and, most of all, professional". I found the point that explained tactics to use against psychological games to be very interesting. By ignoring them or trying to shift the power balance by employing reasonable tactics, you may be able to gain the information you want, rather than severing all ties with the interviewee and possibly getting into a great deal of trouble.

3. No, it is never appropriate to use personal chemistry. This is completely unethical and inappropriate. If you want to be taken seriously in this field, then you have to act responsibly and professionally.

4. I think, in journalism, it is most important of all to remain completely accurate. This person may take offence to you tampering with their direct quotes. Tidying or cleaning up quotes can (as i've stated before) have serious legal implications. Perhaps you could run a story on this public figure, to provide a more accurate biography of him, otherwise you should may the sound decision to stay away from direct quote tampering.

Computer Assisted Reporting

1. I think that I would choose the stable weekly newspaper. Stability is very important. Once you have put together a impressive portfolio there will always be the chance to move further into the capital cities. At the newspaper, you will be able to develop the skills you need for the workforce. I think this question also depends on what type of journalist you would like to be. If you prefer online journalism, you would choose the online publication, and print, the newspaper. I think tailoring your resume and pursuing jobs that will help carve your way to your desired job is important. Companies are always looking for people who have experience, and at the newspaper job you will be able to gain as much experience as you need before moving on.

2. I would interview the politician through email. It would be better to have a story lacking flare than no story at all. You will be able to use correct direct quotes and will have factual information. I would try to make my questions as well-formed as possible, and ask for detailed answers. Perhaps I could view some media releases or other similar professional media as well.

3. If I was sure that the article had be plagiarised, I was confront the colleage about it, politely asking them to address the situation. I would like to give them to opportunity to run an apology in the newspaper the next day, and to let them tell the chief of staff about the situation. If this person disagreed, I am not sure what further action I would take. It is their credibility and embarassment that is at stake. These questions can only be answered so far in a theoretical way, and practically may be completely different. Loyalty may become an issue, etc.

4. I am unsure of what I would do. On the one hand, I could go meet with this person in the hope of gaining some valuable information, and in the other, I could ring the police and inform them that a wanted criminal has contacted me.

Issues to consider here are: why is this person on the run from the police, should you be meeting a criminal, How did this person get my email address, what value of information could they be holding (if anything at all), why am I meeting them beside a dark lake, etc.

"Just as anyone can put anything on the web, anyone can send an email" (Conley & Lamble, 2006, p. 363). This, apparently, includes wanted criminals.

This is a hard question to answer theoretically.

5. I think looking at the credibility of sources, in this case, is extremely important. Amateur sites may have simply copied a quote from another, while a more credible site will most probably hold the correct information. As stated before, "anyone can put anything on the web" (Conley & Lamble, 2006, p. 363). From there I would most probably conduct more research to try and find the true quote, or to try and find the website of the movie distributor, or something of that nature.

Rabbitohs' pokies plan highlights Govt greed

By Tim Costello
Posted Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:12am AEST 
Updated Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:28pm AEST

State and Territory governments rake in over $4 billion a year in pokies taxes. (File photo) (AAP: Mick Tsikas)

It is tragically ironic that as South Sydney Leagues Club is looking at scrapping its poker machines, the NSW Government is
considering a move that will further strengthen gambling's grip on the state by allowing pubs to introduce the Keno lottery game.

I believe the proposal by South Sydney Leagues Club's co-owners to remove its 160 poker machines should be applauded. It is a decision that reportedly will cost the club some $7 million in revenue.

Yet the proposal by Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court reflects a club that is truly prepared to listen to the community in which it operates. Further, it reveals an understanding that although pokies offer a short-term revenue boon, their long term cost to the community is devastating.

Poker machines are not popular in the community. In fact, they are hated. A recent Herald Sun survey revealed 84 per cent support for the removal of poker machines in Victoria.

More personally a hotel manager just last week confided in me that he was forever being asked by patrons to borrow $5 or $10 so they could go home and feed their families after losing all they had to the pokies. He said he hated the pokies and what they did to people.

Yet across Australia, states have been too keen to embrace them with open arms.

State and Territory governments rake in over $4 billion a year in pokies taxes. The only exception is Western Australia, which apart from video poker games in Perth's Burswood Casino, is pokies free.

Last year the gaming industry took more than $10 billion out of Australian wallets. And it is those who are least able to afford it who are most impacted.

The Productivity Commission's landmark 1999 report revealed that 42.3 per cent of pokies losses came from problem gamblers. That compared to 5.7 per cent for lotteries. More recent studies have put this at closer to 50 per cent of losses coming off the backs of the vulnerable and addicted.

And in terms of problem gamblers, the numbers are not insignificant. There are at least 220 000 Australians currently struggling with a gambling problem because of the pokies. They make up 80 per cent of all problem gamblers and for each problem gambler the lives of seven others, be they family or friends, are impacted.

It means that close to 2 million Australians are in some way are worse off by the pokies bug. And that doesn't include previous 'generations' of addicts who can no longer be classified as problem gamblers because they have already lost everything and can no longer gamble.

Pokies saturation

To me the decision by Souths' co-owners to draw a line in the sand against pokies is highly significant because of just how embedded pokies are in NSW. The state has more than 95,000 poker machines, which is half of the machines in Australia and almost one tenth of the machines in the world.

When I was asked to address the British House of Lords on this issue recently, they were so staggered by the saturation of poker machines in Australia - and NSW in particular - they thought they had misheard me.

When poker machines were introduced in Victoria in 1992 their impact was immediately felt in the community and there was a backlash.

Yet because NSW has always had machines it is a like a 'frog being boiled alive' - the state's pokies crisis has heated up gradually and to now epidemic proportions. Yet it is still not ringing the alarm bells it should.

And now it appears that the Iemma Government is looking to further tighten gambling's grip on the state by allowing pubs to introduce the Keno lottery game.

It is a tragedy that while some organisations such as Souths League Club appear determined to make the hard decisions to ensure community wellbeing, their Government is again following a well-worn path in opting for revenue over the health of our families and communities.

And this is despite repeated surveys that reveal overwhelming community support for curbing the gaming industry. Even those who work in the clubs and pubs are against pokies. Too often they see first hand the carnage poker machines cause.

Social breakdown

Gambling counsellors - those at the frontline of treating pokies addiction - all too often recount the frightening links between problem gambling and crime, kids going to school hungry, domestic violence, family breakdown and most tragically of all, suicide.

Yet the gaming industry's ability to use its very deep pockets to donate, schmooze, lobby and even employ the services of former State Cabinet Ministers has shielded legislators from the actual community impact and sentiments against the machines.

Kevin Rudd's recent announcement that he will 'declare war' on pokies - a sentiment echoed by Treasurer Peter Costello - is reason for hope.

If the Government and Opposition were serious in attacking the blight of gaming they need to use the Commonwealth's hold on the purse strings through the Grants Commission and other mechanisms to provide a 'carrot and stick' approach for the States on gambling taxes.

It would be better yet if States simply acted in the interests of their community.

The proposal by Souths Leagues Club co-owners represents the kind of courageous, moral decision-making that is required
of both government and business - for the sake of our communities.
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Discussion

I agree Tim Costello. Poker machines are terrible devices, and the move by Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes should be applauded. Poker machines have a hugely negative impact on the lives of Australians. I also agree with Costello when he says that this club is truly listening to its community. Although they will suffer a huge financial loss, they know that poker machines are not benefiting the community in any short or long term way. With links to other huge issues such as domestic violence, crime and family breakdown, poker machines should be banned from all pubs and clubs.

The issues raised at state level have been very interesting and insightful in terms of government revenue. Clearly poker machines equal big money. It will be interesting to see how the government deals with this incident, and if further action will be taken by other club owners. I wonder if greed will win out?

Here is a link to a Sydney Morning Herald article discussing the same topic:
SMH Article

Here is the link to a poker machine entitlement form in NSW:
Entitlement Form

Week 8 - Small path, big story

Discussion Questions

1. I think it would most probably prefer to opt for a computer and telephone assisted 'paper chase', yet would most probably actually leave the office. As the text states "The most important news resource ... is always human" (Conley & Lambel, p. 169). I think staying in the office too much would become quite straining, and I would be less motivated. Journalists can "become cocooned from the public" (Conley & Lambel, p. 169). By getting out and about journalists can talk to ordinary people, and can enlarge the scope of the newsroom.

Face-to-face interviews are much more personal and intimate, and would most probably result in being of a higher quality. I know that I find it much harder to get my message across on the telephone, compared to in-person.

2. This is a difficult question to answer. On the one hand, this is an opportunity to develop yourself as a investigatory journalist, and perhaps gain more credibility or make a bigger name for yourself. On the other hand, as the text states "there is a greater consideration: filling the paper each day" (Conley & Lambel, p.170). The text also goes on to say "... journalists are 'producers' not 'developers' of news stories ... some newspapers ... actively discourage their journalists from working on investigative articles become of cost factors" (Conley & Lambel, p. 170). I think then, it would be much more of a case of which news organisation you worked for, and whether they are supportive of investigatory articles.

3. Yes I most probably would band together with other reporters. I think it is very important to get as much information out of a media conference as possible, especially if it is of a subject that is in the spotlight. I think that at times like this it would be more important to do this, and to put your own pride behind you.

4. As I am doing my speech on this topic, I found this area very interesting. Freedom of information laws are commonly referred to as 'Freedom from information', and with just cause. Government information should be able to be accessed by the media, unless it is important information relating to defence or other matters of that nature. Freedom of Information laws in Australia are ranked so low compared to other countries. In Switzerland, access to information is the easiest to gain access to, with almost all requests being granted (and very quickly). As a reaction to Freedom of Information laws, leading media organisations have join together to form Australia's Right To Know Coalition to work together to rescue freedom of speech and other rules of democracy.

5. This would very much depend on how much research you had taken before the proceedings, and to what news angle you might have been considering. Also, "a chief of staff might be able to give a journalist advice on whether space will be available for several stories on different conference subjects, or whether they should narrow the focus to a single, all-encompassing story" (Conley & Lambel, p.175).

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Polygamy leader told rape victim to repent, court told

Posted Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:00am AEST

A young woman told a Utah court she wanted to die after being forced into sex at the age of 14 in a marriage arranged by one of the biggest US polygamous sects.

But the self-styled prophet of the breakaway Mormon clan told her she was disobedient and needed to repent and submit to her new husband, the woman testified.

The woman, now 21, testified she had never been kissed or had a boyfriend before the 2001 wedding to her 19-year-old cousin and locked herself in the bathroom after the ceremony.

The wedding was presided over by Warren Jeffs, 51, the leader and self-described "prophet" of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or FLDS, a breakaway Mormon sect that practices polygamy.

Jeffs is on trial on two counts of being an accomplice to rape, a charge he denies. Jeffs is not charged with polygamy but the trial has focused attention on the practice and his secretive sect, whose approximately 7,500 members live in an isolated enclave on the Utah-Arizona border.

The woman, who cannot be identified, said she begged her husband not to touch her as he undressed her one night soon after their wedding.

"'I can't do this, please don't,'" she said she told her husband. "I was sobbing. My whole entire body was shaking I was so scared. He didn't stop. He just laid me onto the bed and had sex."

Afterward, the woman said she felt dirty and took two bottles of painkillers.

"I just wanted to die. I didn't want to deal with [my husband] anymore. I didn't want to deal with Warren, or the prophet, or my mother. ... I was so hurt by them," she said.

The woman later arranged a meeting with Jeffs and told him her husband was touching her in ways she did not fully understand."

"I told him I was sorry I had failed so severely. ... He told me that I needed to repent, that I was not living up to my vows, I was not being obedient, I was not being submissive and that was what my problem was," she recounted.

Jeffs told her to go home "and give myself mind, body, and soul" to her husband.

Jeffs' attorneys have said the case is one of religious persecution and have questioned how Jeffs would have known that rape was being committed behind bedroom doors.
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Discussion

This is completely disgusting. If there is one religion I am at a loss for understanding it is Mormonism. Its religious beliefs, polygamy and incest is so badly founded, I wonder how this could still be happening in a Western country.

This article is fairly descriptive and evokes a lot of emotion, as a young woman. It makes me consider myself at age 14, and just how different the lives of people are to mine.

I wonder what the moral of Jeff's attorney is. How could he defend such a person? I know that everyone has the right to a fair trial, but wouldn't this case be damaging?

The fact that this young girl has had to suffer such trauma and emotional distress is complete unnecessary. I know I am sounding very prejudice towards Mormons, but I simply find them to be completely moronic. I know, I know, if you've grown up in that environment it is different. But clearly it isn't for this young girl who is bordering on suicidal. She took two bottles of painkillers and she did not even understand what was happening to her.

All I can say is that I am glad this woman has sought legal advice.

Mormonist perspective on their religion


My perspective on mormonism

Yes, south park can be sometimes moronic, but underneath all the swear words and jokes are some fairly solid issues. That is the whole point behind the cartoon. Once you start watching it, you realise just how clever Trey Parker and Matt Stone can actually be.

Here is a Wikipedia entry on The Book of Mormon, giving a brief outline of the religion, its history and major themes
Wikipedia and Book of Mormon

Some of you might not know this, but hugely popular band The Killers are actually Mormons. They are also from Las Vegas. Sounds fairly strange!