Week 12 - Broadcast Journalism: The world's town crier

Broadcast Journalism: the world's town crier

1. I think the ABC should not become privatized. The poll in 2004, in Conley & Lamble, showed that the ABC is the second most trusted organization in Australia. As long as Australia remains in public hands it will continue to be accountable to no one but its own staff.

"As long as politicians control funding, the ABC probably always will be perceived to be under some form of government pressure" (Conley & Lamble, p. 269). This statement is very true. Although, as with John Howards act of cutting 10% of ABC funding after a debate against the opposition was hosted by Kerry O'Brien, I wonder if this was more damaging to Howard's approval ratings than to the ABC.

2. I think I would interview both applicants and decide on who had the most passion for the job, however I am swaying towards the female candidate. It is wrong to, "value beauty over brains in its journalists" (Conley & Lamble, p. 288). As the female is more experienced, she will most probably be a better news reporter, yet once this also hinges on how passionate they are and how comfortable they are in front of a camera.

3. Radio - A Negative aspect is that it is frequently claimed by media critics to be 'over the line into entertainment'. Stories sometimes unable to sink in.

Positives is that radio is a warm, emotional medium of the imagination. Often can be the first to release a story.

Television - A Negative is that sometimes it is viewed as only providing the 'tip of the iceberg' of news stories. Another is that stories are sometimes unable to sink in. Stories may be rejected because they are "video poor".

Positives is that it can show footage and has strong, lasting qualities. Can seek 'common denominators' that appeal to most viewers.

Newspaper - Story is able to sink in. Can fully cover a story.

Negative is that it is always a day late.

Web - Stories can often be "just in" or the first to broadcast

Can be seen as lacking in credibility

I think the best communicators are either newspaper or television, even though all formats hold their own values. When reading a newspaper, I am able to think about the words on the page and form opinions and questions in my mind. I am able to receive a lot of information concerning the incident. However, television is a very strong medium with the cutting edge in timeliness over newspapers. Television is also able to show footage.

4. The last federal campaign, or I will concentrate on this campaign, is focusing more on personalities rather than issues. Each side tries to personally cut down the other, to the extent of airing information concerning Kevin Rudd's heart operation many years ago. Really, voters should be listening to their policies and debates rather then looking at the faces of the parties.

---------------------------------------------------

Little change for DOCS in child deaths review

Posted Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:08am AEST 
Updated Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:20am AEST

The New South Wales ombudsman's annual report confirms there has been little change in the number of children who have died after concerns about them were reported to the Department of Community Services (DOCS).

A spokeswoman for ombudsman Bruce Barbour has confirmed this year's report, due to be released on Friday, will show the office has reviewed more than 100 child deaths.

The report will come on the same day a memorial service is held for Dean Shillingsworth, the two-year-old whose body was found dumped in a suitcase in Sydney's south-west.

DOCS admitted earlier this week it knew of Dean's family and the department is now being investigated to see if it could have acted differently.

Opposition community services spokeswoman Katrina Hodgkinson has seized on the figures, saying it is evidence of the NSW Government's failings.

"It follows on from the previous year where 109 deaths were occasioned for children who had been notified to the Department of Community Services that they were at risk," she said.

"It continues to be a trend and it's unacceptable to the people of NSW that this trend continues."

Last year's investigation into reviewable child deaths found most had a history of contact with DOCS.

Dean's father released

The father of Dean Shillingsworth has been released from jail in time for his son's memorial service.

Paul Shillingsworth has been in Junee prison in the state's south-east after breaching parole.

The NSW Parole Board met yesterday and decided to release Mr Shillingsworth.

It is understood Mr Shillingsworth will travel to Sydney after being collected by relatives.

There are reports both sides of the boy's family are fighting over where his funeral should take place.
----------------------------------------------------------------
It seems no matter what DOCS do, they are always wrong.

Before I began my studies of communication, all I wanted to be was a social worker, most probably working for DOCS. My mother actively discouraged me from following this career path saying that I would be unable to leave my job out of my personal life. And right now, I can see I made the right decision.

DOCS is overloaded with so many cases, they are constantly struggling. To use a tragic situation, such as that of the young boy who was found murdered in a suitcase, to try and attack opposing governments is appauling.

I agree in that it is unacceptable that the trend continue, so perhaps some more power could be installed to the social workers at DOCS. At present, if they act on a situation they believe is unacceptable, they are crucified by both the public and the media for breach of privacy and can be charged. If they are successful in rescuing children, they have such little power that the child will often be returned to the incompetent parents. I know this personally. If they do nothing, it is even worse.

Society and the media need to get behind DOCS, they deal with terrible situations every day. They are doing a job that many people would dread doing. I have a lot of respect for them.

Link to DOCS website:
DOCS Website