Week 8: Blog Functions, Substance and Best Practices

I chose ABC News Blogs (http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/), specifically, the Headlines blog to analyze.  I like this blog because the percentage of people who post here are professional Journalists.  In my opinion, ABC News monitors the content and it appears to follow a Code of Ethics.  What is great about the ABC News blogs is that there are a variety of blogs within the website.  You can view blogs about entertainment, health, politics, etc. 

My preference for blogs are those that are supported by a credible news organization.  I know not everyone thinks like I do.  I think blogs are good if they are supported by a credible agency.  The best way I find to determine this is by research.  Research the blog by who or what agency supports it.  Log at the professionalism of the blog.  Is it well out together or just thrown together?  It takes more than just looking at the package to determine if it is a credible blog or not.  Review the blog’s content of what is being posted.  Are the ideas and thoughts being posted extreme or outlandish?  Is the opinion of the blogger being published in a way as to represent fact?  There is a blog called Cyberjournalist.net (http://news.cyberjournalist.net/) and they have a Blogger’s Code of Ethics.  The Code is as follows:

 A BLOGGERS' CODE OF ETHICS

Be Honest and Fair
Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Bloggers should:
• Never plagiarize.
• Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.
• Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
• Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations.
• Never publish information they know is inaccurate -- and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it's in doubt.
• Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context.
• Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.

Minimize Harm
Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect.
Bloggers should:
• Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
• Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
• Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for arrogance.
• Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy.
• Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.

Be Accountable
Bloggers should:
• Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
• Explain each Weblog's mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers' conduct.
• Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas.
• Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made, disclose them fully to readers.
• Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors.
• Expose unethical practices of other bloggers.
• Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.

If you notice, the Blogger’s Code of Ethics (http://www.cyberjournalist.net/news/000215.php) is much like the SPJ code of Ethics for Journalist.  I think Best Practices for creating a Blog come from the Blogger using the SPJ Code of Ethics as a great guideline.  Afterall, they are publishing information, much like a Journalist.  The posts can be read by everyone.  

Sources:
http://www.cyberjournalist.net/news/000215.php
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/
 

Week 7: Press Release for Joe Paterno's Death

Joe Paterno Dies at 85
State College, PA, January 22, 2013 - Joe Paterno died at the age of 85 of lung cancer on Sunday, January 22, 2013 in a Pennsylvania hospital.  He was surrounded by family and friends at the time of his death.  Joe Paterno coached 46 seasons at Penn State.  Paterno racked up 409 wins – the record for a Division I football coach.  He guided his teams to national championships in 1982 and 1986.

On Nov. 18, Scott Paterno, Joe Paterno’s son reported that his father was being treated for lung cancer. The cancer was diagnosed after the family thought Joe Paterno had a bronchial illness.  Further tests revealed Joe Paterno had lung cancer.  A few weeks after the cancer diagnosis, Paterno also broke his pelvis after a fall but did not need surgery.

Paterno had been in the hospital since Jan. 13 for observation for what his family had called minor complications from his cancer treatments.  The Paterno family released this statement "He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community," said the statement.  The family has requested privacy at this time.

Facebook Post - With great sadness, I am letting everyone know that Joe Paterno, age 85, has passed away from lung cancer on Sunday, January 22, 2013.  His family and friends were at this side when he passed away.  College football has lost a great Coach.  He coached Penn State for 46 seasons, with 409 wins.  This is a record for a Division I football coach.  He led Penn state to national championships in 1982 and 1986.

Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/21/joe-paterno-dead-ex-penn-state-football-coach_n_1221289.html

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20563737,00.html

My Attempts at Social Media Tools
Smart Phone - When first purchased, I was clueless on how smart this phone was.  Believe it or not, it took my 11-year old niece to teach me the 'tools of the trade' on this one.  Once mastered, I wondered how I have lived without it.  It really is a Smart Phone.  For instance, not only can I use it as a phone but I can always have my email up and Facebook.  It is great to have my email right there so that I can see as soon as a message comes in.  I love this feature on this phone.  Having Facebook open for me allows me to always comment on my friends and my family's posts.  I have no need for a computer when I am home in the USA, as I just always use my Smart Phone.  I have the Samsung Galaxy S4 and I really like it.  See link below:

http://www.samsung.com/us/guide-to-galaxy-smart-devices/galaxy-s-4-smartphone.html

Blogs - According to www.time.com, (When it comes to political blogs, the Huffington Post is in a class by itself" (McNichol, T., 2009). Huffington Post has one of the most popular blogs out there...who knew?  I am not much of a Huffington Post fan but felt I should give it a try, since I am checking out Social Media Tools here.  The one thing I am not fond of is having to create an account in order to post on this site.  I do not like having to create accounts.  I like that The Huffington Post has a lot of stories on the blog.  They have a lot of stories I was not even aware of.  For instance, a story on the worst company to work for.  1,071 comments were posted for that story.  DISH Network was voted the worst company to work for, according to the firm Wall St. 24/7, who did the story.  I think the blog is a pretty good Social Media Tool, however, who could possibly read 1,071 comments?  Too many to dig through, in my opinion.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Webcasts - The Library of Congress actually has webcasts.  I am impressed to know this.  I would have never known had I not done a search for webcasts.  That being the case, I doubt many people search out webcasts and I don't think webcasts are the most popular Social Media Tool, either.  I decide to check out the "Talking Science with Congress" webcast.  The speaker is Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.  Unfortunately, when I click on the webcast I receive a pop up message that I must download Real Player.  Not doing it.  I really do not want to take the time involved to download the Real Player to my computer.  I might have enjoyed this webcast but it just is not as efficient as I would like.  If this is how the webcasts work, I am not a fan.

http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5790

According to Twitter, "Twitter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest stories, ideas, opinions and news about what you find interesting. Simply find the accounts you find most compelling and follow the conversations" (Twitter, 2013).  I have to agree.  Twitter is the winner in my book.  With just a 'tweet' the information gets out to the world.  Doesn't take much, maybe a sentence but it seems to be the best way to reach audiences most effectively. The Society of Professonal Journalist's has a website called Journalist's Toolbox.  There it lists Twitter and Social Media Resources for Journalists to follow Tweetsin the news room.

Sources: McNichol.Tom. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1879276_1879279_1879212,00.html

https://twitter.com/about

http://www.journaliststoolbox.org/archive/twitter-resources/

Tracking Cited Sources
Here is an article I chose from The New York Times. 

Europeans Voice Anger Over Reports of Spying by U.S. on Its Allies

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/01/world/europe/europeans-voice-anger-over-reports-of-spying-by-us-on-its-allies.html?ref=world&_r=0

When looking at this article and comparing it to Criteria to Evaluate the Credibility of www Resources, I feel confident that the news being reported here is newsworthy.  Comparing this article to the Criteria for Credibility, this is what I have found:

1 - I researched the reported and even the contributing reporter from Baltimore.  All three Journalists are established in their field.

2 - The Journalists who reported this story are all linked to The New York Times and have provided numerous stories on the website.  There are emails addresses provided for the authors.

3 - 2 of the three authors have peer reviews that I could find online.

4 - I see no sign of bias in this article.  However, the article is about the anger of U.S Allies about Europeans voicing their anger over reports of spying by the U.S.  There is nothing in the story telling of a European country not upset.

5 - This is an up to date article.  One thing I noticed was that this article does link to The Guardian article that gave additional details about the spying.

6 - There is not a complete list of works cited, however, many people are quoted in this story, along with the link to The Guardian.

 7 - I feel like the article and the background of 2 of the authors are fully covered.  I would want to dig deeper to see more of the 1 reporter that I could not find peer reviews on.  However, he is well-established as a New York Times reporter.  I think if my time was limited, it would still be easy for me to find more information on this story.  Several websites are reporting this story right now.

8 - This is a News and Journalistic site (E-zines).  I feel like The New York Times and The Guardian are well-established.  I have confidence in what these sites are reporting.