Filed under: Journalism, Philosophy | Tags: Blogging, citizen journalism, internet, Media, Newspapers, Talkback
Blogging is the internet version of newspaper’s letters to the editor and radio’s talkback. Rather than the media dictate what comments and opinions are aired or published, these formats allow for feedback from the general public. But who is talking? Who is it that writes to the editor? Who rings up the radio station? Who keeps an active blog?
At our community paper with a readership of around 25,000, we get a steady stream of letters to the editor. A vast amount, however, are from familiar names. Typically, but not always, these people have a lot of time on their hands as they are retired. Their gripes are usually with council, many are valid, many are the products of idle minds.
The same people get on the phone calling up late night talkback, complaining about anything and everything.
So who’s blogging? Who are the people behind the most active blogs, many updated as often as daily?
My last post was a month ago, and even then it was a book review. As a reporter I spend most of the day in front of the computer either writing the news or reading the news. In my spare time, doing the same thing but for my blog is hardly appealing. It has to be something I want to get off my chest or something on my mind I want to put online that spurs me to put up another post. Last year as a student I could put up as many as a post a day. Readership skyrocketed! But now I simply do not have the time nor the energy. So who does? And why do they?
I’m not quitting my blog. I’m just writing when I want to, not writing to keep the weekly ratings above 300. Next post might be some time away!
Filed under: Books, Journalism | Tags: Books, China, Cotton, culture, Globalisation, Humour, Joe Bennett, Politics, religion, Review, Shanghai, The Warehouse, Underpants
Writer Joe Bennett’s energy and enthusiasm is legendary, captured not only in his regular television appearances but also in his newspaper columns. His sentences race wildly like a high speed chase, weaving through ideas, from one thought to the next, ceasing abruptly with a bizarre observation. It is his ability to describe scenes and experiences which I love, as he will use the most inappropriate words to most aptly convey what he means. It is truly a wonder how he does it.
Where underpants come from follows Bennett’s exploration through China, as he searches for the raw materials that constitute his $8.59 underwear purchased from the Warehouse. The underwear serve as the vehicle for Bennett’s investigation into globalisation and China’s evergrowing role in the world, as well as the country’s social, historical, political, religious and economic makeup.
His energy and enthusiasm are what makes his quest possible, as he convinces firstly the Warehouse, and then their numerous suppliers, to allow him to see how his cotton undies got from the cotton fields of China to the shelves of New Zealand. What to some may sound like a boring story, Bennett ensures is anything but, with typically bright descriptions bringing his observations to life. For example, a maitresse ‘d at a Shanghai restaurant is described as “wearing what looks like the uniform of a London parking warden and her hair is tied back in a manner that the Soviet Union’s champion woman tractor driver of 1956 would have found just a little severe”. From then on she is referred to as the “tractor-driving champ”. Genius.
I’ll be hunting down Bennett’s numerous other books to give me more late night laughs.
Filed under: Journalism | Tags: Australia, Australian Journalism Education Association, AUT, Deborah Coddington, Fiji, Journalism, Journalist, Media, New Zealand, Ossie, Te Waha Nui, University
Deborah Coddington is not the only one to be impressed with this year’s TWN, AUT’s student newspaper. The Australian Journalism Education Association were equally impressed, awarding TWN the “Ossie” award for ‘best regular student publication 2008′ in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. And not did we win that, we also won a second category – the ‘Dr Charles Stuart Prize for Best Student Publication (Any Medium)’.
It would be interesting see what the standard of publication we were up against and compare how different journalism schools approach the challenge of producing a newspaper. The skills one learns from doing so are valuable in ‘real world’ journalism, as I am now finding out. I recommend all journalism students who are interested in getting into any aspect of print journalism to take any such paper on offer at your university/institute.
Good luck to the TWNers for next year, let’s see if you can make it two in a row! (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, New Zealand Election 08, Politics | Tags: AUT University, Deborah Coddington, Herald on Sunday, Journalism, Journalist, New Zealand, Public Relations, Te Waha Nui
I’ve just had an opinion piece by Deborah Coddington in the Herald on Sunday bought to my attention. Coddington commented on the performance of the media through the election, commending some for fine work, whilst slamming others for their waffling and incompetitance.
“And why, on election night, did Sainsbury have Noelle McCarthy wittering on breathlessly?
She came over like a pretty little teenager woken up by adoring dad to join the grown-ups’ party.
It was cruel to watch and McCarthy was completely out of her depth.
The Irish lass is dangerously muddled – does she want to be a celebrity or a journalist? Posing for gossip pages in designer frocks is not really the best way to be taken seriously.”
However, and this is where my and my fellow former student friends get to slap ourselves on the back, Coddington says the future of journalism is in safe hands.
“And are we in New Zealand well-served in the future?
Most definitely, if the publication put out by AUT journalism students, Te Waha Nui (Big Mouth), is any indication.
I picked up their pre-election special in late October and was impressed – good questions asked, short items clearly written, no sign of student smart-arse.
Let’s hope they’re our future Cliftons, Robinsons, Edwards, Clarks – political reporters who’ve become household names for their talents and skills, as opposed to celebrity scribblers who rise without trace because they can dress up and attend the opening of an oyster.”
Well done Te waha nui 2008! Now let’s try find some bloody jobs. Sorry Deborah, but it looks like we’ll end up in PR!
Filed under: Journalism | Tags: Advertisements, Advertising, Gmail, Google, internet, Thomas Friedman
Having just started up a google email account, I was pleased to notice the lack of flashing advertisements blaring across the screen For you see, on my little laptop those adverts practically freeze my computer. I have to scroll down the screen in order to get the ad out of view so other pages can load. Otherwise I’m stuck. News sites often have these moving adverts in the middle of the news story, rendering the story unreadable on my laptop (hint: if you have this problem, read story in print mode!). The worst site for this, however, is the hotmail inbox page. Recent changes have prompted my move to Gmail, as one can no longer scroll down to remove the advert from view.
I was pleased to see no such adverts on the Gmail inbox page, and can now read my emails without fear of an epileptic seizure or risk not being able to view another page for ten minutes whilst I wait for a computer to come out of its own seizure. The adverts are much more subtle, in fact it was a few days till I actually noticed any.
Emailing an journalism lecturer about Thomas Friedman’s book Hot, Flat and Crowded (does anyone recommend it, it looks good), these adverts came up next to the email reply. (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, New Zealand Election 08, Politics | Tags: Audrey Young, Election 2008, government, Helen Clark, John Campbell, John Key, Labour, Leader's Debate, Leadership, Linda Clark, Mark Sainsbury, National, New Zealand, Policy, Politics, TV3
TV3’s John Campbell did a marginally better job than One’s Mark Sainsbury to keep the debate civil, but Helen Clark and John Key were again intent on talking over each other and providing viewers with ample reason to reach for the remote. For those of us who stayed turned there were moments of entertainment, particularly when Campbell commented that it was unprecedented for two politicians to argue over who was responsible for negotiating such an unpopular law as the repeal of section 59 of the Crimes Act. Witty remarks aside, there was very little substance to the exchanges between the Labour and National leader.
Again analysts are giving the points to Key simply because he didn’t lose. Well he certainly didn’t win either. But Clark’s effort will not slow the momentum National have and after tonight, I fear a National victory may be even closer. (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, New Zealand Election 08, Politics | Tags: AUT University, Election 2008, Jonathan Coleman, Journalism, New Zealand, Newspaper, Politics, Te Waha Nui
I am so glad that’s over! As much fun and rewarding as making your own newspaper is, it takes a hell of a lot out of you. You can all to easily become dangerous obsessed with it, demanding perfection and becoming angered at any small mistake you find. You work like a slave from 8am till 12 some nights, and expect the same self-destructive dedication from your colleagues. Between fights you leave the building for timeout, or head down to the pub for some liquid relief. But when you make this, you know the sweat, tears and sleepless night were worth it. (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, Politics | Tags: AUT, History, Marina Erakovic, New Zealand, News, Newspaper, Politics, Robert Fisk, Te Waha Nui
Te Waha Nui issue number 25, the third for this semester, is in my hot little hands. Arguably the best issue yet, this week we have had the benefit of filling some pages with profiles done by the magazine students, with articles everyone from Marina Erakovic to the Act Party’s Maori Te Tai Tokerau candidate Peter Tashkoff. Oh, and Robert Fisk! Some great news and politics stories dominate the first half dozen pages with everything from burger chain wars to irate dairy farmers. Again there are some insightful and even humourous opinion pieces and another brilliant Sally Conor cartoon. One of the highlights for me, and not because I contributed some content, was the history spread we did on memorable colourful political moments.
So once more a fortnight of hard work has produced a pleasing result, a great paper that all involved can be satisfied with.
Filed under: Journalism, New Zealand Election 08, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, religion | Tags: Bethlehem College, Christian, democracy, government, Greens, Helen Clark, Herald, Jesus, John Key, Labour, National, New Zealand, Simon Collins, Tauranga, Winston Churchill
Although I initially though the Herald’s “One Man Poll” sounded like a massive vox pop (which I can’t stand) in the capable hands of Simon Collins the series was likely to be a success. And he does find some interesting people with interesting views on interesting issues. Collins finds people who do sum up what others are thinking and finds out the thought behind their opinions. Fascinating stuff at times. However, either Collins is drawn to some absolute morons, or New Zealand is a country with a disproportionate number of idiot residents.
Here’s a couple from the last few days. There are many more! (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, New Zealand Election 08, Philosophy, Politics | Tags: Austria, democracy, Education, Helen Clark, John Key, Labour, Media, National, New Zealand, Politics, School, Voting age, Youths
Austria became the first EU country to drop the voting age to 16, in a move to counteract the influence of the country’s aging population. The new voters will be given their first taste of democracy this weekend, granted the right to vote in the country’s general election, which is forecast to be a close race. The move to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote has been controversial and provoked criticism from many who believe the young people do not know enough to vote. Even many young voters do not believe they are ready to participate in democracy.
“I don’t agree with the idea of teenagers of my age being given the right to vote,” said Julia Tauschek, a 16-year-old high school pupil from the Austrian town of Linz yesterday. “We simply don’t know enough about politics and we are not taught much about them at school either.” (From the Independent)
But doesn’t involving young people in the democratic process encourage them to become politically aware? And since when are older people so politically knowledgeable? Are some voters not already suffering from political amnesia when they refer to the ’90s? (more…)
Filed under: Books, History, Journalism, Politics, Quotes | Tags: Auckland, Foreign Correspondent, Gaza, Independent, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Journalism, Lebanon, McCain, Middle East, New Zealand, Newspaper, Obama, Palestine, Reporting, Robert Fisk, Te Waha Nui, War, West Bank
A couple of years back I finished my BA in History and Sociology and had no idea what I was going to do with my life. Disillusioned, I spent two years working full time in a book store. I flirted with the idea of secondary school teaching until I read Robert Fisk’s Great War for Civilisation. People had suggested I look into journalism as a career before, but it was not until I read Fisk’s book on the history of the Middle East that I felt compelled to get into journalism. I loved the passion with which he writes with, the attention to detail, the sympathy he has for those who suffer in the troubled region. His knowledge on the area is unparalleled. I found his reporting inspiring. I feel I owe Fisk a lot, so imagine my delight when I was given the chance to interview my hero for Te Waha Nui.
This is the transcript from my 45 minute interview with the Independent’s Robert Fisk. Please forgive any grammatical errors – it took me eight hours to transcribe! Enjoy. (more…)
Filed under: Journalism | Tags: AUT, Election 2008, New Zealand, News, Newspaper, Politics, tame iti, Te Waha Nui, University
Wake up at 6. Read the news online for about half an hour pour myself one of my trademark milky coffees, maybe even have breakfast. Hop in car, drive to park and ride, pray for park, stand on bus, try not to spill freshly purchased excrutiatingly hot coffee. Walk up Queen St, buy another coffee, get in lift, push button for level 15, hold back screams as lazy bastards get off at the first few floors. Release comment under breath, “Use the f**ken stairs you lazy sh*theads”. Make my way to production room, slump in seat, stare at screen. Place stories on page, concieve witty headlines, struggle to write average captions. Scream at story that needs cutting. Crop a few photos. Wait for politicians to call you back for that brilliant story you are trying writing. Resign yourself to the inevitable failure of your stalled story. Frustrated, go to pub. Return to tower refreshed. Back to work. Get incredibly stressed and take it out out on the wrong person. Eat something (expensive) at some point in the day. If lucky, leave uni before midnight. Repeat process from Monday to Thursday, culminating in a massive piss-up on Thursday night, too many beers, too much tequila. Feel dead to the world the following morning.
I assure you, it is all worthwhile when you see how awesome the paper is when it comes out on Friday! (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, Philosophy, Politics | Tags: Anmesty International, AUT, Beijing, China, Freedom, George Orwell, Human Rights, Journalism, Michael Phelps, New Zealand, Olympics, Sports, Te Waha Nui, Usain Bolt
This is an opinion piece I had published in AUT’s student newspaper Te Waha Nui. Based largely off posts that I have previously posted on undergroundnetwork, I try to balance my love of sports and my passion for human rights, in regard to the recent Olympic Games in Beijing. A real juggling act!
Politics, protests, patriotism and the pursuit of sporting perfection
Every four years I plant myself in front of the television for two weeks and wear down the cushion of my couch. I find myself enthralled by sports I would otherwise not even have a passing interest in, learning the finer points of gymnastics, dressage, handball and synchronised diving. I eagerly await our anthem blaring over the speakers in a packed stadium, with our hero standing in front of our flag, with our gold medal shining around their neck.I love marveling at the skills of the athletes, getting consumed by the drama of the competition and reveling in the emotions of the winners and the losers.
But should I be watching these Olympics? (more…)
Filed under: Journalism | Tags: AUT, Journalism, News, Newspaper, Politics, Sports, Te Waha Nui, University
AUT’s student newspaper Te Waha Nui has hit the shelves for the first time this semester. Not only do we students have a paper we can be proud of, we now have a great new website which shows off our hard work. Although there is a strong political focus because of the upcoming election, there are some great features, brilliant opinion pieces (mine included!) and fine reviews. I encourage everyone to check it out.
It was stressful producing a paper, especially as we were running behind most the time, but it was a valuable experience. In the end it came out better than I had expected. There are always creases to iron out and things to sort out, but we can be proud of what we achieved. I look forward to the next issue coming out in a fortnight, as I reckon it should be even better.
This first issue I became the default sports reporter, which I enjoyed, but I’m keen to write some great politics story for future issues. I also hope to write a good feature profile in the future…
Filed under: Journalism | Tags: Auckland, Coromandel, Hauraki, Hauraki Herald, Journalism, New Zealand Herald, Newspaper, Thames, Waihi
As part of my Graduate Diploma in Journalism, I will be spending the next five days in Thames writing for the Hauraki Herald. The Hauraki Herald is a Fairfax regional paper that covers the Thames/Hauraki/Coromandel/Waihi etc area. It should be interesting to see what kind of stories are written for these communities compared to those written for the New Zealand Herald, where I did a two-week internship a few weeks back. Reading through past papers I find my ignorance of rural/small community life exposed, as I really am only used to the North Shore, Auckland suburban life. I look forward to the challenge of writing stories for these communities, which will be something very different. Should be an exciting and valuable experience. I love the atmosphere of the newsroom and a well earned beer at the end of the day!
To any Hauraki Herald readers who may be reading this, I would love to hear of any good story ideas. Leave a comment and I can email you. I don’t think I’ll be writing any new posts for a few days, but hopefully I’ll still be able to approve any new comments. I’m keen to see any reader responses to this post (from Coromandel region locals) and my previous post “open letter to National voters”. Cheers.
Filed under: Journalism, Politics | Tags: Amnesty International, Beijing, China, Freedom, Human Rights, Journalism, Olympics, Sports
Amnesty International have said China’s human rights situation has deteriorated, not improved, despite being awarded the hosting rights of this years Olympic Games. Upon being awarded the games, China promised to uphold the values of human dignity associated with the Olympic tradition, promising increased freedom for journalists, better health and education programmes for its citizens and an improvement in human rights, but the international human rights organisation says this has not occurred. In a report entitled “The Olympics Countdown: Broken Promises”, AI has documented greater restrictions on dissidents, with the organisation’s deputy director Rosanne Rife saying the Olympics have led to a deterioration in human rights in China.
“Specifically we’ve seen crackdowns on domestic human rights activists, media censorship and increased use of re-education through labour as a means to clean up Beijing and surrounding areas,” said Rife.
So was it right for the International Olympic Committee to award the games to Beijing? (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, New Zealand Election 08, Politics | Tags: 2008 Election, Capitalism, Chris Trotter, Conservative, Election, Farmers, Labour, Marxist, National, New Zealand, Politics, Sunday Star Times
Chris Trotter’s latest Sunday Star Times column reflects the desperation of the left as Labour plummets in the polls, and National threatens to obtain enough votes to govern alone. He pleads with those voters who have abandoned Labour for National to think about who are National’s core supporters they will be joining. He then proceeds to attack the “cockies”, the “rich” and the “reactionaries”, like a rabid Marxist only can. And I agree with what he has to say. Well, not entirely! (more…)
