Storytelling Vs Journalism

In discovering new experiences of New Media and Journalism techniques, I have come to analyse and decipher, what the difference is between a piece of Storytelling, and a piece of Journalism. There are many new forms of media available to the modern Journalist; Twitter, a form of micro blogging, Storify, a use of interactive and social media to tell a story, and websites such as Video Fu, Unsungnewyorkers, and Cowbird.

I have a quote from the website Cowbird.com, as they aim to tell the user, what their website is intending to achieve.

‘Cowbird allows you to keep a beautiful audio-visual diary of your life, and to collaborate with others in documenting the overarching “sagas” that shape our world today. Sagas are themes and events that touch millions of lives and shape the human story.

Our short-term goal is to pioneer a new form of participatory journalism, grounded in the simple human stories behind major news events. Our long-term goal is to build a public library of human experience, so the knowledge and wisdom we accumulate as individuals may live on as part of the the commons, available for this and future generations to look to for guidance.’

I specifically looked at the story of Baz and Corina, after being shown this in a seminar. This is available at http://cowbird.com/story/7831. This is a piece of storytelling, that overviews life, in a documentary format.

Video Fu, or Vimeo, is another type of user generated content (UGC), which provides the public an outlet to tell a story. I have specifically looked at a story by Jessica Yu, otherwise known as Mr Toilet. (Available at: http://vimeo.com/34792993). The video is an informative piece of storytelling on a specific topic, providing its viewers with information for a specific purpose.

Examples such as these have begun to probe me to question what my role as a Journalist will be, if the forms such as these, are available for the public to use, and essentially, provide their own stories, and pieces of news.

The intended messages that a piece of news or a story provides, shapes the reaction from its intended audiences, and influences them to further question how that piece of news or story can or does relate to them. This I feel is where the merging line between users providing a story, and a professional providing a piece of Journalism becomes opaque.

So what is the difference between Storytelling and Journalism?

Storytelling techniques have altered and adapted under the licence and formats of new media platforms and outlets. Advanced methods in communicating an intended message, have inclined users of the internet to produce content of their own that is of a journalistic nature.

So what separates these new media contents of Storytelling from pieces of Journalism?

A journalistic piece of content must have an intended audience; with an intended purpose, and specific need of production value, to produce something that is in the interest to the intended audience through the nature of the communication. A documentary produced for a specific purpose could be interpreted as a piece of journalism, but the intended purpose of the production dictates whether or not that the piece is a journalistic piece, or a new media form of storytelling.

All good journalists communicate a story through the intended medium provided to the specific audience. The online audience sees a difference of what is considered to be journalism, and what is considered storytelling.  Take the example from Cowbird.com, the story of Baz and Corina; a message of communication, a piece of storytelling, a new media form of communicating a story using a specific hosted website. This, however, is not what could be considered a piece of journalism, as the intended message has no specific target audience. Similarly to a video of content uploaded to websites such as YouTube; a mass medium provider of content, providing people with means to communicate a message, or a story, or indeed journalism. But the intended audiences are not a specifically desired or intended audience, which provokes a public interest in the provided subject or content. This same rule applies to the video of Baz and Corina, although communicated through a new online medium of storytelling; it is a life documentary, but not a piece of journalism.

A piece of journalism is provided to send or deliver a fact or a message singularly or in groups, that has a specifically desired target audience, with a specific public interest. Even if the provided story is local to one location, of interest to a specific audience, if it provides the message to the desired specific audience, it can be considered journalism. Take the example of the unsungnewyorkers.com video of sanitation. (Available at: http://unsungnewyorkers.com/san-men.html) It is a short documentary based story that has a specific target audience. A viewer watching this from another part of the world may not have the intended message sent to them, but the hosted website provides a medium to communicate the message that is intended to be delivered to the intended audience.

How does this affect the common role of a Journalist?

The dominating news organisations of power, such as the BBC, Sky, CNN, amongst others, will not provide the journalistic content that can be provided through some of these online mediums. They are short, specific, and tell a story. It would be unviable to provide stories such as these on mainstream news, although interesting, fulfilling, and ultimately entertaining; they have vague and unidentified target audiences.

But, as a journalist, I find that empowering, to know that I don’t have to be a corporate moneymaking machine of journalistic empowerment. If I can merely communicate a message through new media technologies, using mediums provided to give an outlet to communicate my message in a journalism based story; I am thus equally empowered in providing a required piece of journalism, to my specifically intended target audience, delivering my message of communication, and the facts, all through new media forms of online storytelling.

Recording of footage for client

Video recording with client

Today I filmed more footage for my client’s video. He would like to include examples in his video of him training other people as a personal trainer to help promote this part of his job. I filmed various aspects of this role today, along with taking some photographs. Also, one of the clients may produce a written piece for a testimonial section on the website, as my client would like to place some success stories on to his website as proof of his success.

I will look through the footage of today to pick the best sections, and then inform my client of how these could be incorporated into the video. I will also be meeting my client later this week to discuss the website.

Meeting rescheduled

I was due to meet my client today to discuss possible sequences for the video, and do storyboards to outline the plans for how the video will flow and look. We were also due to look at some websites and decide on one, and also to look at colour wheels to decide on the colours for the website.

This has now been rescheduled due to my client’s commitments.

I will however do some initial plans for some of the video, as I have gained a sufficient amount of photographs and footage, both new and old form my client.

I have also recently done a filming of him, of which his fitness class was recorded, and this will be selected along with others to include for the video.

CATS Proposal

Essay Proposal

The effects of war have often acted as a catalyst for photographers and journalists.

The way wars are communicated to a reader or viewer can often be the only source of intelligence that the public receive into war relations. I would like to use examples of what is considered true journalism and photography, such as the Life magazine’s reporting on WW2, and compare these to ‘unknown’ or or propaganda tools used, and how these have been exploited, such as in the Drama, ‘The Promise,’ which covered the war in Palestine and Israel. This would explore the reasoning of journalists and reporters actions, such as claims of how ‘we’ the British public are/will be affected by the situations, and how the wars are available and accessible, to enable journalists to report ‘the truth.’ Photography, such as Life Magazine, would be a good example of old fashioned and traditional work in the area surrounding war, and I intend to refer to examples such as this and visual examples from news channels such as the BBC, to highlight the differences. Ultimately, I would argue wars being a reason to report, or a reason to exploit for journalists.

Sources:

Books

Alan.S; (2004), Reporting War: Journalism in Wartime. 1st Ed: Routledge.

This source covers subjects such as; when war is reduced to a photograph, TV war, journalists, professionalism, and identification in war, and examples of specific wars such as The Balkans, Persian Gulf, and African Savagery.

Crook, T; (2010), Comparative Media Law and Ethics. 1st ed. Oxon, United States: Routledge.

This title looks at the way journalists provoke actions from the public regarding war. It also has ethical issues and law regulations for journalists.

Foerstel, H; (2006), Killing the messenger, Journalists at risk in modern warfare. 1st Ed. United States: Praeger.

This explores key features in reporting in war for photographers and correspondents, and how it is accessible for them, including examples from Iraq.

John, A.V; (2006), The life and times of Henry W. Nevinson. 1st Ed. New York: Tauris and Co Ltd.

A book that explores a war correspondent’s life, as it has topics such as; a corresponding cause, the South African war, and how this journalist corresponded in the First World War This source may give some specific examples of war reporting, and identify the catalyst for reporting wars at them times.  

Jorgensen, K; (2009), The Handbook of Journalism Studies. 1st Ed. New York: Routledge

This source contains features on the truth in war and journalism, war shaping practises of journalism, and key journalism and war dates.

Magazines and Journals

Unknown author; (1951), Americas Long Range Striking Force. Life Magazine, 27.09.51. 17, 22.

This is a specific magazine that I will investigate, and use examples from to support my argument.

Websites

Austin Cline, about.com. 2006. Journalism During War. [ONLINE] Available at: http://atheism.about.com/b/2006/07/18/journalism-during-war-patriotism-vs-journalistic-responsibility.htm. [Accessed 22 February 12].

This website uses examples of journalist work in war, and also, how a journalist reports in war, and the issues surrounding this.

Alternative Questions

If my essay does not unfold and materialise how I had first intended, I have alternative questions with a short summary of what I would cover and investigate for each.

1. The rise in social media is changing the nature of contemporary society.

Reason: How social media is impacting on real life decisions, and how it is changing the methods of communicating a story to readers through interactive mediums, such as Twitter, and Storify. I would look at the difference between storytelling by public through interactive communications and visual media, and the way journalists are using social media as a new form of communicating their stories. How can the difference be identified, and what separates a story being a piece of journalism and news, from just being a story.

2. Compare the terms interpret and negotiate in relation to the process by which viewers and readers make meaning in relation to a journalist’s intentions.

Reason: I would consider the broadsheets and tabloids headlines on similar storylines, such as the Princess Dianna death, The war in Iraq, and Prime Minister elections, to draw the interpretations made in each, and compare these to identify the way the newspaper is intending to negotiate the terms they are trying to employ to their readers, and influence them to have a particular view or understanding through the way their message is communicated.

3.       Discuss changing representations of femininity and masculinity in visual culture, and the factors that have influenced them.

Reason: I may look at the different ways in which the world of journalism has evolved and women have integrated into what was once a male dominated occupation. Has the equality of visuals such as women appearing on specific news Television as presenters, rather than being the ‘sidekick’ or just the weather girl, made the occupation more open, or led the leading organisations to use women as a balancing tool on air. (The fact that BBC news, either have one woman, or one man solely presenting, or one man and one woman, or sometimes two women, but never two men)

 

Bibliography

Books

Alan.S; (2004), Reporting War: Journalism in Wartime. 1st Ed: Routledge.

Crook, T; (2010), Comparative Media Law and Ethics. 1st ed. Oxon, United States: Routledge.

Foerstel, H; (2006), Killing the messenger, Journalists at risk in modern warfare. 1st Ed. United States: Praeger.

John, A.V; (2006), The life and times of Henry W. Nevinson. 1st Ed. New York: Tauris and Co Ltd.

Jorgensen, K; (2009), The Handbook of Journalism Studies. 1st Ed. New York: Routledge

Magazines and Journals

Unknown author; (1951), Americas Long Range Striking Force. Life Magazine, 27.09.51. Pg. 17, 22.

Websites

Austin Cline, about.com. 2006. Journalism During War. [ONLINE] Available at: http://atheism.about.com/b/2006/07/18/journalism-during-war-patriotism-vs-journalistic-responsibility.htm. [Accessed 22 February 12].

CATS Questions for Essay

After been given the choice of questions to decide from, I have identified four of which I believe I can relate most efficiently to my vocation.

CATS essay ideas

Questions I may consider:

1.       Discuss changing representations of femininity and masculinity in visual culture, and the factors that have influenced them.

Reason: I may look at the different ways in which the world of journalism has evolved and women have integrated into what was once a male dominated occupation. Has the equality of visuals such as women appearing on specific news Television as presenters, rather than being the ‘sidekick’ or just the weather girl, made the occupation more open, or led the leading organisations to use women as a balancing tool on air. (The fact that BBC news, either have one woman, or one man solely presenting, or one man and one woman, or sometimes two women, but never two men)

2. Compare the terms interpret and negotiate in relation to the process by which viewers and readers make meaning in relation to a journalist’s intentions.

Reason: I would consider the broadsheets and tabloids headlines on similar storylines, such as the Princess Dianna death, The war in Iraq, and Prime Minister elections, to draw the interpretations made in each, and compare these to identify the way the newspaper is intending to negotiate the terms they are trying to employ to their readers, and influence them to have a particular view or understanding through the way their message is communicated.

3. The effects of war have often acted as a catalyst for photographers and journalists.

Reason: The way wars are communicated to a reader or viewer can often be the only source of intelligence that the public receive into war relations. I would like to use examples of true journalism and photography, such as the Life magazine’s reporting on WW2, and compare these to ‘unknown’ or or propaganda tools used, and how these have been exploited, such as in the Drama, ‘The Promise,’ which covers the war in Palestine and Israel.  I would argue wars being a reason to report or a reason to exploit for journalists.

4. The rise in social media is changing the nature of contemporary society.

Reason: How social media is impacting on real life decisions, and how it is changing the methods of communicating a story to readers through interactive mediums, such as Twitter, and Storify. I would look at the difference between storytelling by public through interactive communications and visual media, and the way journalists are using social media as a new form of communicating their stories. How can the difference be identified, and what separates a story being a piece of journalism and news, from just being a story.

Writing Exercises, Newsroom Exercises (Final)

THE SPEEDY CHEATER HUHNE RACES OUT THE DOOR

CHRIS Huhne dramatically resigned as an MP, as claims about his private life have tarnished his reputation. 
The former Energy Secretary had allegedly flanked a driving ban that he would have received over nine years ago, after asking his Wife, Vicky Pryce to pick up the points.

Huhne was driving through Essex when his car was picked up on camera, and has dodged these claims since March 2003.

Essex police investigated the father of five and love cheat, for eight months, after the Crown Prosecution Service demanded that they investigate Huhne and his Wife.

It surfaced in May 2011, that Ms Pryce had taken the points on her ex-husband’s behalf, meaning both her and the love rat could face charges of perverting the court of justice if found guilty.

His love affair with his PR advisor, Carina Triminham, first caused Huhne’s rep to be slated, as it was exposed in June 2010. The Lib Dem MP also caused havoc, when he nicknamed the Deputy PM Nick Clegg, ‘Calamity Clegg,’ whilst running for leader of the party.

The millionaire’s political position was finally placed into jeopardy, as QC Keir Starmer, of the Crown Prosecution Service, made a public statement on the 2^nd of February confirming that there will be possible charges against Huhne. This, only the next day, Huhne spoke to David Cameron, and resigned, only to later plead his innocence to the PM.

The court case is due to take place on 16^th February, and if found guilty, Huhne and his ex could receive a sentence of up to a year.

He had branded the decision to bring him into court ‘regrettable’, and Huhne has insisted that he will return to office, once he has banished the claims. The Deputy PM, Nick Clegg has offered support from the Lib Dem party, and has also urged Huhne to clear his name.

Writing Exercises Draft 3 Obama Article

YANK-ING THE CHAIN ON OBAMA

HIS reign as the face of the U.S is in doubt, as the American public will decide the fate of their current leader in this year’s upcoming election.

The punchy Presidents points plummet, as Obama looks increasingly unlikely to regain his position as leader of America later this year. A recent survey by The Harris Poll found that only 36 percent of Americans believe that Obama will be re-elected. There are currently four Republican candidates in the running to challenge the President, and in January, the poll found that under half would vote him in to power again.

Why the change?

In the same survey, the direction of the United States is going down the pan according to 75 percent of Americans. They feel that the government should challenge important issues… such as unemployment.
That is according to 42 percent of Americans; the other 58 percent must be the employed people. That percentage is split up into people that think the government should challenge healthcare, taxes, and the economy.

The great country of America seems to be in a state of emergency, as that equates to 100 percent of the American public believing that the country has major issues. Surely a man who has lead a country into a state of crisis such as this should be reprimanded and put in front of court for crimes against his country?

Not guilty your honor, I hear.

Why is that?

Let’s take a look at the past year, and what Obama has done for his country. He visited the home nation of Ireland, and delayed all flights in and out of Dublin for 30 minutes, whilst receiving gifts from the people of Offaly, including an ancient scroll, and a diamond pendent in the shape of an Offaly flower for Miss Obama.

Not Helping?

He had promised to pull all American troops out of Iraq, and in December 2011, the plug was pulled as the last convoy of U.S troops left after a nine year stay in the Middle East. A big step forward in his pledge for American votes, but when it comes to the British public, what do they think of Obama, and what would they like to see happen?

A spokesperson from Hull College described President Obama as ''a big lame duck, someone who stays in his office all day, and doesn’t do his job.''

Well, if that’s the thoughts of the rest of the British public, Obama must be quacking in his boots.