Sept.+27


 * Class Summary**

First of all, we cleared up some confusion about an editorial or opinion piece. Technically, because it is an opinionated article, the author does not need to cite their sources. Although, some argued that, like with any other article, the credibility is extremely higher if the author is perceived to be completely transparent about their proposed evidence. Next, we discussed the differences between the perceptions of journalism as a **product** versus a **process**. To begin, we watched two clips of Walter Cronkite (a former CBS evening news pundit) and came to the conclusion that this presentation of news not only created a personal relationship with the audience through the idea that many people had a “6:00pm appointment” (this broadcast was the only thing on TV at this time of day), but also was fashioned for the purpose of delivering the facts and was not created for entertainment value. The news stories were derived from a series of fact gathering, verification, editing, rechecking, and ultimately, the deliverance of news. In contrast, we watched a clip titled //Social Media Revolution// which presented the idea that people are now engaged in reporting (Facebook, Twiter, blogs, News Trust etc.) and that, as consumers, we no longer find the news but “the news finds us.” As a culture, we are swiftly moving away from the era of Walter Cronkite and towards the discovery of a new revolution in which the consumers has an equal (if not greater) responsibility than the professional news sources. Lastly, the new section of editing was briefly introduced. An editor embarks upon a process of verifying, determining credibility, wisely critiquing, deeming relevancy of a story based on the audience, and setting the overall tone and direction of a piece. As the consumers, with the drastic change of direction the media is taking, we are becoming editors ourselves. The transition itself will be the problem; will we be able to adapt and learn how to consume the news around us properly and effectively?


 * Class Materials**

[|1968 King Assassination Report] (CBS News) [|CBS Evening News West Coast Edition - Walter Cronkite's last day (3/6/1981)] [|Social Media Revolution 2] (Refresh) [|Gary’s Social Media Count]


 * Class Discussion**

I'm glad that we discussed the difference between an editorial and an opinion article. I guess I didn’t quite understand the difference at first and while I was doing my assignment. I know that while I was doing the assignment I did review a couple of editorials and now I know. I enjoyed watching the Walter Cronkite news videos because I remember when news used to be like that when I was younger. We would wait up until the 11 o’clock news would come on every night so we could all watch it. This didn’t last long for me obviously because the generation I live in and I was soon using a computer to look up news on KLAS’s news site or FOX news. In a way I miss those days because I feel that when I was younger I watched the news more. Now since it is always around me I don’t make the effort to sit down and watch it or look it up. I will hear about a story and if it really interests me I will look further into it. I feel as if I used to know what was going on more when I was younger and I’m a little sad that I pay less attention now, but I know that I could change that all by myself and shouldn’t be complaining. -Marissa Skinner

Your NewsTrust assignment is due Monday. Instructions for this assignment can be found here. Here's a detailed guide on how to submit a review on the NewsTrust site: How to review a story. If you have questions, please send [|me] a message.
 * Assignment that was due today:**

No reading assignment due!