Sept.+15


 * Homework due today**: (1) READ: Sunstein, Chapter 01: Polarization, pages: 1-20 AND Chapter 05: Good Extremism, Pages: 149-159 in //Going to Extremes: How Like Minds Unite and Divide// (on electronic reserve).


 * Class Summary**

In former classes, we have been discussing the obligations of not only the media but also that of the audience. Now that we have a platform on the subject, today we discussed the blurred line between the producers (media) and the consumers (audience) of the current day circulation of information. Because of the internet and other sources, the audience is producing media which in turn, the media is utilizing. Having said this, there are positive and negative effects of this occurrence; this can be seen positive because of the span of information that is produced but it can be dangerous in the fact that the consumer must now be even more wary of the credibility of sources and media producers. We watched a video about immigration pertaining to this conundrum and found some key elements that biased or incorrect news sources may contain. First of all, they may pass over the news altogether, leaving the audience confused and dazed as to what the point of the piece actually was. Secondly, a reporter or pundit may interject their feelings about the issue and connect themselves emotionally to the situation which creates a biased overhang. Also, the consumer should look for an overall sense of unprofessionalism such as extensive technological glitches and such. Lastly, language is a key element; using terms that are clearly biased (dehumanizing vocabulary in the case of the illegal immigrant arrest from the video) and focusing the audience’s attention to only one side of the issue is the wrong way to go about delivering factual news. Again, we reinforced the idea of being a cautious consumer in terms of any media outlets and explored how the media can manipulate or deliver “factual” news incorrectly.

Major Points/Problems Concerning Fox Phoenix Video
 * Where's the news? What's the goal?
 * The "reporter" didn't keep his distance. It was one-sided and biased.
 * "Unprofessional" reporters/production quality was terrible.
 * Language used in reference to immigrants was degrading.
 * Reporter inserted his personal life and opinions into the story.
 * Failed to interview protesters. There was only one interview, and it was of the tea party member.
 * They never mentioned the Mexican flag that was being stepped on.
 * Polarization demonstrated. (Being in the groups invoked more anger and more personal bias.)

In class we watched a consumer-produced video about a woman who was pulled over for a traffic violation and subsequently ended up being taken to detention after border patrol was called. After viewing it, we were asked to evaluate the credibility and believability of the video. The first thing to be noticed is that the woman telling the story is the only person who talks at any point in the video. This makes determining whether the story is true or not almost completely impossible. The only truly verifiable portion of the story is that the woman was pulled over by the police, and border patrol later showed up and took her away. Because there is no other point of view present in the video, the rest of the story could have easily been fabricated by the woman telling it. She gives great detail about the case, and much of the information (if true) must have been gathered more from the actual police and/or woman involved in it rather than from her own personal observation and/or snooping. This makes it seem strange that these interviews were not included but must exist if the story is true. All of this adds up to make the video not credible at all. It definitely cannot be trusted because there is nothing that points to the video being true. -Sage Leehey


 * Comments:**

When in class on September 15th, the bases of the class was based around illegal immigration, mostly those of hispanic decent. Arizona newly passed a law regarding immigration which has had many outraged for the last couple months. Personally, sitting back and listening to class discuss was quite interesting and confusing at the same time. Im not really familiar with the laws and regulations of AZ but It sounds as if Arizona is some was discriminate against Hispanic's and Im wondering if that affects any of the amendments?

The Arizona immigration law in question, SB1070, was signed on April 23, 2010 by Governor Jan Brewer. The bill stipulates that law enforcement may request a person's proof of citizenship if they have reasonable suspicion that the person in question is in Arizona illegally. A police officer may only ask for said documentation if the person in question has already broken the law, such as committing a traffic violation. It also states that it is unlawful for an illegal alien to knowingly apply for or solicit work in Arizona. The law also says that it is an illegal and punishable offense for an employer to knowingly hire an illegal immigrant. However, the United States Justice Department filed a motion in late July to prevent the law from going into effect. Portions of the law have been deemed unconstitutional (more specifically areas that granted police officers the right of "reasonable suspicion") by Susan Bolton, U.S. District Judge. -Emma Hearn

 Todays class was extremely interesting. I don’t care that much about immigration, but it was amazing to see how people reacted to my views. I decided after seeing that, that I am sticking to my beliefs on immigration, which are that immigrants should be allowed in our country, everyone should get the chance to experience our freedom. I don’t mind them being here, but yet I do to an extent. I want them to of course become legal citizens, but i know it’s hard and takes a long time. I dislike when they come here and disrespect our country. If you don’t like it then why are you here? I understand that some Americans get really defensive and start to disrespect the countries from which the immigrants came from, which is also wrong, but when you’re here, you need to respect where you are. I’m very patriotic, I’ve had family members and friends who have served and are serving in the army, navy, marines, and air force.  -Marissa Skinner   It has been several days since we watched that news clip during class and i still can't stop thinking about it. I don't think I have ever seen anything more unprofessional. What disturbed me the most was the way the reported acted as if the immigrants where animals. Whether you are for or against anti-immigration laws, I don't think it is okay to treat human beings like they are lesser than then everyone else. I understand that certain news channels are going to be biased, that’s just the way it is, but I also think that there needs to be at least some degree of professionalism when you are delivering the news. The other thing that has been on my mind since that day is the way we all (the students) behaved. I think we were all so busy trying to force our point of view onto everyone else that we forgot to listen to what anyone had to say. As a journalism class I believe that it is our responsibility to have fair an honest discussions. This involved allowing everyone to speak and to not just automatically dismiss what they have to say. This class is supposed to make us think, to reevaluate our views and how we give and receive news. We aren’t going to get anywhere if we are too busy shouting over one another. -Ty Gomez


 * Class Materials**

Frontline story on Guatamalan immigrants to Postville, Iowa media type="custom" key="6920675" GOOD presentation on the history of immigration media type="custom" key="6920679" VBS.com media type="custom" key="6920697" Jon Stewart on Anchor Babies []

[|Why a ruling on leaving water in the desert is troubling], Time magazine [|Arizona teen pursues education in friendlier state], Santa Fe New Mexican

VBS.TV video of the enforcement of the Arizona law media type="custom" key="6921003" My FoxPhoenix.com [|Tea Party Activists try to reach voters from the sky] media type="custom" key="6921011"