WDRB Observation

WDRB: Covering all Stories? 
October 23, 2016

    WDRB has failed miserably at informing the population about the war going on over seas in the Middle East. America has been involved practically since the beginning and our soldiers have fought for others freedom but has WDRB or any local news station for that matter cover it? No. That needs to change. 

    People have forgotten about this war I guarantee it. No wonder it has become known as the "forgotten war." No war should be forgotten because people are still brave enough to fight for it. People, especially those who watch only the local news, need to be informed about this ongoing war because where else are they going to hear about this war? 

    I have been following WDRB news now for about eight days. Not once have I seen one single story on it. This is embarrassing for not only WDRB but for all local news stations around the country. Every day we go over what we have learned about each news station, such as how many crime stories or education stories. Not once, not once, have I heard a story about the war in the Middle East and how our brave soldiers are standing up for our freedom. I find this sick. People need to be informed as well as understand the war that is happening right NOW. 

    I believe that WDRB has broken many elements of journalism by not reporting about these trying times. WDRB has broken the element of journalism known as loyalty because your first loyalty is to the people and they deserve to be informed about topics that are going on across the seas. WDRB, it is your civic contribution to stand up and tell the population of Kentucky about what is in the Middle East, where our soldiers are protecting us and our Constitution. 

    WDRB, I am calling you out. I find it shameful that you are not informing the public about the war still going on. I find it wrong that you are not willing to help the public understand what is going on in the Middle East. You need to step up and inform the people who watch WDRB news about what is happening now, in this moment across the seas in the Middle East and what the United States of America is doing to stop it.

WDRB Story Observation

"Skeleton in execution chair; offensive or festive?"

October 23, 2016 

    WDRB has been a particular local TV news station I have been following for the past few weeks. I decided to log on to their website and was astounded to find a story titled "Skeleton in execution chair display at Meade County Courthouse offensive or festive?" in the news section. I wondered to myself why would this have any local relevance to the people in Kentucky? Yes, it might anger a few sensitive people but overall, why was this story part of the news section of the website?
    WDRB failed to meet the element of making the important interesting. This in no way affects the majority of the population WDRB supplies news to. This was an irrelevant story that has caused little impact on the state of Kentucky. This story also failed to meet the yardstick of journalism known as newsworthy because it is not a story that will be or is affecting the population of Kentucky. This story will not have a lasting effect on people. WDRB reporters also failed to meet the yardstick of local relevance because this story only affects the citizens of Brandenburg, Kentucky and even to them, it is of minor relevance. This story does not and will not have a lasting affect on people, it will be over in a week due to the season of Halloween coming to an end next Monday.
    Although WDRB did a good job of covering all sides of this debate, I believe that this is an  irrelevant and unnecessary story to be in the news section of WDRB's website.

Check out the story here: (link below)

http://www.wdrb.com/story/33448749/skeleton-in-execution-chair-display-at-meade-county-courthouse-offensive-or-festive

Response to Classmate's Blog

Response to Mia Breitenstein's Blog

October 23, 2016 

    When I found Mia's blog post about the Courier Journal patterns, I was immediately intrigued. I found Mia's post titled "Courier Journal: Patterns." I was interested on what Mia thought about the Courier Journal and what she though the news organization lacked. 

    Mia then stated that she believed there were too many sports stories included in the paper. She made a very interesting point in her third paragraph. She stated, "I just don't understand why sports are so prioritized when there are things like wars going on which have less than a story being reported on a day." I completely understand and agree with Mia when she states this claim. I believe that people should be more knowledgeable about the war going on in the Middle East because it is still happening, it's not over! People need to know that we are still fighting a war and it's a serious deal. 

    Mia brought up many thought provoking ideas when she wrote her blog post. Her writing style exemplified real journalistic writing. Mia not only brought up great points but she expanded upon them and helped her readers understand her way of thinking. Great job Mia, your blog post was inspiring. 

Check out her blog here: (link below) 

http://miamazingthoughts.blogspot.com/2016/10/courier-journal-patterns.html

Response to Classmate's Blog

Response to Reece Gunther's Blog 

October 23, 2016 

    As soon as I started reading Reece's blog I knew I was reading real journalism. As I was scrolling through Reece's posts, I found one titled "Response: Wave 3-Further Than Chemotherapy." I read the entire post and was found in an uplifting spirit. Reece seemed to capture the essence of what he was writing. Reece's response was to a story about how a new medicine is being introduced to patients with cancer. Reece captured the feeling of being uplifted. He stated, "This story definitely proves that the money so many give every year is not going to waste." I found this comment to be extremely well written. It shows hope and happiness through these trying times. 

    Reece did a great job of including the way he feels hopeful about these new medicines introduced to patients with cancer. This helped me understand why Reece picked the piece he did. Reece wrote a great piece of writing, great job Reece. 

Check out his blog here: (link below) 

http://reecesview.blogspot.com/further-than-chemotherapy.html

Response to Classmate's Blog

Response to Bailey Stumpf's Blog 

October 23, 2016 

    When searching for a classmate's blog to respond to, I found Bailey Stumpf's blog post titled "Keeping up with the Courier Journal: University of Louisville Swapping Crawford for Belknap." This post helped me understand Bailey's viewpoint of what she was reading. She explained what yardsticks and elements of journalism the article followed and I was impressed at how many she involved in her writing. 

    I believe Bailey wrote a great article because she explained what the authors of the article did that corresponded with our class discussion. Bailey wrote a great blog entry about the importance of non biased writing. She explained that the authors of the article  did a great job of being un biased about the story the wrote. Bailey also included how it would affect the community and what their views on it was. 

    Overall, I was impressed how Bailey included all aspects of the article and the way it influenced her way of looking to the news. She explained what The Courier Journal did correct and what yardsticks/elements they followed. I enjoyed analyzing her blog, great job Bailey. 

Check out her blog here: (link below) 

http://baileysbeautifulblogs.blogspot.com/2016/10/keeping-up-with-courier-journal.html

Class Discussion: October 18, 2016

Parts of the Newspaper

October 18, 2016 

    On October 18, Mr. Miller explained to us the different parts of a newspaper. This lecture helped me analyze and understand the structure of a newspaper. Learning about the parts of a newspaper helped me understand the layout and reason for such placement. 

    One such part of a newspaper is the headline. We were all familiar with this but then we looked more closely and analyzed the writing above and below it we realized that it took several parts to make up an entire newspaper. We learned that a "kicker" is text written above the headline and learned that the "deck" goes below it. I didn't realize that each part of a newspaper had a function or purpose. After analyzing the entire front page of a newspaper did I realize how many parts go into making one single front page. 

    Different parts of a newspaper come together to make a much bigger picture. One example of needing several parts to create an entire newspaper is choosing a picture. After choosing a picture, you have to  create a cutline and credit line. Every piece connects with another, creating a newspaper with parts that all have a function. With everything that goes into a newspaper it's no wonder that it takes over fifteen parts of a newspaper to complete it. Understanding these parts has helped me comprehend the details and main ideas of a newspaper in an organized way. 

Class Discussion: October 14, 2016

TV News Terminology 

October 14, 2016 

    Television terminology is something I believe everyone should learn. We have been discussing in class the different terminology that TV news stations use. Some of these terms may include a "voice over," "b-roll," or a "teaser." Learning about parts of local TV news stations was informative. We learned about what is important and what is put in there to sell you something. This lecture helped me fully understand parts of the news and how it affects the way we watch it. 

    In class Mr. Miller explained several terms that we were not affiliated with. Some of these included terms like "stand-up" or a "b-roll." After Mr. Miller explained these terms and gave examples, we learned that we have seen them quite often when watching the news. For example a "teaser" is a brief clip shown before the next clip of news to promote upcoming stories. 

    After Mr. Miller explained to us the different terms of the news I went home and watched the news. As I was watching I began to notice all the different terms we learned in class the previous day. Being able to distinguish these different parts of the news made me feel more knowledgable about what I was watching. It helped me feel like I knew what the news was trying to do and what they succeeded on doing. This was an informative as well as a thought-provoking lecture that taught me many valuable skills when analyzing the news.