Do People Watch The News?!?

So I don't consider myself to be the type of person that knows everything that is going on in the world, but I do make it a priority to know the basics. I realize that I may read and watch the news more than others because I'm going into that field, but I find it amazing how little people know about what is going on. The main story in the news right now is the $700 Billion bailout... It's a big deal... but in a room full of college kids this last Friday I found that I was 1 of 2 people that knew anything about it. The presidential candidates were debating and the issue of the bailout plan came up... and everyone in the room got confused? "What bailout plan?" Seriously, I was the youngest person in the room and over half of them were college graduates! Does no one watch the news anymore? I can understand not being familiar with all the issues, but one of the biggest issues pressing the United States and they don't know a thing about it!? I'm sure if I had asked them the names of the Jolie-Pitt twins they'd know... 

Deseret News - BYU No. 11!

One of my favorite things to read in my hometown newspaper is the sports section and the constant battle between BYU and U of U. Not only do people get worked up, but some like to take matters into their own hands and tell the AP and USA Today how it really should be. That is the beauty of online news. There is this interaction between the writer and the readers. The sarcasm and sassiness of the readers is something to behold and an activity I do on my spare time! Have you ever read all the comments made on an article? I think it makes the article more meaningful and allows for more of a discussion/battle about the topic. My favorite "come back" to the Utah-BYU online argument:

 "Anonymous Definition of arrogance:"overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors." So you're admitting That BYU is "inferior" to Utah? Nice."

Ha ha, whatever makes them feel better.... GO BYU!

The things we buy!

In the online business section of the NY Times I became interested in a story/study on what/how much countries spend on different things. The article said, "People in Greece spend almost 13 times more money on clothing as they do on electronics. People living in Japan spend more on recreation than they do on clothing, electronics and household goods combined. Americans spend a lot of money on everything." It then showed graphics of the comparison of spending. What people buy is so interesting to me. I had a professor tell me today that if you make at least $40,000/year then you're in the top 1% of the world for wealth! That was so crazy to me. It doesn't seem like you'd be that high up, but considering the rest of the world and the money they have. The US has become a consumer society: we work and make money simply to buy things! Check out the study, it was  interesting  

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/09/04/business/20080907-metrics-graphic.html

What is Journalism?

What is Journalism?

 To me journalism is the medium in which people are informed. It is the way news and events are spread and reached across the world. Journalism is the way we expose knowledge. It is the way we keep connected to the world we live in and the people we live with. Journalism, I think, keeps the world progressing forward.

 What is a Journalist?

 A Journalist is a person acting in the interest of the general public- finding/seeking the truth and reporting it. A journalist provides the public with objective knowledge that they can then make judgments for themselves. A journalist is the middleman between an event and public exposure. It is their job to be objective in telling the truth, they serve the public.