By: Karl Kirschner, Jr
Mass Media Industries Blog Staff Writer
BLUE BELL, PA--Students at Montgomery County Community College have a great amount of raw talent, from music to acting and other performing arts. What others don’t know are the challenges some students encounter on the local music scene.
Tim Balch, a Montco student and member of the band Andross, says his band was scheduled to perform a record release show at a local venue, Landsdale Legion. But Andross was not given a chance to perform. Violence during a show by another band led to employees being ruffed up and the ones who caused the violence refused to leave. Thus, all shows after the incident were cancelled, including the Andross record release show.
This was costly for the band. All of the promotional merchandise they had on-hand was paid for by band members. So instead of making money, the members lost money. Balch made it clear that writing music and putting on a live show is less about the money for him or his band, it is always about making music. He loves creating music others can listen to and love. “Business is killing the music scene,” Tim says.
Every local venue has a promoter that is looking for the best way to make money. So if your band is not part of the current trend getting a gig is twice as hard. Knowing that promoters are looking at the music scene as a business venture, it is more important than ever for the crowds and musicians to remain respectful of the property where bands perform.
The music scene is a difficult one. Some say it is a “dog eat dog” environment. A band has to be part of the “in” crowd for promoters to give them a shot at going big. Balch says, at the end of the day, “Communication is [the] key to the future of this scene.”
Monday, April 6, 2015
Free-Dom At Last: College Tuition?
By: Alistair McDonald
Mass Media Industries Blog Staff Writer
BLUE BELL, PA-Imagine a world where college is free. Imagine not having huge tuition bills, long-term payments, financial aid problems or taking out student loans.
On January 20, 2015, President Obama brought this idea to life by announcing his decision to try to make the first two years of community college free. “Forty percent of our college students choose community college,” Obama said. “Some are young and just starting out. Some are older and looking for a better job. Some are veterans and single parents trying to transition back into the job market...this plan is your chance to graduate...without a load of debt.”
Obama felt that if students were able to gain the same access to schooling like public schools, then enrollment and graduation rates would be higher. He also stated that this would boost more people up to middle class by not having young people in debt from student loans.
But the president made it clear that a grade point average of 2.5 of higher must be maintained and this program will only be for the first two years when students take their prerequisite courses. This plan allows the federal government to pay for 75 percent of college tuition fees and the states would pick up the rest. The biggest question is can this realistically work and how soon will it start?
Michael B. Horn from CNN says that the plan is a good idea but it realistically won’t work. “The proposal would not only pile up more debt by further subsidizing runaway college costs, it would also perilously undercut the emergence of more innovative educational programs designed to help students succeed in the workforce,” said Horn.
Students around the Montgomery County Community College campus had mix feelings about the tuition free plan. Shelley Santos, a student in her second year, said, “Well, I wish he did it sooner before I paid all the money.” Students Aaron Hall and Nick Kirk said the plan is a great idea but it better hurry up and start before they hit their second year.
The terms of President Obama’s plan are still in discussion. Regardless of the various opinions around campus and around the nation, Obama still has not said anything about abandoning the idea. As for the future of community college enrollees, only time will tell if this will become a reality.
Mass Media Industries Blog Staff Writer
BLUE BELL, PA-Imagine a world where college is free. Imagine not having huge tuition bills, long-term payments, financial aid problems or taking out student loans.
On January 20, 2015, President Obama brought this idea to life by announcing his decision to try to make the first two years of community college free. “Forty percent of our college students choose community college,” Obama said. “Some are young and just starting out. Some are older and looking for a better job. Some are veterans and single parents trying to transition back into the job market...this plan is your chance to graduate...without a load of debt.”
Obama felt that if students were able to gain the same access to schooling like public schools, then enrollment and graduation rates would be higher. He also stated that this would boost more people up to middle class by not having young people in debt from student loans.
But the president made it clear that a grade point average of 2.5 of higher must be maintained and this program will only be for the first two years when students take their prerequisite courses. This plan allows the federal government to pay for 75 percent of college tuition fees and the states would pick up the rest. The biggest question is can this realistically work and how soon will it start?
Michael B. Horn from CNN says that the plan is a good idea but it realistically won’t work. “The proposal would not only pile up more debt by further subsidizing runaway college costs, it would also perilously undercut the emergence of more innovative educational programs designed to help students succeed in the workforce,” said Horn.
Students around the Montgomery County Community College campus had mix feelings about the tuition free plan. Shelley Santos, a student in her second year, said, “Well, I wish he did it sooner before I paid all the money.” Students Aaron Hall and Nick Kirk said the plan is a great idea but it better hurry up and start before they hit their second year.
The terms of President Obama’s plan are still in discussion. Regardless of the various opinions around campus and around the nation, Obama still has not said anything about abandoning the idea. As for the future of community college enrollees, only time will tell if this will become a reality.
Social Media Creates an Inaccurate World
By: Eddie Madrid
Mass Media Industries Blog Staff Writer
BLUE BELL, PA--In May 2014, Indiana University’s School of Journalism reported that 40 percent of journalists said social media networks are “very important” to their work. Over a third said they spend between 30 to 60 minutes each day on social media websites.
The top social media platform used by journalists were microblogs, such as Twitter, with 53 percent of journalists saying they use it regularly. In addition, 80 percent of journalists said they regularly use social media websites to stay on top of recent developments. Over 70 percent of journalists specifically cite using social media to check on what the competition is reporting on, find ideas for stories and stay in touch with the audience. Only 25 percent of journalists agreed that social media has improved their own productivity and 6.3 percent said it decreased their total workload.
Numbers show that professional journalists’ trend of using social media to obtain information has no signs of slowing down. According to William Bender, a reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News, “Now, [social media] is a part of everything. It’s unavoidable. If you put something out there, sometimes [the story] can catch on, and you might get twice, three times, ten times as much traffic if it gets picked up somewhere else.." He says reporters are not only responsible for writing the story but its distribution and status on the Internet.
Social media has also opened the door for reporters to use the information their audience provides as their base of information for breaking news. Bender says this has led to multiple mistakes being made during breaking news One such mistake was multiple news organizations reporting the wrong name of a bombing suspect during the Boston Marathon bomber manhunt.
“With the competition being so severe on the Internet, whenever something does happen, there’s this goal to get it first...I think the trend going forward is [the public is] going to get information that isn’t 100% accurate, and then gets more accurate over time." Bender concludes that the trend now is to get what you know out there and try to make it more accurate as you shape the story throughout the day or week.
If the public does not call out professional journalism’s over-dependence on social media, then we are left in a society with news that is potentially inaccurate. Social media has put immense pressure on journalists to do everything faster, which tends to lead to more mistakes. The news is our connection to the world around us and it needs to be accurate and trustworthy.
Mass Media Industries Blog Staff Writer
BLUE BELL, PA--In May 2014, Indiana University’s School of Journalism reported that 40 percent of journalists said social media networks are “very important” to their work. Over a third said they spend between 30 to 60 minutes each day on social media websites.
The top social media platform used by journalists were microblogs, such as Twitter, with 53 percent of journalists saying they use it regularly. In addition, 80 percent of journalists said they regularly use social media websites to stay on top of recent developments. Over 70 percent of journalists specifically cite using social media to check on what the competition is reporting on, find ideas for stories and stay in touch with the audience. Only 25 percent of journalists agreed that social media has improved their own productivity and 6.3 percent said it decreased their total workload.
Numbers show that professional journalists’ trend of using social media to obtain information has no signs of slowing down. According to William Bender, a reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News, “Now, [social media] is a part of everything. It’s unavoidable. If you put something out there, sometimes [the story] can catch on, and you might get twice, three times, ten times as much traffic if it gets picked up somewhere else.." He says reporters are not only responsible for writing the story but its distribution and status on the Internet.
Social media has also opened the door for reporters to use the information their audience provides as their base of information for breaking news. Bender says this has led to multiple mistakes being made during breaking news One such mistake was multiple news organizations reporting the wrong name of a bombing suspect during the Boston Marathon bomber manhunt.
“With the competition being so severe on the Internet, whenever something does happen, there’s this goal to get it first...I think the trend going forward is [the public is] going to get information that isn’t 100% accurate, and then gets more accurate over time." Bender concludes that the trend now is to get what you know out there and try to make it more accurate as you shape the story throughout the day or week.
If the public does not call out professional journalism’s over-dependence on social media, then we are left in a society with news that is potentially inaccurate. Social media has put immense pressure on journalists to do everything faster, which tends to lead to more mistakes. The news is our connection to the world around us and it needs to be accurate and trustworthy.
Here are four student films to whet your appetite for this semester’s COM Screening, scheduled for May 11, 2015.
BLUE BELL, PA--
Chelsea and the Community College
Directed by Matt Mashaintonio
It's Willy Wonka meets Montco. “Chelsea and the Community College” is a parody that uses Montco as a magical world where dreams come true. Tech Services staff as Oompah Loompas and all. We follow the story of Chelsea, an aspiring singer, as she navigates Montco and her hectic schedule to make music. Featuring Neil Goldstein as Willy Wonka.
Demons
Directed by Tom Kraft
“Demons” is a horror film about a military experiment gone wrong when five people are test subjects for a new gas. This film is co-written by Jeremy Bierson, produced by Hailey Beattie and Shawn Letsididi and cinematography is by Josh Fleisher.
Survivor
Directed by Justin Carr
“Survivor” is a psychological thriller about a girl suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Having survived a brutal attack by a serial killer, she finds herself trapped within her mind. She relives the attack in an unending cycle.
Mafiasco
Directed by Nathan Hagel
“Mafiaso” is a fish-out-of-water comedy about a boy who escorts a member of the Italian mafia. He then realizes he's in way over his head and hilarity ensues.
Edited by Dave Aston
Chelsea and the Community College
Directed by Matt Mashaintonio
It's Willy Wonka meets Montco. “Chelsea and the Community College” is a parody that uses Montco as a magical world where dreams come true. Tech Services staff as Oompah Loompas and all. We follow the story of Chelsea, an aspiring singer, as she navigates Montco and her hectic schedule to make music. Featuring Neil Goldstein as Willy Wonka.
Demons
Directed by Tom Kraft
“Demons” is a horror film about a military experiment gone wrong when five people are test subjects for a new gas. This film is co-written by Jeremy Bierson, produced by Hailey Beattie and Shawn Letsididi and cinematography is by Josh Fleisher.
Survivor
Directed by Justin Carr
“Survivor” is a psychological thriller about a girl suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Having survived a brutal attack by a serial killer, she finds herself trapped within her mind. She relives the attack in an unending cycle.
Mafiasco
Directed by Nathan Hagel
“Mafiaso” is a fish-out-of-water comedy about a boy who escorts a member of the Italian mafia. He then realizes he's in way over his head and hilarity ensues.
Edited by Dave Aston
The SRT Program at Montgomery County Community College
By: Evan McHugh
Mass Media Industries Blog Staff Writer
BLUE BELL, PA--Digital Audio Production is a popular area of study for many students at Montgomery County Community College. However, some students have had trouble when trying to transfer to another school. Sometimes it gets messy because the major requires courses that are broken into a two-credit lecture and a one-credit lab. Knowing this, Montco instructors decided, starting in the fall semester, to change the Digital Audio Production program to the Sound Recording Technology program, or SRT.
Professor Morgan Betz, who teaches audio classes here at Montco, is very excited for the new SRT program. Betz hopes that this will clear up issues with partner schools when students transfer to partner schools to continue their education.
Dom Coppa, who is currently taking digital audio classes at Montco, likes the change. “The change to [the] SRT [program] will definitely simplify the transition to another school.” After Montco, Dom is hoping to transfer to Temple University. Temple is a partner school and has a well-known audio production program. The new SRT program is designed to make it easier for all digital audio production students to transfer.
Students in the Sound Recording Technology program can explore the life of audio producers and engineers by becoming joining the student club The Audio Producers, or TAP. TAP is for students who enjoy producing music or other audio projects at a professional level.
For more TAP information, or to get involved, anyone interested can email Vince Tomas at vthomas7383@students.mc3.edu, Kevin Folk at kfolk7521@students.mc3.edu or speak to Professor Betz.
Mass Media Industries Blog Staff Writer
BLUE BELL, PA--Digital Audio Production is a popular area of study for many students at Montgomery County Community College. However, some students have had trouble when trying to transfer to another school. Sometimes it gets messy because the major requires courses that are broken into a two-credit lecture and a one-credit lab. Knowing this, Montco instructors decided, starting in the fall semester, to change the Digital Audio Production program to the Sound Recording Technology program, or SRT.
Professor Morgan Betz, who teaches audio classes here at Montco, is very excited for the new SRT program. Betz hopes that this will clear up issues with partner schools when students transfer to partner schools to continue their education.
Dom Coppa, who is currently taking digital audio classes at Montco, likes the change. “The change to [the] SRT [program] will definitely simplify the transition to another school.” After Montco, Dom is hoping to transfer to Temple University. Temple is a partner school and has a well-known audio production program. The new SRT program is designed to make it easier for all digital audio production students to transfer.
Students in the Sound Recording Technology program can explore the life of audio producers and engineers by becoming joining the student club The Audio Producers, or TAP. TAP is for students who enjoy producing music or other audio projects at a professional level.
For more TAP information, or to get involved, anyone interested can email Vince Tomas at vthomas7383@students.mc3.edu, Kevin Folk at kfolk7521@students.mc3.edu or speak to Professor Betz.
Video Games: Past, Present and Future
By: Brandon Bailey, Dillon Campbell, Patrick Eck and Nick Rodriguez
Mass Media Industries Blog Staff Writers
BLUE BELL, PA--It is tricky to know when the “first” video game actually appeared on the marketplace. Some think gaming started in the eighties, others say the sixties. However, the earliest form of electronic gaming was in 1947. Called the Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device, it was made by Thomas T. Goldsmith, Jr. and Estle Ray Mann.
The invention of the “Brown Box” by Ralph Baer is considered the first home console ever made. When it was manufactured and distributed in 1968, it could play a number of sports games, maze games and quiz games. Over the years, Baer was sued a number of times by opposing companies who made similar systems ranging from Nintendo to Sega to Activision and Mattel.
The video game industry was doing well until 1983 when the video game market crashed. Among factors contributing to the crash, included two failed video games, Pac-man and E.T. and developers releasing unlicensed games and consoles. Nintendo wanted to do business in the United States but video games were considered a dirty word. So the Famicom was released as an “Entertainment System” rather than “console.” Nintendo’s branding of the Famicom as the Nintendo Entertainment System, better known as NES, saved the video game market in America and arguably around the world.
CONTROVERSIES
Video games have been in the spotlight of many scandals, controversies and ethical issues over the years. Many of these relate predominantly to the violent and sexual content as well as the psychological influences they can pose to children of a young age.
One of the most well-known scandals in video game history involved Jack Thompson. Thompson was opposed to the game Grand Theft Auto, a game that promoted the crime it’s named for as well as murder, sexual assaults against women and other crimes. He stated that, “We were all becoming serial killers because we are all playing murder simulators.” There is a lot of speculation regarding Grand Theft Auto and what it does to young people.
Rockstar Games, the publishers of the game series Grand Theft Auto, originally made the game from a police officer’s perspective, however they switched into the perspective of the criminal because they thought it would make the game more enjoyable.
MEDIA INSIDER PERSPECTIVE
Paul Crockett of Rockstar Games says the trend of playing games in a digital domain is increasing because it offers more ways to enjoy, stay connected to and play them.
The concept of paying real-world money for something that the consumer cannot physically touch is being embraced by mainstream society. A lot of the acceptance can be correlated to iTunes where consumers purchase movies, music and other content that they cannot touch.
While it will not fully replace the current brick and mortar outlets to purchase physical games, it will continue to impact the overall market.
FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY: Virtual Reality and Mobile Gaming
Virtual Reality is not a new thing. However, the company Oculus has produced a virtual reality headset known as the Oculus Rift. The Oculus Rift provides gamers the experience of being inside their games by using a headset which has a 360-degree view of the digital environment. A pair of headphones allow users to also hear high quality sound from tuned for the environment the gamer sees.
Games purchased or downloaded on mobile devices allow avid gamers and average persons alike to play video games on-the-go. From handheld game systems like the Nintendo 3DS to games like Angry Birds for a smartphone or tablet.
Mass Media Industries Blog Staff Writers
BLUE BELL, PA--It is tricky to know when the “first” video game actually appeared on the marketplace. Some think gaming started in the eighties, others say the sixties. However, the earliest form of electronic gaming was in 1947. Called the Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device, it was made by Thomas T. Goldsmith, Jr. and Estle Ray Mann.
The invention of the “Brown Box” by Ralph Baer is considered the first home console ever made. When it was manufactured and distributed in 1968, it could play a number of sports games, maze games and quiz games. Over the years, Baer was sued a number of times by opposing companies who made similar systems ranging from Nintendo to Sega to Activision and Mattel.
The video game industry was doing well until 1983 when the video game market crashed. Among factors contributing to the crash, included two failed video games, Pac-man and E.T. and developers releasing unlicensed games and consoles. Nintendo wanted to do business in the United States but video games were considered a dirty word. So the Famicom was released as an “Entertainment System” rather than “console.” Nintendo’s branding of the Famicom as the Nintendo Entertainment System, better known as NES, saved the video game market in America and arguably around the world.
CONTROVERSIES
Video games have been in the spotlight of many scandals, controversies and ethical issues over the years. Many of these relate predominantly to the violent and sexual content as well as the psychological influences they can pose to children of a young age.
One of the most well-known scandals in video game history involved Jack Thompson. Thompson was opposed to the game Grand Theft Auto, a game that promoted the crime it’s named for as well as murder, sexual assaults against women and other crimes. He stated that, “We were all becoming serial killers because we are all playing murder simulators.” There is a lot of speculation regarding Grand Theft Auto and what it does to young people.
Rockstar Games, the publishers of the game series Grand Theft Auto, originally made the game from a police officer’s perspective, however they switched into the perspective of the criminal because they thought it would make the game more enjoyable.
MEDIA INSIDER PERSPECTIVE
Paul Crockett of Rockstar Games says the trend of playing games in a digital domain is increasing because it offers more ways to enjoy, stay connected to and play them.
The concept of paying real-world money for something that the consumer cannot physically touch is being embraced by mainstream society. A lot of the acceptance can be correlated to iTunes where consumers purchase movies, music and other content that they cannot touch.
While it will not fully replace the current brick and mortar outlets to purchase physical games, it will continue to impact the overall market.
FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY: Virtual Reality and Mobile Gaming
Virtual Reality is not a new thing. However, the company Oculus has produced a virtual reality headset known as the Oculus Rift. The Oculus Rift provides gamers the experience of being inside their games by using a headset which has a 360-degree view of the digital environment. A pair of headphones allow users to also hear high quality sound from tuned for the environment the gamer sees.
Games purchased or downloaded on mobile devices allow avid gamers and average persons alike to play video games on-the-go. From handheld game systems like the Nintendo 3DS to games like Angry Birds for a smartphone or tablet.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Creators' Rights and Infringement
By: Timothy Salley
BLUE BELL, PA--The Webster‘s Dictionary definition of copyright goes as follows: “The exclusive legal right, given to an originator or an assignee to print, publish, perform, film or record literary, artistic or musical material, and to authorize others to do the same.”
Copyright infringement occurs when someone other than the copyright holder copies the “expression” of a work. This means that the idea or information behind the work is not protected but how the idea is expressed is protected.
Seemingly since the beginning of time, artists of all types have been hit with major, if not minor, cases of copyright infringement. As an originator and creator, you own more than just the rights to reproduce works filed with the U.S. Copyright Office and infringement can occur with each right.
These rights include:
• The Right to Derivative Works:
This is the right to modify work to create new works. New work that is based off of an existing work is “derivative.” Copyright infringement here occurs if someone releases or remixes a song that you made without your consent.
• The Right to Distribution:
This is the right to distribute works to the public by sale, rental, lease or lending. Infringement occurs here when file-sharing web services violate distribution rights held by record labels.
• The Public Display Right:
This is the right to show a copy of the work directly to the public by hanging up a copy of the work in a public place, displaying it on a website, putting it on film, etc. Infringement occurs here if the someone other than the copyright holder offers a work for public display.
As media creators, our jobs are to understand and protect our rights to our personal works and not let copyright infringement take a toll. In understanding the many rights you obtain as a creator, specifically as an artist, whether you desire to be a logo designer or a musician, there are clear precautions you must take with protecting your work in order to sail smoothly within any mass media industry.
BLUE BELL, PA--The Webster‘s Dictionary definition of copyright goes as follows: “The exclusive legal right, given to an originator or an assignee to print, publish, perform, film or record literary, artistic or musical material, and to authorize others to do the same.”
Copyright infringement occurs when someone other than the copyright holder copies the “expression” of a work. This means that the idea or information behind the work is not protected but how the idea is expressed is protected.
Seemingly since the beginning of time, artists of all types have been hit with major, if not minor, cases of copyright infringement. As an originator and creator, you own more than just the rights to reproduce works filed with the U.S. Copyright Office and infringement can occur with each right.
These rights include:
• The Right to Derivative Works:
This is the right to modify work to create new works. New work that is based off of an existing work is “derivative.” Copyright infringement here occurs if someone releases or remixes a song that you made without your consent.
• The Right to Distribution:
This is the right to distribute works to the public by sale, rental, lease or lending. Infringement occurs here when file-sharing web services violate distribution rights held by record labels.
• The Public Display Right:
This is the right to show a copy of the work directly to the public by hanging up a copy of the work in a public place, displaying it on a website, putting it on film, etc. Infringement occurs here if the someone other than the copyright holder offers a work for public display.
As media creators, our jobs are to understand and protect our rights to our personal works and not let copyright infringement take a toll. In understanding the many rights you obtain as a creator, specifically as an artist, whether you desire to be a logo designer or a musician, there are clear precautions you must take with protecting your work in order to sail smoothly within any mass media industry.
News Values + Montco Radio = Great Concept
By: Justin Krauss
BLUE BELL, PA--News values in journalism and in every form of media are very important when it comes to storytelling. It is what defines your story. News values help writers get their news quickly, accurately and honestly.
In the twenty-first century, there have been many new ways in which people hear, see and read their news; including the internet, social media, newspapers, radio, television and magazines. According to the Associated Press, “In all media, we insist on the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior when we gather and deliver news.”
Actualizing news values also means that authors do not plagiarize anything and that they “strive to identify all the sources of our information.”
There are seven basic steps that can help guide authors in writing a news article. They are impact, timeliness, prominence, proximity, bizarreness, conflict, and currency.
For students who are looking into being journalists, news values are very important for you. As a media student, you don’t want to be caught with plagiarism. You need to make sure you follow the basic guidelines and principles that the AP Statements of News Values offers. They need to follow AP guidelines so they can have an honest and accurate news article.
One of Montgomery County Community College’s most popular media outlets, Montco Radio, which is an internet radio station, a new show was recently started in which they are going to be broadcasting local news, news about Montco and will be promoting other Montco Radio shows.
This show would have lots of news value in it. But even though most shows are just doing music, they still have to use news values, especially if they have some interesting news about music that their listeners might find interesting.
In my opinion, if Montco Radio had a weekly show about news, what would make people listen to it is if it were satire. If the show was structured like Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” or Stephen Colbert’s “Colbert Report,” people would listen because it would incorporate news values and comedy.
News Values are everything when writing a news article. News values determine whether an article is worthy to be distributed. News values are what get a story onto the airwaves, into a newspaper and on the internet.
BLUE BELL, PA--News values in journalism and in every form of media are very important when it comes to storytelling. It is what defines your story. News values help writers get their news quickly, accurately and honestly.
In the twenty-first century, there have been many new ways in which people hear, see and read their news; including the internet, social media, newspapers, radio, television and magazines. According to the Associated Press, “In all media, we insist on the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior when we gather and deliver news.”
Actualizing news values also means that authors do not plagiarize anything and that they “strive to identify all the sources of our information.”
There are seven basic steps that can help guide authors in writing a news article. They are impact, timeliness, prominence, proximity, bizarreness, conflict, and currency.
For students who are looking into being journalists, news values are very important for you. As a media student, you don’t want to be caught with plagiarism. You need to make sure you follow the basic guidelines and principles that the AP Statements of News Values offers. They need to follow AP guidelines so they can have an honest and accurate news article.
One of Montgomery County Community College’s most popular media outlets, Montco Radio, which is an internet radio station, a new show was recently started in which they are going to be broadcasting local news, news about Montco and will be promoting other Montco Radio shows.
This show would have lots of news value in it. But even though most shows are just doing music, they still have to use news values, especially if they have some interesting news about music that their listeners might find interesting.
In my opinion, if Montco Radio had a weekly show about news, what would make people listen to it is if it were satire. If the show was structured like Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” or Stephen Colbert’s “Colbert Report,” people would listen because it would incorporate news values and comedy.
News Values are everything when writing a news article. News values determine whether an article is worthy to be distributed. News values are what get a story onto the airwaves, into a newspaper and on the internet.
My Experience with Copyright Law and Social Media
By: Matt Hawkins
BLUE BELL, PA--Have you ever had an idea that you thought would make you rich or famous? What if that idea had been stolen from you? How would it affect you? Copyright infringement is a crime in the United States because, whether it is and idea or a product, it is stealing and taking credit for something that didn’t originally belong to the person who put into the public.
However, when I was a kid I ran into a similar problem with a major toy company, Mattel. Their main products are Hot Wheels and Barbie. When I was in fourth grade, I would buy, play and collect Hot Wheels. My favorite sets were the ones that came in the 5-pack. I came up with an idea that Mattel could make a 5-pack train set because after years of buying Hot Wheels cars, I hadn’t seen any trains. So I drew and designed the trains on a piece of paper, giving each one a style.
I then asked my mom to mail my completed drawings to Mattel to see if they would take them or not. I didn’t here anything from them for a long while until one day I got a letter back from them. The letter said they were glad to see I was so interested in their product. However, they were not allowed to take any ideas from outsiders; I would have to work for them. Despite the rejection, it didn’t stop me from buying, playing with or collecting Hot Wheels cars.
Fast forward to now. I still collect Hot Wheels cars but only the ones that are worth a lot of money. My ideas and inspirations have changed over the years with my growing reputation on Instagram, eBay and YouTube; my ideas cannot be taken because I have made a name for myself.
On Instagram, I am known for my custom painted Transformer toys and I have sold a few for $100 dollars or more. With eBay, I have been selling for two years now and I have a 99.9 percent positive feedback rating. As for my YouTube presence, I do stop motion videos, under the name “AznKidMatt,” with my Transformers toys and I have thousands of subscribers.
On Instagram, my followers know who I am and have pointed me to people who copy me claiming they made my videos or did my custom paint jobs. I use a digital watermark on my custom paint pictures so no one can screenshot it and claim it as their own.
As for Mattel, a about a year ago, I was at WalMart and saw some Hot Wheel cars. To my surprise, I saw these new two packs of trains next to them and I thought to myself, “They took my idea.” I can not confirm that, I’m just going on the belief of great minds think alike. I was not an employee of Mattel so my idea could not be spread. The technology was limited back when I was in fourth grade but now anyone can share their ideas and thoughts.
I have a few new ideas I can’t wait to reveal on Instagram, eBay and YouTube when the time is right.
BLUE BELL, PA--Have you ever had an idea that you thought would make you rich or famous? What if that idea had been stolen from you? How would it affect you? Copyright infringement is a crime in the United States because, whether it is and idea or a product, it is stealing and taking credit for something that didn’t originally belong to the person who put into the public.
However, when I was a kid I ran into a similar problem with a major toy company, Mattel. Their main products are Hot Wheels and Barbie. When I was in fourth grade, I would buy, play and collect Hot Wheels. My favorite sets were the ones that came in the 5-pack. I came up with an idea that Mattel could make a 5-pack train set because after years of buying Hot Wheels cars, I hadn’t seen any trains. So I drew and designed the trains on a piece of paper, giving each one a style.
I then asked my mom to mail my completed drawings to Mattel to see if they would take them or not. I didn’t here anything from them for a long while until one day I got a letter back from them. The letter said they were glad to see I was so interested in their product. However, they were not allowed to take any ideas from outsiders; I would have to work for them. Despite the rejection, it didn’t stop me from buying, playing with or collecting Hot Wheels cars.
Fast forward to now. I still collect Hot Wheels cars but only the ones that are worth a lot of money. My ideas and inspirations have changed over the years with my growing reputation on Instagram, eBay and YouTube; my ideas cannot be taken because I have made a name for myself.
On Instagram, I am known for my custom painted Transformer toys and I have sold a few for $100 dollars or more. With eBay, I have been selling for two years now and I have a 99.9 percent positive feedback rating. As for my YouTube presence, I do stop motion videos, under the name “AznKidMatt,” with my Transformers toys and I have thousands of subscribers.
On Instagram, my followers know who I am and have pointed me to people who copy me claiming they made my videos or did my custom paint jobs. I use a digital watermark on my custom paint pictures so no one can screenshot it and claim it as their own.
As for Mattel, a about a year ago, I was at WalMart and saw some Hot Wheel cars. To my surprise, I saw these new two packs of trains next to them and I thought to myself, “They took my idea.” I can not confirm that, I’m just going on the belief of great minds think alike. I was not an employee of Mattel so my idea could not be spread. The technology was limited back when I was in fourth grade but now anyone can share their ideas and thoughts.
I have a few new ideas I can’t wait to reveal on Instagram, eBay and YouTube when the time is right.
Does Privacy Exist?
By: Ciara Cipriano
BLUE BELL, PA--As the expectation for education rises, students have found themselves surfing the web in order to develop their work and complete their assignments. As they find themselves searching for sources, applying for jobs and networking through social media, they often forget that the internet tracks and documents their every move. Since we rely on the internet for so much of what we do, we have come to a point where we have to ask ourselves, "Is there really such thing as internet privacy?"
Internet privacy has been described in many different ways due to its relation to online users as well as the technologies and techniques that are being used. According to Definitions.net, internet privacy is categorized into Non-Personally Identifiable Information and Personally Identifiable Information.
This information “involves the right or mandate of personal privacy concerning the storing, repurposing, provision to third-parties and displaying of information pertaining to oneself via the internet.” But what does this mean to students and how should they protect themselves?
There are two big differences between Non-Personally Identifiable Information and Personally Identifiable Information. Non-Personally Identifiable Information is known as the information that is documented based off of a website's visitor activity. This information creates interactions based off of an individual’s search activity or pages viewed. Although this information may seem somewhat invasive, it is typically gathered through site visits and selections which are typically geared towards marketing and sales tactics.
Personally Identifiable Information is a very different story. According to "Media Today," Personally Identifiable Information is known as “the name, portal address or any other information that allows tracking down a specific person who owns a device.” This information enables outside sources to locate individuals, ultimately putting them at risk to those outside sources. Often it is also unintentionally revealed through social media, search engines and databases and has the power to jeopardize an individual’s personal life, education, career and, most importantly, safety.
Overall, in order for students to avoid these common situations, there is something they must know. An internet user’s foot print is everywhere. So don’t put anything online that you wouldn’t put on an open post card and always remember, there is no such thing as internet privacy.
BLUE BELL, PA--As the expectation for education rises, students have found themselves surfing the web in order to develop their work and complete their assignments. As they find themselves searching for sources, applying for jobs and networking through social media, they often forget that the internet tracks and documents their every move. Since we rely on the internet for so much of what we do, we have come to a point where we have to ask ourselves, "Is there really such thing as internet privacy?"
Internet privacy has been described in many different ways due to its relation to online users as well as the technologies and techniques that are being used. According to Definitions.net, internet privacy is categorized into Non-Personally Identifiable Information and Personally Identifiable Information.
This information “involves the right or mandate of personal privacy concerning the storing, repurposing, provision to third-parties and displaying of information pertaining to oneself via the internet.” But what does this mean to students and how should they protect themselves?
There are two big differences between Non-Personally Identifiable Information and Personally Identifiable Information. Non-Personally Identifiable Information is known as the information that is documented based off of a website's visitor activity. This information creates interactions based off of an individual’s search activity or pages viewed. Although this information may seem somewhat invasive, it is typically gathered through site visits and selections which are typically geared towards marketing and sales tactics.
Personally Identifiable Information is a very different story. According to "Media Today," Personally Identifiable Information is known as “the name, portal address or any other information that allows tracking down a specific person who owns a device.” This information enables outside sources to locate individuals, ultimately putting them at risk to those outside sources. Often it is also unintentionally revealed through social media, search engines and databases and has the power to jeopardize an individual’s personal life, education, career and, most importantly, safety.
Overall, in order for students to avoid these common situations, there is something they must know. An internet user’s foot print is everywhere. So don’t put anything online that you wouldn’t put on an open post card and always remember, there is no such thing as internet privacy.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Internet and Privacy
By: Shabana Aqil
BLUE BELL,PA--Media industries are using internet privacy as their opportunity to bring advertising money into their businesses. According to Joseph Turow, in our society we have become so interactive that it has become a major problem. We have the ability to access information like e-mails, Facebook, Twitter and our bank accounts on our portable devices. Having our information so readily available allows employers and the government access to personal information, gain more knowledge of who we are and learn more than we would like them to know.
The concern about privacy became recognized in the 1970’s when companies like Experian, Equifax, Acxiom and Choice point began to sell personal information, allowing marketers to use their universal database to pursue potential customers. When the World Wide Web was put into mass use in the 1990’s, marketers immediately used the internet to their advantage, accelerating privacy concerns to a feverish pace. Marketers were now able to instantly access personally identifiable information to acquire names, postal addresses and other details that helped them find a specific person and target that person’s most personal desires.
Joseph Turow states, “If there is no registered information available, marketers can display ads that peaks an individual’s interest.” Through the information provided, this marketing tactic is then linked to internet cookie data. This data enables marketers to get personally identifiable information.
As student media creators, we should have the right to know who has access our personally identifiable information and whether we want that or any information out for the public to use.
Privacy advocates say that there are two ways to monitor your personal information. The first way is known as the opt-out approach. By selecting this option, marketers are permitted to collect personal information from consumers as long as they inform them of what they are doing and give them the opportunity to refuse. Another way to keep your information safe is known as the opt-in approach. By using this option, marketers cannot have the ability or right to collect information about you unless you explicitly indicate that it is all right for them to do so.
We have the right to have privacy. Don’t let anyone know more than they have the right to know.
BLUE BELL,PA--Media industries are using internet privacy as their opportunity to bring advertising money into their businesses. According to Joseph Turow, in our society we have become so interactive that it has become a major problem. We have the ability to access information like e-mails, Facebook, Twitter and our bank accounts on our portable devices. Having our information so readily available allows employers and the government access to personal information, gain more knowledge of who we are and learn more than we would like them to know.
The concern about privacy became recognized in the 1970’s when companies like Experian, Equifax, Acxiom and Choice point began to sell personal information, allowing marketers to use their universal database to pursue potential customers. When the World Wide Web was put into mass use in the 1990’s, marketers immediately used the internet to their advantage, accelerating privacy concerns to a feverish pace. Marketers were now able to instantly access personally identifiable information to acquire names, postal addresses and other details that helped them find a specific person and target that person’s most personal desires.
Joseph Turow states, “If there is no registered information available, marketers can display ads that peaks an individual’s interest.” Through the information provided, this marketing tactic is then linked to internet cookie data. This data enables marketers to get personally identifiable information.
As student media creators, we should have the right to know who has access our personally identifiable information and whether we want that or any information out for the public to use.
Privacy advocates say that there are two ways to monitor your personal information. The first way is known as the opt-out approach. By selecting this option, marketers are permitted to collect personal information from consumers as long as they inform them of what they are doing and give them the opportunity to refuse. Another way to keep your information safe is known as the opt-in approach. By using this option, marketers cannot have the ability or right to collect information about you unless you explicitly indicate that it is all right for them to do so.
We have the right to have privacy. Don’t let anyone know more than they have the right to know.
Watch What You Say
By: Serenity Lopez
BLUE BELL, PA--Practically everyone that can access the internet has, or has had, a Facebook account. Facebook allows us to connect with long-lost friends, share pictures of a recent vacation and to share ideas with your peers. It also provides a place for people to bully or threaten others, as well as a place to spread one's own racist or discriminatory values to a wide audience.
Facebook and other social media sites are extremely new and we are still learning how to exercise our First Amendment rights without stepping on someone’s toes. Beyond a girlfriend getting mad at her boyfriend for posting a picture with another girl and family members fighting because one saw pictures of a dinner they were not invited to, there are serious problems with Facebook and our First Amendment rights.
In 2010, Anthony Elonis was prosecuted after having posted what were believed to be threats against his wife on Facebook. Elonis’s wife had recently left him and as an aspiring rapper, he took to Facebook for solace and posted rap lyrics that were explicit and violent. His wife saw these posts as direct threats and took them to the police. Elonis argued that they were meaningless song lyrics, however the court thought otherwise. Elonis was sentenced to 44 months in prison.
Another case involving Virginia Sheriff Deputy Daniel Ray Carter Jr. showed that simply pressing the “Like” button was another form of exercising his First Amendment right. A group of fellow deputies were not happy with the reigning Sheriff, so they took to Facebook so show their displeasure. They “liked” the Facebook page of Jim Adams, the man running against incumbent Sheriff B.J. Roberts. When Roberts won, he then fired Carter and five others.
Carter took the case to court saying that it was unjust to fire him and cited his First Amendment rights as his defense. In 2012, the case was rejected becasue the court did not agree that pressing the “Like” button on Facebook was a form speech, thus not covered by the First Amendment. This ruling was changed the following year. In 2013, the court decided that pressing the “Like” button was in fact covered by the First Amendment because it could be seen as a form of assembly.
Facebook gives us a great freedom. We may think that there are no consequences to what we post but we must be careful what we say and know our rights.
BLUE BELL, PA--Practically everyone that can access the internet has, or has had, a Facebook account. Facebook allows us to connect with long-lost friends, share pictures of a recent vacation and to share ideas with your peers. It also provides a place for people to bully or threaten others, as well as a place to spread one's own racist or discriminatory values to a wide audience.
Facebook and other social media sites are extremely new and we are still learning how to exercise our First Amendment rights without stepping on someone’s toes. Beyond a girlfriend getting mad at her boyfriend for posting a picture with another girl and family members fighting because one saw pictures of a dinner they were not invited to, there are serious problems with Facebook and our First Amendment rights.
In 2010, Anthony Elonis was prosecuted after having posted what were believed to be threats against his wife on Facebook. Elonis’s wife had recently left him and as an aspiring rapper, he took to Facebook for solace and posted rap lyrics that were explicit and violent. His wife saw these posts as direct threats and took them to the police. Elonis argued that they were meaningless song lyrics, however the court thought otherwise. Elonis was sentenced to 44 months in prison.
Another case involving Virginia Sheriff Deputy Daniel Ray Carter Jr. showed that simply pressing the “Like” button was another form of exercising his First Amendment right. A group of fellow deputies were not happy with the reigning Sheriff, so they took to Facebook so show their displeasure. They “liked” the Facebook page of Jim Adams, the man running against incumbent Sheriff B.J. Roberts. When Roberts won, he then fired Carter and five others.
Carter took the case to court saying that it was unjust to fire him and cited his First Amendment rights as his defense. In 2012, the case was rejected becasue the court did not agree that pressing the “Like” button on Facebook was a form speech, thus not covered by the First Amendment. This ruling was changed the following year. In 2013, the court decided that pressing the “Like” button was in fact covered by the First Amendment because it could be seen as a form of assembly.
Facebook gives us a great freedom. We may think that there are no consequences to what we post but we must be careful what we say and know our rights.
ESRB: It Works, Except When It Doesn’t
By: Dave Leva
BLUE BELL, PA--Assuming common sense and good parentage, you wouldn’t sit your toddler down to watch “The Godfather” with you. It’s an incredibly graphic film, clearly not meant for a human being of that age (it’s still a fantastic film, but I digress). The Motion Picture Association of America’s film rating system makes sure your little one doesn’t see a film like this. Video games developers do the same thing, with the ESRB rating system.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board is still a pretty recent innovation. It is only about 20 years old. But the role of game ratings in the video game industry is vital. They keep incredibly graphic video games away from kids that aren’t supposed to be playing them. Wouldn’t it be nice if this actually worked?
I worked at GameStop for over a year, between the 2012 and 2013 holiday seasons. It was a highly stressful job, especially when hot new games or gaming systems were launched, but I enjoyed working there. One thing that always peeved me, though, was selling M-Rated games. The ESRB’s “M for Mature” rating is like a movie’s R-rating: 18 and older.
I’d have a little boy walk up to the counter holding the new Grand Theft Auto V; this kid clearly wouldn’t hit puberty for a few more exits on the road of life. This is a game with seven Content Descriptors to tell you what’s inside. Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Nudity, Mature Humor, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content and Use of Drugs and Alcohol. That’s seven big red flags for the parent who, when I tell them all this and ask if they’re sure this is right for their child (as was my job), shrugs and says, “Yeah, I guess.”
The ESRB ratings don’t mean anything to parents anymore. It’s just become something to keep the kids distracted. The moment the retailer sells the game, rating law goes out the window with it. And just how do you regulate something like that? You can’t tell people what to do in their own homes. The system works just fine, and yet, it doesn’t work at all.
BLUE BELL, PA--Assuming common sense and good parentage, you wouldn’t sit your toddler down to watch “The Godfather” with you. It’s an incredibly graphic film, clearly not meant for a human being of that age (it’s still a fantastic film, but I digress). The Motion Picture Association of America’s film rating system makes sure your little one doesn’t see a film like this. Video games developers do the same thing, with the ESRB rating system.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board is still a pretty recent innovation. It is only about 20 years old. But the role of game ratings in the video game industry is vital. They keep incredibly graphic video games away from kids that aren’t supposed to be playing them. Wouldn’t it be nice if this actually worked?
I worked at GameStop for over a year, between the 2012 and 2013 holiday seasons. It was a highly stressful job, especially when hot new games or gaming systems were launched, but I enjoyed working there. One thing that always peeved me, though, was selling M-Rated games. The ESRB’s “M for Mature” rating is like a movie’s R-rating: 18 and older.
I’d have a little boy walk up to the counter holding the new Grand Theft Auto V; this kid clearly wouldn’t hit puberty for a few more exits on the road of life. This is a game with seven Content Descriptors to tell you what’s inside. Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Nudity, Mature Humor, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content and Use of Drugs and Alcohol. That’s seven big red flags for the parent who, when I tell them all this and ask if they’re sure this is right for their child (as was my job), shrugs and says, “Yeah, I guess.”
The ESRB ratings don’t mean anything to parents anymore. It’s just become something to keep the kids distracted. The moment the retailer sells the game, rating law goes out the window with it. And just how do you regulate something like that? You can’t tell people what to do in their own homes. The system works just fine, and yet, it doesn’t work at all.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Scarlett Johannson, a Book and How to Avoid Defamation
By: Thomas Kraft
BLUE BELL, PA--Defamation is defined as damaging the good reputation of someone; also known as slander or libel. When one party defames another, said party can be brought to court and sued where, if found guilty, they will typically pay damages to the defamed while sometimes also facing punitive repercussions depending on the severity of the defamation.
The most recent of defamation cases was with actress Scarlett Johansson and French novelist, Grégoire Delacourt, who used Johansson’s likeness in his most recent novel, "La Premiere Chose qu'On Regarde" (The First Thing We Look At). Although the character in the book was only described as looking like Johansson she felt that her presence in the book was inappropriate as this particular female character had many affairs. For these reasons, she sued the author.
The judge ruled in Johansson’s favor demanding she be paid for lawyer fees and damages which was only 10 percent of what she originally requested. How did she win the case, you may ask?
It’s simple, really. She’s a large public figure and her likeness is worth something. In legal terms, however, she sued Delacourt for making false claims about her private life and exploiting her image. The judge threw out the latter charge because there wasn’t sufficient evidence to uphold the claim of exploitation.
So, how can you avoid being sued for defamation? One author, Michael Crichton, depicted one of his characters, Mick Crowley, almost identically to New Republic columnist Michael Crowley after Crowley bashed one of Crichton’s novels in a column. There was only one brilliant thing that Crichton decided to do. He described the character Mick Crowley as having a small penis. That way, if Crowley had sued for defamation, he would be admitting to having a small penis. An interesting, yet effective, loophole to say the least.
Another effective way to avoid a lawsuit for defamation is to simply leave major public figures out of your fictional stories and stick straight to fact with non-fictional stories about them. The only way that someone would have a case against you for defamation is to slander or libel his or her name for something that didn’t happen.
BLUE BELL, PA--Defamation is defined as damaging the good reputation of someone; also known as slander or libel. When one party defames another, said party can be brought to court and sued where, if found guilty, they will typically pay damages to the defamed while sometimes also facing punitive repercussions depending on the severity of the defamation.
The most recent of defamation cases was with actress Scarlett Johansson and French novelist, Grégoire Delacourt, who used Johansson’s likeness in his most recent novel, "La Premiere Chose qu'On Regarde" (The First Thing We Look At). Although the character in the book was only described as looking like Johansson she felt that her presence in the book was inappropriate as this particular female character had many affairs. For these reasons, she sued the author.
The judge ruled in Johansson’s favor demanding she be paid for lawyer fees and damages which was only 10 percent of what she originally requested. How did she win the case, you may ask?
It’s simple, really. She’s a large public figure and her likeness is worth something. In legal terms, however, she sued Delacourt for making false claims about her private life and exploiting her image. The judge threw out the latter charge because there wasn’t sufficient evidence to uphold the claim of exploitation.
So, how can you avoid being sued for defamation? One author, Michael Crichton, depicted one of his characters, Mick Crowley, almost identically to New Republic columnist Michael Crowley after Crowley bashed one of Crichton’s novels in a column. There was only one brilliant thing that Crichton decided to do. He described the character Mick Crowley as having a small penis. That way, if Crowley had sued for defamation, he would be admitting to having a small penis. An interesting, yet effective, loophole to say the least.
Another effective way to avoid a lawsuit for defamation is to simply leave major public figures out of your fictional stories and stick straight to fact with non-fictional stories about them. The only way that someone would have a case against you for defamation is to slander or libel his or her name for something that didn’t happen.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Sources and Social Media
By: Kevin LaTorre
BLUE BELL, PA--The exact definition of a confidential source is a right accorded to journalists under the laws of many countries as well as international laws. Confidential sources are also described as protective sources, reporter’s privilege or confidentiality of sources.
Any person that does not mind giving out information that relates to a fact or story but doesn’t leave his or her name is known as an anonymous tipper. This kind of confidential source could give out a fact for a story that can be from an unofficial source, will not give any credit for the journalist to credit and it can also lead to false pretenses. Journalists working on a story who get facts from an anonymous tipper that can give out false information often has the potential to lose to their job. Worse yet, the story the journalist prints may turn out to be false or force authorities to catch the wrong suspect.
Student media creators should know about this important issue. I had a chance to interview Dave Aston, the Editor-in-Chief for the Montgazette, on the subject of confidential sources. He explained, “That people who use Facebook, Twitter, and other media sites are all in danger because people these days can give out false stories without anyone citing their own work which can lead to photos being edited and words being altered.”
This is a major problem because users can say the person who received the information from is a confidential source. In reality, the user just posted a fake story, claiming that an anonymous tipper gave the information when it was really their own thought put on the internet for pure entertainment.
Stories featuring confidential stories can gain wide popularity. Buzzfed.com published a story that was put on Facebook claiming, “[President Barack] Obama ran over [former president] Jimmy Carter with his car last night.” Cracked.com also wrote that, “The iPhone 5 would have hologram projection.” This was ranked as a Top Five story and was put all over social media. It turned out to be fake. Far too often people still believe any story is true because they don’t look for any primary or secondary sources or photos of that story.
BLUE BELL, PA--The exact definition of a confidential source is a right accorded to journalists under the laws of many countries as well as international laws. Confidential sources are also described as protective sources, reporter’s privilege or confidentiality of sources.
Any person that does not mind giving out information that relates to a fact or story but doesn’t leave his or her name is known as an anonymous tipper. This kind of confidential source could give out a fact for a story that can be from an unofficial source, will not give any credit for the journalist to credit and it can also lead to false pretenses. Journalists working on a story who get facts from an anonymous tipper that can give out false information often has the potential to lose to their job. Worse yet, the story the journalist prints may turn out to be false or force authorities to catch the wrong suspect.
Student media creators should know about this important issue. I had a chance to interview Dave Aston, the Editor-in-Chief for the Montgazette, on the subject of confidential sources. He explained, “That people who use Facebook, Twitter, and other media sites are all in danger because people these days can give out false stories without anyone citing their own work which can lead to photos being edited and words being altered.”
This is a major problem because users can say the person who received the information from is a confidential source. In reality, the user just posted a fake story, claiming that an anonymous tipper gave the information when it was really their own thought put on the internet for pure entertainment.
Stories featuring confidential stories can gain wide popularity. Buzzfed.com published a story that was put on Facebook claiming, “[President Barack] Obama ran over [former president] Jimmy Carter with his car last night.” Cracked.com also wrote that, “The iPhone 5 would have hologram projection.” This was ranked as a Top Five story and was put all over social media. It turned out to be fake. Far too often people still believe any story is true because they don’t look for any primary or secondary sources or photos of that story.
Defame Me Not!
By: Matt Mashaintonio
BLUE BELL, PA--We hear about it all the time, a big celebrity is suing some tabloid for “defamation of character,” but what does that really mean? The real question is “what is defamation?”
Joseph Turow in his book Media Today defines defamation as, “a highly disreputable or false statement about a living person or organization that causes injury to the reputation that a substantial group of people hold for that person or entity.” In simpler terms, this means that deformation is when someone either says or prints something that is false about a person or organization that can harm their reputation. There are two types of deformation as I alluded to above. There is libel, written defamation, and slander, spoken defamation.
All people are vulnerable to defamation but the general population is split into two different factions, public figures and private people. Public figures are seen as people who are of the public and open themselves up to defamation. For example, politicians, actors, professional athletes and authors. Private people are people like you, the average person who is not in the public eye.
You might think that you will never be a victim of defamation. But let’s say you were reading an article in your local newspaper that says you were involved with a group of students from your school that broke into the school’s computer lab and stole a computer. Now you are associated with a crime you did not commit, you are now a victim of defamation.
According to the Associated Press Style Book, there are five things you would need to prove to win your defamation case:
1. A defamatory statement was made. (You were one the students that stole a computer.)
2. The defamatory statement was written, or said, as fact not opinion. (The newspaper said you were definitely involved and that there is no speculation about it.)
3. The defamatory statement is false. (You have proof you were visiting a relative in a different city at the time of the theft.)
4. The defamation statement is about the plaintiff. (The newspaper was talking about you.)
5. The defamatory statement was published with the requisite degree of fault. (The newspaper checked their facts and said you were definitely there, or just lied about which students were there.)
Now, there is another side to this coin. What if you are the one that says the defamatory statement? Then what do you do? My number one suggestion is to make sure it never happens.
As media creators, we have a duty to only report on the truth. Fact check everything you can before you send your article to print. Have someone else double check your facts and sources. If you are unsure of something, don’t print it.
Stop defamation before it happens.
BLUE BELL, PA--We hear about it all the time, a big celebrity is suing some tabloid for “defamation of character,” but what does that really mean? The real question is “what is defamation?”
Joseph Turow in his book Media Today defines defamation as, “a highly disreputable or false statement about a living person or organization that causes injury to the reputation that a substantial group of people hold for that person or entity.” In simpler terms, this means that deformation is when someone either says or prints something that is false about a person or organization that can harm their reputation. There are two types of deformation as I alluded to above. There is libel, written defamation, and slander, spoken defamation.
All people are vulnerable to defamation but the general population is split into two different factions, public figures and private people. Public figures are seen as people who are of the public and open themselves up to defamation. For example, politicians, actors, professional athletes and authors. Private people are people like you, the average person who is not in the public eye.
You might think that you will never be a victim of defamation. But let’s say you were reading an article in your local newspaper that says you were involved with a group of students from your school that broke into the school’s computer lab and stole a computer. Now you are associated with a crime you did not commit, you are now a victim of defamation.
According to the Associated Press Style Book, there are five things you would need to prove to win your defamation case:
1. A defamatory statement was made. (You were one the students that stole a computer.)
2. The defamatory statement was written, or said, as fact not opinion. (The newspaper said you were definitely involved and that there is no speculation about it.)
3. The defamatory statement is false. (You have proof you were visiting a relative in a different city at the time of the theft.)
4. The defamation statement is about the plaintiff. (The newspaper was talking about you.)
5. The defamatory statement was published with the requisite degree of fault. (The newspaper checked their facts and said you were definitely there, or just lied about which students were there.)
Now, there is another side to this coin. What if you are the one that says the defamatory statement? Then what do you do? My number one suggestion is to make sure it never happens.
As media creators, we have a duty to only report on the truth. Fact check everything you can before you send your article to print. Have someone else double check your facts and sources. If you are unsure of something, don’t print it.
Stop defamation before it happens.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Copyrights, Pirates and Borg! Oh, My!
By: Morgan Killian-Moseley
BLUE BELL, PA--Copyright law is a tough subject to deal with. On one hand, if someone creates something that makes the world better, they should be allowed to reap the rewards. Ideas are never fully protected by copyright. So if someone uses their work without any gain by the so-called “pirate”, I don’t think that should be prosecutable.
But what constitutes an idea, exactly? Is it something that just stays in somebody’s head forever? That I doubt, because most ideas have gotten out already and have changed the world. If an idea is something that can be tangible, why should it always be copyrighted, kept away from those without the money to pay for it?
Small portions of some software is used for free under fair use regulations, with the expectation that you’ll buy the full version. But some people don’t. They just keep taking free trials of something else. Some other people can’t afford to buy computers, period; so they have to rely on the kindness of others.
The entire idea of copyright is money. Only if you profit will you do something good, the Founding Fathers said. What we need to do is take the money out of the equation. In “Star Trek: First Contact”, in the 24th Century, human society had evolved to the point where currency no longer existed, and humanity worked to better itself. Having taken a trip back to 21st Century post-apocalyptic Montana to stop the Borg from changing history, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, played by Patrick Stewart, explains to a surprised Lily Sloan, played by Alfre Woodard, that very fact.
Lily can’t understand how currency doesn’t exist. But it needs to be done. If people want to be better, they need to become equal and the thing that holds society back the most is money. Money is power, and those who have it, abuse it. Therefore, if people are pirates who “steal” music, then in the words of Robbie Rotten from Lazy Town, “do what you want, (because) a pirate is free.”
BLUE BELL, PA--Copyright law is a tough subject to deal with. On one hand, if someone creates something that makes the world better, they should be allowed to reap the rewards. Ideas are never fully protected by copyright. So if someone uses their work without any gain by the so-called “pirate”, I don’t think that should be prosecutable.
But what constitutes an idea, exactly? Is it something that just stays in somebody’s head forever? That I doubt, because most ideas have gotten out already and have changed the world. If an idea is something that can be tangible, why should it always be copyrighted, kept away from those without the money to pay for it?
Small portions of some software is used for free under fair use regulations, with the expectation that you’ll buy the full version. But some people don’t. They just keep taking free trials of something else. Some other people can’t afford to buy computers, period; so they have to rely on the kindness of others.
The entire idea of copyright is money. Only if you profit will you do something good, the Founding Fathers said. What we need to do is take the money out of the equation. In “Star Trek: First Contact”, in the 24th Century, human society had evolved to the point where currency no longer existed, and humanity worked to better itself. Having taken a trip back to 21st Century post-apocalyptic Montana to stop the Borg from changing history, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, played by Patrick Stewart, explains to a surprised Lily Sloan, played by Alfre Woodard, that very fact.
Lily can’t understand how currency doesn’t exist. But it needs to be done. If people want to be better, they need to become equal and the thing that holds society back the most is money. Money is power, and those who have it, abuse it. Therefore, if people are pirates who “steal” music, then in the words of Robbie Rotten from Lazy Town, “do what you want, (because) a pirate is free.”
Saturday, November 15, 2014
The Values of News
By: Alexandria Somers
BLUE BELL, PA--The first thing I do before getting in a relationship is find out if the person is honest, trustworthy, and loyal. This doesn’t just go for romantic relationships, this is a standard for any relationship I get into.
Who would want to have relations with a liar? The only thing you gain out of a relationship with a liar is patience. I am a full time college student, I work two jobs, and play sports; I don’t have time to waste. I look for the same things I look for in a relationship in the media that relays me the news. Telling the truth and the whole truth is a concept all Americans are aware of, so getting the truth from the media is expected. Throughout the day, my time is valuable.
If I so happen to walk past a television that has the news on, or if I’m in my car listening to the radio newscast, I expect to hear truthful and informative news stories. Having News Values protects the media and gives it credibility. With the knowledge I am gaining from the news, it will give me a better understanding of the world and what is going on around me.
The Wikipedia definition of News Values, sometimes called news criteria, as determining how much prominence a news story is given by a media outlet and the attention it is given by the audience.
The Associated Press stated that they insist on the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior when they gather and deliver the news. This ensures that I am informed correctly and not ignorant to important information I should know as an American consumer. The great general manager of the AP, Melville Stone stated in 1914 that, "the thing [the news] is striving for is a truthful, unbiased report of the world's happenings … ethical in the highest degree”.
As a communications major at Montgomery County Community College, I am very critical when I interview people for a primary source. There are many rules and guidelines I have to abide by so that my work is credible and informative. Visiting sites such as www.ap.org is a great way to hone in on what standards and practices need to be followed to make writing and research better.
There are so many different ways of how information can be displayed, such as, Anonymous Sources, Audio, Bylines, Datelines, Fabrications, etc. which can be learned by the way the Associated Press presents its stories. News Values is a critical topic that all media creators need to understand and apply.
BLUE BELL, PA--The first thing I do before getting in a relationship is find out if the person is honest, trustworthy, and loyal. This doesn’t just go for romantic relationships, this is a standard for any relationship I get into.
Who would want to have relations with a liar? The only thing you gain out of a relationship with a liar is patience. I am a full time college student, I work two jobs, and play sports; I don’t have time to waste. I look for the same things I look for in a relationship in the media that relays me the news. Telling the truth and the whole truth is a concept all Americans are aware of, so getting the truth from the media is expected. Throughout the day, my time is valuable.
If I so happen to walk past a television that has the news on, or if I’m in my car listening to the radio newscast, I expect to hear truthful and informative news stories. Having News Values protects the media and gives it credibility. With the knowledge I am gaining from the news, it will give me a better understanding of the world and what is going on around me.
The Wikipedia definition of News Values, sometimes called news criteria, as determining how much prominence a news story is given by a media outlet and the attention it is given by the audience.
The Associated Press stated that they insist on the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior when they gather and deliver the news. This ensures that I am informed correctly and not ignorant to important information I should know as an American consumer. The great general manager of the AP, Melville Stone stated in 1914 that, "the thing [the news] is striving for is a truthful, unbiased report of the world's happenings … ethical in the highest degree”.
As a communications major at Montgomery County Community College, I am very critical when I interview people for a primary source. There are many rules and guidelines I have to abide by so that my work is credible and informative. Visiting sites such as www.ap.org is a great way to hone in on what standards and practices need to be followed to make writing and research better.
There are so many different ways of how information can be displayed, such as, Anonymous Sources, Audio, Bylines, Datelines, Fabrications, etc. which can be learned by the way the Associated Press presents its stories. News Values is a critical topic that all media creators need to understand and apply.
Journalists' New Friend: Social Media
By: Christopher Calvano
BLUE BELL, PA--Almost a quarter of the time Americans spend on the internet is used on social media and networking sites. This is almost nine times the amount they spend on new sites. With this in mind, using social media correctly can get news across to a larger audience.
Journalists can use social media to locate leads and sources for a story, such as witnesses or other individuals directly related to an event. Photos and videos of events that are posted and shared via social media can also be useful in reporting. The instantaneous nature of social media also allows news stories to be published without the delay of print lead times as well as allow reactions to stories to be seen more prominently.
However, social media and networking sites should be used as a supplement, rather than a replacement to traditional reporting tools. It is important to fully verify sources that come from the internet because anyone can add information to social media. Not all of it is accurate and, many times, stories can be published before all the facts are known.
As a result of this, in addition to attributing online sources, one must verify sources claiming to be official by contacting the companies or organizations they claim to represent.
In addition, one should not use social media sources as a sole source of information when other methods can provide more information. Tweets are sweet, but real news comes from interviews. Instead of just quoting a tweet form a prominent or important individual, contact them directly and ask them for in-depth details.
Another thing to consider is privacy. Although many social networking sites have privacy settings that allow users to control who sees what, anyone who can see a post can share it with others. Likewise, anyone who receives an email can forward it, so it is important to take these facts into consideration when reaching out to sources via social media.
Social media can be a powerful tool for journalists in terms of outreach and collecting sources as long it is used correctly, is accurate, is relevant to the story and respects the privacy of others.
BLUE BELL, PA--Almost a quarter of the time Americans spend on the internet is used on social media and networking sites. This is almost nine times the amount they spend on new sites. With this in mind, using social media correctly can get news across to a larger audience.
Journalists can use social media to locate leads and sources for a story, such as witnesses or other individuals directly related to an event. Photos and videos of events that are posted and shared via social media can also be useful in reporting. The instantaneous nature of social media also allows news stories to be published without the delay of print lead times as well as allow reactions to stories to be seen more prominently.
However, social media and networking sites should be used as a supplement, rather than a replacement to traditional reporting tools. It is important to fully verify sources that come from the internet because anyone can add information to social media. Not all of it is accurate and, many times, stories can be published before all the facts are known.
As a result of this, in addition to attributing online sources, one must verify sources claiming to be official by contacting the companies or organizations they claim to represent.
In addition, one should not use social media sources as a sole source of information when other methods can provide more information. Tweets are sweet, but real news comes from interviews. Instead of just quoting a tweet form a prominent or important individual, contact them directly and ask them for in-depth details.
Another thing to consider is privacy. Although many social networking sites have privacy settings that allow users to control who sees what, anyone who can see a post can share it with others. Likewise, anyone who receives an email can forward it, so it is important to take these facts into consideration when reaching out to sources via social media.
Social media can be a powerful tool for journalists in terms of outreach and collecting sources as long it is used correctly, is accurate, is relevant to the story and respects the privacy of others.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Social Club Brings New Horizons to Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome
By: Christopher Calvano
BLUE BELL,PA--Life with Asperger syndrome can be challenging. For those who don’t know, Asperger’s Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder characterized by difficulties in social and communication skills.
While there are many services for children with autism spectrum disorders, the challenges they face often continue into adulthood.
The New Horizons Club located in Montgomery County seeks to bridge that gap and provides help for adults with Asperger’s to build social connections, and learn to live independently.
The club’s membership mainly consists of adults ages 18-40 from various regions in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Monthly meetings are held in the Montgomery County Human Services building on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
These meetings and social outings give members opportunities to expand their social horizons and meet with like-minded people that would not be possible outside the group.
BLUE BELL,PA--Life with Asperger syndrome can be challenging. For those who don’t know, Asperger’s Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder characterized by difficulties in social and communication skills.
While there are many services for children with autism spectrum disorders, the challenges they face often continue into adulthood.
The New Horizons Club located in Montgomery County seeks to bridge that gap and provides help for adults with Asperger’s to build social connections, and learn to live independently.
The club’s membership mainly consists of adults ages 18-40 from various regions in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Monthly meetings are held in the Montgomery County Human Services building on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
These meetings and social outings give members opportunities to expand their social horizons and meet with like-minded people that would not be possible outside the group.
“Before I was a member I was not very open to making new friends,” says New Horizons member Liz Yuhas. “Now I am. The group has given me a new sense of confidence not only in the group but outside of the group. It has given me the confidence to talk in front of a group about my disability, to reach out to customers in my job and the ability to distribute communion at church.”
Paul Gever, the facilitator of the group since 2005, has noticed many changes since he started. “When I first began leading the group, meetings were to me, oddly quiet,” says Gever, who noted that over time members began to learn to converse more freely. “Now I can’t get them to shut up!”
In addition to monthly meetings the New Horizons Club holds many social events. Such events include attending sporting events, movies, and festivals; events hosted by members such as holiday parties, super bowl parties, and book clubs; and vacations, most notably to Avalon and Knoebels Amusement Resort.
Another side effect of the club’s success, says Gever, is that some members “have made enough lasting friendships in the group that they now simply do their own thing. Obviously, we miss those folks who have moved on to what are for them greener pastures, but we have to celebrate them as their successes are truly our successes.”
Despite this, the club continues to grow and is always encouraging new members to join. “You could have the ability to make new friends and memories,” Yuhas says. “You can try new things and have a new appreciation for them. To see if you like the group you can come to a meeting or two.”
The club will be holding its sixth annual beef and beer fundraiser on Friday, November 21, 2014 at North Penn VFW Post 676 in Glenside, Pa. Montgomery County Community College students and others are welcome to attend.
For more information on the New Horizons Club visit www.newhorizonsclub.org or facebook.com/NewHorizonsClub.
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