Farewell...

Hello fellow bloggers and aspiring journalists, after a whole semester together in JOUR1111 our journey has finally come to an end. 

Unfortunately, this will be my last JOUR1111 blog post, and I just want to take the time to thank my lecturer, Dr. Bruce Redman and tutor Carmel Rooney for such a wonderful semester.

Through my time in JOUR1111, I have learnt many things and have made many friends. I hope that as I venture through my studies at UQ we all remain friends and continue this learning experience together.

Have a wonderful break and hopefully I'll see some of you next semester.

À la prochaine!

The Vampire Diaries Convention

The Vampire Diaries Convention

On Saturday hundreds of excited "Vampire Diaries" fans huddled around the Science Theatre at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, for the Vampire Diaries Convention: A Return to Mystic Falls. The event featured four actors from the television show the "Vampire Diaries" live on stage as they shared stories and answered questions asked by the fans. There was also a large variety of activities throughout the day such as trivia games, raffles, and auctions and fans had the opportunity to purchase autographs and pose in professional photographs with the actors.

Unfortunately, over the past few months the actor lineup had undergone a few dramatic changes when Candice Accola (Caroline Forbes), Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood), Katerina Graham (Bonnie Bennett) and Matthew Davis (Alaric Saltzman) had to withdraw from the event due to promotional and filming commitments. Those who attended the convention were still treated to an amazing actor lineup with David Anders (John Gilbert and Dr. Whale on "Once Upon a Time"), Malese Jow (Anna), Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert) and Nathaniel Buzolic (Kol Mikaelson), all of which failed to disappoint.

On the Friday night prior to the event I had the opportunity to attend a VIP and cocktail party with the four actors. At the party I sat at a table with the actors and had intimate conversations about their careers, the television shows that they have starred in and their private life. 

During my conversation with Steven, he made a toast to "love, life and bad accents" and David leaked a few secrets about his character, Dr. Whale, in "Once Upon a Time". David also lost in a game of thumb war against a woman who had joined our table. Nathaniel was an extremely kind man, and he spoke about his family and upbringing in 'Punchbowl' Sydney. He was more interested in talking and learning about the fans who were sitting at the table, than he was about talking about himself. Malese was a very beautiful person, and she spoke about her passion for music and how she liked to write songs in her spare time.

On Saturday, after the doors had opened to the Vampire Diaries Convention and the queues began grow smaller, the professional photograph session began. As a VIP attendee I didn't have to queue at the entrance, I walked straight in and went directly to the beautiful, Malese, for my first photograph. Malese is a very small, petite person, and in comparison to her I appear to be rather tall. She was a very sweet person, and it was a joy to talk to her again.

Malese Jow and I

After Malese, my second photograph was with Steven. The queue for a photograph with Steven was humungous, and I, thankfully, didn't have to queue. During the photographs Steven would break out in song and at times he would just stare at you. He was a very funny guy.

Steven R. McQueen and I

Shortly after my photograph with Steven, Nathaniel and I were able to cuddle in a photograph. I personally believe that Nathaniel is one of the sweetest and nicest actors I have ever met. After the photograph had been taken, Nathaniel turned to me, held my hand and thanked me for the photograph and for coming out to see him. He was an absolute joy to meet and talk to again.

Nathaniel Buzolic and I

David was the final actor that I had the opportunity of taking a photograph with. When I went to pose with him, he gave me a big hug, and we joked around. David was a massive cheeky flirt. 

David Anders and I

After the photographs had been completed the Q and A seminars with the actors began. David was the first actor to take part in the Q and A seminar. While David answered questions and shared his stories, Steven and Nathaniel ran around the crowd and held the microphone out to fans as they asked questions. 

During the Q and A seminar, David sang a song about fellow actor, Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore).

David also shared stories about the different pranks that were played on him while he was on the set of the "Vampire Diaries".

After a short lunch break, Malese's Q and A seminar began. While Malese was on the stage a fan had asked her to sing, and after a moment of though, that is what she did. She sang a "One Direction" song for the fans, displaying her talent as a singer. Malese is absolute perfection, not only is she beautiful, but she also has an amazing voice.

Malese also shared a hilarious story about her first love scene with Steven, on the set of the "Vampire Diaries". She explained that while Steven was preparing for the love scene by doing sit ups, he accidentally farted near her face.

The next Q and A seminar was with Nathaniel and while he was on the stage answering questions, David and Steven where running through the crowd handing the microphone to fans. Nathaniel's Q and A seminar was absolutely hilarious and compared to the other seminars it was the most entertaining. 

During the Q and A seminar, both Steven and Nathaniel reenacted a  moment on the set of the "Vampire Diaries" where Nathaniel (Kol Mikaelson) belted Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore) with a baseball bat. Nathaniel explained that while they were filming the baseball bat broke in half and flew towards Ian's head, barely missing him. He later told a story about how Paul Wesley stole his V05 hair products and was upset when he later found out that it could only be purchased in Australia.

The final Q and A seminar was with Steven, and he told his version of Malese's love scene story, stating that he didn't fart and that there was a "duck in the room". Steven called a young girl on stage, and they reenacted a scene between Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert) and Paul Wesley, where funnily enough Steven played the part of Nina, using his shirt to imitate her long hair. While on stage he also did a hilarious imitation of Paul Wesley, and at times he would even break out in song.

After the Q and A seminars there was an auction. In the auction, fans had a chance to bid on two drawings of a cow which had been drawn and signed by Steven and Nathaniel. Fans also had the chance to bid on a shirt that was worn by Steven and was drawn on by Steven and Nathaniel. Jokingly, Nathaniel wrote, "Cute but dumb" on the back of the shirt and Steven drew hair all over the image of Nina, Paul and Ian that was on the front of the shirt. Items brought back from San Diego Comic-Con where also up for auction and so where autographs by Joseph Morgan (Klaus Mikaelson), Sara Canning (Jenna Sommers), Katerina Graham, Candice Accola and Matthew Davis. 

To be honest, I was very tempted to bid on all of the autographs, but I knew that I had to be strong-willed and limit myself to only a few. After two ferocious bidding wars, I had walked away with an autograph by Matthew David and Candice Accola.

Matthew Davis Autograph

Candice Accola Autograph  

As the day drew to an end, fans were able to purchase and collect autographs from the four actors. As I went around to each of the actors tables and collected my autographs, I wished all of the actors a safe flight home. When I reached Nathaniel's table, I collected my autograph and spoke to him for a few minutes. I asked him if he had any intentions of attending an NRL Bulldogs match while he was in Sydney as he is a massive Bulldogs fan.

Words can't describe how entertaining and humorous David, Malese, Nathaniel and Steven where. By the end of the convention, my throat was hoarse and sore as a result of laughing. I hope that they all enjoyed their stay in Sydney and hope that one day they will return to our beautiful country. I just want to thank the "Hub Productions" for organising such a wonderful event and to thank David, Malese, Nathaniel and Steven for visiting their fans in the land down under. 

News Values

When: Week 9
What: Lecture 9
Who: Dr. Bruce Redman 


This weeks lecture was about News Values and was taught by Dr. Bruce Redman. The lecture was very fascinating, and it was interesting to see what news values are depicted in the media more than others.  

What Do We Mean By News Values?

During the lecture, Dr. Bruce Redman defined news values as, "The degree of prominence a media outlet gives to a story, and the attention that is paid by an audience".  

An example of this is the prominence of the Baden Clay story by Brisbane's media outlets over the past few weeks. The Baden Clay story has remained prominent in the news because it is an ongoing investigation. The audience consumes the story because the story has impact and it's local. The audience wants to know what happened to the missing lady, will she be found alive or have they found her murderer?

News values vary between news services and media outlets and vary across cultures. A news story that is shown on channel "Ten" may be different to a news story shown on "ABC". Similarly, a news story shown in America may be different to a new story shown in Australia.

During the lecture, Dr. Bruce Redman stated four key points that govern news values. This is what they are:

• Impact - Impact refers to something that has a large effect on the audience. News that surprises the audience or as mentioned in the lecture "anything that makes the reader say "Gee Whiz!"" (Arthur MacEwen, US Editor).

• Audience Identification - Audience identification refers to something that is interesting, and something that relates to the audience and what's happening internationally, nationally and locally. The audience wants to know what's happening in the world. 
• Pragmatics - Pragmatics refers to ethics, facticity, practice, current affairs and everyday news.
• Source Influence - Source influence refers to Public Relations (PR) and how it has become rather prominent in the media/journalism industry. 

Very Simple News Values

During the lecture, Dr. Bruce Redman stated two ways a media outlet decided what stories lead. This is what they are:

This means that if the story results in blood, guts, death and tragedy, the story usually leads. It could be a story about the death of a celebrity, a terrorist attack, war, murder, a car accident, a shooting, etc. 

In Australia, commercial media outlets such as channel "Ten", "9" and "7" depict local news. Dr. Bruce Redman stated that local news is all about "proximity". Meaning that the news is all about what's happening in specific local area like in Queensland it's all about the Queensland floods, politics, missing people, local shootings and our local sporting teams.  

Newsworthiness - The 12+ Factors

During the lecture, Dr. Bruce Redman identified six lists of news values. Each list was developed by renowned people in the media industry. 

After analysing the six lists, it is evident that over the years there has been a vast range of news values that have remained the same and prominent. The news values that have remained most prominent include proximity, negativity, prominence, personality/celebrity, emotion, timeliness, and elite nations and people, just to name a few. 

In the past when I would consume news, I would never consider what news values the news story contained. In contemporary times when I consume news, I can't help but notice these news values. Today I read an article on the "Courier Mail" website about a woman who was found dead in her Bracken Ridge home. Some of the news values that I noticed in this article were proximity, negativity, recency, impact and emotion.

Threats to Newsworthiness

Dr. Bruce Redman stated three tensions of newsworthiness. This is what they are:

• Journalism/Commercialisation of media and social life 
• Journalism/Public Relations
• Journalism's ideals/Journalism's reality

Journalism/Commercialisation of Media and Social Life

During the News Values lecture and the Commercial Media lecture, the commercialisation of media was described as untrustworthy and corrupt. Commercial Media is profit driven, and its main focus is to entertain and not educate. Commercial Media outlets produce low quality news stories that aren't as serious as news stories produced by public media outlets.

Journalism/Public Relations

Another tension of newsworthiness is the everyday reuse of Public Relations press releases by media outlets. During the lecture, Dr. Bruce Redman stated that this is called 'churnalism'. Churnalism is when a media outlet reuses a press release without re-writing the news story or checking the facts. Dr. Bruce Redman also mentioned that, in the media industry, it's easier to publish a press release than it is to find a journalist to write a news story. 

Journalism's Ideals/Journalism's Reality

During the lecture, Dr. Bruce Redman identified the ideals of journalism and the harsh realities.

The ideals of journalism:

• A first obligation to the truth.
• A first loyalty to citizens.
• An essential discipline of verification.
• Independence from faction.
• Monitoring power and giving a voice to the voiceless.
• Provision of a form for public criticism and compromise.
• Striving to make the significant interesting and relevant.
• Keeping the news comprehensive and proportional.
• Freedom to exercise personal conscience.  

The reality of journalism:

• The journalism and media industry is infected by Public Relations.
• Rapid news cycles and the commercialisation of the media means that journalism is of lesser quality, incomplete, untrustworthy and irresponsible.
• Media mergers create news cartels that corrupt the news process. They also cause a lack of serious coverage and limit the diversity of news.  

The Future Of News Values

What are tomorrow's news values? 

Over the years, a lot of the news values have remained the same, and I presume that they will remain the same tomorrow, give or take a few. In this weeks tutorial, Carmel Rooney informed my peers, and I that health and wellbeing may become a news value.

What 'drives' the decision made in media organisations about what is 'newsworthy'? 

I believe that the public and audience drive the decisions made by a media organisation about what's newsworthy. A media organisation should provide news stories containing news values that the audience would like to view or read. 

What do you think is 'newsworthy'?

Dr. Bruce Redman mentioned during the lecture that journalists should rely on experience when deciding what's newsworthy. At the moment I have no experience in the media and journalism industry, so instead I'll rely solely on my instincts. I believe that news stories that have an impact are newsworthy. News stories have to have proximity because the audience want's to know what is happening in their local area. I believe that news stories that are bad and negative are more popular and entertaining than those that are good.   

My Final Lecture with Steve Molk

When: Week 12

What: Lecture 11

Who:  Steve Molk and Dr. Bruce Redman

This weeks lecture was by far the best lecture I have attended this semester, and sadly it was also the last. Steve Molk was the guest lecturer this week. Steve Molk is an entertainment journalist, who owns "MolksTVTalk" which is an entertainment blog about Australian television. The lecture was basically a Q and A session and an opportunity for Steve Molk to share his experiences in the journalism industry with the JOUR1111 students. Steve Molk also spoke about his journey into the journalism industry, "MolksTvTalk", his aspirations, and gave my peers and I advice about how to become professional journalists.

During the lecture, I hang on every word Steve Molk said and took the entire lecture to heart because he has my dream job as an entertainment journalist and blogger. Another entertainment journalist that I believe has inspired me to study journalism and to become an entertainment journalist is "E! News" anchorwoman, Giuliana Rancic. Giuliana Rancic has featured across multiple media platforms like "Detour" magazine, and she was a reporter for a Capitol Hill news bureau where she covered stories about the Pentagon, Supreme Court and the White House.

During the lecture, Steve Molk stated three things that have remained a prominent and permanent fixture in my mind.

He then went on to expand on that statement by mentioning that what you do with your brand and how you make it work for you, may affect what you do in the future and may influence how you get a job in the journalism industry. 

My JOUR1111 blog is a fine example of my attempt at controlling my brand. My brand is entertainment journalism, and throughout my blog I have demonstrated my passion for television, movies and those who are involved in the entertainment industry. 

Steve Molk also mentioned that because of the social media, everyone has the opportunity to gain access, interview and make contacts with all sorts of people. These people could include journalists, politicians, entertainment industry or anyone under the limelight.

Through my use of twitter, I have gained many contacts and have developed friendships with people all over the globe. I have had the opportunity to interview entertainment journalists like Carina MacKenzie, and have conversations and build friendships with people in the entertainment industry.

The final statement that Steve Molk made and has resinated with me the most is:

Thank you Steve Molk for being a continual inspiration to aspiring journalist like myself. I applaud you! 

Investigative Journalism

When: Week 12
What: Lecture 11
Who: Dr. Bruce Redman


Originally, this weeks lecture was going to be about the Political Economy but instead Dr. Bruce Redman changed it to Investigative Journalism. I was quite happy about the topic of the lecture being changed to Investigative Journalism as I am not very fond of politics. The lecture was the second last lecture of the JOUR1111 semester and was very entertaining, interesting and fun. 

What is Investigative Journalism?

The Five In's of Investigative Journalism

During the lecture, Dr. Bruce Redman described and explained investigative journalism by identifying the five in's, and this is what they are:

Intelligent

The story and investigation have to be weighed up and thought out before the journalist barges into peoples lives. 

Informed

The journalist has to be aware of all of the facts, the people who were involved and other major contributing factors to the story and investigation.

Intuitive 

With experience, the journalist becomes intuitive. The journalist will be able to rely on their instincts when deciding whether a situation is dangerous to themselves and dangerous to other people. 

Inside

When investigating something, the journalist has to get on the inside or have an intimate point of view. The journalist has to be trusted by those who are bearing their stories and lives. 

Invest

In investigative pieces or stories, journalists have to invest a lot of themselves into their work. This includes their money, time and even health depending on the situation and legal risks, just to name a few.

Deeper Meanings and Purpose

1. Critical and Thorough Journalism                           

Critical and thorough journalism means that the journalist is an active participant and is extremely involved in what they are investigating. It also means that the journalist is making an effort beacause they are consulting their sources and they are checking their facts. Active intervention is the key idea of critical and thorough journalism.

2. Custodians of Conscience                                                                       

Custodians of conscience mean that the journalist identifies and exposes civic vice to the public for scrutiny. An example of this would be "The Moonlight State" (1987) where investigative journalist Chris Masters, investigated the corruption of the Queensland police. 

Exposure is the key idea of custodians of conscience. 

3. To Provide a Voice For Those Without One and to Hold the Powerful to Account

To provide a voice for those without one and to hold the powerful to account is pretty self explanatory. It means that social justice provides power to those who are powerless and provides a voice to those who are voiceless. Public interest is the key idea. 

4. Fourth Estate/Fourth Branch of Government/Watchdog

Fourth Estate

In contemporary times, the Fourth Estate refers to the media and press. In the Fourth Estate, the journalists represent the interest of those without power to balance the power of government.

The Fourth Branch of Government

The Fourth Branch of Government refers to a group (the press or Fourth Estate, the people, and interest or advocacy groups) that influences the three branches of government judiciary, executive and legislature. Journalists ensure the free flow of information necessary for the function of democracy by interrogating these three branches.

Watchdog

Watchdog journalists make public personalities and institutions whose functions have impacted social and political life, accountable for their actions.  

Some Historical Investigations

Investigative Journalism stories like "The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon" campaign, "Watergate", "The Moonlight State" and "WikiLeaks" have remained prominent in contemporary times because they have changed the world we live in.

Local Examples of Investigative Journalism

On April 16th (2012), Australian broadcast journalist Hamish MacDonald, released an article about an indonesian boy who may have been 13 years old when he was arrested and then jailed in a maximum-security prison for adults in Western Australia. This story is a contemporary form of Investigative Journalism and is currently available on "The Global Mail". "The Global Mail" is a site that provides the public with a vast range of Investigative Journalism stories. 

What do we Investigate?

'If your mother says she loves you, check it out'. 

This old journalism statement means that a journalist should always check their facts, assume nothing and should always expect whistleblowers to be/go crazy.

Types of Investigation Interaction

Interviews

Interviews are a very important when it comes to investigative journalism. The interviews may be with on-the-record sources and people who are involved, or the interview may be with a whistleblower. 

Observations

A journalist has to physically see what is going on in the world instead of viewing it second hand in the safety of their office or home. Whether the situation was dangerous or safe, the journalist has to experience and see it for themselves. 

Documents

Like interviews, documents are an important part of investigative journalism. These documents may include law suits, legal documents, corporate financials, tax records and FOI (freedom of information) material and all of which can be checked and analysed by the journalist. 

Briefings

When it comes to investigative journalism, briefings could be conducted by officials or anyone on the whole and could be about anything.

Leaks

Leaks are when on-the-record sources and whistleblowers share or 'leak' information and facts.

Trespass

Investigative journalists in films and television programs usually trespass. In Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Lois and Clark would break into offices, homes and buildings to gain unknown information about the story they were investigating. In real life, investigative journalists don't trespass that often, and this is because their bosses don't usually allow them to do it.

Theft

Theft isn't something an investigative journalist should be doing in contemporary times. During the lecture, Dr. Bruce Redman stated that instead of stealing a photo from a person's mantlepiece, take a photo of it using your mobile phone. 

Threats to Investigative Journalism

New media platforms and online news are a major threat to investigative journalism. Online news has led to less journalism, and less time spent on news stories, which in turn means less investigative journalism. Websites like "The Age" have an Investigative page which is free to the public but "The Australian" has an Investigative page that has to be subscribed to before you are able to view the full story. 

Another threat to Investigative Journalism is Public Relations. Dr. Bruce Redman mentioned during the News Values lecture that Public Relations can cause propaganda. This is because Public Relations can put a spin on news stories by presenting selective and persuasive facts to the public. In comparison, in Journalism the facts are verified for the public's interest. 

The Future of Investigative Journalism

In contemporary times, the future of investigative journalism appears to be rather dim. During the lecture, Dr. Bruce Redman mentioned that "YouTube" had released a new channel that was specifically designed for investigative journalism stories. Unfortunately, since the release of the new "YouTube" channel, investigative journalism pieces and stories haven't been uploaded or posted. The only videos that have been uploaded and posted are those that describe what investigative journalism is. Dr. Bruce Redman stated that this was because citizen journalists are afraid of the legal obligations that are associated with investigative journalism and the release of an investigative story or piece.