Emmy Award winning reporter Frank Sesno delivered SMU’s 8th annual Rosine Smith Sammons Lecture on Media Ethics in Caruth auditorium last night.
Usually, I’m not enthusiastic about taking time out of my night to attend a “required” lecture, but Sesno kept it interesting. His ability to inform and entertain a college crowd definitely stems from his background as a college professor.
One quote that stuck in my head throughout the night was:
“You have to be willing to lie down on the train tracks. Don’t be afraid to ask those tough questions. Be prepared to tick people off because that’s the only way to get the answers you’re looking for.”
I am a people pleaser. I find it hard to “ask those tough questions” because I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. Offending people causes awkward moments, and I will literally go through leaps-and-bounds not to experience an awkward moment.
I find it ironic that someone like me, with such a shy personality (in front of strangers) would chose a career that depended on interviews with people I don’t even know. I’m so shy that I don’t like calling up Chili’s to place a to-go order because it makes me anxious. Sad huh?
When I get my first hard news story, how will I possibly be able to ask a complete stranger, “So, did you kill her?” . . . awkward . . .
To be successful, I MUST get over my fear, and it was helpful to hear that message conveyed from someone like Sesno, a veteran reporter. He has been in the industry for more than 25 years, so I’m pretty sure he knows what he’s talking about.
The only part of the lecture that I did not enjoy was when he put me on the spot in front of the entire audience.
“Why was it so noisy when I worked in the newsroom?” was the question.
I froze. I probably turned all different shades of red, and I didn’t answer the question. I always like making good impressions, but sometimes that’s out of my control. . . like last night.
Now, I publicly apologize to SMU for not answering, “It was noisy in your newsroom because you used to write on typewriters.” . . .but my good friend Whitney handled the answer for me. Thanks Whit!
Obviously Sesno doesn’t have a problem with awkward moments, but then again, he’s also a professor. I’m sure students like me are a dime-a-dozen, and he finds it amusing to put them on the chopping block as well.
Last night I learned a valuable lesson about “putting myself on the train tracks.” I’ll take baby steps at first, but I will eventually be able to ask those difficult questions, and conduct those interviews with the hardballs.
Sesno is another example of who I want to be when I graduate. It’s scary to think that I’m already a junior in college, but I have faith in myself. In fact, I think I’m beginning to hear a train in the distance, and it’s up to me to stop it from running me over.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
One Nation, Under God . . .
I go to church every Sunday, but sometimes I feel like I just walk through the motions. If church is more than an hour long, people feel antsy and start to panic.
“What’s wrong with him? We get the point! Why won’t he let us get out of here?”
Today, we stayed later than usual but without objection from the congregation.
We gave a moment of silence and prayer to all the victims, families and friends of that vivid day that we remember as 9/11.
I’ve always been told not to dwell on the past, but at the same time, don’t forget your history because it molds who you are today. Two contradicting commands, right?
I think for this post, I won’t focus on either one of those rules and just stick to the basics: “Everything happens for a reason.”
I still remember watching the CNN news coverage in my freshmen high school biology class. I watched as the second plane crashed into the twin towers and then again when the buildings collapsed, killing everyone inside; the rescue workers, the office workers, the passengers on the plane.
Death is blind to race, sex and religion.
Regardless of the pain and suffering caused by these seemingly cruel and heartless attacks on our country, I feel like we, as a nation, have taken this bad situation and turned it into something positive.
The calm after the storm had more of an impact on me than anything. After awhile, a person can become numb to death, but as soon as light is shed on a situation, a change in pace if you will, it can transform the whole aspect of a circumstance.
Our country has never been so unified in my lifetime since the following days after 9/11. Everyone formed a national support system for each other. Money, time, and volunteer hours were donated without hesitation to anyone in need. It was a time of resilience to show the rest of the world, “We are still strong!”
Even though everyone rags on President Bush for this pointless “war on terror”, I wish people would take a moment to revert back to the day when it all began.
Do we want another catastrophe like that?
If there was a logical way to measure what has been prevented by our “war on terror,” I absolutely believe this has been a positive endeavor for our country.
Today in church I prayed. For all of those directly and indirectly affected by the terrors of 9/11, my heart and prayers go out to you. May you stay strong and proud for your loved ones and yourself. Believe in Him, and He will take care of you. God bless.
“What’s wrong with him? We get the point! Why won’t he let us get out of here?”
Today, we stayed later than usual but without objection from the congregation.
We gave a moment of silence and prayer to all the victims, families and friends of that vivid day that we remember as 9/11.
I’ve always been told not to dwell on the past, but at the same time, don’t forget your history because it molds who you are today. Two contradicting commands, right?
I think for this post, I won’t focus on either one of those rules and just stick to the basics: “Everything happens for a reason.”
I still remember watching the CNN news coverage in my freshmen high school biology class. I watched as the second plane crashed into the twin towers and then again when the buildings collapsed, killing everyone inside; the rescue workers, the office workers, the passengers on the plane.
Death is blind to race, sex and religion.
Regardless of the pain and suffering caused by these seemingly cruel and heartless attacks on our country, I feel like we, as a nation, have taken this bad situation and turned it into something positive.
The calm after the storm had more of an impact on me than anything. After awhile, a person can become numb to death, but as soon as light is shed on a situation, a change in pace if you will, it can transform the whole aspect of a circumstance.
Our country has never been so unified in my lifetime since the following days after 9/11. Everyone formed a national support system for each other. Money, time, and volunteer hours were donated without hesitation to anyone in need. It was a time of resilience to show the rest of the world, “We are still strong!”
Even though everyone rags on President Bush for this pointless “war on terror”, I wish people would take a moment to revert back to the day when it all began.
Do we want another catastrophe like that?
If there was a logical way to measure what has been prevented by our “war on terror,” I absolutely believe this has been a positive endeavor for our country.
Today in church I prayed. For all of those directly and indirectly affected by the terrors of 9/11, my heart and prayers go out to you. May you stay strong and proud for your loved ones and yourself. Believe in Him, and He will take care of you. God bless.
My Pointless Major
Kline, David, and Dan Burstein, Blog!: How the newest media revolution is changing politics, business, and culture. (New York: CDS Books, 2005).
Giving voice to the voiceless has been a favorite motto used by the press ever since the media revolution, but what happens when even the voiceless become vocal? (without help from the press) Does the press have a purpose anymore?
In blog!, David Kline believes that even though the world is at the forefront of technological growth and development, there will always be a need for other forms of media besides blogging.
That makes me, a broadcast journalism student, feel a little bit better about deciding to major in a seemingly dying career.
Blogs have definitely boomed in population over the past decade. According to blog!, more than 40,000 are created daily (in most part) by “citizen journalists” who can blog about anything from their daily routine to celebrity gossip, or more importantly, issues such as the presidential election.
People are beginning to rely on their news from blogs as opposed to news stations because, unlike news stations, blogs can be as biased and opinionated as they possibly want! They don’t have to hold anything back. Because they aren’t owned by any company, blogs tend to be more transparent than any new corporation I’ve ever relied on. Why not blog 24/7?
Blogging might be a popular way to access information, but most bloggers use the information they have seen on TV or read in a newspaper/magazine and spin it in their own direction and post it for people to see.
Blogging will never cause a reporter, like me, to lose their job for this simple reason: these bloggers (citizen journalists) will always use my story ideas and news packages for their posts. Without people like me, bloggers would be forced to go out in the world, cover events, and dig up scandals on their own. And let’s face it, bloggers are already lazy enough to let reporters do the work for them, do you actually think they will go out and break significant news stories themselves?
I’m not ripping on all bloggers. In fact I’m a fan of most. Blogs that newspapers, magazines and news corporations have set up are quite nice, but then again, they actually write and produce their own material. Other blogs that create interest or support groups are useful as well.
There will always be a need for journalists and reporters. The newspaper might be dying, but the media industry is still thriving and will be for a long time to come.
Blogging has been introduced as a competitor to the newspaper and TV station, but a little competition doesn’t hurt anyone.
Giving voice to the voiceless has been a favorite motto used by the press ever since the media revolution, but what happens when even the voiceless become vocal? (without help from the press) Does the press have a purpose anymore?
In blog!, David Kline believes that even though the world is at the forefront of technological growth and development, there will always be a need for other forms of media besides blogging.
That makes me, a broadcast journalism student, feel a little bit better about deciding to major in a seemingly dying career.
Blogs have definitely boomed in population over the past decade. According to blog!, more than 40,000 are created daily (in most part) by “citizen journalists” who can blog about anything from their daily routine to celebrity gossip, or more importantly, issues such as the presidential election.
People are beginning to rely on their news from blogs as opposed to news stations because, unlike news stations, blogs can be as biased and opinionated as they possibly want! They don’t have to hold anything back. Because they aren’t owned by any company, blogs tend to be more transparent than any new corporation I’ve ever relied on. Why not blog 24/7?
Blogging might be a popular way to access information, but most bloggers use the information they have seen on TV or read in a newspaper/magazine and spin it in their own direction and post it for people to see.
Blogging will never cause a reporter, like me, to lose their job for this simple reason: these bloggers (citizen journalists) will always use my story ideas and news packages for their posts. Without people like me, bloggers would be forced to go out in the world, cover events, and dig up scandals on their own. And let’s face it, bloggers are already lazy enough to let reporters do the work for them, do you actually think they will go out and break significant news stories themselves?
I’m not ripping on all bloggers. In fact I’m a fan of most. Blogs that newspapers, magazines and news corporations have set up are quite nice, but then again, they actually write and produce their own material. Other blogs that create interest or support groups are useful as well.
There will always be a need for journalists and reporters. The newspaper might be dying, but the media industry is still thriving and will be for a long time to come.
Blogging has been introduced as a competitor to the newspaper and TV station, but a little competition doesn’t hurt anyone.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Noah's Starving Carnivorous Animals
http://www.ravingatheist.com/
When I studied abroad this summer, I worked as an intern for a non-profit organization in the heart of downtown London. From the moment I stepped through the front door, I could feel uncomfortable tone of the office. My future co-workers were all staring at the cross worn around my neck. I was in a room full of atheists.
My inexperience to blogging has given me the opportunity to provide an outsider’s perspective on a particular blog that I stumbled across called “The Raving Atheist”.
Toleration is key. I find it quite ironic that I traveled overseas with the intent to expand my academic education, but ironically, in turn I feel I was handed more of a life-lesson than anything else.
In this blog, a “Raving Atheist”, as he likes to call himself, hunts for injustices and wrong-doings committed towards his beliefs. He posts his discoveries on the blog and then sits back and waits for ticked-off people to start commenting on his page. It’s hilarious!
In my opinion, the blog should be titled "The Craving Atheist", because that's basically the theme. All he does is crave for attention.
Please don't mistake my views. I absolutely do not agree with his snide remarks aimed toward religions (Christians particularly), but the fact that there are people in the world who allow him to get a rise out of posting these ridiculous remarks is quite amusing.
You’re doing exactly what you want him to do! Why are you letting the atheist be your puppet master?
This man appears to be somewhat credible. He seems to have no huge grammatical errors on his posts, and he receives a substantial amount of comments on his page every week.
However, this whole blog is based off of insecurity. The choices made to believe or to not believe in a higher being will never be fully answered until . . . well, you know. Because there is uncertainty in a decision, insecurity can creep out like the weeds that grow in sidewalk cracks. They are an annoying bother, inevitable but something we are all able to deal with.
This summer I was approached by one of my atheist co-workers in the office with this absurd question:
“Kaci, you’re religious. Maybe you can answer this. What did God feed all of the carnivorous animals on Noah’s Ark?”
At that moment, I realized just how apprehensive these people truly were. He didn’t care about the answer I gave him, he just wanted to see my reaction to such an insulting and insignificant question.
I simply responded, “God took care of it,” and then left for my lunch break.
This summer, I never tried to force my beliefs on my co-workers, and they returned the same favor. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to change their mind, and they knew the same thing about me. Toleration is key.
This blog “The Raving Atheist” is pointless if you’re looking for answers about your faith, or if you’re searching for a sign from God to help guide you in the right direction. However, it does provide mindless entertainment for someone who likes to hear bickering about religious viewpoints from close-minded people, but don’t family reunions already provide just that?
When I studied abroad this summer, I worked as an intern for a non-profit organization in the heart of downtown London. From the moment I stepped through the front door, I could feel uncomfortable tone of the office. My future co-workers were all staring at the cross worn around my neck. I was in a room full of atheists.
My inexperience to blogging has given me the opportunity to provide an outsider’s perspective on a particular blog that I stumbled across called “The Raving Atheist”.
Toleration is key. I find it quite ironic that I traveled overseas with the intent to expand my academic education, but ironically, in turn I feel I was handed more of a life-lesson than anything else.
In this blog, a “Raving Atheist”, as he likes to call himself, hunts for injustices and wrong-doings committed towards his beliefs. He posts his discoveries on the blog and then sits back and waits for ticked-off people to start commenting on his page. It’s hilarious!
In my opinion, the blog should be titled "The Craving Atheist", because that's basically the theme. All he does is crave for attention.
Please don't mistake my views. I absolutely do not agree with his snide remarks aimed toward religions (Christians particularly), but the fact that there are people in the world who allow him to get a rise out of posting these ridiculous remarks is quite amusing.
You’re doing exactly what you want him to do! Why are you letting the atheist be your puppet master?
This man appears to be somewhat credible. He seems to have no huge grammatical errors on his posts, and he receives a substantial amount of comments on his page every week.
However, this whole blog is based off of insecurity. The choices made to believe or to not believe in a higher being will never be fully answered until . . . well, you know. Because there is uncertainty in a decision, insecurity can creep out like the weeds that grow in sidewalk cracks. They are an annoying bother, inevitable but something we are all able to deal with.
This summer I was approached by one of my atheist co-workers in the office with this absurd question:
“Kaci, you’re religious. Maybe you can answer this. What did God feed all of the carnivorous animals on Noah’s Ark?”
At that moment, I realized just how apprehensive these people truly were. He didn’t care about the answer I gave him, he just wanted to see my reaction to such an insulting and insignificant question.
I simply responded, “God took care of it,” and then left for my lunch break.
This summer, I never tried to force my beliefs on my co-workers, and they returned the same favor. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to change their mind, and they knew the same thing about me. Toleration is key.
This blog “The Raving Atheist” is pointless if you’re looking for answers about your faith, or if you’re searching for a sign from God to help guide you in the right direction. However, it does provide mindless entertainment for someone who likes to hear bickering about religious viewpoints from close-minded people, but don’t family reunions already provide just that?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)