Pomona, CA - The last week in news
provided many stories news organizations are focusing its reporting. The main
headliner is about the shooting in South Carolina. In relation to the shooting
is the motivation from the alleged shooter and the controversy over the
confederate flag in the state capitol. In addition, the news organizations
shifted focus on the racial issues from past events and how the country is
handling the current event.
The story is a report of its own,
stemming from the violent act of a white shooter. The shooter entered a church
attended by black Christians during a bible study, shot and killing nine
parishioners including the pastor. The
story has been on every news outlet and medium, radio, newspaper, social media,
television and internet. Some news outlets
have been focusing on race relations. The focus being how this incident will
help change the way people interact from different racial backgrounds. CNN has
been interviewing minority organization officials and minority reporters to get
a perspective from the targeted race.
For television, short reports
including video and pictures about the shooter. Reporters and city officials
discuss what the city of Charleston is doing in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Interviews with the victim’s family and friends as well as friends of the
suspect. Broadcasts of clips of the victim’s family members addressing the
shooter. Each report delivering a perspective on the impact and seriousness of
the shooting. The photos used by the
news include the suspect with a confederate flag and writings about the racial
divide and his job to correct the injustice.
The radio is not visual but
compensates using audio to report similar events. News anchors reading the
manifesto written by the suspect and well as audio from interviews. The radio
news anchors also include opinions from its leaders, law enforcement and
citizens to convey the message. The radio must use audio to deliver the message
because visual ability is not available.
The newspaper has the convenience of
using pictures and interviews, but reporting limited to the space available and
period of the publication. The stories in the newspaper about the shooting are
concise and tell the facts as of the moment the paper is in print. The paper
has less information that the radio or internet but can include images of the
event.
Social media is by far the largest
outlet for any news story. The shooting analysis has been re-posted and
information, photos, and videos are prevalent. Social media also gives a
platform for the public to post opinions and thoughts about the shooting. The
opinions posted may not always follow the majority, but the forum is available
and the lack of limitation to length, picture, and discussion reaches a
worldwide audience.
Another story that has been popular
on social media and has had some coverage in television is Taylor Swift’s
Tumblr and Twitter posts to Apple Music about not paying royalties to
artists. Her intent was about a
streaming service Apple Music was offering a free three-month trial. During the
trial period no royalties to pay the artists and producers of the music. Her
social media post described a struggle for new artists and music writers. Not
paying royalties would make it difficult for the new artist to pay bills and
receive compensation for the work. This story did not however stir more thought
provoking debates in the media about other professional industries asked to work
without pay, such as internships.
Taylor’s use of social media gave a
platform for the public to respond including the affected artists. This also
gave Apple a platform to respond to her and have corrected the policy and will
pay royalties. The use of social media in this story was a means to notify the
Apple Corporation of an injustice committed. It also gave Apple a platform to
respond to Taylor’s post.
For both of these stories, I would
choose two different media channels. The Charleston tragedy has many visual
aspects to cover. The pictures of the victims and their families, interviews
with family and friends, clips of the families speaking to the shooter. The
lives of these nine people should be the focus along how this city is rebuilding
after this tragedy. The internet is the perfect media outlet for coverage of
Taylor Swift addressing Apple Music and the recording artists who use them.
Links to both Taylor Swifts public Tumblr and to Apple Music statements help
the reader and provides facts straight from each party.
