8b) Police are searching for a rapist after a 13-year-old girl was attacked in Greater Manchester. The man, who is described as Asian and in his early 20s, followed her and pushed her down Half Acre Lane where he raped her. She then ran away. The rapist is described as having a shaven head and a beard, and was wearing a dark hooded top and tracksuit bottoms at the time of the attack”.
I think the report has similar problem with the first one – details.
The aim of the report is to find out the rapist, not to report a rape crime. So we don’t need to mention his criminal behaviour. This kind of unrelated detail is not needed.
To find out the rapist, more details about the man himself are necessary, such as his approximately height, he is thin or fat, and so on.
9. A spokesman for the far-right British National party makes a highly racist speech. Do you report what he said? Would you invite him to be interviewed live on radio or television?
I will not report what he said. Because what he said is offensive language.
According to BBC Editorial Guidelines Harm & Offence section, “Different words cause different degrees of offence in different parts of the world. So a person's age, sex, education, employment, belief, nationality, and where they live, all impact on whether or not they might be offended.”
This speech, which was presented by a British National party’s speaker who is of high position and whose speech may represent a nation’s like or dislike, would cause big problem between British and minority nationalities.
However, I will not interview him on live radio or TV. Because no one could guarantee he doesn’t speak harm words on live programmes, which would be out of control.
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Law and Ethics Test 4
7a). A new bookshop has opened in your town. The owner is Muslim. Do you say so in your report?
I will not mention the owner’s religion belief. It’s a matter of religion.
What is news is a new bookshop has opened. It’s enough. Whether the owner is a religionist or irreligionist does not matter news itself.
If the owner’s religion - Muslim – is mentioned in the report, it is something like you are emphasizing the owner’s religion belief, which tends to be vulnerable, unjustified offence or discriminated.
7b). The local council has appointed a new Mayor – for the first time ever, a British man of Afro-Caribbean origin . Does your report mention his ethnicity?
Yes, I will not only mention his ethnicity, but emphasize it. It is a race-related news report with highly public interest, and the audience aiming at all citizens living in London as well as other parts of the world.
According to BBC Editorial Guidelines, “the race to become London Mayor is expected to be high profile with a strong emphasis on personality”.
Care is needed to balance to mention the other candidates with the appointed mayor not only during the election period but all the time, so that no undue advantage over the opponents is given.
8a). A Hampton betting shop was robbed of more than £3,000 by three black men wearing scarves and gloves. On Friday November 3 at around 5.50pm the males entered the shop on High Street Hampton with their faces partially covered. They approached the counter, behind which two female members of staff were working, and one man leant over and unbolted the counter hatch before kicking it open allowing them to reach the till.
In my opinion, the report mentioned too many criminal details.
This is very dangerous thing which may teach someone who is going to or has the idea to committee a crime that how to release an idea into activity.
Details like how the three men dressed themselves, and how to reach the till should not be reported. Audience only need to know about which shop when by who suffered what.
I will not mention the owner’s religion belief. It’s a matter of religion.
What is news is a new bookshop has opened. It’s enough. Whether the owner is a religionist or irreligionist does not matter news itself.
If the owner’s religion - Muslim – is mentioned in the report, it is something like you are emphasizing the owner’s religion belief, which tends to be vulnerable, unjustified offence or discriminated.
7b). The local council has appointed a new Mayor – for the first time ever, a British man of Afro-Caribbean origin . Does your report mention his ethnicity?
Yes, I will not only mention his ethnicity, but emphasize it. It is a race-related news report with highly public interest, and the audience aiming at all citizens living in London as well as other parts of the world.
According to BBC Editorial Guidelines, “the race to become London Mayor is expected to be high profile with a strong emphasis on personality”.
Care is needed to balance to mention the other candidates with the appointed mayor not only during the election period but all the time, so that no undue advantage over the opponents is given.
8a). A Hampton betting shop was robbed of more than £3,000 by three black men wearing scarves and gloves. On Friday November 3 at around 5.50pm the males entered the shop on High Street Hampton with their faces partially covered. They approached the counter, behind which two female members of staff were working, and one man leant over and unbolted the counter hatch before kicking it open allowing them to reach the till.
In my opinion, the report mentioned too many criminal details.
This is very dangerous thing which may teach someone who is going to or has the idea to committee a crime that how to release an idea into activity.
Details like how the three men dressed themselves, and how to reach the till should not be reported. Audience only need to know about which shop when by who suffered what.
Law and Ethics Test 3
5. There are rumours about an MP dealing in cocaine. The only way you can find out for sure is by going to his private home posing as a buyer – and get a photographer to use a long-lens camera to photograph the deal or take a hidden camera and film secretly. Would you use the story and pictures?
I would not use the story and pictures.
If the story of “an MP dealing in cocaine” were true, it was crime behaviour that of public interest.
According to BBC Editorial Guidelines the Privacy section, we need to “balance the public interest in the full and accurate reporting of stories involving human suffering and distress with an individual's privacy and respect for their human dignity”. And we can “justify intrusions into an individual's private life without consent by demonstrating a clear public interest”. So we can use the story and accept the way obtaining evidence.
But at the same time “we must not go on fishing expeditions”. Because at the moment it is just “rumors” that we know, it is not what with clear evidence. Under this condition, we should not then intrude into one’s privacy in search of crime. So I would not use the story.
“We must never use unattended recording equipment on private property without permission of the owner unless for the purpose of gaining evidence of serious crime.” So the way of taking pictures is available. But even if the behaviour of taking pictures itself is illegal, the pictures should not be used.
6. A top Ministry of Defence official tells you that British submarines can’t fire their nuclear warheads in certain sea conditions - a major scandal. You run the story – and the government prosecutes you under the Official Secrets Act. In court, the judge orders you to reveal your source - otherwise you face jail for contempt. What do you do?
I will do what as court demands – to reveal the source.
According to Essential Law for Journalists, Official Secrets Act is “part of an armoury of weapons available to governments”. That means whenever government wish to prevent or punish journalists or sources related to national security, OS Act could be helpful. This is what one as a journalist should be aware of before reporting political issues. That is to say we need to be ready jailed when disclosing a government’s scandal.
As a journalist I will certainly tell the truth for public interest. Actually, in this case, whether I reveal the source or not, I will definitely be jailed. What make difference are the reasons. If I do, it is because of offending OS Act that I’m jailed; if I don’t, it is because of contempt of court.
By the way, the top ministry who told me the story should be jailed either for the reason of leak the information.
I would not use the story and pictures.
If the story of “an MP dealing in cocaine” were true, it was crime behaviour that of public interest.
According to BBC Editorial Guidelines the Privacy section, we need to “balance the public interest in the full and accurate reporting of stories involving human suffering and distress with an individual's privacy and respect for their human dignity”. And we can “justify intrusions into an individual's private life without consent by demonstrating a clear public interest”. So we can use the story and accept the way obtaining evidence.
But at the same time “we must not go on fishing expeditions”. Because at the moment it is just “rumors” that we know, it is not what with clear evidence. Under this condition, we should not then intrude into one’s privacy in search of crime. So I would not use the story.
“We must never use unattended recording equipment on private property without permission of the owner unless for the purpose of gaining evidence of serious crime.” So the way of taking pictures is available. But even if the behaviour of taking pictures itself is illegal, the pictures should not be used.
6. A top Ministry of Defence official tells you that British submarines can’t fire their nuclear warheads in certain sea conditions - a major scandal. You run the story – and the government prosecutes you under the Official Secrets Act. In court, the judge orders you to reveal your source - otherwise you face jail for contempt. What do you do?
I will do what as court demands – to reveal the source.
According to Essential Law for Journalists, Official Secrets Act is “part of an armoury of weapons available to governments”. That means whenever government wish to prevent or punish journalists or sources related to national security, OS Act could be helpful. This is what one as a journalist should be aware of before reporting political issues. That is to say we need to be ready jailed when disclosing a government’s scandal.
As a journalist I will certainly tell the truth for public interest. Actually, in this case, whether I reveal the source or not, I will definitely be jailed. What make difference are the reasons. If I do, it is because of offending OS Act that I’m jailed; if I don’t, it is because of contempt of court.
By the way, the top ministry who told me the story should be jailed either for the reason of leak the information.
Law and Ethics Test 2
3.A TV report looks into the increase of offensive weapons being brought in to schools by pupils. Part of the report is filmed at a school, showing unidentified school-children; another part is filmed in a shop selling weapons and shows the type of knives in question. Why would this report show unidentified children in the school? Why would the knives not be shown in the school context?
According to BBC Editorial Guidelines the Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour section, in some circumstances it is important to disguise identities, for instance, “when there is clear existing documentary or other evidence against a group of people, but not against known individuals in that group”.
The report focus on the issue itself, which happens on school situation relating to pupils, not on a certain school, a certain student, or which school it takes place in. It’s a kind of “crime reconstructions” programme.
According to BBC Guidelines the Crime section, “factual programme should restrict the use of reconstructions to the conveying of factual information...it should be obvious to the audience where a reconstruction begins and ends”.
The reason why knives not be shown in the school is that it is not in the school that sells the knives. And knives could be harm to students as well.
4a). A man approaches you saying he’s the lover of an England football star – and he has photographic evidence to prove it. Do you run the pictures and story?
I will not run the pictures or story.
As a journalist, “we should try to witness events and gather information first hand”, according to BBC Editorial Guidelines the Accuracy section. We should always insure the news is truth.
The pictures are sources from a third party, the story as well. Although it is of public interest, At least, we have something must to be considered before running the story, if we run:
“Validating the authenticity of documentary evidence and digital material”, which means whether the pictures are under digital manipulation;
“Checking and cross checking the facts”, that is to check whether or not the England football player is homosexual;
“Corroborating claims and allegations made by contributors wherever possible”, that is to check who this man is, whether he is trustable, etc.
In a word we must tell the truth to public.
4b). Another man also comes in to say he has had a relationship with the player too. And he says the star was blackmailed to ‘throw’ (affect the result of) matches – otherwise the footballer’s homosexuality would be exposed. Do you publish/broadcast the story?
I will not publish the story either.
The reasons are just the same as the last question. A journalist should be independent. Whether there is blackmail or not, we should tell the truth.
According to BBC Editorial Guidelines the Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour section, in some circumstances it is important to disguise identities, for instance, “when there is clear existing documentary or other evidence against a group of people, but not against known individuals in that group”.
The report focus on the issue itself, which happens on school situation relating to pupils, not on a certain school, a certain student, or which school it takes place in. It’s a kind of “crime reconstructions” programme.
According to BBC Guidelines the Crime section, “factual programme should restrict the use of reconstructions to the conveying of factual information...it should be obvious to the audience where a reconstruction begins and ends”.
The reason why knives not be shown in the school is that it is not in the school that sells the knives. And knives could be harm to students as well.
4a). A man approaches you saying he’s the lover of an England football star – and he has photographic evidence to prove it. Do you run the pictures and story?
I will not run the pictures or story.
As a journalist, “we should try to witness events and gather information first hand”, according to BBC Editorial Guidelines the Accuracy section. We should always insure the news is truth.
The pictures are sources from a third party, the story as well. Although it is of public interest, At least, we have something must to be considered before running the story, if we run:
“Validating the authenticity of documentary evidence and digital material”, which means whether the pictures are under digital manipulation;
“Checking and cross checking the facts”, that is to check whether or not the England football player is homosexual;
“Corroborating claims and allegations made by contributors wherever possible”, that is to check who this man is, whether he is trustable, etc.
In a word we must tell the truth to public.
4b). Another man also comes in to say he has had a relationship with the player too. And he says the star was blackmailed to ‘throw’ (affect the result of) matches – otherwise the footballer’s homosexuality would be exposed. Do you publish/broadcast the story?
I will not publish the story either.
The reasons are just the same as the last question. A journalist should be independent. Whether there is blackmail or not, we should tell the truth.
Law and Ethics Test 1
1. In a recent court case, which attracted a lot of publicity, a father was prosecuted for smacking his three-year old son and convicted of common assault. In all the reporting of the case, the father remained anonymous. Why was that?
First of all, obviously, this is a news story about children and criminal activity which is included in the field of law.
According to BBC Editorial Guidelines the Children section, “the decision to involve, feature or identify children whose parents are engaged in anti-social activity should only be made if the welfare of the child will not be harmed…this is particularly important when children may be at risk.”
That means that identification of children will be unacceptable if which has negative influence on children’s growing up, or if children are living with parents’ violence.
In this piece of news, anonymity of the father is for the sake of his son’s welfare. Because according to Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour section, when reporting crime, “jigsaw effect” should be taken into consideration, which means “separate reports, which could be in different media, give different details of a case which when pieced together, reveal the identity of the person involved”. If audiences get to know name of the father, there is possibility of revealing the son’s identity, which should be avoided.
In a word, when reporting the case with the father anonymous is totally for the good of his son.
2. A British citizen has been taken hostage in a Middle Eastern country. The captors release a distressing video showing the hostage weeping and pleading with the British government to intervene and save their life. How do you think this development should be reported on radio, TV, press and online?
This is a matter of how to report hostage taking issues taking place in terror conditions on different means of media.
According to BBC Editorial Guidelines the War, Terror & Emergencies and Live Output sections, “we need to be sensitive to the emotions and fears of our audience when reporting matters involving risk to and loss of life, as well as human suffering and distress.”
First of all, we will not broadcast the video until “referral to a senior editorial figure”.
I think on radio and TV, the video could be broadcast without editing. For example, all the hostage’s begging and tearing should be broadcast with no need to hide his/her face or voice, partly because audiences should be told the truth, partly because the level of violence or disorder is acceptable. But a text warning at the start of the programme will always be welcomed. And we should well arrange the time when run the programme in order to avoid children audiences.
On press, the news needs to be described objectively and fully by transferring visual pictures to text.
For online reports, besides what has been done on press, we could leave space for readers’ comments, ask for claims from a third party, or link to other website dealing with the same story or related ones.
First of all, obviously, this is a news story about children and criminal activity which is included in the field of law.
According to BBC Editorial Guidelines the Children section, “the decision to involve, feature or identify children whose parents are engaged in anti-social activity should only be made if the welfare of the child will not be harmed…this is particularly important when children may be at risk.”
That means that identification of children will be unacceptable if which has negative influence on children’s growing up, or if children are living with parents’ violence.
In this piece of news, anonymity of the father is for the sake of his son’s welfare. Because according to Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour section, when reporting crime, “jigsaw effect” should be taken into consideration, which means “separate reports, which could be in different media, give different details of a case which when pieced together, reveal the identity of the person involved”. If audiences get to know name of the father, there is possibility of revealing the son’s identity, which should be avoided.
In a word, when reporting the case with the father anonymous is totally for the good of his son.
2. A British citizen has been taken hostage in a Middle Eastern country. The captors release a distressing video showing the hostage weeping and pleading with the British government to intervene and save their life. How do you think this development should be reported on radio, TV, press and online?
This is a matter of how to report hostage taking issues taking place in terror conditions on different means of media.
According to BBC Editorial Guidelines the War, Terror & Emergencies and Live Output sections, “we need to be sensitive to the emotions and fears of our audience when reporting matters involving risk to and loss of life, as well as human suffering and distress.”
First of all, we will not broadcast the video until “referral to a senior editorial figure”.
I think on radio and TV, the video could be broadcast without editing. For example, all the hostage’s begging and tearing should be broadcast with no need to hide his/her face or voice, partly because audiences should be told the truth, partly because the level of violence or disorder is acceptable. But a text warning at the start of the programme will always be welcomed. And we should well arrange the time when run the programme in order to avoid children audiences.
On press, the news needs to be described objectively and fully by transferring visual pictures to text.
For online reports, besides what has been done on press, we could leave space for readers’ comments, ask for claims from a third party, or link to other website dealing with the same story or related ones.
Friday, 7 December 2007
radio live day 2
Last Friday was the second radio live day which was not only a repeat of the first one but a practise of next Friday.
I felt better at re-writing stories as well as the cue.
Partly because I chose a more similar topic and country, partly because I'm much more familiar with how to do it.
Now I can grasp a story's idea much quicker due to practise on radio & online class.
The only problem when I recorded my story was how to read Japanese names fluently. Next time I'll not even mention those complex names.
The terrible story
Japan hanged three murderers today and for the first time revealed their names and details of the crimes. Yin reports.
Three men were hanged today in Japan for murder.
The new policy of revealing their names and details of the crime aims at strengthen support for executions.
The three hanged included Seiha Fujima, who’s 47. The Justice Ministry described his crime saying that because a 16-year-old girl refused his romantic advances, he then killed the girl, her mother and a sister.
The other two, Hiroki Fukawa, who’s 42, and 74-year-old Noboru Ikemoto, were also condemned of multiple murders.
The Justice Ministry had previously announced only the number of people hanged, although Japanese media would reveal their identities.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said he believed they gained understanding from the public by disclosing the information.
Because executions were being carried out in an appropriate manner with the focus on feelings of the victims.
Although a study published this week showed that rates of crime had fallen further since 2002, opinion polls show most Japanese still favor capital punishment.
Japan's capital punishment has been widely criticized, including by the UN Committee against Torture.
Partly because those on death row are not told when they will be executed until the day they are hanged. Many remain on death row for decades.
I felt better at re-writing stories as well as the cue.
Partly because I chose a more similar topic and country, partly because I'm much more familiar with how to do it.
Now I can grasp a story's idea much quicker due to practise on radio & online class.
The only problem when I recorded my story was how to read Japanese names fluently. Next time I'll not even mention those complex names.
The terrible story
Japan hanged three murderers today and for the first time revealed their names and details of the crimes. Yin reports.
Three men were hanged today in Japan for murder.
The new policy of revealing their names and details of the crime aims at strengthen support for executions.
The three hanged included Seiha Fujima, who’s 47. The Justice Ministry described his crime saying that because a 16-year-old girl refused his romantic advances, he then killed the girl, her mother and a sister.
The other two, Hiroki Fukawa, who’s 42, and 74-year-old Noboru Ikemoto, were also condemned of multiple murders.
The Justice Ministry had previously announced only the number of people hanged, although Japanese media would reveal their identities.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said he believed they gained understanding from the public by disclosing the information.
Because executions were being carried out in an appropriate manner with the focus on feelings of the victims.
Although a study published this week showed that rates of crime had fallen further since 2002, opinion polls show most Japanese still favor capital punishment.
Japan's capital punishment has been widely criticized, including by the UN Committee against Torture.
Partly because those on death row are not told when they will be executed until the day they are hanged. Many remain on death row for decades.
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
radio live day
Last Friday was radio live programme day.
All we need to do was to see news agency and find out several stroies suitable for broadcasting magazine, and to rewrite as well. All the selected news should fit to a certain audience.
For the first time I broadcasted as a live presenter. It was interesting, I were nervous, otherwise.
Trade story
Indian Trade minister Kamal Nath, and European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson continues summit talks last Friday after pushing free trade pact in New Delhi.
The European Union (EU) and India launched summit talks last Friday morning after setting a 2008 target for a free trade pact.
The eighth EU-India Summit would seek to build closer strategic relationships and also get deeper cooperation in "energy, climate change and World Trade Organization talks," said an EU mission statement in New Delhi.
The EU, with 27-member union, is India's largest trading partner, which accounts for a fifth of India's total trade, and is also one of its most important sources of foreign investment.
EU-India trade importance
While economy has been increasing at a second rapid speed in recent years, while China is in the fastest pace, India plays a fast expanding role in the world economy, it is important to make free trade agreement for the EU, also India needs hundreds of billions of dollars of foreign investment to sustain this growth.
Nath had urged a successful conclusion of a free trade deal by the end of next year on Thursday and Mandelson voiced similar hopes.
While the EU continues to be India's primary trading partner and biggest foreign investor, "the conclusion of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement will certainly boost bilateral trade," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.
India's foreign ministry said deals would be signed later Friday on scientific, technological and development cooperation.
For more information, go to BBCNEWS, YAHOONEWS
All we need to do was to see news agency and find out several stroies suitable for broadcasting magazine, and to rewrite as well. All the selected news should fit to a certain audience.
For the first time I broadcasted as a live presenter. It was interesting, I were nervous, otherwise.
Trade story
Indian Trade minister Kamal Nath, and European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson continues summit talks last Friday after pushing free trade pact in New Delhi.
The European Union (EU) and India launched summit talks last Friday morning after setting a 2008 target for a free trade pact.
The eighth EU-India Summit would seek to build closer strategic relationships and also get deeper cooperation in "energy, climate change and World Trade Organization talks," said an EU mission statement in New Delhi.
The EU, with 27-member union, is India's largest trading partner, which accounts for a fifth of India's total trade, and is also one of its most important sources of foreign investment.
EU-India trade importance
While economy has been increasing at a second rapid speed in recent years, while China is in the fastest pace, India plays a fast expanding role in the world economy, it is important to make free trade agreement for the EU, also India needs hundreds of billions of dollars of foreign investment to sustain this growth.
Nath had urged a successful conclusion of a free trade deal by the end of next year on Thursday and Mandelson voiced similar hopes.
While the EU continues to be India's primary trading partner and biggest foreign investor, "the conclusion of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement will certainly boost bilateral trade," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.
India's foreign ministry said deals would be signed later Friday on scientific, technological and development cooperation.
For more information, go to BBCNEWS, YAHOONEWS
Monday, 26 November 2007
fire alarm disturbance
Just a few seconds ago the fire alarm came out again!
If being right remembered, it is the sixth or seventh time the fire alarm ringed within five days.
It is quite uncommon, I think, really interesting and strange.
Each time the alarm comes out, my heart is hit by its really loud sound which gives out the sound near your ears. It is not comfortable at all.
In fact, it is better to sound during the day time rather than midnight. At around 2 o'clock a.m. last Saturday and today the fire alarm came out seemingly suddenly which shocked me up immediately.
NOW COMES THE CUE:
fire alarm reasons
Not only the sensitive alarm impresses me a lot, but the reason why it comes out.
Sometimes one forgets to close door of toilet or to open the windows when he/she has a bath.
Or boys smoke in the room. Or someone cooks in the room rather than in the kitchen.
In a word, the causes of fire alarm ringing are all that could be avoided with cautiousness. We all know the story "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"!
If being right remembered, it is the sixth or seventh time the fire alarm ringed within five days.
It is quite uncommon, I think, really interesting and strange.
Each time the alarm comes out, my heart is hit by its really loud sound which gives out the sound near your ears. It is not comfortable at all.
In fact, it is better to sound during the day time rather than midnight. At around 2 o'clock a.m. last Saturday and today the fire alarm came out seemingly suddenly which shocked me up immediately.
NOW COMES THE CUE:
fire alarm reasons
Not only the sensitive alarm impresses me a lot, but the reason why it comes out.
Sometimes one forgets to close door of toilet or to open the windows when he/she has a bath.
Or boys smoke in the room. Or someone cooks in the room rather than in the kitchen.
In a word, the causes of fire alarm ringing are all that could be avoided with cautiousness. We all know the story "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"!
before interview
All I want to say now about the radio assignment one - interview - is I am very very lucky!
Last Thursday morning when I waked up at nine and began to listen to LBC, a conversation programme attracted me. The listeners called the radio station and discussed lively about a consultation launched by government into expansion at Heathrow. An idea came into my mind suddenly that it was a good story to do with my interview assignment. However by then I had no good idea about the interview.
Thanks to Deborah about telling me a rational group called HACAN which is set to be against Heathrow expansion. Maybe it is an organisation the international students including me will never know about unless local people tell us.
After searching internet for HACAN, I was very happy that there was certain press office. By sending emails as well as making phone calls, my interview application was accepted soon and the time was arranged either by the end of Saturday. How lucky I am!
All I wish now is the interview goes well tomorrow morning! I have already get rid of nervous after dinner. Hope lucky goes with me as well tomorrow!
for more information on Heathrow expansion, see BBCNews24, ThisIsLondon, EveningStandard etc.
picture comes from EveningStandard website
package making exercise
Last week we did package exercise in radio class.
It was all about selecting clips and rewriting news, I think. Deborah gave us there pieces of radio which focused on the same issues but with different presenters as well as interviews. Each lasted five minutes or so.
All we needed to to is to understand the story first, and selected two to there clips twenty-five to thirty seconds long and arranged them with our own cue, opening, and links into a new radio package available on air.
The task itself was not hard, acturally, but to make the news clear to myself which seemed not very easy for me within a certain time. In fact, the news was a complex one invovled political issues.
To make clear a foreign country's political officals' interesing relationships was hard. To make clear what was exactly going on was hard. To make clear what interviewees said via listening to the radio was hard.
In a word, my enlish is not as good as I need! There is still way to go!
It was all about selecting clips and rewriting news, I think. Deborah gave us there pieces of radio which focused on the same issues but with different presenters as well as interviews. Each lasted five minutes or so.
All we needed to to is to understand the story first, and selected two to there clips twenty-five to thirty seconds long and arranged them with our own cue, opening, and links into a new radio package available on air.
The task itself was not hard, acturally, but to make the news clear to myself which seemed not very easy for me within a certain time. In fact, the news was a complex one invovled political issues.
To make clear a foreign country's political officals' interesing relationships was hard. To make clear what was exactly going on was hard. To make clear what interviewees said via listening to the radio was hard.
In a word, my enlish is not as good as I need! There is still way to go!
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
high-waisted trousers come back
Here's the "stand-up & vox pop" exercise for the radio class. The news itself is somewhat interesting.Many many years ago, when we were children, we only knew and wore one kind of toursers - high-waisted.
low-waisted poped the last 10 years
As we grown up, a more fashion style came into our view that was low-waisted trousers. It has been part of the fashion mainstream for more than ten years.
Actually, for the last six or seven years, I have almost been wearing low-waisted trousers as most of my girl friends. The reason is simple - it is comfortable to wear.
This Monday when I did the vox pop asking my classmates which kind they prefer. Most of the girls and boys chose low-waisted. The reasons were nearly the same.
high-waisted come back
But the high-waisted has come back now. Someone who truly don't like low-waisted are happy.
What they don't understand is that it's hard to believe low-waisted trousers have been a mainstay of our wardrobe for 10 years.
Is high-waisted trousers a farewell to the muffin top? We don't konw.
However, one principle everyone agrees with is one should wear what fits his/her figure.
more infromation, see BBCNewsMagazine
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
a terrible fire accident
Yesterday as I went to central London to have Polylang Japanese class, I've got an impressive piece of news from free newspaper handed out in the street , which was a family with 7 people died in a fire.
They were a couple and their five children, one of whom was a baby living in Omagh, Northern Ireland. It was really a disaster, I believe. It was a pity that the fire was too strong for firefighters to save the family.
What impressed me the most is this kind of terrible accident could happened in a developed country which I thought only in poor country before.
See more information, please go to EveningTimesOnline
They were a couple and their five children, one of whom was a baby living in Omagh, Northern Ireland. It was really a disaster, I believe. It was a pity that the fire was too strong for firefighters to save the family.
What impressed me the most is this kind of terrible accident could happened in a developed country which I thought only in poor country before.
See more information, please go to EveningTimesOnline
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
doctor of law accused Lust, Caution
Lust, Caution, directed by Oscar winner An Li, is quite popular around China and Asia at the moment.
An Li won his first Oscar Award for the film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon 2000 which one opened a world wide market for Chinese HongFu films significantly, and his first Oscar Award of Best Director because of Brokeback Mountain 2005.
Lust, Caution shown in China
Lust, Caution is the first film after his winning the Best Director award.
As a result it really has been drawing people's attention since selecting actress as a leading lady, until now it has been run for two weeks in mainland China as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan.
There is about seven minutes sex shot that has been deleted when shown in mainland China.
Accuse
After watching this 'incomplete' film a doctor of law of Politics and Law University of China accused the movie theater where he watched it and National Broadcasting and TV Bureau.
He complained that this 'incomplete edition' has encroached upon consumer's right to fair deal and to know, and the Bureau failed to set up system of movie graduation which violates social and public interest.
Accuse makes no sense
However, in my opinion, it is just because he wants to be known by making use of the film.
Because what he did seems to make no sense in China.
This kind of deleting some shot happens very often and normally when films shown in mainland China.
And people has arguing for this for many many years. But what makes him differing from the others is he accused.
picture comes from IMDB website
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
first online journalism class
With the 7Th week coming, the first online journalism class taught by David comes in this morning.
He is a handsome and funny guy who will teaches us for next six weeks.
We are going to learn some basic knowledge about the internet, as well as how to write online news, how to manage blogs, how to set up a website etc.
Actually as a journalism student, i have not at all journalism experience before.
I'm some what good at technical things cause my major was computer science and technology.
So we hope we can have a good time during the class. see u!
about David
He is a handsome and funny guy who will teaches us for next six weeks.
We are going to learn some basic knowledge about the internet, as well as how to write online news, how to manage blogs, how to set up a website etc.
Actually as a journalism student, i have not at all journalism experience before.
I'm some what good at technical things cause my major was computer science and technology.
So we hope we can have a good time during the class. see u!
about David
Saturday, 3 November 2007
Principles review - week 6
What a shame that I did not take class Oct. 31 either because of shooting stories which was much more unfamiliar for me.
Six weeks, ten days, sixty hours, that for the first time brought me closer to journalism field from my undergraduate science and engineering courses.
Recollecting the opening days of my study, I’ve got moved now.
Flying for ten whole hours from Asia to Europe, I was thinking and expecting learning what I really wanted during the flight.
And finally I could touch them. I could be involved in.
However, I really met some difficulties at the beginning, as I sent you an email telling about my confusion and worry.
At that time I felt myself just like a completely outsider without any confidence in the module, not only for the reason that I learnt computer science and technology before, but my work experience at a newspaper of my university, if it could be called work, was more like kids’ games which were not at all professional.
But fortunately, I adjusted myself to this new environment step by step along with classes.
Six weeks, ten days, sixty hours, that for the first time brought me closer to journalism field from my undergraduate science and engineering courses.
Recollecting the opening days of my study, I’ve got moved now.
Flying for ten whole hours from Asia to Europe, I was thinking and expecting learning what I really wanted during the flight.
And finally I could touch them. I could be involved in.
However, I really met some difficulties at the beginning, as I sent you an email telling about my confusion and worry.
At that time I felt myself just like a completely outsider without any confidence in the module, not only for the reason that I learnt computer science and technology before, but my work experience at a newspaper of my university, if it could be called work, was more like kids’ games which were not at all professional.
But fortunately, I adjusted myself to this new environment step by step along with classes.
Friday, 26 October 2007
Principles review - week 5
To be honest I did not go to class Oct. 24 as it was deadline of the first module essay which was also the first time I wrote assessed one in English.
I was quite nervous and not sure about how to arrange the content and structure though I had asked help from classmates.
I completely had no spared strength to go to class. However I was satisfied with the results of this very first essay as I tried as possible as I could at the moment.
I was quite nervous and not sure about how to arrange the content and structure though I had asked help from classmates.
I completely had no spared strength to go to class. However I was satisfied with the results of this very first essay as I tried as possible as I could at the moment.
Saturday, 20 October 2007
Principles review - week 4
On Oct. 17 Richard gave us a lecture on the form of government in England, which I thought was a culture issue for overseas students.
We learnt something about local and central government, the big city mayors, local councils and their functions/employees/money, acts on government, also issues about the parliament.
The lecture was interesting and helpful, especially when I was doing radio package exercise during the radio class.
At that time the sources Deborah gave us were about the lost of two dicks of ID card information, which story involved several government staff.
And how we covered this kind of news was taught by Richard.
The brief principles were to remember my readers, to do homework, to be accurate and fair, and to follow house style.
Well, the theories were applied to practice.
And in the afternoon we were out to the Crown Court at Harrow.
I was grateful for the chance of being a visitor at the real trial in western countries.
Although hardly could I follow the lawyers and the judge, I went to four or five different courts, I listened to criminal cases as well as civil ones.
We learnt something about local and central government, the big city mayors, local councils and their functions/employees/money, acts on government, also issues about the parliament.
The lecture was interesting and helpful, especially when I was doing radio package exercise during the radio class.
At that time the sources Deborah gave us were about the lost of two dicks of ID card information, which story involved several government staff.
And how we covered this kind of news was taught by Richard.
The brief principles were to remember my readers, to do homework, to be accurate and fair, and to follow house style.
Well, the theories were applied to practice.
And in the afternoon we were out to the Crown Court at Harrow.
I was grateful for the chance of being a visitor at the real trial in western countries.
Although hardly could I follow the lawyers and the judge, I went to four or five different courts, I listened to criminal cases as well as civil ones.
Sunday, 14 October 2007
Principles review - week 3
During the whole day of Oct. 10 we were doing exercise on finding and pushing the stories.
We’ve got a paper with three pieces of news each with very short report.
And we needed to do much research to expand the story and try to make it a whole one.
We did group discussion that afternoon and each member was responsible for one part of the research.
Actually I just followed the orders and did what I should do, but had a hazy understanding why I doing so.
And I found the answer when I was in radio class.
On radio live days we must choose a story quickly in the morning and then do research on it from at least two agencies.
It was interesting on the day that almost all the groups chose the same story from three, in which condition we could better compared each groups’ angle of pushing the story.
We’ve got a paper with three pieces of news each with very short report.
And we needed to do much research to expand the story and try to make it a whole one.
We did group discussion that afternoon and each member was responsible for one part of the research.
Actually I just followed the orders and did what I should do, but had a hazy understanding why I doing so.
And I found the answer when I was in radio class.
On radio live days we must choose a story quickly in the morning and then do research on it from at least two agencies.
It was interesting on the day that almost all the groups chose the same story from three, in which condition we could better compared each groups’ angle of pushing the story.
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Principles review - week 2 day 3
On Oct. 4 morning we were discussing research techniques for broadcasting news.
And we wrote a report on twenty-four hours news channel in terms of background of birth of the channel, what and how the channel covers, and its national impact.
In the afternoon we had a lecture on journalistic law and ethics which was somewhat the same as module of issues in journalism.
Though during the class I found it difficult to understand everything teacher said as the cases she illustrated mostly were local.
But it in fact gave me an impression of these cases and principles like defamations and defenses which were helpful afterwards when I wrote essays.
And we wrote a report on twenty-four hours news channel in terms of background of birth of the channel, what and how the channel covers, and its national impact.
In the afternoon we had a lecture on journalistic law and ethics which was somewhat the same as module of issues in journalism.
Though during the class I found it difficult to understand everything teacher said as the cases she illustrated mostly were local.
But it in fact gave me an impression of these cases and principles like defamations and defenses which were helpful afterwards when I wrote essays.
Principles review - week 2 day 2
On Oct. 3 we went out to do vox pops.
Of course this was the first time I did it and it was much easier than I expected to stop people and to ask them three questions.
All I needed was to be brave. Well, the same problem for me was my poor listening to different accents.
Consequently, I got difficulty in writing down quickly what people said on the condition that to beg of them to say again was not available when they were busy.
I should thanks for my partner’s help. Certainly I could do vox pops much better today.
Of course this was the first time I did it and it was much easier than I expected to stop people and to ask them three questions.
All I needed was to be brave. Well, the same problem for me was my poor listening to different accents.
Consequently, I got difficulty in writing down quickly what people said on the condition that to beg of them to say again was not available when they were busy.
I should thanks for my partner’s help. Certainly I could do vox pops much better today.
Principles review - week 2 day 1
On Oct. 2 we practiced another skill – how to ask the right questions to interviewees.
And we had an immediately class interviewing workshop.
The gentle guy from Cuba, Deny, was my partner.
In the start of living overseas, we two were both not very good at English.
So the process of interviewing with each other became very interesting.
I was especially appreciated his friendship since he talked a lot his happy family especially his lovely son, as well as lots of his working experiences.
I learnt much from him about the intense but orderly work in practice.
And, to my surprise, he gave me a poster of beautiful seaside view in La Havana as a gift.
It was really an impressive interview with him.
In the afternoon when we came back to newsroom to write this report, I found that when I had just written one line he had already finished two paragraphs.
That was the gap between professionals and outsiders.
And we had an immediately class interviewing workshop.
The gentle guy from Cuba, Deny, was my partner.
In the start of living overseas, we two were both not very good at English.
So the process of interviewing with each other became very interesting.
I was especially appreciated his friendship since he talked a lot his happy family especially his lovely son, as well as lots of his working experiences.
I learnt much from him about the intense but orderly work in practice.
And, to my surprise, he gave me a poster of beautiful seaside view in La Havana as a gift.
It was really an impressive interview with him.
In the afternoon when we came back to newsroom to write this report, I found that when I had just written one line he had already finished two paragraphs.
That was the gap between professionals and outsiders.
Sunday, 30 September 2007
Principles review - week 1 day 3
On Sept. 27 morning David came to introduce online journalism.
It was only a draft introduction compared with online journalism classes for the following six weeks.
He made ocular demonstration on websites and blogs, which was on the purpose of thinking about the design and structure of web journalism.
In the afternoon we were taught status of media in Britain.
It is highly developed. Although a part of people in Beijing read newspapers when going to work or back home by tube, the proportion here is much higher.
All different media including TV, radio, print, magazine etc play an important role in people’s daily life.
There are three principle news agencies in Britain, Reuters, the Press Association, and AFP-Extel News Ltd.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) dominates the airwaves. BBC 1, BBC2, Independent Television (ITV), and Channel 4 (C4) are the four national channels.
There are more than fourteen hundred newspapers, and the three best sales are The Sun, Daily Mails, and The Daily Mirror.
It was only a draft introduction compared with online journalism classes for the following six weeks.
He made ocular demonstration on websites and blogs, which was on the purpose of thinking about the design and structure of web journalism.
In the afternoon we were taught status of media in Britain.
It is highly developed. Although a part of people in Beijing read newspapers when going to work or back home by tube, the proportion here is much higher.
All different media including TV, radio, print, magazine etc play an important role in people’s daily life.
There are three principle news agencies in Britain, Reuters, the Press Association, and AFP-Extel News Ltd.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) dominates the airwaves. BBC 1, BBC2, Independent Television (ITV), and Channel 4 (C4) are the four national channels.
There are more than fourteen hundred newspapers, and the three best sales are The Sun, Daily Mails, and The Daily Mirror.
Principles review - week 1 day 2
On Sept. 26 we got the news tree.
Starting from here, we got to know the basic structure of a journalism report and to write in accordance with it.
The topic of first writing exercise was to compare and to contrast my home town with Harrow, which was quite a simple one considered now.
But on that day I was put into a difficult position that I did not know how to do the research.
The more anxious I was, the fewer ideas I had.
And also four hundred words were “too much” for me under the pressure of time.
As a result, when you explained this exercise that afternoon, I realized that my thinking was too narrow.
Yet, I can do the sort of practice much better nowadays.
Starting from here, we got to know the basic structure of a journalism report and to write in accordance with it.
The topic of first writing exercise was to compare and to contrast my home town with Harrow, which was quite a simple one considered now.
But on that day I was put into a difficult position that I did not know how to do the research.
The more anxious I was, the fewer ideas I had.
And also four hundred words were “too much” for me under the pressure of time.
As a result, when you explained this exercise that afternoon, I realized that my thinking was too narrow.
Yet, I can do the sort of practice much better nowadays.
Principles review - week 1 day 1
On the very beginning day of this module, Sept. 25 2007, we and Deborah discussed the situations of British media as well as our own countries’.
Well, it is true that to know about foreign country’s culture and professional background knowledge as an international student is a key link, while a difficult part as well, which was one of my misgivings choosing to learn liberal arts overseas.
Actually, in my point of view, the learning remains in progress.
On that day we also for the first time made presentations about home country’s media. What is obvious is that media in China has long way to go towards international average level.
That is also the reason why we Chinese students are here to learn about the most developed and leading edge media ideas.
Well, it is true that to know about foreign country’s culture and professional background knowledge as an international student is a key link, while a difficult part as well, which was one of my misgivings choosing to learn liberal arts overseas.
Actually, in my point of view, the learning remains in progress.
On that day we also for the first time made presentations about home country’s media. What is obvious is that media in China has long way to go towards international average level.
That is also the reason why we Chinese students are here to learn about the most developed and leading edge media ideas.
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