Happier News From a Young Journalist

Even though many people are losing their jobs in the field of journalism, a young reporter, Kevin Rector, explains that "Journalism is not dying" and young people have more of a chance for survival. The new journalists will give young people more of an opportunity because they are rising with technology and will fill the spots of many others who are paid higher. Many young people continue to grow with technology and know so much. Perhaps they can offer more. I think it's sad how many people lose their jobs to these situations but it does give young people promise and a way for their dreams to enter reality.

Kevin Rector, a reporter wrote an article "Bullish on Journalism on Ajr.org that certainly struck my eye. He worked for his school's newspaper at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism and called this the "honeymoon period" When he was out in the real world, he began to see how everything really is- such as the tension of losing jobs and the constant worry to see if a person's job in Journalism will last. He heard many negative comments from people wondering why he kept this degree. But he stuck with it and I think his point can be advice that everyone could use.

Yes, it is scary when so many things change and I too get discouraged feeling that I might not make it in the field of writing but if I keep thinking this way- my confidence will never rise. And I too will be thrown over board a long with many others. Right now, the focus is on the Internet and it gives many people hope and the future in journalism will therefore not go anywhere. A good quote to represent his beliefs is:

"We young journalists are the future of journalism, and we should be damn proud of that. We need to start realizing that this is our ride to take. It is not anyone's to take away."

The need for copy editors on the web

Oh technology! It has people ran over and brain washed. People who been working so hard for many years are losing their jobs because copy editors are not as needed as before. why? Yes, technology is increasing but why should so many people give in to it and fall behind? According to Pam Robinson and her blog "Words at Work," Technology isn't the issue because if anything- it makes everything better- especially for journalism. However, the problem is not identifying and recognizing that copy editors are truly important and beneficial in every way.

I strongly feel that copy editors are needed- just as much as before and to say that they aren't is a huge slap in the face for those that worked so hard over the years and what do they get for it? Nothing. Because they "aren't needed anymore"? I respect copy editors immensely, because while others go out and write well-known stories, editors are going over their work time and time again. I think they should recieve good amount of credit too.

Now that some many stories and postings are put online, I think that even more, editors are essential. There will still be mistakes and many people might even start to miss print because the difference will be known. Ode to Copy editors!

Copy Editing

After reading Sharp Points about copy editing on theslot.com, I realize that this is not an easy job. It is important to get all the other information correct such as additional details essential to a news story. The facts are absolutely substantial. But copy editors sometimes have to breeze through a story because of deadlines and they just don't get enough time- hence the mistakes in newspaper and magazines.
I personally can't see myself being in extreme deadlines where a certain article needs to go out pronto because it's major news. It's important to not make mistakes but I can see how it happens.

Reporter/ Editor comments about Twitter

On Common Sense Journalism, Doug Fisher, a reporter and editor believes that journalists should have a Twitter account but agrees with Robert J. Elisberg who says "When I'm watching the news, I don't care what the viewers have to say." I agree 100 percent to what Elisberg says because it's a flood of information and opinions from people that can distract you from the actual news. There is so much going on in the world and everyone will continue to possess their own opinion, but it is still important to recieve the facts first without all the other nonsense.
I also feel that it is important to express yourself fully. It sort of takes the emotional feeling out when your being limited to write only a certain amount of words. It's not like these words are even well thought-out because it's like a rush of thoughts and answers. Not everyone can fully agree that Twitter is always beneficial and useful and this is the other side that Journalists may not like about it.

Twitter- Good or Bad?

I was reading an article on theslot.com entitled "How Twitter Makes You A Better Writer" and I understand that their are benefits for using twitter. It can help writers in some ways to trim down their writing without being too wordy. Twitter only allows a person to use 140 characters so it's important to be able to just say what you want. The article also says that Twitter can help writers to "exercise" their vocabulary in order to get your "message across." This means to use different words that are shorter, better, and fit the limit at the same time. It also gives you an oppurtunity to edit what you write and keep changing it until you arrive at what you want to say in a 140 character limit. Jennifer Blanchard, the author of the article says that Twitter helps her write better copy and it is a great way to improve wriitng skills. I do think that Twitter can be useful, but I feel that this site is unnessary and many people don't focus on trying to condense their writing. If anything, their writng is worse because they only have 140 characters and certain words such as "cuz" instead of because will be used. For the people that use Twitter as a benefit, that's great. But others use it to tell the world about useless and irrelevant information.