Blog 3
Intro to Media Writing

                As CNN’s Jethro Mullen writes a follow up story on the crash of the Russian Metro jet Flight 9268 that occurred on October 31, 2015, killing two hundred twenty-four passengers, he does not report as if he knows all the answers. Even though this is a follow up story to an event that has already been reported, the journalist acknowledges that CNN does not yet hold all the hard facts and causes of the crash, and the need to report predicted causes of the crash are to be reported as such.  As Mullen writes, “There are a wide range of theories on what made the passenger jet plunge to the ground, killing all 224 people on board, but Russian officials say it's too soon to speculate on the cause.” He is following the SPJ Code of Ethics to inform readers that portions of this story are merely speculation and gathering possible causes of the crash, instead of reporting definitive causes. In one portion of the story where Mullen accredits the website Flightradar24, he cites the source and also describes the reliability of the site by describing to readers what they do. He states that the cite “tracks aircraft around the world”, which according to the SPJ Code of Ethics is important and is showing that Mullen is identifying sources clearly, while providing a sense of reliably. Because this story covering the crash of Metro jet Flight 9268 isn’t over yet, and there are no absolute facts known concerning the cause of the crash, CNN is continuing to follow up the story. This is displaying a follow up in the life of a story, paying special attention to ensure readers that CNN is committing to find the facts to a story until there is nothing left to report.  In the broadcast of this story, the anchor is conscious of citing anonymous sources, and even though it is a broadcast, citing every source that is a part of this story. In one portion of the story she says, “Citing an anonymous source, the cockpit voice recorder reveals a nonstandard emergency coming through.” Instead of just spitting off information, going for speed and to just name theory after theory and fact after fact, the anchor is showing how important it is that viewers know where CNN obtained the information of the story. Some broadcasts do not take the time or effort to cite every piece of information in a story and accredit each source where they gathered the information. This is very important in elements of Journalism because it is not only showing a commitment to reporting relevant information, but also giving the viewer “access to source material” as it says in the SPJ code of ethics. What impresses me about the broadcast to this story, even more so than the written piece to it, is that while CNN has access to the many causes of this crash, they do not just report one or two of them as fact, but rather go over everything they have found may be responsible for the crash. They do not just rush through the broadcast in order to get it finished, as well as show less of a sense of importance than any other story where they know all the facts. Even though this story is far from finished, it still receives the attention and a sense of urgency to report and follow up with it as any other story. While not all the facts are known, the anchor makes sure she states “what may have happened” or “what could have happened” to ensure accuracy and do not report simple theories, as facts in a story. This story, both in broadcast and piece formed revealed to me how careful CNN is about their work, and to following the SPJ Code of Ethics, that they do not excuse accuracy for speed of a broadcast (or written piece), that they always attribute the sources, and they are committed to correcting and updating a story during its entire life until there isn’t new information to report. And as a side note, I realized how CNN is a precedent in the area of media, and follows to a tee the SPJ code of ethics, and reports stories as they should, revealing commitment to every story to find the facts, and report them in an accurate way.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/03/africa/russian-plane-crash-egypt-sinai/ broadcast

Story- http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/03/africa/russian-plane-crash-egypt-sinai/ Jethro Mullen CNN November 3, 2015 CNN, Turner Broadcasting INC all rights reserved 

Blog 2-Plagiarism, Intro to Media Writing

               The epidemic of plagiarism has spread across the nation among students, writers, editors, and the list goes on. Plagiarism is taking someone else's words and ideas whether in writing or other media, and without proper credit given to the source. Plagiarism is an important concept to understand and is taken very seriously especially in colleges and universities, because if a source is not properly cited, it is considered cheating. Basically, what it comes down to is someone else's work is getting stolen. Say you did something you thought was pretty impressive; fixed a car, painted a mural, won a marathon, but someone you didn't even know took credit for it? Plagiarism works the same way, and the person who produced the idea deserves to be recognized for their work. If prevention of plagiarism isn't taken seriously, there are extreme, sometimes life effective consequences. Those caught plagiarizing can sometimes receive more than just low grades and a detention. For a bigger picture, colleges can expel people from programs and sometimes the school altogether. According to Lemoyne College Library, one student was sent home from her study abroad program simply for using three simple sentences from Wikipedia without accreditation to the piece.  This problem is not being pointed out to order a refrain from utilizing any outside ideas that support your own writing and support your points in a piece, but simply to give credit and recognition where its due. In order to avoid any association or participation in plagiarizing, simply cite your sources. When paraphrasing, you can mention the source, or you could also directly quote the information you are using, and after your quote put the source in parenthesis. A reoccurring question concerning plagiarism is how do you know what is information that needs to be cited? Typically, if there is even a question, and the information in your work is not your original thought, you need to cite it, better to be safe than sorry! There are many tools to help you cite sources properly, given the constant problems with plagiarism, so not to worry. There are many writing books, writing tools, as well as writing labs at colleges that are there to assure that your work is written without stolen information.



Works Cited
"Real Life Examples of Plagiarism." Leymoyne. Springshare, 28 Sept. 2015. Web. 5 Oct. 2015.

Assignment 1- Intro to Media Writing

     Alfred Hitchcock's famous film The Birds, takes place in a small town outside San Francisco California. The main characters, Melanie and Mitch, find themselves in the midst of violent bird attacks all over town. From phone booths to play grounds to homes, the birds will not relinquish their hold over town citizens. As everyone goes about their daily routines in fear of the birds, the only question to answer is when will the next attack be? how many injured or killed? and how much damage will be done? As Melanie and Mitch meet up for lunch at the town's diner, they notice  across that right across the street, a segal swooping only inches from the gas station attendant's head.

        Knocking him to the ground in a state of panic and shock, the man drops the gas knozzle he was holding, leaving a trail of gasoline all over the  ground. As the puddles continue to grow, patrons of the diner notice a man lighting a cigarette only feet away from the gas spill. The people yell to him "Don't drop your match! Sir! Sir!" But unfortunately, the man doesn't hear them. Seconds later, the man drops his cigarette, and the car, as well as the man, burst into flames.

       As the trail of fire rapidly spreads, nothing stopping its path, as two more cars are obliterated. The fire continues to travel, as the entire gas station explodes. As all of this is happening, the birds are circling, multiplying as it seems, plotting their next attack . As the scene fades out, the town is in flames, and all the viewer can see is the birds hovering over the entire town, ready for their next attack and prey.