The first Collegiate edition of the winter 2008 semester is due to hit the hallways at GRCC on Wednesday (Jan. 30). Students have been planning and working toward the date for about six weeks. I'm anxious to see what the returning students come up with - as well as the addition of a few newcomers. I still get excited for every edition - publishing a newspaper is difficult, challenging, stressful, complicated and at the same time rewarding, exciting and fullfilling.
The culmination of all of that is when readers pick it up - or log on to check it out (Collegiatelive.com). I plan to do both.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Journalism: A dangerous profession?
There are news reports out today about a journalism student in Afghanistan who has been sentenced to death. According to the Associated Press story, 23-year-old Sayad Parwez Kambaksh, was found guilty of violating the tenets of Islam when he distributed a paper that humiliated Islam.
The story reported that Kambakash was not represented by a lawyer during the trial. There are two appeals courts yet, while the student remains in custody. He was a student at Balkh University. It is not known if he wrote the paper or only distributed it. Kambaksh also works as a journalist at the Jahan-i-Naw newspaper in Mazar-i-Sharif.
WOW! Can you imagine if that's the way things worked here in the good old USA? It's when things like this happen that we can thank our Founding Fathers for the Constitution. It isn't difficult to imagine the impact this could have.....
The story reported that Kambakash was not represented by a lawyer during the trial. There are two appeals courts yet, while the student remains in custody. He was a student at Balkh University. It is not known if he wrote the paper or only distributed it. Kambaksh also works as a journalist at the Jahan-i-Naw newspaper in Mazar-i-Sharif.
WOW! Can you imagine if that's the way things worked here in the good old USA? It's when things like this happen that we can thank our Founding Fathers for the Constitution. It isn't difficult to imagine the impact this could have.....
Friday, January 18, 2008
Pick Your Messengers
My students know I believe strongly in the journalism profession. They also know I'm not so blinded as to believe all journalism is fault-proof. Far from it.
That's why it is important for consumers of journalistic news to pick their messengers wisely. Read who you trust. If you don't trust, don't read.
If consumers simply followed that formula, the less-than-honest information providers out there would fade away. They need us to survive. Letting them know how we feel with our actions is the best way to ensure high journalistic standards will remain a necessity.
That's why it is important for consumers of journalistic news to pick their messengers wisely. Read who you trust. If you don't trust, don't read.
If consumers simply followed that formula, the less-than-honest information providers out there would fade away. They need us to survive. Letting them know how we feel with our actions is the best way to ensure high journalistic standards will remain a necessity.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Collegiate online
The GRCC student newspaper, The Collegiate, has been publishing for more than 50 years. The print edition has a storied history, with many awards and accomplished alumni.
It's fledgling online edition is not nearly as accomplished. It has been a hit-and-miss venture over recent years. When I took over advisership of the paper in fall 2006, establishing the online edition was one of my goals. The online version for The Collegiate (collegiatelive.com) officially launched in fall 2007. While it started slow, things have really progressed over the last six months. Much of the credit goes to web design editor Charles Jurries and Collegiate design editor Abigail Southworth. The work they are putting in benefits The Collegiate, the students and community of GRCC and their own future.
Charles and Abby are benefiting as much from this experience as any student who works on a student newspaper. It is personally rewarding to watch the progression of their work - as they further develop the site, add new features, post web exclusive stories and improve existing features. These blogs are just the latest venture.
Be sure to check out the online polls, the archive, and pdf's of the print edition. I enjoy opening the pdf's early on publication dates - getting the earliest possible peek at what the paper will look like. It's usually up by the time I wake up - about 6:30 a.m. The next edition is due out Jan. 30 - I'll be anxiously awaiting the next Web site update.
It's fledgling online edition is not nearly as accomplished. It has been a hit-and-miss venture over recent years. When I took over advisership of the paper in fall 2006, establishing the online edition was one of my goals. The online version for The Collegiate (collegiatelive.com) officially launched in fall 2007. While it started slow, things have really progressed over the last six months. Much of the credit goes to web design editor Charles Jurries and Collegiate design editor Abigail Southworth. The work they are putting in benefits The Collegiate, the students and community of GRCC and their own future.
Charles and Abby are benefiting as much from this experience as any student who works on a student newspaper. It is personally rewarding to watch the progression of their work - as they further develop the site, add new features, post web exclusive stories and improve existing features. These blogs are just the latest venture.
Be sure to check out the online polls, the archive, and pdf's of the print edition. I enjoy opening the pdf's early on publication dates - getting the earliest possible peek at what the paper will look like. It's usually up by the time I wake up - about 6:30 a.m. The next edition is due out Jan. 30 - I'll be anxiously awaiting the next Web site update.
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