Hero or Victim: Not the Only Choices

This article shows how the media can help make the public's opinions about certain groups of people. The article does this with a great example. The author raises the question of why people in wheelchairs are always depicted as a hero or a victim, never just an ordinary person with a story to tell. Not necessarily about how they came to be sitting in a wheelchair or how they overcame such a struggle with flying colors.

When news writers are asked why they don't add to stories about people in wheelchairs when they do act badly or inappropriately; they simply reply that they feel it is ingrained in them to speak of how people that are in wheelchairs overcome it. They don't realize that maybe some one needs to show the public that just because a person is in a wheelchair does not mean that they are a good person trying to inspire us all.

This article speaks wonders. Just because people have to use a wheelchair does not mean that they want to be that "heroic or victimized person in the wheelchair." Maybe they want to be looked at as just another normal human being. I feel that this disability biased, and yes it is a biased, in stories helped make the public think this way. People with disabilities as well as every other person on this planet should be treated the same. A news writer should realize they are doing their duty by telling the true story, not always the one the public wants or expects to hear.

If you would like to read more, here is the link to the article:

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=78&aid=137798

A Sign of the Times

The print industry, especially in newspapers, is having a hard time keeping up with the times. A man named Michael Stephens is a prime example. Stephens is "a librarian, professor of library and information science, tech enthusiast and blogger." This obviously shows his support for writing and the world of journalism. Stephens decided to cancel his print subscription to the "South Bend Tribune." Here is where the problem comes in. If people as supportive of the writing word as Stephens cancels his print subscriptions, what is going to stop the people that just get their newspaper for the sports section from following in the same direction?

Not as many people read the newspaper anymore. Instead they decide to search the internet or watch broadcast news to keep up with their news. It is free, which is obviously cheeper than buying a subscription to a newspaper. The print media may be less biased than broadcast or internet news, but people are starting to feel that it is worth it not to have the hassel of print. The internet is truely an amazing thing that I am glad people are putting to use. I realize that print media can be useful and is right for certain people, but I am a person that has to keep up with the times. I do not look back. Print media is slipping and in the future it will continue to do so. The world has seen the age of the internet is not going to go back to having black fingers after reading their news.

If you would like to read more, here is the link to the article:

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=123&aid=137054

Public Views Towards the Press

A study done by Sacred Heart University found that the public's bias towards the media might be more serious than the bias of the press itself. The public feels as though the media is not a trusting source much of the time. Journalists may need to continue to improve so that the media moves in a trusting path. In this way the public will start to regain the media's trust. On the other hand, journalists are supposedly more accountable than ever with the information they pass to the public.

I feel that the public needs to be more responsible in realizing which sources they are receiving their information from. Some sources are obviously not going to be as accredited as others. In this way, the public can have confidence in the media. They just need to make sure they are using media sources that they trust themselves. Journalists will always have a continuous fight to gain the faith of the public. Journalists need to constantly strive for higher journalism goals to prove to the public that the media can and should be trusted.

If you would like to read more, here is the link to the article:

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=101&aid=136625

The Giants and the Belief That Made Them Champions

There were many critics that deemed it impossible for the Giants to win Super Bowl XLII that was played last night on Fox. The Giants belief in there qualification to be champions helped them to overcome this mountain. Throughout the preseason there were many ups and downs before the final verdict. The Giants started with two losses, which quickly was turned around. The team did well on the road, which made up for their misfortunes on their home field. They seemed to be gaining major ground from were they had begun. Then when the postseason came along the Giants had a chance to redeem themselves of the losses suffered in the preseason. They beat the Cowboys and Packers in the playoffs, returning the favor from the preseason games, but could the Giants beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl? The Patriots had come from behind to barely beat the Giants in the preseason game yet they were so strongly favored over them. None of the beliefs of others mattered to the Giants though. The team and their amazing fans believed in a win and that is all that mattered. After an amazing catch by David Tyree The Giants scored in the final minute to put them in the lead, 17-14. The Patriots could not rally back. The Giants had won Super Bowl XLII!

The Giants and Patriots played an amazing game last night. Both teams wanted it really bad, and it showed in there back and forth battle. The score was not very high, but that was because the defensive teams were so fierce. In the end the Giants prevailed and beat the Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII. I really enjoyed watching these teams fight each other for something they want so badly. The Giants truly deserved the outcome of the game. Everyone watching could see the emotion that the Giants put forth every snap of the ball. The Patriots became a fantastic competitor with a great record, but the Giants pulled off the win. The Giants are an remarkable football team that showed that no matter what the underdog always has a chance to succeed!

If you would like to read more, here is the link to the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/sports/football/05giants.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin