I can understand how the media can benefit from linking their own stories to sites like Digg, Reddit, and Del.icio.us. By linking their stories at these sites, the media can increase the number of readers they get. However, many feel that user-driven sites such as these are not reliable and not real journalism.
I do think user sites carry different news than mainstream media. Some readers may be more interested in news found on sites like Digg. In an article from the Editor and Publisher titled "'User' Sites Choose Different News Than Mainstream Outlets," Joe Strupp explains a study that gives evidence of the different kinds of news readers are interested in. For example, these news sites offer more information on things like Apple's new iPhone or advice for long flights. The article also said that the popularity of user news sites does not necessarily mean that people are rejecting mainstream media. Instead, these user-driven sites may serve as an addition to their mainstream news intake.
Sites like Digg can be considered news to certain people. I think whether something is news or not is up to the reader.
User-driven sites are not your traditional media. I do feel there are guidelines to truly good journalism. But news is news, no matter how you get it. I would not, however, consider all news journalism.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
My News Consumption
When I was in high school, I rarely watched the news. I got most of my news and information from family or friends. It just wasn't appealing to me to watch the news then.
Now, I feel it is important to have some idea of what is going on in the world. I admit that I do not watch the news often, but I usually check the headlines in the morning before class.
My daily news routine consists of turning on the television to CNN. I will also pick up the Daily Beacon on the way to class to learn about what's happening on campus. I also find the Daily Show with Jon Stewart to be a more entertaining way to learn about news and politics.
Throughout the rest of my day, I will just get information from family and friends who find out breaking news before I do. For example, on the day of the Virginia Tech shootings, I did not know about the event until my mom called me about it.
Before I go to bed every night, I will turn my t.v. onto the Weather Channel to check the weather report for the next day. That is about all the news watching I will do for the night, because I am usually too busy to watch any long news shows or reports.
Now, I feel it is important to have some idea of what is going on in the world. I admit that I do not watch the news often, but I usually check the headlines in the morning before class.
My daily news routine consists of turning on the television to CNN. I will also pick up the Daily Beacon on the way to class to learn about what's happening on campus. I also find the Daily Show with Jon Stewart to be a more entertaining way to learn about news and politics.
Throughout the rest of my day, I will just get information from family and friends who find out breaking news before I do. For example, on the day of the Virginia Tech shootings, I did not know about the event until my mom called me about it.
Before I go to bed every night, I will turn my t.v. onto the Weather Channel to check the weather report for the next day. That is about all the news watching I will do for the night, because I am usually too busy to watch any long news shows or reports.
Biography
I am a senior this year at the University of Tennessee. I am looking forward to graduating this May with a degree in Journalism and Electronic Media. After graduation, I hope to attend UT's law school in the fall. I am currently studying for the LSAT, which I plan to take in December.
It was only last spring when I decided I wanted to go to law school. I made this decision after taking a Communication Law and Ethics course taught by Dr. Dwight Teeter. Studying past cases and First Amendment rights interested me in learning more about law. I am not quite sure what type of law I would like to practice, but I am interested in both media and environmental law.
I have held several jobs while in school. My first job was the summer after my freshman year. I was a camp counselor at Camp Wesley Woods. When I was younger, I had been a camper there myself. This job taught me how to be more patient, understanding and confident. I learned how to be a leader while at the same time having fun with the campers. It was a great experience.
I was also a youth intern at Fountain City United Methodist Church the following summer. While in school, I have also worked at T-Recs, UT's recreation center, and at Dillard's at Knoxville Center.
One of the most life-changing and learning experiences for me ocurred when I studied abroad last fall in Swansea, Wales. By being on my own in another country, I learned how to live independently while also learning how to make friends of different cultures and backgrounds. I also gained confidence in my ability to travel.
Before my first flight to London, I was extremely nervous and anxious about the flight and the trip as a whole. But I later realized it was actually harder to come back home than it was to leave home. I now miss Wales and the people I met there tremendously. I hope to go back and visit as soon as I can save up some money.
Traveling abroad has definitely made me want to travel as much as I can. I caught the "travel bug" as they say. I have dreams of taking trips to various destinations in Europe. I would love to go back to Ireland for St. Patrick's Day this year.
I am also very involved my sorority at UT. This fall, I am the New Member Educator. I am in charge of teaching all our new members about the sorority. I will be sad to leave all the friends I have made while in school when I graduate in May.
It was only last spring when I decided I wanted to go to law school. I made this decision after taking a Communication Law and Ethics course taught by Dr. Dwight Teeter. Studying past cases and First Amendment rights interested me in learning more about law. I am not quite sure what type of law I would like to practice, but I am interested in both media and environmental law.
I have held several jobs while in school. My first job was the summer after my freshman year. I was a camp counselor at Camp Wesley Woods. When I was younger, I had been a camper there myself. This job taught me how to be more patient, understanding and confident. I learned how to be a leader while at the same time having fun with the campers. It was a great experience.
I was also a youth intern at Fountain City United Methodist Church the following summer. While in school, I have also worked at T-Recs, UT's recreation center, and at Dillard's at Knoxville Center.
One of the most life-changing and learning experiences for me ocurred when I studied abroad last fall in Swansea, Wales. By being on my own in another country, I learned how to live independently while also learning how to make friends of different cultures and backgrounds. I also gained confidence in my ability to travel.
Before my first flight to London, I was extremely nervous and anxious about the flight and the trip as a whole. But I later realized it was actually harder to come back home than it was to leave home. I now miss Wales and the people I met there tremendously. I hope to go back and visit as soon as I can save up some money.
Traveling abroad has definitely made me want to travel as much as I can. I caught the "travel bug" as they say. I have dreams of taking trips to various destinations in Europe. I would love to go back to Ireland for St. Patrick's Day this year.
I am also very involved my sorority at UT. This fall, I am the New Member Educator. I am in charge of teaching all our new members about the sorority. I will be sad to leave all the friends I have made while in school when I graduate in May.
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