Blog Four.

     Coming into this journalism class I thought I knew more about journalism than I actually did. Growing up my dad would come home from work everyday, grab a beer, turn on the news and then I would come join him(minus the beer, I swear) which gave me my initial interest in journalism. Journalism, as I have found through this class, is more complex than you realize when you're reading the Sunday paper or watching the six o'clock news. It's full of terms, methods, styles and etiquette that I had never heard or thought of before but are essential to developing an effective news piece.

     Attribution has been the most helpful thing I've learned so far in this semester through the class. Attribution is defined in the textbook as where, how or who you obtained statements or facts from for the piece you're writing. It's very important to include attribution so your work is reputable. Even though I've always been an avid writer, I had never put as much emphasis on attributing sources as I now see is necessary.

     From the assignments I have done so far in the class, a good example of attribution can be found from my article on FCC parking: "This sounds like a really good deal for the city," says Alderman Michael O'Connor in a Frederick News Post article.  

    Citing the source of  the quote is infomative to the topic and gives further insight to the issue I was writing about to create a well-developed story.

Blog Three.

Last Year a female reporter by the name of Ines Sainz caused a stir in the media after she was sexually harassed in a New York Jets locker room. Sainz reportedly was victim to "cat-calls" and "hooting" in the men's locker room while she was interviewing NFL player, Mark Sanchez.

In the U.S.A Today article it states that in NFL policy "By law, women must be granted the same rights to perform their jobs as men. Please remember that women reporters are professionals and should be treated as such."  This quote is what bothered me about the case because it leaves the word "professional" to be openly interpreted. The photo to the right is of Sainz on the job wearing attire that is rarely seen in professional settings. I was honestly surprised while reading this when I saw the pictures of her. Is it reasonable and professional to present yourself like Ms. Sainz in a men's locker room? An anonymous commenter on the article expresses a humorous opinion on the case.

"Let me understand. Ladies spend billions on hot attire and men can be chatised and sued for aknowledging their appearence!!! While in the lockerroom "reporting" does that include interviewing a man sitting on the can???"

This brings the question of if women are still not taken as seriously in journalism? In my personal opinion, there are many professional women in journalism who break the "old school" barrier and are respected. Ines Sainz, in my opinion, clearly presents herself in an unprofessional manner which, if anything, sets women back in time by looking like a sex object.  I've never had a job where I didn't have a dress code or image to live up to and I think that's what makes this article so interesting.