Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Written by Christine De Jesus
Published by The Paradise Post
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Article entitled Do you know the first Amendment? Local residents struggle to name the five freedoms

When America celebrated the Fourth of July last weekend how many of them really knew what rights are guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution?

According to Ken Paulson, president of the Newseum and First Amendment Center and founder of new national nonpartisan program called “1 (Amendment) for All,” it’s likely that very few Americans did.

“Surveys indicate that only one American in 25 can name the freedoms of the First Amendment and that a majority — when pressed — can come up with only one, typically freedom of speech,” Paulson said. “It’s constitutional illiteracy of the highest order.”

***
Such news inspired The Post to conduct its own “Man on the Street” informal survey around Paradise and Chico to see what our results would be.

So the first day, I went around Paradise and found that none of the 25 people I talked to, ages 21 to 79, were able to name all five freedoms. Ten were able to mention religion, 23 mentioned speech, six mentioned the press, one mentioned petition, four mentioned assembly and one was unable to mention any.

Five mentioned the right to bear arms, the Second Amendment, and seven mentioned “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as part of the five freedoms.

***
The next day, my editor sent me to Chico to see how they would fare.

It wasn’t any prettier there.

None of the 25 people, ages 20 to 70, were able to name all of the five rights. Five were able to mention religion, 21 mentioned speech, six mentioned the press, zero mentioned petition, three mentioned assembly and four were unable to mention any.

***
It’s these kind of numbers that inspired the 1 for All project, launched July 1 to bring awareness and a greater understanding of the First Amendment that guarantees certain individual rights of speech, press, religion, petition and assemble which Americans use on a daily basis.

Paulson said featured ads in U.S. newspaper will celebrate freedom in America and the ways we exercise those freedoms in our daily lives like tweeting, singing and dancing.

The 1forall campaign seeks to educate the American public through a better understanding of the First Amendment and the need to protect all voices, views and faiths, Paulson said.

The campaign might allow for a better understanding or tolerance about other people’s opinions.

One of the least mentioned rights in the First Amendment is the right to peacefully assemble – one that has been used quite frequently lately.

For instance, there were many who disagreed with the opinions of the contemporary Tea Party group, who were formed to voice their disapproval in the way the American government is handling our country.

“(Tea Party supporters) have a firm conviction that the federal government has gotten too big and too powerful and a fear that the nation faces great peril,” according to Susan Page and Naomi Jagoda who wrote the article ‘What is the Tea Party? A growing state of mind.’ “Nine in 10 are unhappy with the country’s direction and see the federal debt as an ominous threat to its future.”

Understanding our right to assemble might help prevent occurrences where protestors are imprisoned.

In 1917, members of the National Woman’s Party picketed the White House to protest the government’s failure to pass a constitutional amendment that would allow women’s right to vote, according to the National Museum of American History website. Police arrested more than 150 women for “obstructing sidewalk traffic” in an attempt to prevent them from publicly protesting the Wilson Administration.

The Chico State Action Rally, that occurred March 10, might have had a similar outcome without the rights in the First Amendment.

Students and teachers were able to organize the event several months in advance without fear or retaliation from the government. Fliers and a Facebook page were made to inform people about the rally where students and teachers protested their discontentment with cutbacks in school’s state funding. Many stated their grievances and the importance of education.

Not every country has the freedoms or rights that are guaranteed to Americans in the Constitution. The Action Rally might have turned into another 1989 Massacre in Tiananmen Square, where hundreds of Chinese students died while protesting their government.

Newspapers are downsizing in response to the harsh economic times and more minorities are being laid off. Through all the downsizing news media needs to keep in mind how important it is to reflect its diverse public.

“The U.S. public is now one-third Latino, Asian American, African-American, and American Indian,” according to the Society of Professional Journalist website. “Yet 40 percent of the daily papers … employ no journalists of color at all.”

Not having diversity in the newsroom should be a major concern.  Content might disappear as they lose touch with their audience and community events.

A different range of knowledge and experience can be found with a diverse newsroom. Newsrooms would be able to tell the same story on different forms of media like print, online and broadcast, but also translate the story to different languages. This would be very useful for important news like during the presidential elections.

Having different voices also allows for a collaboration of different and creative story ideas that might allow for fair coverage. 

A diverse newsroom might save the future of newspapers as they are able to accurately reflect and portray the communities they serve.

There should be a balance of emotion and facts to keep your reader’s attention instead of running away. While journalists may have an ethical obligation to report the news, ethical considerations should be taken in what readers will see in photos or read in descriptions of an event.

While consumers do want the news first, journalists should take a step back before publishing an image or story. Once published and seen by viewers it might become an iconic image that people will always remember. There is a difference in viewing a picture that pulls audiences to donate to the cause and one that makes them turn away from it.

Remembering that some technological advances might be more harmful than beneficial to a story might lessen the temptation of using Twitter or any other technological advances. This allows a journalists to present the facts accurately and letting the reader form their own opinion.

Student journalists need to start practicing what to do when reporting a disaster. All aspects of reporting are put to the test at this time when covering a disaster. After being turned down for an interview it might be OK to ask a politician again numerous times, but it is not OK to keep asking one that is grieving.

While journalists have many new technology at their disposal, learning how to best use them during a disaster might save many people from going without breakfast.

Chico State students are lucky enough to have easy access to the Society of Professional Journalism and the International Association of Business Communicators. Finding an association that best suits each individual should not be a problem with so many associations to choose from. Joining these professional associations may start new habits to form that allow student journalist an added resource as they enter the profession.

Professional associations does not just offer members support but also an opportunity for scholarships and internships. Members also have the opportunity to participate in conventions that expand their network, find mentors, gather information and learn new skills.

While many college students struggle financially, memberships to professional associations is an investment that can only be beneficial than harmful. Even when considering attending conventions there are mentor projects that only members can participate in that students should strive to obtain in order to gain hands on experience and a chance to show off their work.

Though I did not get to work on any of the mentor projects, I was very fortunate to attend the 2008 UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc in Chicago.  Workshops such as Label at Your Own Risk: Covering Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People of Color and the Coverage of Violence in Communities of Color has given me valuable information from experienced journalist. Being able to attend gave me a glimpse of the professional world, an opportunity to expand my network, and better prepared me for entering the journalism profession.

The use of eBooks may be the alternative needed to survive the digital age. As consumers shift away from print, newspapers must also change to adapt to consumers needs. Just one touch of a button a person may download books, magazines and newspaper content instead of taking a trip to the bookstore.

Switching from print to eBooks may create habits in which consumers have to pay once more for their news. Newspapers can also reach more audiences and save money from the printing process.

Eventually eBooks may also make money through placed advertisements, according to an article written by Alana Semuels.

Amazon’s Kindle is an example of how convenient and accessible an eBooks can be while mimicking the experience of reading print. The Kindle has formatted thousands of books, magazines and newspapers for consumers to enjoy, including Forbes and The New York Times.

While eBooks may not simulate everything that print offers, it is a start in keeping and obtaining consumers in the newspaper industry.

Soon consumers may be reading from an eBook at the breakfast table.

This media trend creates inaccuracies that are most often used by bloggers.

According to an article called What Journalists Can Learn From Bloggers written by Steve Outing, bloggers are quick to publish materials without first determining its accuracy.

While bloggers’ credibility might not be as trustworthy, journalist can learn other characteristics that can help them. Becoming a fast-to-publish newspaper might force journalists to stop relying heavily on copy editors to edit their work.

Journalists can also write in a more conversational tone to draw their readers’ attention. Remembering that each story is the start of a conversation and not the ending can get readers more excited about a topic.

An article written by Staci D. Kramer called Journos and Blogger: Can Both Survive also advised journalists to write in a conversational tone. Kramer also suggested to improvise in real time, to be humble and the line between the personal and professional can blur without corrupting the process. She emphasized that blogging can be a way to share news and information when used accordingly.

Having a conversational tone may encourage readers to spread the news by discussing the story and adding to it. According to an article written by J.D. Lasica called Blogs and Journalism Need Each Other, the reader may feel as though they are playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, sorting and analyzing information and news.

Some lessons in traditional media that should be adopted from the technological and social changes facilitated by the Web is a system of checks and balanced or an editor.

According to an article called What Bloggers Can Learn From Journalists written by Steve Outing, having an editor can help not only in aspects of spelling, grammar and factual errors but also in libel and defamation issues.

While bloggers might think their identity will always stay anonymous, they are still held under legal liability.

In 2008 the Quality Vacation Club sued a blogger for defamation for sharing his experiences and criticism of the company. This is just one instance in which a blogger can be sued for libel or defamation.

The most important thing that traditional media should do to retain existing audiences and gain new ones is to think of blogs as tool, not an ending to print journalism. While newspapers should not dump all their content on the web, they should think of it as an extension to their media. If used correctly the web can be an asset to newspapers as multimedia technology can make a story a better package. The addition of slideshows and videos can also allow journalists to tell a story in different ways.

Audiences move from print media to online has left behind people who chose to not use new technology in personal life or are without it. The digital divide will continue to grow between those who can afford technology and those who cannot as long as newspapers continue to try to race against bloggers in getting the news out to the media the fastest.

As newspapers adapt to the economic situation a shift in the newsroom has not benefited journalism students as experienced journalists are laid off and internship programs disappear. As the shift occurs good journalism practices cannot be passed down to the next generation of journalists.

Instead of being trained in the journalism profession, interns are used to replace experienced journalists. An internship program should be an opportunity for students to learn and gain guidance. Mentors can be found who can guide students as they start their career. Instead some newspapers have downsized and used their internship program to fill reporters and copy-editor positions such as The Star-Ledger.

Student journalist may learn a lot inside the classrooms but gain experience by applying what they have learned. Whether through the school newspaper or an internship student journalist who apply their knowledge will be able to better retain the information and learn something new.

A student can learn the basics about InDesign during the fall semester but can still lose that information if they do not regularly use it so must be taught again for an internship they may have during the summer. If they have retained the information they may learn other things about InDesign. So instead of just placing a story or picture the student can design creatively by adding an infographic or have the text wrap around a cutout.

Newsrooms need to be filled with experienced journalist but with the disappearance of internships that allow successful guidance to students the future seems bleak.

I have become very interested in my mass communication and introduction to public relation classes. I am unsure yet if it is curiosity that has captured my interest in the workings of the law, but I am now considering double majoring in public relations.

While my shyness will always be a constant inner battle, I also have a problem with technology. I do know a little bit more than basics when it comes to word, powerpoint and inDesign but I am not what people would call “tech savvy.” I am always willing to learn but I do know that it does take me a while.

I started researching what kind of technology I will also need to know if I was to also pursue public relations. As a journalist I know how fundamentally valuable it is to know learn how to use technology such as a camera, audio and video to present a better package with my story.

If I start down this path then technology will be a big part of my life and I will no longer be able to skate along with just knowing the basics.

I think that with the public using new technology the practice of public relations has also changed. Instead of relying on the traditional media to create awareness or a positive message about a product or service, those in public relations can now use other means.

“A wide spectrum of other technologies, ranging from satellites, to cell phones, to video news releases, have become the standard tools that continue to influence public relations practices and policies,” said John V. Pavlik, author of the article Mapping the Consequences of Technology on Public Relations.

Public relations can become another outlet to inform the public. I do not care much for the public relations side that uses technology to create a positive image, I am more interested in the side that informs others so they can make informed decisions.

“… provides organizations with a voice in the marketplace of ideas, facts and viewpoints to aid informed public debate,” said Patti Hill and Duana Welch, authors of the article The Role of PR for Technology.

I think that as long as I continue to think of public relations as another way to spread the truth and to inform others , then I will double major in public relations and journalism.

After reading Keen’s book, The Cult of the Amateur: How Today’s Internet is Killing Our Culture, I had to agree with what he was saying.

“The responsibility of a journalist is to inform us, not to converse with us,” he said.

Journalists are the necessary gatekeepers that help society distinguish what is important. If journalists were not pointing out the important issue then things can be overlooked.

While I may not have seen President Barack Obama deliver his speech about health care reforms, I would not have known about it if it was not for journalists keeping the public informed with numerous articles. Instead I watched the MTV Awards where Kanye West’s interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech. My choice to watch the MTV Awards but not Obama’s speech is a reflection on how I rely on professionals to report accurate information.

While new technology may enable me to access articles regarding Obama’s speech, it is  getting harder to distinguish the professional and citizen journalists. Information is becoming so corrupt that it is hard to tell fact from opinion.

Blogging is the newest form of technology that has flooded the Internet with irrelevance, Keene said. Technology provides a “democratized” system that allows everyone to have a voice.

While that might be true, blogs is just one form of technology that continue to confuse people in distinguishing fact from opinion. There needs to be a way to clearly distinguish the voices of a professional and amateur voice.

CNN does a great job of hiding who is giving an opionion and fact. Their  style sometimes turns into more of a debate than an interview between people who know about a particular issue. Another television show is TNT’s Inside The NBA who have people like Kenny Smith giving their opinion about what happened or will happen with a particular basketball game.

While the Internet may be a good place to express ones opinion it can also help people learn a little bit about a particular topic.

Being able to have some knowledge about a particular subject might not lead people to learn more and become an expert, Keen said.

I think being able to know a little bit about a particular subject is a good thing. For example you do not need to be an expert to cook, you just need to know a little bit to make a simple meal like scrambled eggs.

Though not being an expert can also be a bad thing as society begins to lose its culture. If no one wants to strive for something more that just the basics we may just be left with “one hit wonders.”

I can clearly see Keen’s concept of individualize in my Filipino culture as remakes are constantly being done in movies and songs, instead of creating their own masterpiece.

Philippine television network Greater Manila Area, GMA, has developed its own daytime soaps called Sine Novela that remake old classic movies into mini-series. Since 2007 GMA has recreated 15 classic movies that have portrayed the original film yet added new twists and turns.

The same thing is also happening with famous Filipino songs such as those sung by Sharon Cuneta.  Artists like Yasmien Kurdi, Sarah Geronimo and Erik Santos are among those that have sung Cuneta’s songs.

I think that being aware of the role technology has is important, from where I get my news to how I use the Internet will determine technologies impact on my life. Learning how to tell the difference between professionals and amateurs can help me filter through individual voices to keep informed to help preserve my culture.

These harsh economic times has caused a downward spiral that has hurt the journalism industry and technology is not helping it any. Newspapers have tried to keep up with consumers and the new technology by putting their stories online for a price. Consumers can purchase several newspapers through the convenience of their own home or by wireless reading devices such as the Kindle.

Instead of making a profit newspapers are still struggling as webpages like Yahoo! offer the information they have stripped from newspapers to the public for free. Consumers look to the free avenues instead to gain their news information.

I think there is still a chance for the journalism industry to survive as the economy undergoes changes and technology uses are still being worked out. A suggestion made by Judge Richard Posner is one that I agree with. Posner suggested  to expand copyright law to withhold online access to copyrighted materials or paraphrasing without the copyright holder’s consent.

U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin has taken the idea one step forward by introducing The Newspaper Revitalization Act that would allow newspapers to become a non-profit organization. It will hopefully preserve and help the struggling industry.

It might take some time for the journalism industry to learn how to put a positive spin on a new technology. It is sad that print journalism might fade away, but online journalism might just take its place.