Award-Winning Television News Stories

The Radio and Television News Director Association (RTNDA), the major professional organization for broadcast news directors, is posting online the stories that won the 2007 Edward R. Murrow Awards. How do the newscasters in your community compare? As a professional or a student, what can you learn from these?

Take a look and a listen.

Jim Coyle

Virtual Newscast

What's this about?

First, Google brought us their News website with its content created entirely by computer - no human editors. Now, News at Seven unrolls its new service on October 26, 2007, after a year of testing. It's a Web "Television" newscast with its content and production handled automatically by computer.

The video in this post is just a teaser. You'll find more info and some of their earlier newscasts on the News at Seven website.

Jim

From the Heart: Photojournalists' Personal Stories of New Orleans and Katrina

The editors and staff photographers of The New Orleans Times-Picayune recall the events of Katrina through their photos. Produced by Danny Bourque.

This is a profound 25-minute video that tells unique stories about New Orleans, her citizens - and a side of journalism we rarely see.

Comments and more at this Times-Picayune website.

Real Task: Help Find Steve Fossett - Using Satellite Imagery

Join with others around the world using satellite imagery to find a missing pilot, Steve Fossett.

Click here to Help Find Steve Fossett.

Background: On Monday, September 3, 2007, Steve Fossett, the first person to fly a plane around the world without refueling and the first person to fly around the world in a balloon went missing in Nevada. An airplane he was flying failed to return. No one has any idea where he is.

Through the generous efforts of individuals at several organizations, detailed satellite imagery has been made available for his last known whereabouts.

Citizen Journalism Documentary - by Documentary Students in Massachusetts

Cambridge Community Television hosted a 3-month documentary production course that resulted in this short documentary on Citizen Journalism. The Project Documentary team includes: Jason Crow, Shaun Clarke, Darcie Deangelo, Amy Mertl, Buz Owen, Jason Ong, Matt Landry, Mayana Leocadio.

Click To Play

Share your thoughts about "Citizen Journalism" in the Comments.

Dr. C

Undercover NBC Dateline Producer Flees Conference

As described on Wikipedia...

During the 15th DEFCON hacker conference, Dateline producer Michelle Madigan failed to register as a reporter and used a hidden camera to covertly film attendees, apparently intending to catch hackers admitting to crimes. On four occasions, DEFCON staff asked her if she wanted to obtain press credentials, but she declined. On August 3, 2007, DEFCON founder Jeff Moss publicly outed Madigan during the "Spot the Reporter" contest, and Madigan ran from the room with several attendees trailing her, taking pictures and video. DEFCON says their own mole at Dateline alerted them to Madigan's plans.

I wonder how the producer felt while being asked questions while fleeing to her car. Maybe the same way other people feel when reporters shout questions at them.

Textbooks for Dr. Coyle's Fall 2007 Classes

To give students a head start on getting textbooks for my Fall 2007 classes, here's a list of what we'll be using:

COM 121: Introduction to Mass Media:

1. Mass Communication: Living in a Media World, 2nd edition.
   Ralph E. Hanson
   Publisher: CQ Press
   ISBN: 0-87289-484-3
   
   
2. Screen Saved: Peril + Promise of Media
   Dan Andriacco
   Publisher: St. Anthony Messenger Press
   ISBN: 9780867164183

COM 342: Television Production I:

1. Video Basics 5 - with Video Lab 3.0 DVD-ROM
   Herb Zettl
   ISBN FOR THIS BUNDLE: 9780495261643

We'll be getting started with the texts (and DVD in TV Production) right away.

Dr. Coyle