Journalism classes should be more than an elective

Due to changing graduation requirements, journalism classes are becoming an elective and threatening school newspapers, according to a recent article posted on poynter.org.

I admit, the thought of being part of my high school newspaper didn't cross my mind. Our newspaper consisted of a paper pamphlet with random articles. I didn't think highly of it. Look at me now- I'm a journalism major.

But with schools that take their paper seriously, enrollment numbers are down, worrying some teacher and students. This is disappointing. There are three reasons why a journalism class should be required. First, no matter the type of newspaper, writing is an important tool to learn in high school that carries into college; I often find myself thinking my research papers are written as news article.

Second, not only can a journalism class improve writing, but learning how to upload and design graphics are beneficial. These are desired skills in today's society. It makes you more marketable, and it gives you a jumpstart in college when working with media tools.

Finally, journalism affects our lives. When Americans pay attention to the news, they receive it from journalists! Knowing how reporters report may just make society a little less judgmental of the media.

Saying goodbye to the AP

The New York Tribune Company is the first major newspaper to announce the cancellation of business with the Associated Press.

As part of the contract, the drop will occur in two years. Other papers that have given the two-year notice include The Star Tribune of Minneapolis, The Bakersfield Californian, The Post Register of Idaho Falls, and several other smaller newspapers.

The cancellation, which will officially begin in two years, arose out of new rates in which the AP will charge. The AP announced the new rate system in 2007. Currently, the AP charges newspapers for a news package typically based on the buyer's location and circulation. The new structure features offering all worldwide breaking news. For an additional cost, papers can by the premium package that included non-breaking news. In 2009, the new structure will go into effect.

I had no idea the AP decided to change their rate structure. Obviously, some newspapers across the country are unhappy with the decision.

According to editorsweblog.org, "The Post Register's (in Idaho Falls) editor and publisher Roger Plothow refers to the new fee structure as 'too rigid' and 'too expensive,' pointing out that the AP hasn't adapted too well to the changing newspaper industry."

It is unfortunate the AP has decided to change what they'll offer. From what I read in newspapers, a majority of stories are written by AP reporters. Also, a majority of news headlines aren't breaking ones. Yet, the AP will be charging extra for those stories. With the current financial situation in the newspaper industry, newspapers don't want to pay extra.

What's going to happen to the newspapers that have cancelled their AP subscription? Hyperlocalism is going to saturate those newspapers.

To be a blogger!

According to a recent Slate.com article last week, there are various amounts of income a blogger can make.

Bloggers, such as LOLcat Empire, Perez Hilton, Jason Kottke, can rake in over $5,000 a month, leading the blogger's average income to be around $75,000.

The more hits a blog receives, the more it’s wanted for advertising purposes. In return, companies, such as Amazon.com and Google, hope to receive “clicks” on their ads and are willing to pay for advertisements on highly trafficked blogs.

Apparently, if you’re a good blogger, you can make a decent salary because of the number of visitors that look or read your blog. Furthermore, I had no idea some bloggers had made more than $200,000. The most significant conclusion I derive from this article is how blogs have impacted the Web’s readers.

I’m skeptical of blogs. My experience with blogs has been that they are mostly opinion based, and they appear to be more editorial, if anything else. The only difference, for me, between an editorial and a blog is that the reader can comment on a blog. If I want to read news, I’ll go to a news source. If I want commentary, I’ll read a blog.

Also, it’s become more difficult to conduct research on the Web. Search aggregators bring up blogs with the topic I’m looking for, and I don’t want a blog. Instead, I’m beginning to search the Simpson library’s databases to research, but I can only access those sources if I’m logged onto a network computer. If I weren’t a student, I’d have to pay for the databases. In order to make users pay more to use the Internet, will users eventually be forced to pay for credible information and be left with social, biased commentary?

On a side note, is there a blogging school where I can apply?  

"Teaching" youth

Supporters of both parties are going to become a little more intense as each day brings us closer to the election.

In a recent FoxNews.com article, Republican Virginia teachers are upset by a mass e-mail sent out by the state's teacher union to its members in support of Democratic nominee Obama. The e-mail asked teachers to dress in blue this past Tuesday in representation of their support for Obama.

While "Obama Blue Day" may have been a good suggestion at the time to the union, Republican teachers view it as a way to influence students' views.

At the same time, New York teacher unions have been scrutinized for distributing thousands of Obama buttons to its members.

Ann Forte, New York Department of Education spokeswoman, said, "Schools are not a place for politics and not a place for staff to wear political buttons."

I agree.

While I find these actions unacceptable, I cannot argue that they are not protected under the first amendment. But do I believe it's a form of propaganda? Yes, I do. Schools are institutions where youth should not be influenced, particularly by their educators. The media frenzy of who to support is not an appropriate setting where youths are easily persuaded. Students should not have to worry about theirs and their teachers' political beliefs juxtaposing.

Teachers should respect their students by not intentionally bringing personal views into the classroom. I find these union members' actions extremely disrespectful, and I'm disappointed in the fact that they are intentionally influencing America's youth. Education is about providing the individual with necessary tools to learn and form their own opinions.