Audio content on newspaper sites. September 17, 2007
Posted by Amanda in Media, Radio, Television.1 comment so far
Newspaper sites everywhere are adding video and audio content to their websites. We are able to access mini television news bulletins, commentaries and of course the now all too common Youtube funnies.
These news organisations are attempting to claw back some market share as their hard copy circulation keeps dropping and this is a good way to offer up an interactive component that allows users to access broadcast and print versions of the same news item.
But while the online papers have realised that their audience responds to audio and video content, all too often they do not bother to make this content of the same quality as television and radio broadcasts. It seems that the print journos are just told to go and put down a voicer for their story and yet these writers are not given any voice or camera training. The result is of a quality akin to community television and radio.
If these news organisations want their content to be taken seriously, their journalists are going to have to become tri-media experts and not just writers with a microphone.
Protesting September 7, 2007
Posted by Amanda in Australia, Australian politics, Observations.add a comment
Getting arrested at a protest is one of those things that adds to your life experience. It is like shaving your head. You only want to do it once and for a good cause.
I have done one of the two.
Summer Heights High September 5, 2007
Posted by Amanda in Media, Television.1 comment so far
Chris Lilley is back to his best in the first episode of Summer Heights High. Each character is so well crafted that it is easy to forget that they are all played by the same actor.
The problem is that in this program, the characters are a little too authentic. Anyone who has been a high school teacher would almost have to watch this show through their fingers because it is all a bit painful to watch. The taunting of teachers by students rubs close to the bone and brings back some uncomfortable memories.
It all makes me shudder and reminds me clearly why I got out of teaching.
Writer or journalist September 4, 2007
Posted by Amanda in Media, Observations.add a comment
I’ve been thinking about journalism- can’t think why?
I can’t help but notice that there are two types of journalists. There are those who want to be writers- they say they want to write for a living and see journalism as a way of doing this. Of course they are more likely to go into print journalism but I think that sometimes they find the environment a difficult one because their love is of words and not necessarily the story.
The other sort of journalist just loves knowing things first and being the one to tell others. These are the news junkies who live for the novelty. During a crisis or disaster, they wait with bated breath for the new developments. The newsroom is the only place they can confess that they wish the floods up the road were a bit closer. Along with the shock, fear or disgust at a developing story, there is exhilaration and adrenalin.
The writer journalist and the news junkie journalist both have their place but it would be interesting to know which are more inclined to leave the profession and pursue other paths. For me, I know that I can’t imagine enjoying a workplace more than a newsroom or studio when a story is breaking.
Costello v the journalists August 15, 2007
Posted by Amanda in Australian politics, Media, politics.add a comment
Who has more to lose in this?
The journalists need their reputation to be able to do their jobs- a politician doesn’t.
Costello can just keep claiming that he never said it and eventually it will blow over- there may be consequences down the track, or there may not.
It is a grave accusation to say that the journalists are lying- look at what happened at the BBC over the whole David Kelly affair.
The journalists should probably have published two years ago or let sleeping dogs lie but now it is out there, I am more inclined to believe them.
The Ekka August 13, 2007
Posted by Amanda in Brisbane.add a comment
We went to the Ekka for the first time in years yesterday.
I have to say I was disappointed- the animal displays were fine, the fruit displays showed their usual creativity in making giant apples out of many smaller apples, the strawberry icecreams had all the required layers.
But where was the crazy headwear? And I am not talking about the country hats- there were plenty of those. But I only saw one pair of head-boppers, and there were no KISS wigs and no glitter hair. What is it with the kids of today? Are they all too cool for their own good? There was a time when every self-respecting Brisbane child wanted a faux mullet for People’s Day.
Seriously now, we enjoyed it- we ate dagwood dogs and strawberry icecreams and got the price of admission back in energy efficient lightbulbs that were being given away. It was fun.
Who needs the Chaser? August 7, 2007
Posted by Amanda in Australian politics, Indigenous issues, Media, politics.1 comment so far
The Chaser had better watch out- Bill Heffernan is threatening to steal their thunder.
He interrupted another press conference today- this time it was Northern Territory Indigenous leaders that he tried to heckle. But they were having none of it and told him so. Like any coward who picks on those weaker than him, it seems he backed down when challenged.
Doesn’t the government have enough problems at the moment without this buffoon trying out his bully boy tactics?
A Hicks by any other name July 27, 2007
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The charges against Mohammed Haneef have been dropped this afternoon. Ever since the information about the SIM card came out, it has been looking very dodgy.
It will now be interesting to see what happens with his visa cancellation. The government has to be aware of the fact that Haneef is quickly going to become like David Hicks in the public’s mind- he has been imprisoned on spurious charges and yet they don’t want to back down totally.
One can’t help but feel sorry for the guy if indeed he only passed on his SIM on the basis that he didn’t need it anymore.
Any predictions?
Slack July 25, 2007
Posted by Amanda in Blogs, Personal.add a comment
Work, starting at 4am, moving house and the lack of a computer have conspired to have me neglect my blog.
I resolve to do better in the future.
A year ago … June 30, 2007
Posted by Amanda in Personal, Travel Diary.add a comment
It is one year today since we left to go on our six month journey around the world.
In some ways I feel really sad that it is over because it is unlikely that I will be able to do something on that scale again. It was without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life. And the other best experiences involve travel as well. It is my obsession.
I find it hard to look back on travelling in some ways because it is such a highlight that it feels like nothing will ever be as good as that and everyday life can seem very ho-hum. It is like I have reached the peak and am now on the inexorable slide.
But before you think I am completely maudlin, I have been thinking about what we have achieved in the last year and that is quite satisfying. Of course there was the trip but as well as that, we have moved back to Brisbane and settled in, I have finally finished my studies and am now doing some work that I have wanted to do for a long time. And we have bought a flat- that is something Chris has wanted for ages. I think that when you add all that up, we haven’t done too badly in twelve months.
