So I heard that all great journalists start off blogging online, and, due to being inspired by a particularly well known journalist, I thought I'd finally follow up on at least one of my new year's resolutions.
I find it a little odd that I would put my thoughts online - or even stranger to think that anyone would actually stumble upon this and take the time to read it. So thank you.
It's a great way to practise my writing skills I suppose, and rather reluctantly, I have to admit, I think that this will indeed improve my writing.
I recently wrote a story comparing three different media platforms over the BBC; online; radio; and television. I have to say I was shocked at the results I found. I compared the ways in which the Israel/Palestine Gaza conflict was portrayed in the three medias and my findings led me to see how a) the radio is really dying out and b) just how much everyone relies on the internet today. I didn't have a radio handy, so I listened to the six o'clock news on the BBC website. I wasn't near my tv so I watched the latest news on the Gaza conflict on the BBC News homepage. With the rise of the internet, is there really any need for, well any other form of media?
This assignment taught me just how easy it is to find ANYTHING you need online. The only thing I would argue is that the internet has resulted in the demise of newspapers. I still don't think there is anything equivelent to print journalism. I like my steadily growing pile of papers, scattered around all four corners of my bedroom.
Anyway, my second assignment was a feature on how Hillary Clinton has done wonders for feminism. I know a lot of people disagree with the way she handled the elections and she should have bowed out a lot more gracefully, a lot sooner. But I kinda like the lady.
She's dignified, intelligent, and obviously plays for the right team. Who could argue with anyone who agrees with Obama =)? I love, love the fact that she champions the trouser suit too! As much as those fashion critics hate what she wears, I think it's amazing that she refuses to conform to flaunting her sexuality/feminity the way Palin had to in order to "earn" the women's vote. It was a sly move on the Republican Party's part, I admit it was strategic, and who am I to disagree with some of the world's most powerful people? It just seemed very underhand to me, bringing in an unqualified, power-hungry, ignorant, and dumb candidate into the well-respected circle of McCain's campaign.
It was too obvious that Palin was elected for her "feminism" antics, and I think it's a shame the Republicans did not do their research before employing her. What is the exact population in Alaska, in comparison to the population of the WHOLE of the US? Let's be honest, this woman knows nothing. It sickened me slightly to see that people fawned on her because she was so different to Clinton - and they saw that as a good thing. As Matt Damon said, "this woman is going to have the nuclear codes".
I think that McCain actually ended the presidential run with a degree of humility. Truth be told, he seemed a bit of a puppet, and I'm not for conspiracy theories, but he may just have been used as a platform until they could find someone like Palin who represented the Party's views so wholly. It struck a chord with me when he gave his last speech, it was so dignified and hopeful and I genuinely wanted to believe him. I am, of course, easily persuaded but McCain is somewhat of a liberal in the eyes of his party.
Well how did I get onto that topic? I was trying to say that my assignment was actually on how Clinton had paved the way for many female tv presenters in America, such as Campbell Brown, Katie Couric (who kicked ass in the presidential campaigns with her interviews!) and Mika Bzerzinski. I hope this woman has made my plight to become a successful female journalist much easier too!
Well would you look at the time... so now you know this is what I'd rather do than write an assignment about the political and economical differences between Hong Kong and China.
For now,
Good night, and good luck.