How are Journalists Portrayed in the Media?

  
 Video Link:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAVC6oocKTk
At an insightful Q&A, I asked how journalists are perceived today with kidnappings and killings of journalists abroad. Are journalists targeted? The panel did not think that journalists were being targeted, except noting that Daniel Pearl case was high-profile due to the nature of his killing.  Mark Boal, having covered stories in Iraq and is the writer of the Oscar-winning film, "The Hurt Locker," said in the 80's  journalists "neutrality" was replaced by a perception that journalists could become a target.  On a related note: Mark and the director of "The Hurt Locker" are planning to launch a film about the hunt for bin Laden and the "war-on-terror" and now that he has been killed, the film takes on a current relevancy.


The panel's discussion primarily focused on movies and films in which reporters were "stereotyped" to a degree by Hollywood filmmakers:

WHAT:

As part of National Ethics Week and the kick-off to the SPJ Region 11 Conference, SPJ/LA and the national Ethics Committee spotlight how journalists are portrayed in the movies and on TV.

WHO:

• Joe Saltzman, professor, USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism; director, Image of the Journalist in Popular Culture Project
• Mark Boal, journalist, Oscar-winning screenwriter (“The Hurt Locker”), film producer
• Jolie Mason, founder, Los Angeles Radio Reading Service

Joel Bellman, SPJ/LA board member and press deputy for Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, moderator

Governor Jerry Brown and Assemblyman Cameron Smyth: Heart to Hart

 

It was great to see Democrats and Republicans come together to hear the heartfelt concerns from community leaders, parents, teachers, and students at Hart High. 

Mayor Marsha McLean and the entire City Council came to stand with the community and Wm. S. Hart School District to say "No More Cuts to Education." 


I was encouraged to see the same concern expressed from Jerry Brown (D) and Cameron Smyth (R). They took the time to listen and discuss ideas TOGETHER working toward practical application, not as Republicans or Democrats, just as people who care. If only all of our elected officials would take note. It was a monumental day worth noting and appreciating.

MEA is all "tied" up

About 60 COC staff members toured the new Media Entertainment Arts Department and were not only impressed by the state-of-the-art facility but also noted the suit and ties worn by the department instructors. I also wanted to document this rarity "tied" to the overall upgrade of the department.

SCV-Arts & Entertainment on SCVTV Ch20 Wed 11:30pm & Thur 11am

The Perfect Storytellers talk about "Exquisite Exhibits"

Gloria Locke hosts SCV-Arts & Entertainment on SCVTV Ch20 (Click here to view)

Where Is

Where.
Location. Location. Location. "Where" is it happening.  In storytelling we establish the setting, it could be the main point of the story.  Eight inches of snow in Alaska is not a big story, but it is in Santa Clarita. 

This morning the first headline I read was Katie Couric leaving her anchor post where she "solely manned the helm" of the CBS Evening News for five years.  It becomes apparent that "where" is making headlines, even for those who have "arrived"...and in her case, not only arrived but "reached the top."

"Where is.... we all want to fill in the blank.

I remember Nemo. He faced many challenges from every direction since the day he was born...and he just wanted to get to "where" his Dad was, where he knew he belonged.  I can only chuckle as I'm reminded of that famous Star(fish) in the story who said, "Find a happy place, find a happy place, FIND A HAPPY PLACE."

"This is a page from my journal, the Journey in Journalism" (hahaha - had to do it;)

Who Is

Who.
"Who" is one of the most important parts of storytelling.  "Who" is the story about. And "Who" is the story intended to reach.
 
Art and Journalism:   Let me capture the essence of the person and paint a picture in the freshness of the moment.  A picture in words. A picture in a photo.  Which,  documents 'who' the person is, yes, but ultimately validates the soul 'who' is trying to communicate their story. 

...and finally 'who' is going to listen.