Oh hey there, plan your future please!

Exam approach, semester draws to a close and sign on looms close.

What the hell am I meant to pick from my next two electives. I will undoubtedly do another journalism one as this elective captured my heart and interest. I will however not be doing another Speech Pathology one, EVER AGAIN. Thursday morning 8 am lectures and dull content motivated suicidal thoughts weekly.

There's so much selection to chose from, I still find it really strange that we (in Psych Science) have to chose really random electives from any other course other than what's provided in Psych. I found all sorts of crazy things like the study of demons, vampires and ghosts, I think I'll pass on that one!

I found something amusing when trolling the UQ website;

I love that the name of the course is still ambiguous, classic philosophy everything is in question form. Even though it would be interesting I think I do enough deep thought on the way to uni on the bus, I'm still in search for another elective to get me through the second semester. The hunt continues! 

Lecture 11

Investigative Journalism

If your mother says she loves you, check it out in case


Investigation is the key to good journalism, this weeks lecture delved into the world of evidence based reporting. Always check your facts, ASSUME NOTHING! No body wants to be that journalist who spins a whole bunch of lies from some dodgy sources and lazy reporting (ahem, Gold Coast Bulletin). How do avoid being an arse hat? Some things to think of when doing a bit of sneaky investigation, keep it;  intelligent, informed, intuitive, inside, invest. As journalists (sounds a bit crazy but I remember the first lecture when Bruce told us to take on the role- indulge me please) we must be the gate keeper of ethics and avoid going all above the law to report on matter, I'm talking- stalking, theft, phone tapping and frued.

We have to be the custodians of conscience. This lecture was quite empowering, that journalists play such an important role in shedding light on the corruption of society and the ill doing of people in charge. I personally love when someone important is brought down, a little of underdog spirit. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. Oi, Oi, Oi. Another definition we were given that I found quite delightful was "to provide a voice for those without one and to hold the powerful to account". That's some Robin Hood shit and to be honest is quite exciting, are we journalist or crime fighters? Pop a cape on me I'm ready to take on the villains! Another important point is to keep the publics interest at the fore front of the investigation.

Once again the new news terror looms over head. Investigation takes time, resources and finances. As time restraints tighten, workers are laid off and corporations demand more for their money, journalism is under stress. Hopefully the role of the investigative journalist doesn't die out cause then what will news become? It's scary enough that print media is dying (not that I don't like the convenience of internet news sites). The future is a frightening place.

Endless Stupidity 

Here's a little look into my life in Urbanest, University accommodation. It's like the colleges at UQ but minus the legacy and traditions, add more international students and more ruckus. We don't have principles or on site churches, we have teddy bear night guards and catty receptionists. So really we can run a muck with little intervention, unless someone up chucks down one of the hall ways then there will be a nasty little fine waiting. The Friday night sausage sizzle does nothing to avoid the vomit that litters the place come saturday morning but its all fun and games until someone has a fire.

On a pirate ship, it took us down the Brisbane river until the crew realised we were just too drunk for our own good and were made to walk to plank at the nearest dock. Delirious and ridiculous the party didn't end there. Back to the nest we go a-ho-ho. 

When there's nothing to do or you just don't feel like studying, hit the city and run around. #innercityscumbags. This is us in the valley 2 cent store, needless to say the owner wanted us to leave. 

We decided to have a themed dinner, Mexico night was glorious. We had tequila slammers (pure evil in a bottle), nachos with all the toppings and hard and soft tacos. Before annoying the foyer staff with our drawn on moustaches and hats.

Are we peaking?

 

People always refer to their young adult years as the best times of their lives. The lack of responsibility, freedom and drunken antics that surrond University years. Well I'm not going to lie, past the expensive rent and lethargic hung over mornings I'm having a blast. Although I'm doing full time University, I'm barely there compared to high school and really most of my time is filled up with being an inner city scum bag, running around the place in a drunken delusion.


 I feel no guilt for that, this is our time to be young and reckless. But the fear of this being the peak of my life scares me cold, what will the next 60+ years be? Controlled, composed and calculated? Will I graduate and BAM be all responsible and boring? Wearing suits, walking in line, paying taxes, having kids and being a good citizen? This idea makes me feel sick. Don't get me wrong a lovely home and kids one day will be wonderful but I'm pretty attached to my stay up all night, have no plan lifestyle.


Then on another note we are already half way through first year, next year undoubtedly will be harder and require more focus and well I'll be out of the chaos of uni accom and probably in a more sensible shared house situation where we don't run through the foyer screaming "happy monday" plastered off our faces. It's all quite tragic, I feel nostalgic and its not even over. I don't want to grow up, I want to stay forever young and silly.


But then again when I think about my life now its all rather useless, we add nothing to nothing, all we do is for the sake of it and we really have no purpose or value. And that is my peak? Parties, reading in the park, glazing over in lectures, staying up all night? There has to be more things later to peak at, what if I live over seas in some crazy exciting job? There has to be more than just a blur of young drunken fun. Oh God, tell me there is more.



at some point we all succumb, 
for goodness sake let us be young
cause time gets harder to out run 
and I'm no body I'm not done
with a cool cool breeze and dirty knees
I rest on childhood memories 
we all got old at break neck speed
slow it down go easy on me 


Just like any moral dilemma, deep thought or rough patch I look to music and somehow the Vaccines have managed to capture this feeling of fleeting youth and regret into a song. Have a listen and enjoy, it's filled with awesome photos.

Annotated Bibliography

Notorious, dangerous and intriguing: the explosion of bikie club violence has captured the nation. A history of fear surrounds the gangs that run the under world of our cities, from extortion, drug dealing and armed violence, this reckless lifestyle has been brought into the magnifying glass of society. In response to the string of shootings that have littered the news lately and the new show “Bikie Wars” airing on free TV, I have chosen to focus my annotated bibliography on this current hype. In particular I have focused on the recent shooting at the popular Robina Town Centre on the Gold Coast, where two people were injured by a Victorian bikie gang member adding to the violence that is sweeping the nation.

Levy, M. (2012, May 1) Man arrested over shopping centre shooting. Brisbane Times. P, 8.

Covering the shocking local shooting in a popular shopping centre, the Brisbane Times article released online would have a wide breadth in readers. Due to it’s notoriety this website would significantly influence its newsreaders. Megan Levy (2012), the author of this article, exploits explicitly substantial sources to corroborate the details given on the Gold Coast bikie shooting. Beginning with details given from officers of the Special Operation group and Taskforce, Echo. Continuing to cement readers trust in the evidence supplied, Levy expands his sourcing to a Queensland Police spokeswoman, other police sources and importantly an eye witness to the bikie shooting, Lyn Searles. Sensationalising is avoided by the use of sources and references to political leaders, giving readers a sense of safety in the information being presented. The author substantializes the relevance of the article by referring to the recent press release given by the police commissioner, Bob Atkinson, on the topic of bikie gangland wars. It can be assumed that there was a large amount of back ground research on this news story done by the writer. As legal resolution had not occurred at the time of the article, Levy tactfully concludes the piece with a threatening quote from the Premier, in another form of resolution for the bloody matter.

Staff Writers. (2012, April 29). Bikie Wars; Man and Woman shot at Robina Town Centre. News.com.au. Retrieved from http://www.news.com.au/national/bikie-shooting-at-busy-shoppibng-centre/story-e6frfkvr-1226341751605

From the beginning of the online article emotive and bold language is used to engage the reader, opening with language like “brazen gunman” and “terrifying double shooting” (Staff 2012). Arguably sensationalizing the story instead of presenting the facts of the bikie shooting to readers. When stating who the gunman was the writers neglect a source instead opting for “its believed” (Staff 2012), in contrast to the Brisbane Times article in which diligently backed up each claim with several reliable sources. Continuing the lack of source evidence the writers state “it is alleged”(Staff 2012) when describing the shooting itself. The first half of the article is setting the scene for readers, no substantial evidence has been presented until minor incorporations of sources are used towards the end of the piece. However good sourcing was demonstrated when referring to the press release given by the Queensland Police commissioner and minister on the matter of the outbreak of bikie violence in the state. Although citied sources were used at the later end of the article, this online piece does not seem to demonstrate the depth in information and sources that the article from the Brisbane Times had done.

Forbes, T. (2012, April 28). ABC News (Television broadcast).  Brisbane, Australia, public broadcasting service.

Forbes, a well-known TV journalist uses his personality and experience to investigate the recent shopping centre shooting, interviewing eyewitnesses and police, giving his antidotes on the matter. Notoriety and visual evidence gives viewers confidence in the segment as they are given an up close and personal view of the bloody attack. Additionally video of several witness’, shoppers and retail staff of the Robina Town Centre stores that were present at the time of the shooting is aired along with his report. Just like the previous articles, Forbes exploits the press release given by the Police commissioner, incorporating segments into the story. Linking to previous bikie related news demonstrates the newsworthiness of the topic being aired. Continuing source citing the journalist presents an interview with a policeman that was on the scene, Bruce Khun. Forbes, like the Brisbane Times, uses Paul Newman to co-oborate the relevance and real danger of this news piece. Television news gives the option of justifying the evidence as sources can be displayed by video, leaving viewers with little doubt over the source of the information. The broader topic of bikie gangs terror over the south east is brought up, generalising the issue and spreading its relevance to more than just the local area where the shooting occurred. Although substantially a more concrete piece of news compared to the news.com.au article the piece done by Forbes still lacks the depth of analysis that the Brisbane Times article had reported.

Barker, T. (2007). Biker Gangs and Organised Crime. Mathew Bender and Company Inc. p, 1-175. 

Biker Gangs and Organised Crime, delves into the sorted activities of the 1% bikie gangs of America, who separate themselves from general society (the remaining 90%) as they "engage in a deviant lifestyle" (Barker 2007) and violent behaviour outside of the law. Barker, the author of this book, uses his background in Law and significant investigation into the lives of bikie gangs to give a thorough and diligent report on the issues of the underworld. Undeniably the author put in more time and investigation into this text, considering he spent years collecting the necessary evidence and knowledge of the inner circle of gangs in America. He uses strong sources to back up the information presented to readers, referencing to the Bureau of Criminology, police insiders who have infiltrated the gangs and bikers that have crossed back into society. Although this text isn't specifically exploring Australian bikie clubs or the Robina shooting, Barker does shed significant light onto the inner workings and values of these clubs. Just viewing the extensive list of refences and additional tables and graphs demonstrates the level of investigation the author put in to his book to give readers relevant and correct information. Compared to the previous news stories from the Brisbane Times, News.com.au and ABC news, Barker has put in signicicantly more effort in investigation but that is the nature of the media. The difference between a book on a broad topic and a current and moving news story is vast, as the journalists who created the other pieces would have been on a strict deadline to report on this story. However, the author of this book had a lot more time and resources to generate a concrete piece of work.


~

Undoubtedly, there is a direct link between the quality of a news report and the evidence collected, the more work the journalist involved does to investigate the more reliable the piece will be. Different medias also play a role in the quality of a news item, the audience and what they demand from the reporter greatly influences what is released. For example nine msn does not have the notoriety or respect that say Brisbane Times online would have, readers of the times would expect more depth and quality reporting. The Brisbane Times, News.com.au, ABC News and the Mathew Bender and Company Inc all have reported on the activities of Bikie Gangs, each portraying the blood shed negatively but with different levels of investigation into the incidents that surround these motor cycle clubs.


References;

Barker, T. (2007). Biker Gangs and Organised Crime. Mathew Bender and Company Inc. p, 1-175. 

Forbes, T. (2012, April 28). ABC News (Television broadcast).  Brisbane, Australia, public broadcasting service.

Levy, M. (2012, May 1) Man arrested over shopping centre shooting. Brisbane Times. P, 8.


Staff Writers. (2012, April 29). Bikie Wars; Man and Woman shot at Robina Town Centre. News.com.au. Retrieved from http://www.news.com.au/national/bikie-shooting-at-busy-shoppibng-centre/story-e6frfkvr-1226341751605

Lecture 10

Agenda Setting

Propaganda is used as a tool to help shape images in the minds of humans

This weeks lecture demonstrated the power of agenda setting, further highlighting the crippling control society has over the masses. Is the media the new Hitler? Surely not, but it can twist and manipulate us to believe all sorts of jargon with its propaganda-like abilities. Media gatekeeping is one of the terms used to describe the control of information exposed to society, how individuals (corporations, government bodies, aliens and other conspiracy theories) manipulate the messages that get out in the media like water from a guina pigs drip feeder. Not only can they down play but they can hype up, known as agenda surfing or the bandwagon effect where one particular topic is spun into importance. As seen with the Kony 2012 phenomenon (like this page and all the world's child slavery problems will be fixed), littering Facebook news feeds and night news segments. 

News is controlled. Don't delude yourself to think it's a free World so we are kept in the loop. There's a process of the media known as the diffusion of news; how, when, where and when big stories are released to us. Everything is controlled, even the portrayal of an issue, what agenda is being indulged, influencing the masses through presentation, reporting and even the cover picture. As you can see lately in the news all the gun stories, every second article/segment is on some shooting or stolen guns. Then you here the Government wants to reform the gun laws making it even harder to get armed, coincidence? I think not. I'm not insinuating that the government is making crime but what i think is going on is certain things like gun assaults are always happening but at key moments they are put in to overwhelm the news to sway voters into thinking and doing certain things. Little bit of conspiracy theory, don't mind me. 

Spiderman memes; too many lols

Give me some hot coco, a comfy blanket and a slightly inappropriate meme any lazy night and I'll be a happy girl. Also I can never watch spiderman cartoons quite the same now.