A few opportunist thoughts

So far, the blog’s not looking stereotypically as one should. I haven’t felt the motivation to write regularly yet, and this is really just an oppotunist post since im able to access the internet right now.

 I was in a Video production session on thursday, the health and safety discussion raised a few issues, namely Children. Privacy and security issues with regards to children are really a pain in the arse. Understandably there are serious repercussions in some cases, and laws exist to ensure the protection of individuals, but has it gone too far? In America, the freedoms of speech and expression are valued very highly, whereas in the UK, complex laws and rights to appeal make the system a problematic one to deal with; unless you’re very careful. In essence, it was a reminder that as journalists we should always cover our backs- nit picking over health and safety forms might end up supporting our case in court.

Today’s researching media and film (and journalism!) lecture was a mess. The contradiction between the approaches of Shaun and Chris lead to a lot of confusion and I’m still left scrabbling around for a research question or hypothesis. While feature writing is exciting and ideal practice for later work, its not as easily academically marked. This made me think about the position of journalism, and the role of the journalist. The career isn’t based in academia, thus making a degree in journalism seem unecessary. Unless we consider ourselves as “journologists”, as the term was coined today, which is more of a sociology within the context of media and journalism. Either way, the research project remains slow to progress.

Can I consider myself much of a blogger yet? I dont even feel on the road to it, regular updates will have to become a habit.

Here we go

Having posted my thoughts on blogging, lets see if I turn into a hypocrite as I continue to write! As instructed, I’ll give a little information about myself and then some thoughts on the first lecture of the module- Contemporary issues in Journalism.

You’ve already guessed my name is James Faid. Im 21, a second-year journalism student, and hopefully will be remembered for helping poineer the Winchester Student Newspaper, Alfies. Thats pretty ordinary stuff, but few people know Im also a 5th dan in clasically trained karate. Over 13 years of tuition and all I have to show for it is a slightly straighter posture than I would have had otherwise! Its my opinion that the benefits of something like that are internal rather than external- I talk about the three C’s when I teach: Confidence, Concentration, Coordination.

I was casually facing uncertainty with the module this semester. A new lecturer, also the new head of Journalism at the uni. My response to the subject matter? Minimal. The human rights we did discuss was perfectly summised in a sentence like “dont be a bad person, follow these rules.” An initial thought I have about human rights- theyre a lovely model to be reassured by, so long as theyre enforced. Surely human rights (and the rest of the world) are far from the minds of those suffering at the hands of others acting against the conventions.

Chris Horrie seems an interesting character, and Im looking forward to finding out more about him over the next few weeks. Right now I feel he certainly knows his subject, and should be good for the university. It will be good to see how he steers this new course, my experiences of the first year and a half are of a pot-holed programme, the flaws in which were uncovered by its new students. Im looking forward.

Already I’m getting a feel for the writing style of blogs. It is a more personal account of details that could be reported but would make poor stories. The subject matter also calls for an extended style, and elements of new journalism are creeping in, without little conscious effort on my behalf- the inclusion of the self when writing for example.

James Faid on Blogging

Welcome to my weblog!

Blogging is something I am yet to fully understand. It seems a very narcissistic practice- after reading a range of blogs I concluded that many are places to vent frustrations and/or rant about whatever mistake someone else has made, which is followed by the writer’s own personal advice or opinion. Battles emerge between individuals which, fuelled by ego, can often descend into petty squabbles- the kind of pedantic-ism I tend to ignore.

Blogs sit unwell with me because the nature of comment and opinion should be left out of journalistic pieces, according to traditional stances. Perhaps the selection process- sifting through all kinds of comment and opinion- is a healthy democratic practice, and I hope to eventually find out.

For now, I’ll comment that I think even the word “blog” has a sense of ego. It is the abbreviation of the kenning “weblog”, or “open diary” as I currently feel they are.

Lets see if this opinion changes as I get sucked into this new world.