This I Believe About Digital Journalism

What is journalism? Journalism is defined as the collecting, writing, editing, and presenting of news or news articles in newspapers and magazines and in radio and television broadcasts. Yet is there a limit with the advancements of technology?

As society's needs change and technology advances, the realm of journalism will continuously undergo transformation. The birth of new technologies has created a sense of urgency amongst society in retreiving news as it happens as opposed to waiting the next day to pick up a newspaper and sip coffee at the dining room table. Society as a whole is on a fast-paced schedule, therefore limiting the opportunity to enjoy news in a relaxing manner; rather individuals are seeking news through the Internet on computers, cell phones and iPods, creating a stir among journalists to scramble and capture news as it is breaking.

Dr. Christine Tracy states in the article, Ecology and Democracy: Citizen Journalism in the Digital Age: "Coverage of the July 7, 2005 London subway bombings included video clips from survivors cell phones. These grainy but powerful images were almost instantly broadcast to global audiences on television and the Internet. This event exemplifies the current media landscape, which is experiencing tumultuous change since the advent of digital technologies in the early 1980s. Change, innovation, and experimentation is so predominant now that it has become exceedingly difficult to distinguish the communicative form that delivers the news from the practice of journalism, which motivates individuals to both create and consume news."

The statement shows how journalists are able to partake in a many-to-many model, by submitting breaking news events on the Internet via phone images, video clips and so much more. Along with the ability to post anything and everything on the Internet, fellow readers have the power to view the material submitted and leave commentary for the author. This advancement supports the fact that "citizen" journalists are on the rise. Clay Shirkey explores the concept of "citizen" journalism in the article, It Takes A Village To Find A Phone. The story explains the journey of a woman who loses her phone in a cab and eventually is found. Yet the ironic factor is the phone is not retrieved by the police, but rather through a webpage following on the Internet that enticed mere strangers to come together and retrieve the phone from the theif...all with the simple clicks of the computer keyboard.

No longer must we wait for a letter to the editor to be published to voice our opinion. No longer must we apply for jobs at the local newspapers in hopes to "make" it to the large metropolitan papers. No longer must we aspire to be the "leading" television broadcaster. No longer must we hope to make a difference. As digital journalists, we ARE the difference. We continue to stride forth, pushing the envelope to transform the realm of how journalism is perceived. We are meeting society's needs, opposed to forcing opinions/beliefs onto them. We are making history as it evolves.

Some say the use of the Internet is causing the degradation of the English language, others say the newspaper is facing its deathbed. Why the close-minded approach? Looking through the past of how journalism has evolved, there is no consistent pattern. Journalism has been sensational, objective, investigative and "muckraking". The English language is drastically different 20, 40, 60 years ago. The lack of embrace into the digital journalism world is frightening, especially when the fate of the future lies within the hands of technology.

Digital Journalism is the face of the world of journalism.

EMU Embraces the Youth

Eastern Michigan University attracts more people than just students looking for a higher education. EMU's campus offers Ypsilanti High School students a place to hang out and enjoy recreational activities during after school hours.

Ypsilanti Township does not have the funding to provide teens with recreational activities, as well as many families are budgeted to the last penny, therefore also unable to supply teens the ability to partake in sports/extracurricular activities in school. So, where do teens go? Eastern Michigan University. The university is less than a 5 minute drive from Ypsilanti High School, providing the teens with an accessible place to gather with their friends without the proximity of their community.

What does Eastern have to offer high school teens? EMU's campus provides six lighted outdoor tennis and four basketball courts which were installed along Park Road in 1990. Both courts provide outdoor recreation for the community as well as a home for fall intramural athletics at EMU. Gehman Field, the home of the EMU softball team was installed in 1990. The complex underwent a major face lift after the 2002 season and now boasts two refinished dugouts, a press box and new outfield fencing. Enclosed outdoor batting cages with two pitching circles were also added behind the left-field fence. One of the last features added to the new University Commons building was an indoor climbing wall that simulates rock climbing. The structure 42 feet in height offers three sections of varying difficulty. Trained student assistants help users ascend the wall. Physical education professor Lester Zook, who spearheaded the project, says the rock wall prepares students for rock climbing on nearby mountains. EMU also offers high school students the use of the Fitness Center at a low rate of $35 per month, opposed to the majority of fitness gyms that overcharge into the $100's.

EMU stands behind their mission statement: "We extend our commitment beyond the campus boundaries to the wider community through service initiatives and partnerships of mutual interest addressing local, regional, national and international opportunities and challenges."

Check out the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my1cMMy13sI