University life: Not so scary after all.

When I wrote my first post on this blog it went something along the lines of, "I CAN'T DO THIS. ABORT MISSION. ABORT!" Well, things have changed since then. I still have my moments of doubt and terror where I believe that I'm not good enough for anything or anyone. But those moments are slowly happening less and less.

My first semester of university has taught me a lot. I've learnt that you need to be persistent to be a journalist. Persistent enough to chase the story you're after, persistent enough to get the information you need, and persistent enough to be switched on all the time. Whether or not I'll be able to do any of those things is anyone's guess.

Our lecturer for The Journalist and Society, Marie, has taught us all she can. Not only about being a journalist, but about how to be a good journalist. Thus far, we have covered an array of topics, including: What is this thing called journalism?, Commercial and Public Media, Convergence in the media, News Values, Agenda Setting, Reporting Print and Online News, Pictures and Sound, War, Disaster and Trauma, Ethics in journalism, Political economy of the media and Investigative journalism. Being a journalist herself, Marie has been able to give us first hand experiences about what it is like to be journalist. So far, the most difficult topic that we've covered this semester was ethics in journalism.

As I disagreed with most of the class about what they deemed to be "ethical", the experience of learning about it was rather an uncomfortable one for me. That's not to say that I believe them to be bad people. Not at all. For all I know, my opinions could be the unethical ones in the long run. 

A lot of the class (well, the vocal ones at least) deemed it okay to write about a politician's sexual orientation. Personally, the fact that a person's sexual orientation is news worthy baffles me. They're just a person who happens to like people of the same sex. Big deal. But apparently this is a big thing which needs to be discussed about at great length. 

Another topic that was discussed that irked me was learning about reporting on war and trauma. That lesson I learned that day was that I could never, ever be a reporter in a war zone as it would destroy me mentally and possibly physically as well. While this news didn't surprise me in the slightest, it did worry me that my chances of being a relatively successful journalist were slightly ruined. However, that doesn't mean that my determination is gone. Thanks to the amazing lecturers and friends I have made at university, I'm slowly starting to believe that I may have a shot at being good at this. 

So, for now, I'm just going to enjoy the ride that is university and pray that my sanity stays in tact through all the hardcore studying I'll be doing. 

Tattoos, piercings and red hair.

Getting a job is something that everyone needs to do eventually. Whether it's because you're trying to save for university or to keep your rent coming in on time, it's something everyone needs to have. For those of you who do not currently have a job or are looking for your first one, there are several things you will need to do and be. An integral part of getting a job is that you are polite, courteous, well-spoken and on time. When going for an interview it is imperative that you are all of these things as well as looking 

"respectable". 

Brightly coloured hair such as in this photo can make it
 hard for people to find a job

Now, when I say respectable I don't mean showering and washing your hair, doing your hair nice, etc. (You should be doing those things regardless. Well, the showering part at least.) I'm talking about unnatural hair colours, piercings, tattoos, etc. When a person is covered in tattoos, has multiple piercings, or bright coloured hair, it doesn't matter how courteous, hard working or honest they are. They're always being told, "you need to rethink all those tattoos/that hair colour/ those piercings. It'll make finding a job harder." The sad thing is, those people are right. 

Whilst a company cannot fire you for not complying to their appearance policies, it can prevent them from hiring you. According to the website WorkingWorld, sixty percent of employers are less likely to hire someone if they have tattoos or piercings. Companies such as McDonalds expect their employees to be tattoo-less and to have piercings removed. Although the piercings could be health and safety related, the tattoos cannot harm anyone. Coloured hair is another matter. You can be asked to re-dye your hair a natural colour if you apply to a place that doesn't allow brightly coloured hair. All of this comes down to people's perceptions and opinions. Although this isn't counted as discrimination, it complies with the description of it. Despite the fact that it is no one else's business what someone does to their body, society still feels the need to tell people how they should look.

It seems that people are more prone to tell someone that they dislike someone else's appearance if they have tattoos or piercings. One youtuber, Scarlett Saint, discussed this issue in one of her videos.  "They know [telling you that they hate your appearance] is probably going to upset you, they know it's probably not going to change your mind. But they just have to let you know that they don't like [the way you look]," Later on in her video she says, "At the end of the day you're commenting on my appearance and the way that I choose to look and just outright saying to me, 'you look disgusting, I don't like it' and that is rude. That is very rude."

60% of employers will turn people down because
of visible tattoos or facial piercings.

Sadly, it seems that she is right. Although some places, like the now closed book shop Borders, and some local establishments do not mind piercings, tattoos and brightly coloured hair, a sixty percent chance of not being hired is not good enough for the people of the western world who have tattoos and piercings or brightly coloured hair. It's time that people started minding their own business when it comes to other's appearances and stopped being so judemental.

How will same-sex marriage affect you?

Getting married is a big event for many people. Being able to walk down the aisle wearing a beautiful dress or standing at the alter as you wait for the love of your life to walk through the doors. It can be the best moment of your life. But for many Australian's a wedding can only be a dream. Currently, same-sex marriage is illegal in Australia. Despite more and more states in America legalizing same-sex marriage every day, Australia has yet to follow in the US's footsteps. Our Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has made it clear that whilst under her government same-sex marriage will not be legalized. 

As many as 550 thousand people in Australia currently identify as either bisexual or homosexual. Meaning that 550 thousand people in Australia either have about a fifty percent chance of not being able to marry their partner or not being able to get married at all. This is both degrading and dehumanizing to the LGBT* (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*) community. Shelley Smith, the Equity and Diversity Officer at James Cook University in Cairns shared her thoughts on the matter, stating that, "LGBT* people are clearly not treated as [equal] members of society... The fact that a law actively excludes a certain group of people is clearly discrimination and not only makes the LGBT* people lesser in the eyes of the law, [but] the existence of this legislation has a domino rollover effect to the general society, as it [is] clearly seen by many in the community as the Government actively allowing homophobia." She followed this statement up by saying that she believes that same-sex marriage should be legalized in Australia. 

This discrimination is a part of a bigger problem, as Smith mentioned. Homophobia is deeply rooted within society and the LGBT* community is usually on the receiving end of extensive abuse, both verbal and physical. This comes from the homophobic and dangerous attitude that it instilled in people from birth. This attitude is that being gay is wrong and immoral. As a result, there is a higher rate of depression amongst homosexual people than there is amongst heterosexual people. The depression rate amongst people who identify as bisexual is even higher. 

Many excuses for the continuous illegality of same-sex marriage can range from the absurd to the ridiculous. Some popular excuses such as, "The bible said Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve," and "Allowing same-sex marriage will destroy society. If we let gays get married, next we'll be allowing pedophiles to marry children." Not only is that last statement extremely homophobic and insulting, but it is completely untrue and an overreaction from people who are so narrow minded that they can't see how they're ignorance and harsh words are affecting those around them. Despite people's assumptions, same-sex marriage being legalized will not be the end of society as we know it. The only thing that will change will be same-sex couple's rights to marry and people's perceptions of the LGBT* community, and that will be for the better.

Think about it for one second. Most people who are homophobic or intolerant to the LGBT* community are so because of how they were raised. Homophobia is a taught trait in society. No one is born hating gay people, just as no one is born a racist. In our current society, people view same-sex marriage being illegal as the norm. A decade ago the majority of society didn't question it. It's only in the past couple of years this fight for marriage equality has really started to come into the public eye, and with it the issue of homophobia. 

Imagine one hundred years into the future. Same-sex marriage is legal world-wide. No one questions it anymore. No one ridicules or abuses the LGBT* community. It has become a part of the norm. Because despite people's beliefs, legalizing same-sex marriage will not lead to pedophile's marrying children, the world will not end and your children will not brainwashed or traumatized. Same-sex couples will be allowed to marry and that is all that will come of it. 

Ethics in Journalism

The infamous "eagle" picture by Kevin Carter.

Do you save the life of the drowning man? Or do you take the photo of a lifetime which could get more coverage, and more aid, for this horrific event? This is the question that every journalist will  have to ask themselves at least once in their career. (Well, not with those exact words in that exact situation.) At some point in time, you will have to second guess everything you once distinguished as "good" and "bad". This train of thought is often referred to as "ethics".

Ethics has lead to the insanity of many a person. Situations involving death, extreme trauma or violence can arise where a journalist has to choose between their job and what the "ethical" thing at the time to do is. I say "ethical" because the journalist helping out a starving orphan, for example, seems like the best thing to do at the time, but may not be the best thing in the long run. A good example of ethics at play is the story behind the infamous "eagle" image.

At the time, many people questioned whether famous photographer, Kevin Carter's behavior was ethical. Today the debate is still going on. It is alleged that Carter sat and watched the eagle prey upon the little, starving girl for a whopping twenty minutes. Not once did he consider walking the 200 metres to go get the girl food. On the other hand, the photographers on the trip were told by their superiors not to touch any of the locals. By this stage of his career, Carter had also seen a lot of terrible things which led to his warped view of what some believe to be ethical behavior.

But what is ethical behaviour? When asked, some people say that in Carter's position that they would get the girl food. That could very well (and mostly is) be viewed as the ethical thing to do. Other's say that the ethical thing to do would be exactly what Carter did. When factoring in the warning from his superiors, the fact he is there to be photographer and not a medic and his warped state of mind, it's easy to see why he did what he did (even though it irks me to think so).

Being a journalist is tough. Sometimes you have to make decision you really don't want to make. Sometimes that decision involves putting someone's life into your own hands. The question is: what would YOU do?

The Amazing Spider-Man

Play the "spider-pig" song from The Simpson's movie to someone and there is a high chance that they will sing along. Play them the original version of that song from the old Spider-Man cartoons and you might get a couple of blank looks. But believe it or not, Spider-Man has been around for a very long time. In fact, even longer than Doctor Who. 

Stan Lee first bought the character to life in the comic extravaganza, Amazing Fantasy. A comic in which the whimsical hero, Spider-Man, was only supposed to make an appearance. He was added in later because Stan Lee was doubtful that the comic would sell. "Nobody cares about what you put in a book that's going to die," said Stan Lee, the creator of Spider-Man and the beloved Marvel Universe, "so I threw in Spider-Man. Featured him on the cover and then forgot about him." Martin Goodman, the publisher of the Marvel comics, didn't want to publish it as he was convinced that the audience would find the spider aspect of the boy-hero to be "distateful". But Spider-Man and his legacy went on to spawn hundreds of comics, several television series' and two movie franchises. Not bad for a hero who was supposed to be a "one-shot experiment". 

Spider-Man in the Marvel Universe.

The tale of the hero, Spider-Man is not only a classic, but easily relate able to almost anyone. Unlike the other heroes in the Marvel universe, young Peter Parker doesn't get caught up in the hysteria of having powers. In fact, at first he doesn't even know what to do with them. Later on he uses them for revenge. 

Although there are several different Spider-Man verses (including Ultimate Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man), they all contain the same event which pushes Peter to become Spider-man. *SPOILER ALERT* His beloved Uncle Ben is shot by a robber which Peter let slip by him earlier. Although the details are changed minutely throughout the different universes, the results are the same. The birth of the superhero known as Spider-Man. 

The latest franchise of Spider-Man movies is based on The Amazing Spider-Man comics, with Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker and Emma Stone

Andrew Garfield (LEFT) and Emma Stone (RIGHT)
in the 2012 film, The Amazing Spider-Man.

playing Peter's love interest, Gwen Stacy. Although it was originally rumored that a fourth installment of the Sam Raimi franchise starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst was going to be the newest Spider-Man film, it was later announced that the films would be receiving a reboot. Garfield and Stone were chosen out of the hundreds that auditioned. They are currently filming the second installment: The Amazing Spider-Man 2. 

Photoshop: the good, the bad and the ugly

Photoshop gone wrong... Jennifer Lawrence before photoshop (LEFT), and after (RIGHT)

Photos have always been a way of telling a story. From the cave drawings in prehistoric times to the GIFs we have now, photography is just another element to news stories and story telling in general. Often a photographer will photoshop their work to get rid of any minor inconsistencies in the photo. However, sometimes they go too far. Particularly in media publications like fashion magazines.

This is a GIF.

Far too often you see a magazine cover with an unrecognizable celebrity gracing the cover. They've had their lips plumped, their skin retouched and their noses scaled down so much that even they're biggest fans would have a hard time recognizing their favourite celebrity. Although men do fall victim to this issue, it is mainly women who suffer the consequences. They're told that in order to fit in they have to: be skinny but fit, have a nice golden tan, long flowing hair, big breasts and luscious curves all at the same time. So, pretty much look like a barbie doll. Although scientists have already proven that Barbie would not be able to survive due to her inconsistent and out of whack bod proportions, it doesn't stop girls from trying to look like her.

Thirteen per cent of girls in Australia are reported to have an eating disorder each year, along with seven percent of boys. From a young age children are bombarded with images of what "perfect" looks like. By the time they're in their teens, they've already been convinced that they're not good enough. That's when the dieting begins.

 Although photo-shopping in magazines has been known to get out of hand, that doesn't eliminate the use of photography in journalism. When used correctly, a photo can add a touch of sorrow or joy to an otherwise lacking story. Techniques such as the framing, focus and exposure in the photo, when used correctly, can make or break the story. As Eddie Adams once said, "If it makes you laugh, it it makes you cry, if it rips out your heart, that's a good picture."

Reporting War and Trauma

Journalist, Christina Lamb reporting from Afghanistan.

War and trauma are two of the hardest topics for a journalist to cover. In week eight of JN1001, we learnt about reporting in war zones and on trauma. As is it was such a sensitive topic, I  - and I'm sure a couple of other students - probably felt a little bit uncomfortable. But nonetheless it needed to be discussed.

 Whether it be writing about it for a newspaper or talking about it to a class of journalism students, the effects are always there. War, death, natural disasters and acts of terrorism are just some of the topics which come under the somewhat broad umbrella of war and trauma. From a local car accident to 9/11, trauma is always prevalent in society. Although most people prefer to be avert to trauma, some chase it, surrounding their life in it. These people do this by going to war zones for long periods of time to report on the tragedy on behalf of their news paper or country.

As a person who is not comfortable hearing about or seeing violence, it is hard for me to imagine wanting to have such a career. But alas, my opinions are not the most important and they certainly aren't the only ones. Many people who cover topics such as war face many challenges. Some of these are psychological problems. When faced with continuous violence and unspeakable acts day after day, it can affect a person in ways that are unimaginable. Our lecturer, Marie, reminded us that if any of us go on to be war reporters, that we must remember what our job is. That is to be a journalist and nothing else. 

To be a journalist reporting in a war zone or on a tragedy, one must be able to do several things. Maintaining your professionalism and empathy is one of those things. The other important thing is to be able to remove yourself from the situation. After all, you're a reporter. Not a medic, not a counselor and not a soldier. These are some of the abilities that one would need to possess if one chose to report on war and trauma. Whether or not one would choose this career path is up to you and you alone. After all, you only get one life. You may as well live it the way you want to.