Final Exam: Objectivity, Excellence, Truth, and Code of Conduct

Question #1

The definition of objectivity differs from source to source, whether it is the dictionary, Bill Kovach, journalists, or the people. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines objectivity as expressing facts without the distortion of personal feelings or prejudice. The discussion of objectivity in Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel’s “Elements of Journalism” delves deeper into the issue. I find their statement beginning statement of element four to ring true. “Being impartial or neutral is not a core principal of journalism….impartiality was never what was meant by objectivity…the critical step in pursuing truthfulness and informing citizens is not neutrality but independence…” Americans expect journalism to be 100 percent objective. The question of objectivity arises when the definition of objectivity between citizens and journalists clashes. Everyone is influenced by their personal experiences, including journalists, but they should and can be independent from their work. Independence and honesty establish trust and credibility with readers, rather than complete neutrality. Kovach and Rosenstiel also said, “the question is not neutrality, but purpose.”

In the United States, opinions are upheld by the 1^st amendment, but that does not mean the people want it in their journalism and news. It seems though, that opinion and partisanship have seeped into news and broadcast networks. The place for opinion therefore belongs in the opinion and editorial sections of papers and designated programs on networks. In order for the people to trust the press once again, we must be honest with them instead of pretending we are independent. I think it is important that every person develop their own opinions on the issues of the time. A person without opinion brings nothing to the community. Journalists can be independent and still hold opinions on the issues they are writing. I believe part of being a journalist is learning and mastering the ability to separate yourself from those opinions when it is necessary. As a journalist, I will be independent in my writing. If I find that my opinions compromise an article or piece, then I would be obligated to inform my editor and write on something else. I feel it is important for me to be as honest and truthful with the public as possible. I want to increase the credibility of current journalists and those in the future.

Question #2

I think it is simple to identify excellent journalism when one reads or views it. Defining excellent journalism on paper is much more difficult. Some ways we have currently been able to identify extraordinary journalism is through Pulitzer prizes, Hearst awards, and other such recognitions. To me, excellent journalism expresses complete honesty and truth in a way that is able to deeply impact readers or viewers. Aspects such as independence and public vigilance push journalists to do better. The people are never quiet in their criticisms of journalism, which is very beneficial. While we, as journalists, have the role of watchdog; it is logical that the public watches us and points out faults. Prior to this semester of studying journalism, I had already concluded there was a lack of excellence in my television/newspaper website. Each time I visited the Omaha World Herald’s website, www.omaha.com, I cringed. As the largest and main newspaper of the state, it rarely addressed important issues. The majority of the paper was comprised of articles taken from the AP. While our population in Nebraska is below one million people, there must be more important content to cover than solely the University of Nebraska athletics. When journalism lacks excellence, it is obvious.

Question #3

Truth is journalism’s most important feature according to Jeffrey Scheuer in “The Big Picture”. I believe it is the most important feature of journalism as well. An obligation to truth separates journalism from public relations, advertising, gossip, and fiction. Journalistic truth is unique. While not only being honest, journalism must answer all questions (who, what, where, when, and why). Journalistic truth entails all details. While an article could only present some of the facts it would be, in the journalistic sense, dishonest even though the information presented was correct. We are the sources that inform the public. Journalism is the main source of civic knowledge, therefore it is important that the news is reported and relayed truthfully, the first time. Reporting truthfully means reporting the most accurate perceptions with all the facts.

Question #4

Putting aside the recent economic troubles in the United States, one of the main reasons newspapers and television news operations are in trouble comes from the internet. The World Wide Web has been able to connect people across the earth that was not previously feasible several decades ago. With the exploding development of technology, the news business could not go unaffected. People are now looking to the internet in order to keep them informed and updated with news and world issues. The public no longer sits down to their televisions at certain times at night to catch the news. They read news that is updated instantly on the internet, stream newscasts and shows, and have important updates sent to hand held devices and cell phones. Instead of paying $1.50 on a newspaper each day, Americans are reading hundreds of news websites, usually without charge. This results in the downsizing the news industry has seen the past several years. More journalists are writing online and blogging. Along with the increase of news online, advertisers are also switching to the internet. With the loss of advertisers and revenue, the industry has appropriately downsized, though attempting to meet the same work load.

Companies are now hiring journalists that can perform and accomplish several of the different aspects in the news business: photography, writing, editing, and other multimedia projects. The reduction of journalists and cuts made by businesses may hurt the quality of news in certain areas. Recently the Tribune Company filed for bankruptcy. If our nation’s news organizations fall apart, we will be in great trouble. Corruption will go rampant, without it being reported. The American people will go uninformed in many areas where businesses are making cuts, such as in science and environment departments. If journalists are reduced to few numbers, who will inform the people? These developments of course will affect my future career. I will not earn an obscene or even decent amount of money, but this does not lessen the importance of my career. The U.S. will always need journalists in order to be a democracy. In five to ten years, it is possible I could work at a print newspaper or magazine. The reality is that many future jobs in journalism will be tied to the internet. This does not have to be a negative thing though. Because so much of journalism and the news is done through the internet now, it can expand the number of journalists and voices heard. Issues can be explored in greater depth.

Question #5

I think it is easy to say what one’s personal code of conduct will be, but it is much more difficult to live in reality. In several discussions, class members said they would quit their jobs before writing on a story they disliked, opposed, or felt was wrong. Realistically, if you quit your job every time you did not agree with a boss, you would be unemployed for life. I realize that I will not always agree with my editors and bosses on what I am to write, and I will occasionally have to cover angles or issues I disagree with. What I can do as a journalist and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is live and write as truthfully and honestly as possible, even when assigned disagreeable stories. I can strive to inform the public to the best of my ability, verify my facts and sources, be original, take criticism and apply it, and most importantly give a voice to the voiceless. As a journalist I want to inform and impact people that otherwise would have remained ignorant. I want the code of conduct I live by to change people’s lives and improve the democracy we live in.

Planet in Peril

So often we critique journalism or report on how the business is failing. A little over a week ago, I found a program on CNN which I thought was a good example of journalism, of informing the people, especially in an area that seems to be downsized in many news organizations.

CNN has a program called "Planet in Peril" which runs Sunday nights at 8 p.m. est. According to their website, www.cnn.com/planetinperil, the show "examines the environmental conflicts between growing populations and natural resources." The hosts Lisa Ling, Anderson Cooper, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta travel across the world investigating conflicts and issues such as shark hunting, disease, or the extinction of the Silverback gorilla in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the past two weeks the program has covered issues in the Amazon rain forest regarding deforestation and the effects on the ecosystem there, diseases picked up from forest animals in Cameroon such as HIV, shark fin soup and its harvesting for soup in places such as Taiwan.

This program covers many important issues happening across the world, and even in the United States. It educates people so they can make a difference. So much of cable news is filled with redundant headlines or political commentary. It is refreshing to learn something new, something out of the ordinary scandal and corruption stories.

The program's website, while very simple, provides print stories, video podcasts, notes from the field, blogs from the hosts, and links to other sites where you can become an active participant in aiding the issues the show has discussed. Below is a podcast provided by the program's website. One of the hosts, Lisa Ling, is in Africa investigating the problem of poaching elephants.


The website even has an interactive map of the places "Planet in Peril: Battle Lines" has traveled documenting threats to the environment. There is a section dedicated to parents and educators providing activities, questions, and video as well.

I believe CNN has done a wonderful job with this program, providing an excellent example of journalism.

What do you think? Is it an example of journalism in its best form?

Sini-Tuulia Sohkanen

In Comms 211 we were required to write a final article for class, so I have decided to post mine seeing as this is a journalism blog. This is my first semester writing newspaper articles (or features), and I know there is room for much improvement.

Sini-Tuulia is a poetic term for the color blue and wind, in Finnish. Though Sini-Tuulia Sohkanen is not blue, the music from her $20,000 Eero Haati violin floats through the air like wind. She came to the United States in August to study violin performance at the BYU School of Music.

Sini-Tuulia Sohkanen was born on Aug. 19, 1989 in eastern Finland to Kari and Jaana Sohkanen. The oldest of five children, her siblings are Joakin, Enni-riia, Joonatan, and Jethro. Her hilly, hometown of Mikkeli is blanketed by nearly 700 lakes, each lined with pine, fir, and birch trees, according to Mikkeli City’s website. Mikkeli’s rural landscape provided many outdoor activities for young Sini-Tuulia and her family.

Growing up, the Sohkanen family frequently visited beaches on the numerous lakes in Finland, playing in the water and camping. The hills also provided resorts full of snowy slopes in the winter. Sini-Tuulia performed with her brother and sister, Joakin and Enni-Riia, at funerals, weddings, and other events as a teenager. Each child in her family grew up playing a musical instrument, including Sini-Tuulia.

“I remember the summer days in our childhood when we went to the marketplace in our town and played our violins together,” said Enni-Riia Sohkanen, Sini-Tuulia’s younger sister. “We got so much money that our whole family could travel abroad.”

At an early age of five, Sini-Tuulia became interested in playing the violin after watching a cousin practice. She applied to a music school, because public schools in Finland do not provide athletic or music programs. Her mother doubted whether she would be accepted, but it was Sini-Tuulia’s greatest desire, and soon after she was admitted.

As Sini-Tuulia progressed in her music, she outgrew the instructors and expertise in her hometown. When her 15^th birthday approached, she made preparations to move three hours southeast of where her family lived to, Helsinki, the capital of Finland.

Sini-Tuulia moved to Helsinki so she could attend Sibelius Academy, a better music-centered school, and be taught by learned professionals. She moved into an apartment with women in their twenties. At 15 years old, Sini-Tuulia began to do her own grocery shopping, cleaning, and laundry.

“Now that I think about it, I probably would not do it again. I might have grown up a little too fast,” Sini-Tuulia said.

Practicing her violin for six hours a day in high school was normal, she said. As she went to the vocational high school in Helsinki, Sini-Tuulia also attended public schooling, earning a double high school degree. Though she led a busy life, Sini-Tuulia found time to return home once or twice a month, or her family traveled to Helsinki.

“There are many good memories of the days when we went to her tiny apartment. The first time she came home, it took time to get used to, but those were the special days. Then, everybody wanted to be at home,” Enni-Riia Sohkanen said.

Nearly every teenager’s dream world lacks the authority of parents. Sini-Tuulia however, maintained the values established by her family and faith while living on her own as a teenager.

“Being close to her, you can see she has a strong testimony and how hard it was to grow up in the situation she did,” said Chery Quist, Sini-Tuulia’s roommate. “She is the strongest person I know, not giving into any peer pressure. Even when all of her friends went to bars, she never drank.”

In 2007, Sini-Tuulia reached a turning point. After spending time with experienced musicians during the summer which lacked her values, she decided to audition at BYU. While she expressed BYU’s school of music was a step down from the academy she could have attended in Finland, Sini-Tuulia felt the environment here was unbeatable.

“The spirit was amazing. I felt so good being here. I wanted to come to a school where you combine church and normal life,” she said.

“I remember Sini telling me in one of her first e-mails how hard she was working so she could come to BYU. She mentioned how she had been here and felt the spirit so strongly and was excited to be with so many other members of the Church,” said Annie Elmer, the peer mentor for Sini-Tuulia’s Freshman Academy group.

“Her desire to be here really impressed me from the get-go, as I have seen other students come here feeling like they have a right to be here, or because their parents made them. Sini just seems to see it as a huge blessing.”

Raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proved a difficult thing for Sini-Tuulia and her family in Finland. Though they were resented by extended family, the Sohkanens remained strong in their faith. Sini-Tuulia looked forward to fitting in and being surrounded by so many church members.

On part scholarship, she flew 5,000 miles to the United States, to BYU, for fall semester and moved into her cinderblock room, otherwise known as on-campus housing. Being one of four Fins at BYU, Sini-Tuulia’s nationality has come to define her among the students.

“I was surprised at how much she knew about our culture and how much she was like me” Sini-Tuulia’s friend and BYU student, Arielle Driggs said. “She is just Sini. She is really not that different. She has different strengths and weaknesses, like the rest of us.”

Sini-Tuulia learned English during her schooling as a child in Finland, and while she has found schoolwork to be demanding and difficult at BYU, being a foreign student has not impeded her progress and success.

“My experience with Sini is nothing but positive. She is motivated and very likable,” associate professor of ancient scripture, David Whitchurch said.

“I am constantly impressed by her ability to succeed in a rigorous academic environment, especially in a foreign language,” said Sherilyn Farnes, Sini-Tuulia’s English professor. “I usually forget English is not her native language, since she is able to converse fluently and express herself very well in English.”

Sini-Tuulia Sohkanen never seems to haven fallen short of ways to express herself, whether it is through a language, talking, or performing music. She has played in over 300 concerts and events during her musical career thus far. At least 10 different times, Sohkanen has had the opportunity to play with many orchestras and perform solos.

“I like performing. That is my favorite thing. In general, I like beautiful things in life, and I think music is beautiful, especially when you are able to create something beautiful. It is a way for me to express myself,” Sohkanen said.

Sini-Tuulia’s dream to be a world-famous violinist has changed. After graduating and receiving a master’s degree, Sohkanen’s dream is to be like her previous violin teacher, Janne Malmivaara. They both share a passion for music and teaching.

“I have learned if you want to be very good, you have to sacrifice everything else,” she said.

Sini-Tuulia plans on continuing her education in the United States, after which she must return to Finland unless she marries an American.

Mikkeli City Website