OU Campus Example of Old School Communication

Over the past few weeks it's been obvious around campus that the presidential election in November is one of the top subjects on everyone's mind, and it is one of the causes that is most backed by Ohio University students. It's a new and important cause, that is very relevant and modern.

Yet, the way that the political organizations on campus go about advertising is very old school, and very relevant to the things we're learning in Journalism 101 about the history of journalism. It's usually with a pen and a clipboard of paper. Or a table set up with home made signs. It's the quintessential example of how newspapers and magazines used to be promoted, back many years in history.

We learned in J101 where the media evolved from...how paper was invented...and how word of mouth was a very important part of spreading the growth of newspapers, magazines, and other printed media.

With the world now accustomed to using computers and the internet to promote and advertise, it's refreshing to see the old styles coming into play here on campus. There is something simple and humble about going around surveying students while holding a pen and a pad of paper...or having a sign up sheet on a beat up old table with a painted sign taped to the front. It makes it obvious that the old ways of communication are not dead.

I've noticed many students trekking across campus, ready to knock on doors, stop students in the street, and trying to persuade students to sign petitions and join organizations. While the new ways of communication are quick and efficient, there is some old charm that comes with the old ways, and I believe that's why they're still here today, and will be around for a very long time.

Lecture = Exciting

Today we had a lecture from two professors, one was Assistant Professor in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Yusef Kalyango, and the other was a visiting professor from Pakistan, Altaf Ullah Khan. 

They talked to my J101 class about 9/11 since we are living today on the anniversary of that awful time back in 2001. It was a great 2 hours, and I learned a lot. It especially enlightened me with what I wanted to write about in this blog. We discussed why the American media is not as credible as in places around the world. 

Professor Kalyango made mention to the fact that American journalism is perceived as being "polite and submissive". This somewhat puzzled me at first. When I think of the United States of America, I think of a big bullying nation that chooses to be on the offense, not the defense, and is nowhere near the neutrality of Switzerland! Don't get me wrong, I don't think where we are at this time we could afford to be on the defense, considering we have made this country one of the, if not THE, most powerful countries in the world. But when I do think about my country, the words "polite and submissive" certainly do not come into my head.

Professor Kalyango went on to explain that other journalists around the world choose to take a more aggressive stance when reporting on world affairs, whereas the US journalists choose to report safe and unproven facts. He also said that US journalists are better at investigating "large corporate complicated projects" and lacks the ability to report on international crises. 

This disturbed me, because I was always under the illusion that the United States was not just the most powerful nation in military ways, but in all ways, including the media and journalists. It's scary to think in the way that Professor Kalyango does...that my age group will be the ones to make or break the journalism field. If we can't change it, what's going to happen to the entire United States journalism career field?

It's frightening, but I have faith that we can change. I'll write more about this later. 

Views on the Media

I never thought I'd have a real honest-to-goodness blog. The idea has always been attractive, but I guess I was always too distracted to sit down and click a mouse a few times to create one. I'm still a bit weary that possibly everyone in my Journalism 101 class could read this, and that this could be part of my future career. I don't think I've ever considered a blog being a credible reason to get a job, but after class today, it's apparent I haven't thought about a lot of things in the media world. 

I've decided this blog is going to touch on anything I can get my hands on, relating to journalism. I am going to specifically focus on people's views of the media, good or bad, and then try to look at it from both view points. I want to understand why some people hate mainstream media, and why some believe the nightly news is spun from lies. 

Today we discussed the changes occurring in our world of news, media, and journalism. It was our first class, but it felt like I'd been there before. I felt like I belonged, which is more than I can say about any classes I took in high school. Journalism is somewhat of a hit/miss major. I believe you really have to love it. You have to look at it as an art form...that you are writing, reporting, discovering news that will make a difference in the world...or at least in someone's life. 

While discussing the fear of journalism being a dying art, I wasn't scared. I wasn't nervous that I was going into a career field that some consider to be a dumb choice. I don't care that I'm going into a career field that has the potential to be highly controversial. I don't care if people think I'm stupid for majoring in journalism. I care that I'm going to be happy. I care that I am going into a career field that I know I can succeed in, and that I can do big things in.

Sure, call me overly optimistic. 

But I have yet to witness a pessimist get anywhere near to their dreams. And I've already begun to achieve mine. Attending Ohio University was the biggest decision I have made in my life.

And so far, it's the best.