Preterm birth: The new leading cause of death

According to this NPR article there are thousands of different diseases around the world that could potentially kill babies. But no single disease out weighs the deadly risks of being born prematurely. Every year, 1.09 million children under age five die from health complications that can be traced back to being born three or more weeks early.

The UN Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. Levels and trends in child mortality: report 2013.

The article is written in blocked form with different bolded subheads guiding the readers eye. Even though it comes from NPR it does not feature any audio and solely offers up the news. The article starts with important statistics and information about premature births and their health risks, then continues to answer questions in order of most to least important.

There are also incredible sources in the article. Information was gathered from credible sources such as the director of the Institute for International Programs at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, The Lancet, and Science Translational Medicine. Graphics came from the UN Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.  Every detail of the article gave depth and reliability rather than fluff or jargon.

Net news: Obama calls for neutrality in internet services

One of the stories that will most influence your future as a media writer is developing as we write.  President Obama issued a call Monday for the Federal Communications Commission to adopt rules ensuring that internet service providers do not speed up or slow down access speeds on the web for commercial purposes.

This is complicated stuff, and I welcome you to learn as much as you can.  As we accept that digitization has huge effects on media practices — including business practices — we need to appreciate that the governance of the web has profound implications.

Let’s read up on this.  Here is a breaking news story from a website, ars technica, that covers trending media-technology issues, particularly bedrock issues about the internet.  And here is an essay from an involved U.S. player in this contest.

We need to be careful and attentive readers here, too.  Since the leaders and owners in the media industry often have financial interests in this outcome, we need to appreciate that stories may reflect certain positions that various corporations may stake out.  In other cases, individual reporters and editors may be trying their elegant best not to show any favoritism to certain arguments that might favor or harm their organizations.

At any rate, read carefully.  The media are direct players in this issue.

Consider this article from Bloomberg news, an international business wire and information service for stockbrokers, investors and currency traders.  This is a company that earns its profits from instant reportage around the globe, mostly via internet transmissions. Does Bloomberg have a stake in net neutrality?  I would think so, though I’m not schooled in the precise perspectives of its wealthy, politically oriented founder and chairman.

We surely expect Bloomberg’s correspondents to be well informed on the twists and implications of the ways that the FCC might apply rules on internet services, fee systems and transmission speeds. That makes it all the more interesting to read Bloomberg’s coverage.

Class clown?

In this shocking video, Charlotte’s WCNC reports a 14-year-old Rowan County Middle School student taken into custody after dressing in a clown mask and raising a butcher knife in the school cafeteria.

The video is accompanied by an article that follows the story and acts as a script. It highlights the direct quotations and general format of the story and follows along with the video. But the written lede in the article is much different than that of the story. The first sentence of the article is extremely informative and cuts straight to the point. Right away it gives the age of the student, the name of the school, the type of knife used, the location of the event, the day and time frame, and information that the student had been taken into custody. Whenever listening to the story in the video, the anchor approaches the lede in a completely different way. It is much more dramatic using action words like fought and life in danger. The lede in the video also emphasizes the importance of the responding police officer who risked his life so that students could escape safely. This takes on an entirely different point of view than the article even though both are about the same crime.

Direct quotes are emphasized in videos very differently than in articles. This video uses direct quotes from the police officer who was at the scene of the crime by showing him on the screen actually answering questions about the crime. The producers of the video did not choose to overlay written blocked quotes to the video.

There are also voiceovers in the video with b-roll playing beneath them. When reporter, Ben Thompson, details the crime images pop up on the screen. The writing directly matches the images on the screen. Whenever Thompson mentions the knives and mask a picture appears from the scene of the two items. Thompson also mentions the student brought the knife in a backpack at which point the backpack and the knife fill the frame. A sound bite is added when the police officer speaks about the crime.

The general run down of this package follows the common form for television news stories. Here is a quick breakdown:

1. Anchor on camera
2. Tossed to Reporter live at the scene
3. Reporter voiceover (B-roll: knives, mask, sheriff, schoolyard, school building)
4. Interview of responding police officer
5. Reporter live at the scene
6. Anchor on camera

New leads in abduction of young Philadelphia woman

In this striking video, ABC News releases new surveillance clips of the possible suspect for a seemingly random abduction of a young nursing student from a local grocery store. Carlesha Feeeland-Gaither has been missing for three days.

The lede in this story is very broken up. It separates facts into short easily audible sentences that present the main point in a few short words. All of the words used are simple and short and often very conversational. This makes the report easy to watch, listen to and digest.

Another key point to the script, is that there is conversation written in directly, telling the reporters when to switch back and forth between speakers and clips. The script directly describes surveillance films as they are displayed on screen, presenting the viewer with a clear analysis of the events.

The reporter clearly speaks over all of the films in plain language so that the important features and highlighted. When a clip of the kidnapping suspect is shown browsing the isles, the reporter notes features such as time, appearance of the suspect and continues to present the police report on finding the man. This structure permits the viewer to do little of their own analysis of the presented information which means they can follow along easily and retain the overall message without paying full attention.

Refugees: The struggles, the processes and the rewards

Crowds of students and faculty members flooded Global Commons Monday evening as panelists emphasized that asylees and refugees from around the world have many similarities, but only one distinct difference.

Heather Scavone, director of the Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic, was the first panelist to speak in the hot and overflowing room and argued that refugees and asylum seekers have similar benefits, challenges and grounds for protection under the law. She said the only difference between the two is refugees gain status before coming to America while individuals applying for asylum request status after entering the country.

“Around 17,000 refugees come to the United States a year from all around the world,” said panelist and Executive Director at North Carolina African Services Coalition, Million Mekonnen.

Because of extreme numbers of refugees immigrating to the United States, legal grounds must be in action for those fleeing to America. Scavone recited these five grounds as listed in the U.S. Obligation under domestic and international law:

1. Race
The individual is persecuted for linguistic groups, nationality, religious ethnicities or social descent.
2. Religion
The individual cannot actively practice their faith, social traditions or linguistic groups because of fear of harm.
3. Nationality
Wrongful treatment of people from the same place or people who are perceived to be from the same place.
4. Political Opinion
Interpreted stance of anti government by the regime in command or a dictatorship over one’s actions causing harm to the individual.
5. Membership in a social group
Persecution because of sexual identity, physical disability or membership in another social group deemed incorrect.

Heather Scavone, assistant professor of law and director of the Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic, interacts with students and professors at the New Refugee and Immigrant Communities in Greensboro Panel Discussion at Elon University.

In order to gain approval into the United States, Scavone also emphasized the many benefits and challenges refugees and approved asylees face.

Challenges:
Family separation/reunification: Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 are automatically eligible for reunification, but the process can take years to finalize. Parents and minor siblings must be deemed a refugee under the requirements above to be eligible for reunification under a separate state program.

Scavone gave the example that if one spouse is persecuted for political beliefs but is married to a person with different beliefs who is not persecuted, this person would not be classified as a refugee and would not be reunified with their spouse.

Immigration Court: Refugees have no right to counsel in immigration court. If they cannot afford a lawyer, they are not automatically appointed one.

Benefits:
Benefits to refugees and asylees include U.S. citizenship, civic participation, eventual family reunification, permanent protection from deportation and preservation of important social benefits.

Greensboro refugees are suffering

In a diverse pannel discussion tonight at Elon University, speakers noted the difficulties for refugees in North Carolina in adapting to American culture.

Speaker Shana Morrison, a professor of public health at the University of Chapel Hill Greensboro, said there is a need for improvement in the care of refugees in the area, but that this change will not come easily. She specifically spoke on the Montagnard community in North Carolina, who are political refugees from Vietnam. North Carolina, she said, is home the the largest population of Montagnards outside Vietnam, about 9,000 – 10,000. The community is made up of substance farmers, with strong family ties, a traditional way of life and unfortunately said Morrison, a lack of language assimilation, education and high poverty rates.

She is in the progress of implementing a program to heal improve these factors for the refugee community.

“DO YOU SEE HOW CLEAR THAT IS?” emphasized Morrison when displaying a representation of her improvement model.

Morrison and her team of student researchers are planing an intervention to help the Montagnards improve their quality of life and adapt to the American culture. Focus problems include:

Health Care Access

The Montagnards have been able to attain an “orange card” for access to free health care. This card was instated and then takes a way a number of times but it currently in use.

Literacy and Health Literacy

Morrison said that Montagnard women have shown interest in learning and reading but are unable to due to inaccessibility and cost. She also expressed the importance that the Montagnards have a stronger understanding of English.

Community Health Center

Morrison and her team are looking to set un a Community Health center where modern medicine can be administered as well as to provide access to a health education.

Morrison also expressed the need for funding. Poverty, she said, is a huge block in the road for the Montagnards. Much improvement is seen to be capable with little money as she explains that women were able to create their own sustainable water source and garden with only $5 for dirt and a water bucket.

Though improving health, wealth and education in such a community will be immensely difficult, the outcome would allow the refugees to experience the real freedoms that America has to offer them.

As speaker Dr. Idris put it, “The importance of freedom is not about having it, but to give it too.”

Care to Skimm the news?

Reading news via theSkimm is like chatting with a hip twenty-year-old. It is painless. Genius, even.

Former NBC producers Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin launched theSkimm in mid-July of 2012 in hopes of enlightening those not working in the news world about all of the latest current events. Weisberg and Zakin took into account the fact that although people want to know the news, they do not have a lot of spare time and patience to read it.

With a blocked-style and quick summaries one paragraph each, busy, time-crunched people can stay current. The writing is easily informal and jam-packed with informative details. Most summaries have a knowledgable source accompanied with a quote. “Who, what, when, why, and where?” questions are answered. There is no fluff. And if a reader cares to delve further into the issue, the news briefings contain embedded links.

Simply put, theSkimm is candy-coated news. And its readers are treating the phenomenon with utmost approval.

Alicia Keys comments on the purpose of life

This article, written by New York Times Columnist Nicolas Kristof, talks about recent media sensation Alicia Keys and her revised definition of the purpose of life. In light of recent tragedies, Keys decided to advocate change, starting with a picture of her only dressed in a peace sign.

Kristof did a fantastic job utilizing techniques and styles necessary for media writing. He incorporated descriptive words and phrases throughout the entire piece such as legacy, purpose of life, leveraging, frustration, and provocative. These words molded the story and gave it direction. He also included strong quotes that were short, to the point, and emphasized his point. Direct quotes, partial quotes, and paraphrasing were all used and back up his claims. The sources, Alicia Keys and the president of CARE, were strong and gave the story reliability, context and depth. The structure of the story follows the inverted pyramid. He wrote a strong lede that detailed at the point of the story in an concise and intriguing way. He followed with “why” and “what” happened before introducing a strong quote in the third graph. He continued to follow the inverted pyramid by then following up with more information, more information, and more information. He included the causes Keys supports, the fan reaction to the post, and further steps in making a change before ending with a strong quote offering the last fact. There was no unnecessary “cute” wrap up.

Arctic sea ice melts at a rapid pace

This article by USA Today is about the rapid rate that arctic sea ice is melting. The writer, Doyle Rice, successfully incorporates quotes to support his argument and provide further information to the reader.

The writer included a direct quotation in the second sentence to summarize the article. The direct quote comes from a reliable source and immediately identifies an arctic problem. This article is not opinion based and all the quotes derive from fact. Because climate change is a huge scientific problem, there are no paraphrases included. There are five quotes that make up a majority of the article. I appreciated direct quotes because they presented the information in a concise, understandable way. This is vital for an issue that is sometimes difficult to understand. The direct and to the point style of the story emphasized the pertinence and urgency of the information.

Lack of voting rights forces Hong Kong students to strike

The New York Times published a stirring article today reporting student strikes at the University of Hong Kong. NYT writers Chris Buckley and Alan Wong reported with grave attention to quoting. It is clear that each quote was graphed strategically based on its relevance, importance, and source.

Buckley and Wong smartly cite student representatives, professors, and student bystanders which is vital for source diversity. The most common quoting style in the article is using direct quotation. These direct quotations crucially shed light on motives behind the protest.

Along with directly quoting sources, three paraphrased quotes sufficiently compliment the story. One paraphrased quote stems from a professor noting absences in his Monday classes. Absent is reason for a direct quote here as it is strictly fact. Because there is not a viewpoint being introduced here, a direct quote is not necessary. I enjoyed the structure of the article and overall I think that Buckley and Wong did a fine job with quote placement and choice.

Traffic violation arrest warrant issued for person of interest in missing student case

This article, from ABC News published on Sept 21, reports that an arrest warrant has been issued for the person of interest in the University of Virginia’s missing student case. The article by Dean Schabner, says that Jesse L. Matthew has been issued an arrest warrant for reckless driving. His warrant is not related to the missing student case but the police would like to question him about that case as well since he is suspected to be the last person seen with the missing student.

Schabner did a great job using direct quotes from his interview with Timothy Longo, Charlottesville Police Chief, in his article. The quotes explain why police are looking for Matthew as well as his importance in the missing student case. The article contains five direct quotes from Longo. The quotes add insight and make the story more reliable since the information is coming straight from the chief of police. Schabner also paraphrases Longo in some parts of the article, which helps with the flow of the article and still incorporates essential information. This article did a great job using direct quotes, paraphrasing and finding a reliable and knowledgeable source.

ISIS releases disturbing threat to U.S.

In this article from USA Today, published on Monday, Sept. 22 at 11:02 am. A spokesman Abu Muhammad Al Adnani, for the Islamic State has released a disturbing message threatening the U.S. Adnani urges members of the Muslim community to take violent actions against disbelievers.

This title of the article grabs the reader’s attention very quickly. The article does a great job in direct quotation on Abu Muhammed Al Adnani’s speech. For example: “O America, O allies of America, and O crusaders, know that the matter is more dangerous than you have imagined and greater than you have envisioned. We have warned you that today we are in a new era,” Adnani said. “If you can kill a disbelieving American or European — especially the spiteful and filthy French — or an Australian, or a Canadian, or any other disbeliever from the disbelievers waging war, including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State, kill him in any manner or way however it may be,” Adnani said.

The article adds exact word for word on the speech by Adnani. It gives the same message, “Rig the roads with explosives, attack their bases, raid their homes, cut off their heads and do not let them feel secure.” There’s one specific purpose for ISIS, and this news story does a great job in showing exactly  the main purpose of Adnani’s speech, and his aim towards the U.S. So the news story did a great job interpreting direct quotations. Meanwhile, another person was shown in this article – former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Again adding direct quotation about what he thinks about ISIS. “The west needs to be ready to commit ground forces to deal with ISIS and here is real evidence that now countries in the Middle East are prepared to shoulder responsibility and I accept fully there is no appetite for ground engagement in the West.” The news story shows direct evidence within the quotations based upon Adnani’s speech.

Cocaine and Cupcakes

This fascinating article from the Boston Globe exposes the growing issue of recovering drug addicts who are becoming dependent on sugary foods to quell their drug cravings. These individuals do are in a habit of dependence and have not been taught how to properly take care of themselves. It cites a number of first hand accounts of the problem as well as a number of research experts on addition and nutrition.

The article does a very impressive job integrating quotes into its evidence. While it is quote heavy and relies little on paraphrasing, the inclusion of direct quotes from those affected pulls on the heart strings of the reader and direct quotations from research experts gives the article a lot of accreditation. It is able to integrate quotes seamlessly into its sentences rather than using the typical “so-and-so said” format, and instead using partial quotes. This takes a lot of skill and shows the writers full understanding of the topic as he is able to use the quotes as both hard evidence and analysis.

South Carolina father kills his five children

Timothy Jones, a 32-year-old allegedly went on a 700-mile-journey that began in South Carolina. At the back of his SUV were the bodies of his five young children, ages 1 to 8. The children were wrapped in garbage bags, and they were  were discovered off of a dirt road in Wilcox County. Ryan Sanchez, Ed Payne and Alan Duke of CNN published this news story on Thursday, Sept, 11.

Jones killed his children at the same time and the crime happened in Lexington County, said Sheriff Lewis McCarty.  McCarty said Jones, who allegedly was in possession of marijuana and a drug called “bath salts,” The father is currently being held in Mississippi jail. Tim Jones, father of the killer speaks out saying, “We do not have all the answers and we may never have all of them, but anyone who knows little Tim will agree that he is not the animal that he will be portrayed in the media. He is a loving son, brother and father.”

A twist in the story is that the Mother of the children, who shares custody with her ex-husband, reported the children missing on September 3 after not being able to contact Jones. He was supposed to bring the children to their mother the day before.

An emotional story that really grabs the readers attention by only saying “father kills his five children.” The title gives it away. The news story is Anecdotal, It’s very long, and has a mini-story included. The lede is found in the first paragraph that goes right to the point to who-what-when-where. The following paragraphs from the second to the fourth shows how the story started  – adding the “mini-story” to it. Also, bringing in newer evidence in the later paragraphs. The news story had specific characters that played the role in the news story that made it flow better, for example the Sheriff. The last paragraph gave an interesting ending, more like a twist. It also could be a martini glass – the lede gets you right to the point, then discusses background information but the news story shows no evidence as to why he actually killed his children, the trial is still ongoing.