news media

data-content-type="article"

Baker will speak at the School of Communications Convocation at 9 a.m. on April 26 Camille Baker returned from her mission unsure of what she wanted to study. Formerly an English major, Baker found herself searching for something new. “I didn't really feel at home in my classes,” she said. “I felt like I couldn't connect with some of the students and the professors. I still really loved writing and editing, and my original intent was to be a book editor, but I didn't really want to go through BYU without having any friends in my classes. I figured I'd look around for a degree that would give me enough credibility to be a book editor.” The solution, she concluded, was the news media major. Her experience in the introduction to communications class validated that decision. “I took the prerequisites, and I was having a hard time feeling like I found purpose in my major,” Baker said. “I had friends who are studying medicine, special education and teaching. They all had these passions, and I just wanted to move commas around. “One of my classes was the Comms 101 intro-level class with professor Jessica Zurcher,” Baker continued. “She shared Elder Bednar’s talk on sharing goodness — ‘Sweep the Earth as With a Flood’ — and she said that she found her passion in communications because she realized that, in order to share the goodness of the gospel with the world, she had to learn how the world communicates.” This resonated with Baker and encouraged her to move forward with studying news media. Even with this broader vision of potential paths within communications, Baker had made up her mind to pursue book editing. “My mentors and professors knew that at the beginning, and I was kind of stubborn about it,” she said. “But, I had a really, really positive experience in my reporting classes. It completely changed the way that I saw journalism and how I saw my future. So, I decided to become a journalist.” The Daily Universe, BYU’s campus newspaper, has been central to Baker’s college experience. “I wish that news media students took advantage of the Daily Universe newsroom,” she said. “I've had a lot of classmates and friends in the program who will choose a different part-time job on campus that pays a little bit more and not work at the Universe. I think that they've really missed a good opportunity.” According to Baker, The Daily Universe benefits students in two ways: first, it gives students the opportunity to attain important work experience that will be valuable no matter their career path. Second, it puts students in contact with the faculty involved with the Universe. “They miss out on the opportunity to work with Steve Fidel and Carrie Moore, who are exceptional resources for the students there,” Baker said. “I wish that every student that went through the news media program was on the staff at the Universe, because it's amazing.” Baker now works as the Deseret News’ newsletter coordinator, a job she received while interning for the news organization. “It was a couple weeks ago that my boss' boss pulled me into his office and said, ‘Hey, I've had a lot of people come up and tell me that if there's anybody we can't lose after their internship, it's you,’” Baker said. “Which was really good to hear and a very nice compliment. They didn't have any openings at the time, but he mentioned that he had been throwing this idea around about creating a position for a newsletter coordinator. They essentially created a whole new position so that I could stay on.” Baker hopes to continue working with the Deseret News in this capacity for the next few years before moving on to be a reporter. “Eventually I would like to transition into in-depth reporting, whether that’s at the Deseret News or another news organization,” she said. “My passion lies in writing and editing.” Q&A with Camille Baker, BA '19 Communications | Communications: News Media What’s your favorite snack to eat between classes or while on break at work? 'If I didn’t have a lunch while I was working in the Universe newsroom (which was for like a year and a half), I'd grab an Uncrustables in the Brimhall vending machines. They just got me. We have Smucker’s Uncrustables at work now. Maybe it’s a good omen.' As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 'Initially, when I was in first grade, I wanted to be a first grade teacher and, when I was in second grade, I wanted to be a second grade teacher, and so forth and so on. When I was in high school, I wanted to be a chef. I had carefully planned all my credits so I could take a culinary arts class. That went out the window when I took my literature class and fell in love with writing and editing. So, teacher, chef, writer, editor and journalist.'

data-content-type="article"

Samantha Clark Forrest chose to study journalism because she loves writing and telling stories. She loves the changing and adapting environment that news media offers and she enjoys learning how technology is changing media. Her first hands on reporting experience was writing for The Daily Universe (Comms 321) where she went to the Utah Capitol every week to interview various state senators and legislators about their committees and bills. The experience taught her about politics and helped build her writing portfolio. While in the program, Forrest enjoyed getting to know and work with the other journalism students. A pivotal moment was the hands on experience she gained at the School of Communications New York Internship program where she had experiences that changed her life. “I met so many lifelong friends, worked for the news startup Bold TV, and also attended Broadway shows,” Forrest said. “The experience taught me a lot about myself and really pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I will definitely always remember my time living in New York City.” Forrest benefitted from working closely with professors who helped influence her experience and goals. After graduation, Forrest plans to move to San Francisco and work in communications. “You can do anything you set your mind to if you work hard,” Forrest said. “My advice for students would be to start networking and making an effort to get to know your peers and professors.” What are you looking forward to after graduation: “I am excited to put my education to use and live in a big city.” What was the most meaningful class you took at BYU? “Student Development 317. The sole purpose of this class was to prepare me for the workforce. I learned how to perfect my resume, apply for jobs, and write a cover letter. It was definitely a class that prepared me for graduation.” Movie title for your life: “‘Confessions of a Teenage (College) Drama Queen.’ I am a very dramatic but passionate person.” If you could have a toy designed after you: “A Kate Spade-fidget spinner. I love fashion and I can’t sit still.” How did your professors impact your education? “In some way or another, every professor I had impacted my education. I am a very hands on student so I feel like I had a lot of interaction with many professors. The professors that impacted my education the most were: Joel Campbell (Journalism), Quint Randle (Journalism), Kevin Kelly (New York Internship), and Christina Johnson (Print Publishing).”

data-content-type="article"

Fischer's career includes 17 years as an instructor at three different universities. BYU alumnus, Kenneth A. Fischer, was awarded the prestigious Edward L. Bliss Award for Distinguished Broadcast Journalism Education, the second BYU alumnus to receive the award. Fischer attended BYU in 1982 while obtaining a masters degree in Communications. While at BYU, Fischer worked directly with Thomas A. Griffiths, an emeritus member of the Communications faculty, who also received the Ed Bliss award in 2004. “This is a humbling honor to be included on a list with Walter Cronkite’s writer/producer Ed Bliss and my own BYU mentor Professor Griffiths,” Fischer said. Dale Cressman, associate professor in the BYU School of Communications, said it is quite the achievement to win the award, let alone to follow in the footsteps of a professor who has also won the award. Cressman solicited letters of support and wrote the nomination cover letters for both Fischer and Griffiths. Cressman said the “Ed Bliss” award is the most prestigious award for a broadcast journalism professor to receive. According to Cressman’s experience, winners usually have to be re-nominated over a period of several years until they are chosen. “It is very unusual—and possibly unprecedented—for a teacher and his student to both win this award. And it is noteworthy for two award winners to come out of BYU,” Cressman said. The award comes from the Electronic News Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, also known as AEJMC. The award is given to broadcast journalism educators who have made “significant and lasting contributions to the field,” according to the Electronic News Division’s website. Fischer’s nominating team made a case for him to receive the AEJMC educator award based on his teaching and service work. “I wish to suggest that Ken Fischer is the consummate unsung hero in the academy. He is selfless, generous, and dedicated, yet he does not draw attention to himself, nor is he quick to claim credit,” Cressman stated in his nomination letter for Fischer. “This is a professor completely without pretense, yet driven to serve his students, his colleagues, and his academic committee.” Fischer was first introduced to BYU by Lee Scanlon, a professor Fischer worked with as an undergraduate student at California State University, Fullerton. Scanlon, who received his PhD from BYU, drove Fischer to Utah in 1978 to visit with Griffiths who was the News Director for KBYU at the time. During the trip, Fischer decided to apply for the BYU communications graduate program. “That visit to BYU and my decision to attend changed the course of my life to this day,” Fischer said. “I have utilized what I learned at BYU in both my professional and academic newsrooms and studio work.” Teaching broadcast journalism helps keep Fischer “alive and fresh” in an industry that provides something new everyday. Fischer is currently a member of the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication faculty at the University of Oklahoma. He is also working towards obtaining a PhD in Communication. “Dr. Griffiths and my BYU friends have been encouraging throughout the process. They remind me that learning never ends,” Fischer said. “But as far as the award is concerned, I may not be a member of the flock, but like the sign at the ‘Y’ says, ‘the world is our campus, go forth and serve.’” Fischer will be presented with a recognition plaque at a special ceremony on August 10 as part of the AEJMC’s Chicago Conference at NBC’s WMAQ television station. Fischer’s name will also be added to the permanent plaque housed at American University in Washington, D.C.

data-content-type="article"

Newspapers have shifted from strongly favoring Republican candidates in the 1950s to dividing their editorial endorsements almost equally In the 1948 U.S. presidential election, republican presidential candidate and Governor of New York Thomas E. Dewey was heavily favored and endorsed by more than 80 percent of America’s newspapers. Journalists at the Chicago Tribune were so sure of Dewey’s win that the newspaper printed its morning edition early with the now infamous headline “Dewey Defeats Truman.” What was predicted to be an easy win for Dewey is now considered to be the greatest election upset in American history as presidential incumbent Harry S. Truman swept the polls. It’s scenarios like the 1948 presidential election that have Journalism Professor Joel Campbell taking a closer look at the effectiveness of editorial endorsements of presidential candidates. “It’s difficult to say if there is any strong correlation between endorsements and how people vote,” Campbell said. “But more often than not, presidential candidates with the largest percentage of newspaper endorsements have won since 1940, the notable exceptions being Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.” According to Campbell’s research published in The 21st Century Voter: Who Votes, How they Vote, and Why They Vote, there was a substantial shift in how the news media endorsed candidates throughout the last 50 years: Newspapers have shifted from strongly favoring Republican candidates in the 1940s and 1950s to dividing their editorial endorsements almost equally between the two major parties. Democratic candidates are about 10 percent more likely to receive an endorsement than Republican candidates six decades earlier. Incumbents today receive an editorial endorsement about 90 percent of the time, up from 60 percent of the time in the 1940s. In the 2012 presidential election, 77 of the top 100 U.S. newspapers endorsed candidates: 41 papers endorsed President Barack Obama, 35 endorsed GOP candidate Mitt Romney and a single paper registered a split decision. Another 23 papers did not endorse any candidates, including the two largest newspapers, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. Even though the candidate with the most endorsements has traditionally won the election, Campbell predicts that editorial endorsements won’t make any difference this fall. “In this year's election there is so much information available on so many platforms, any media endorsement is likely to be drowned out by the din of voices,” Campbell said. “In the era of social media, the endorsement of those within one's circle of friends is likely to carry much more weight than that of a news organization.” It’s not just the endorsement and election result relationship that interests Campbell, but also the ethical practice of news media favoring a candidate. As a professor, Campbell teaches his students that journalists are supposed to be objective observers, but the long-standing tradition of editorial endorsements often gets in the way. The Society of Professional Journalists Ethics Committee encourages editorial pages to promote thoughtful debate and let readers know through endorsements which candidates share the newspaper’s vision, while also taking every opportunity to explain the firewall between news and opinion. But in an era of social media and frequently blurred lines between news and opinion, Campbell urges his fellow journalists to be more careful. “Most people say ‘journalism ethics’ is an oxymoron,” Campbell said. “The distrust of the media and the feeling of bias in the media is greater than ever. Newspapers and news media endorsing candidates probably feeds into that.” The College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences and the Office of Civic Engagement Leadership are partnering with Turbovote to facilitate online voter registration. If you are not registered tovote, but are eligible, or if you wish to obtain an absentee ballot, please visit the booths in and around the Wilkinson Student Center during the week of September 26 to register to vote or to get an absentee ballot. September 26, 2016 | Natalie Tripp

data-content-type="article"

Brigham Young University and four ElevenNEWS at Noon students won a grand total of five Gracie Awards in the student-level competition this year. The Gracies focus on recognizing exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women. Since 1975, these awards have been presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation to honor programming and individuals in radio, television, cable and web-based media. The numerous winners in this year’s competition highlight the caliber of students and quality instruction that can be found at BYU. “My education at BYU has allowed me to go beyond the classroom; the hands on opportunities to work in the lab and with professors have taught me so much,” said Rebecca Woahn, a senior in the journalism emphasis and Gracie winner. “I graduate in August and as I've been interviewing for internships and jobs, people are always impressed by the experiences that we have as undergraduates here at BYU.” For Lauren Butterfield, it has not only been receiving the Gracie Award that will forever be memorable, but also the experiences that she has had along the way. “I received the award for a story very close to my heart,” said Butterfield. “The story was about my 5-year old friend who not only fought cancer twice, but has beaten it both times. She is an inspiration and hero to me and it means so much that through her, I won a Gracie, which is all about the empowerment of women. I feel very blessed.” Below is a list of the Gracie Awards presented to BYU this year: CoogTube Outstanding Sports Program Brigham Young University Aubree Jones Outstanding Reporter/Correspondent Brigham Young University Lauren Butterfield Lifesaving Bond — Outstanding Soft News Feature Brigham Young University/KBYU Rebecca Woahn Outstanding On-Air Talent: Sports Program Brigham Young University/KBYU Tawny Zambrano Outstanding Director — News Brigham Young University/KBYU Each winner will receive their award at a ceremony in New York City in late June.

data-content-type="article"