INTRODUCTION TO NEWS PACKAGES
There are several things that development journalism is not, or should not be. One is an entirely uncritical publicity vehicle for any organisation or institution. A reporter's job is to keep an open mind and question what they see and hear, whether that's the work of governments, private enterprise, NGOs or individuals."
Another thing that development journalism is not is making people into victims by treating them without dignity or sensationalising their lives. This usually comes through perceiving them as less important, intelligent or significant than someone in the developed world, lacking insight into their situation or any ability to improve it. Good development journalism asks questions - of ordinary people, not just of officials. It considers their audiences as packages need to be equal in their humanity. It doesn't patronise but asks the audience to put themselves in the place of people whose lives seem very different from theirs.
Looked at like that, development journalism is definitely under threat. Uncovering the political, social and economic aspects of development in a particular country may require extensive research. This is a time of great change and financial stress across all media organisations, and development journalism is necessarily expensive. It has to fight to take its place with all sorts of quicker, cheaper, more populist journalism. There is the additional problem that readers, viewers and listeners in developed countries are perceived as not being particularly interested - unless there is a large-scale catastrophe involved. In essence developmental journalism strives to implement Community journalism to achieve larger objectives - social justice, improving health, education, bringing people together.
In having defined my approach that I have been able to enjoy and have acquired in this course in needs to be noted that when having done this package although I had a theoretical knowledge of what was developmental journalism, but the methods that I was able to use ensured that I had in fact been successful in identifying with the perceived problem which was the fact that climate change was not merely a land isolated problem that as a consequence of what was happening on land was extended onto our oceans. This basically having a domino effect on aquatic life and the livelihoods of those who lived of the coastlines. With the legislation that has been implemented we find that the common fisherman felt strangled by the very law which tries to save both human life as well as aquatic life, larger scale commercial fishing however seemed not to be monitored and this was a cause for concern.
I do believe that my personal philosophy has helped to maintain a professional, fair and impartial stance on the issue at hand. Have no knowledge of the fishing world that both commercial and recreational as well as to the laws that both these aspects have to adhere to and thus had to research internationals as well as national laws that have been implemented and the ones that have been amended since the new cabinet has taken over since early last year (2009). I had to take into consideration the variables that were at play, this included three main factors, authorities on the matter such as the scientist, the decision makers that being government and finally those affected the masses/people.
Besides researching I had to interview each party and probe each party on the pretence that I represented the views of the other two parties example if were interviewing an expert on aquatic life I would ask questions relevant to both the common people and that of government.
I have to express that although I have been successful in using my personal philosophy to tailor this story and gain the most of my sources, there were limitations as to the kind of changes I was able to effect, to the scale of the problem, and the audience that I was able to reach the effects of the journalism that was I able to produce was minimal. I was successful in having brought about awareness of the problem as well as show some sort of solution to the problem and having been able to explore this unknown topic made this story not just interesting to me but also to my audience as the method that I was able to present it was simple and understandable to my audience without having to bombard them with too much of scientific jargon.
G-CAST NEWS PILOT PODCAST
WELCOME TO THE FIRST EDITION OF G-CAST NEWS.
G-CAST NEWS SECOND INSTALMENT
This is G-Cast News bringing you up-to-date on news and events in and around Grahamstown.
IN THIS WEEKS INSTALMENT:
- Gun related crimes are increasing in Grahamstown.
- The Eastern Cape Department of Health is making serious strides towards combating HIV/Aids in the province.
- 24 libraries in the Cacadu District resourced with computers.
- Statistics South Africa shows that the national unemployment rate has spiked during the first quarter of 2010
- The Eastern Cape Eisteddfod has arrived in Grahamstown for the second year running.
Unemployment spikes to over 25% in South Africa for the first quater of 2010
The latest reports from Statistics South Africa shows that the national unemployment rate has spiked during the first quarter of 2010. Santisha Chattergoon reports…
In the wake of the economic crisis, Grahamstonians have taken a pro-active approach.
GANG RAPE NEAR SCOTT'S FARM
A 19-year-old woman was gang raped by 6 men near Scott’s Farm last Friday evening. Santisha Chattergroon reports.
