Blog Post #4 - They Won't Forget Movie Reflection

The film They Won't Forget produced in 1937 explores the idea of a trial by media. The movie was very well produced and incorporates many themes that we have discussed further in class.

I was a bit skeptical at first because I am not a huge fan of black and white films; however, I believe the black and white color of this film does not hinder my ability to understand the plot of the film and to enjoy watching it.

The story focuses on the murder of Mary Clay and the investigation and trial of Professor Robert Hale. The press covered every aspect of the case and trial which I believe emphasizes how the press can manipulate what should be considered a fair trial.

Mr. Hale, played by Edward Norris, is a teacher at the Buxton Family Business College. He was originally from the North but always wanted to leave. Moving to the South however didn't make him feel anymore welcome. Mary Clay is one of his students and has very obvious romantic feelings towards him.

When Mary's body was found, many speculations both through the press and through word-of-mouth were made. Many blamed the janitor at the college, an older black man, as Mary's killer. Overtime, we learn there is not enough evidence to charge the janitor with homicide.

We as the audience see a unique relationship between the police department and the press as they are closely related. Both are determined to find as many clues and information they can gather in order to catch Clay's killer. At times they even appear to be working together.

Journalists do what they have to for a story; therefore, the main journalist in the film, Bill Brock, shows no signs of hesitation when it comes to jumping into the investigation and adding his opinion.

Once people start learning about Mr. Hale's affair with his student Mary Clay, he becomes a prime suspect and is arrested and tried for Clay's murder. All the evidence begins pointing to Hale as the killer and when the public finds out, they are angry.

The film illustrates the idea that the press is a powerful use for justice. Because of the press's involvement in the homicide, the entire public seeks justice as well. 

The press informs the public that Hale plans to bring a detective, Michael Gleason, from the North to set him free. On the day of the trial, the courtroom is full of the public eye as each individual eagerly waited to hear the jury's decision.

Overall, Hale is found guilty and most of the public feels justice has been served. Hale's wife however feels different and confronts both Andy Griffin, Hale's prosecutor, and Brock. It it in her ending monologue that the audience realizes the true power of the press in a trial by media.

Blog Post #3 - EOTO 1 Reflection

I learned about a variety of topics through my peers' presentations and have gained a better understanding about the beginning of the press. I was able to conclude that the history of journalism is not simple but has many layers and involves many different people.

One group gave a presentation about the historic anti-slavery newspaper, The Liberator. This newspaper is significant as it was the most widely circulated anti-slavery newspaper during the antebellum period and Civil War. 

My peers explained that the paper was published and edited in Boston by a white abolitionist named William Lloyd Garrison, which I found interesting. Its success was predominantly among the free blacks in the northern states and it ran for 35 years before ending alongside the Civil War.

Another presentation focused on the idea of yellow journalism, or the use of dramatic headlines. Before listening to this presentation, I knew very little about yellow journalism and its impact on media today.

I learned that yellow journalism is the use of exaggeration and sensationalism in newspapers, typically in headlines, to attract readers and increase sales. It was invented by William Randolph Hearst, publisher of the New York Journal, and his arch-rival, Joseph Pulitzer, publisher of the New York World. 

This type of press has polluted journalism today and has made it more difficult for audiences to find credible and more serious news stories. In our generation, the idea of media is all about how much profit can be made rather than fulfilling the true purpose of the press: to report on truthful and critical news.

Two of my fellow peers also gave a presentation about political cartoons and satire. This was one that I found truly intriguing since I have analyzed political cartoons before in previous history classes. 

One of the biggest takeaways from this presentation was that satire is heavily protected by the government because it is a form of art, speech, and expression. Political cartoons are protected under the First Amendment and are a key component in the framework of political journalism.

They offer a creative alternative to formal news reporting and allow audiences to grasp a specific message through art, which can sometimes be stronger than any use of words. 

Finally, a few of my other peers discussed the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and explained that they are an organization dedicated to protecting journalism. They encourage the free practice of journalism, support high standards of ethical behavior, and advocate for those who feel their voice may not be heard.

This organization is principal in the preservation of true press and journalism.

Blog Post #2 - Why Journalism?

It is difficult to identify the specific moment my interest in news began. From the time I was a young girl, I was fascinated with the emergence of technology and the idea of mass media. I even broadcasted my morning announcements in elementary school as a fifth grader.

My passion for journalism only continued to grow from here. In middle and high school, I continued to pursue my love for film production and broadcast. I participated in my high school's weekly news broadcast, CRN Rider News, both in front of the camera and behind.

I knew that I wanted to continue studying journalism throughout college and develop a professional skill set that will allow me to pursue a career in this field.

With a focus in broadcast news, I have come to enjoy watching and listening to those on channels such as ABC News, Fox News, and CNN.

Recently, I have enjoyed following and learning from news anchor Caroline Collins. She provides an interesting look into the lifestyle of a news anchor through her short 30 second-1 minute TikTok videos. She currently works as an evening news anchor for FOX26 out of Houston, TX.

Not only have I learned different tips and techniques from her videos but have truly grown to admire her energetic spirit and passion for what she does.

Last semester at High Point University, I joined the HPU Vision club where I helped produce and anchor on HPU All Access, HPU In The Morning, and Point Blank. I entered each show with a positive and eager spirit hoping to learn from the upperclassmen and gain more experience.

In my future, I know I would love to work either behind or in-front of the camera. It's hard to say right now exactly what I want to be doing in the next five to ten years, but I feel that is the beauty about the degree I'm pursuing. I don't have to have all the answers yet and can use my degree in a variety of ways.

Blog Post #1 - The First Colonial Newspapers

Change is ultimately necessary and inevitable in human society. The changes in our society over the past few centuries have helped shape how we speak and act today. The development of technology, for one, has altered the entire idea of communication and has allowed for the rapid spread of information from one side of the world to the other. However, the importance of the press and the idea of news has remained consistent for some time now.

Although there were other English newspapers, the first colonial newspaper was not published until September 25, 1690 in Boston, Massachusetts. Publick Occurrences not only set the stage for future institutions and publications to come but also contributed to the creation of the First Amendment. After only one issue, the paper was shut down and publisher Benjamin Harris was tried for seditious libel. The government claimed Harris had no imprimatur, or license, to publish such a paper. 

Benjamin Harris believed that "the country shall be furnished once a month with an account of such considerable things as have arrived unto our notice." If it were not for his contributions, others may not have recognized the need of print journalism.

14 years later, John Campbell founded and published The Boston Newsletter. This was the first continuously published newspaper in America and ran for 72 years. It was the only newspaper to run during the American Revolution covering events like the Boston Tea Party, the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the Battle of Bunker Hill. It kept the colonies informed during a significant time in history where the spread of information was key. The Boston Newsletter became the standard format for American papers to come.

These early forms of press play a key role in the development of journalism and media today. Publick Occurrences and The Boston Newsletter both contributed to the idea of freedom of press that is now defined in the First Amendment and applied everyday.