NBC Nightly News and The Daily Show

Last night, I watched news coverage from both The Daily Show and NBC Nightly News. Both programs had differed in several ways. In my last post, I recorded the stories that were presented on the NBC Nightly News. I found the program to be informative and straight-forward. What I also liked about the program was the presentation of a public interest story. The Daily Show differs from many major news networks due to the fact that it tries to present humor to the stories that they present.

The format of The Daily Show is definitely comedic. The design of the set is definitely poking fun at sets seen on many major news networks. Stewart begins his show by poking fun at the paranoia which surrounds the Swine Flu Virus. The program then reflects on Obama's 100 Days, and how major news networks like FOX, MSNBC, and CNN had covered the president's 100 days in office. The program definitely makes light of how theoretical physicist scientists desire to recreate "The Big Bang". In regards to entertainment, Stewart invites on Hugh Jackman to discuss his latest movie " X-Men Origins: Wolverine." Stewart raps up the episode by providing his viewers with the daily "Moment of Zen." The moment of Zen pokes fun in how pigs are seen as a "Petri Dish of Germs."

Overall, I felt that both programs were effective in the manner in which they presented news to their viewers. I definitely how the programs differed due to the fact that it was nice to see news presented in two different ways. I felt that The Daily Show provided more humor and light-hearted jokes as opposed to NBC Nightly News. The NBC Nightly News just provided the facts and was very frank. Although I enjoyed how the coverage that was presented on the NBC Nightly News, I wasn't dissatisfied with The Daily Show either. I enjoyed how The Daily Show was entertaining and informative at the same time. Therefore, I felt that both programs were effective and informative.

May The Force Be With You,
Lauren

Brian Williams and NBC Nightly News

At 6:30, NBC News Anchor Brian Williams provides his viewers with top stories that are effecting the nation. Today, Williams brought light to news events which appeared in this order:

1. Job Opening-Justice David Souter's Retirement

2.Swine Flu Outbreak

3. Wall Street- Up 44 Points

4.Diet Danger-Hydroxycut Health Risks

5.Sky Walking-Sears Tower Newest Tourist Attraction

6.Las Vegas Entertainer Danny Gans' Death

7.Chrysler's Financial Trouble-Down 48 Percent

8.Kentucky Derby

9. Making A Difference Report (Public Interest Story)

Williams reports on Supreme Court Justice David Souter's retirement. The coverage reflects on how President Obama has a big decision to make in regards to appointing a new justice. Next, the coverage focused on the latest news regarding the Swine Flu Outbreak. According to the report, there are about 200 reported cases of the virus in the United States. 23 states have been exposed to this outbreak. Then, the report took us to Wall Street where the Dow has been up 44 points.

In regards to health, Williams provides his viewers with the recent health risks imposed by Hydroxycut. The FDA has stated that Hydroxycut imposes potential liver damage, thus leading the product to be recalled. In Chicago, The Sears Tower released a new tourist attraction called "The Sears Tower Skydeck" where tourists can get the sense of walking on air. In a entertainment related story, Danny Gans, a Las Vegas entertainer had passed away at the age of 52. In financial news, the report reflects on Chrysler's most recent financial troubles. Williams concludes his report by providing coverage on The Kentucky Derby and A Public Interest Story which tells the story of a Los Angeles woman whom helps individuals learn to cook and run a small cooking business.

In conclusion, I felt that the coverage provided by the NBC Nightly News had been more effective than the coverage presented at 5:00 on ABC. I felt that the order in which these stories had appeared was genuine and efficient. What I liked about the coverage was the presentation of a public interest story which is rarely shown on television. It is nice to hear stories about individuals whom are trying to make a difference by help others. If I were asked in how to improve the coverage, I would suggest more international related stories. I feel that by presenting international stories, the general public can get more of an insight to what is happening around the world. Overall, the coverage was brief, effective, and efficient.

May The Force Be With You,

Lauren

The Hype Regarding Michelle Obama's Sneakers

Let's face it. As you turn on your computer or television, you are bombarded with images of Michelle Obama. Whether it's about her clothing or the secret to her "toned" arms, the media is absolutely head over heels in love with this woman. In fact the New York Daily News gives their readers the most recent story regarding Michelle's $540 dollar shoes. Wait! Are my eyes deceiving me? $540 dollars shoes? Are you serious? I smell hypocrisy in action!

How is this hypocritical? Well, let's go back to the 2008 campaign trail of John McCain. John McCain's wife, Cindy McCain had faced constant scrutiny on her choice of wardrobe. In fact in a 2008 article published by The Los Angeles Times, the article "Who Get's Your Style Vote" implies that Cindy McCain is a high-fashioned, Oscar de la Renta wearing snob while Michelle is portrayed to be this Target wearing, down-to-earth, and dignified woman.

Let's fast forward a few years. Recently, Michelle has been spotted wearing French designer Lanvin sneakers that roughly cost $540 dollars. The article obviously puts the First Lady in a favorable light by stating that "Michelle takes casual to a haute new level." Basically, the article implies that it was okay for Obama to wear expensive sneakers and tops which range from $400 to $1000 due to the fact that she was planting trees and performing an act of community service. Yes, I would agree that clothing like Oscar de la Renta does not represent the the general majority of Americans as well, but neither does sneakers that cost $540 dollars. This is indeed hypocritical.

If Cindy McCain is going to be criticized for her choice of clothing, Michelle Obama should be too. The media has obviously been more favorable to Obama, and I find it unfair. Well, Sean Hannity is definitely not liking the favorable stories surrounding Obama's choice of clothing either. In fact, in The Huffington Post, Hannity expresses his anger by stating that Michelle "can get all these designer clothes and that everyone will call her Jackie Kennedy." What I'm trying to convey is that Michelle Obama should be subjected to the equal criticism of Cindy McCain. Neither woman is better or more "down-to-earth" than the other. What I'm asking for is equal criticism, not biased.

May The Force Be With You,

Lauren

Anne Coulter and the CIA Memo Debate

On yesterday's episode of Hannity, Sean Hannity had invited on columnist Anne Coulter to discuss the debate which involves the recently released CIA interrogation memos. Hannity begins his show by imposing the question: Will President Obama prosecute the CIA Officials whom took part in waterboarding? He provides his viewers with a "What We Know" list regarding Obama's stance on the issue. According to the report, Obama first resisted the idea of prosecuting the CIA officials involved. Obama had been quoted as far as saying that he wanted the United States to move forward from this issue.

Then in a matter of time, Obama had recently stated that "the decision to prosecute the CIA officials shall be up to the attorney general."Reflecting on Obama's recent change of decision, Hannity invites Anne Coulter to give her opinion about this issue. He begins his interview by asking Coulter if Obama had been swayed in any way to change his mind regarding the prosecution of these officials. Coulter responds by stating that Obama had been influenced by the media. The columnist claims that the media has "been screaming torture" and that they have not provided any substantial information from these memos. In regards to the memos, Coulter feels that the interrogation methods used by these officials are "wussy methods" and should not be mistaken with torture.

For example, Coulter provides viewers with information regarding some of the interrogation methods used by these CIA officials. She states that the officials used a caterpillar in one of their interrogations due to the fact that Abu Zubaydah was afraid of caterpillars. Due to interrogations methods like these, Coulter feels that "we are being laughed at throughout the Arab world. I mean, if they are actually reading these memos, they cannot be very afraid of being captured, because it is such wussie stuff that's going on..." Both Coulter and Hannity feel that it would be a damaging mistake if the press had released the names of the CIA officials involved in this issue. Hannity and Coulter conclude their interview by reviewing Obama and his 100 days as president. Both Hannity and Coulter feel that the general public has not seen the effects of Obama's policies and that his "changes are bankrupting the country."


Being against torture, I don't necessarily agree with Coulter's comments regarding the debate surrounding the CIA memos. Waterboarding is not "wussie stuff" and should not be practiced at all. Even with Coulter's caterpillar argument, I feel that the way these officials had used a caterpillars to "evoke fear and discomfort"from Zubaydah is wrong. Like Ali Soufan said "there is a way to talk without using torture." I would agree with Soufan's arguement that the CIA should use traditional interrgational methods which do not involve torture. However, I can understand both Coulter and Hannity's frustration in how Obama had suddenly changed his stance regarding the prosecution of these officials. Coulter is entitled to her opinion, and this is still a very debated issue. I feel that it is beneficial to hear all sides of an arguement.

May The Force Be With You,
Lauren

Painter Named The Next U.N. Good Will Ambassador

Let's face it. Now a days when you hear that the United Nations is appointing new ambassadors, your mind probably jumps to the names of celebrities like George Clooney and Charlize Theron. But yesterday, the United Nations had surprised us all by appointing a painter as it's newest Good Will Ambassador. As an avid fan of the arts, I was surprised to stumble across this article in the Arts section of the New York Times. Robert Bleckner, an abstract painter, has been recognized by the United Nations for his involvement in projects which strive to battle AIDS and human trafficking. Bleckner's most recent art project which specifically featured the artwork of many children from Uganda, has earned him much praise and recognition.

In the beginning of this year, Bleckner had traveled to Gulu, Uganda, an area which struggles with the terrorist actions imposed by the Lord's Resistance Army. Many children of Gulu are often forced to partake in combat or to become sexual objects. Using paint, paint brushes, and paper which roughly cost 1,000 dollars, Bleckner had worked with a group of these children in hopes to create art which shall be sold at a United Nations Benefit. These paintings are on display at the clothing store "Moschino" in New York City. At this same United Nations benefit, Bleckner shall be appointed as the new Good Will Ambassador.

Simone Monasebian, New York's chief of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime feels that art helps children whom have experienced such a traumatic experience, cope with themselves as individuals and help them alleviate the suffering and pain that they have endured. She states that art is an effective medium due to the fact "it really needs no translation...it's immediately accessible to anyone who sees it." It is sad to say, but human, drug, and arms trafficking is still in existence, thus being roughly worth 32 billion dollars a year.

I found this article to be very impressive and informative. I admire Bleckner for his efforts in teaching these children art skills that they can use to express themselves. Bleckner even hopes that he can "give someone (children) the tools to create something that they can be proud of, and which can help them on the arduous path to restoring their dignity and sense of self-worth." I commend The United Nations in their choice, and hope to hear more news regarding Bleckner's work as a Good Will ambassador. Bleckner plans to return to Uganda in hopes to create a "bigger art project" which shall involve more children.

For a slide show of the children's artwork from Uganda, click it and visit here!

May The Force Be With You,

Lauren

Global 3000

Global 3000, a magazine based television program broad-casted by the German broadcasting network Deutsche Welle strives to present their viewers with a weekly look on how globalization is effecting individuals around the world. The program deals with diverse topics such as biodiversity, drug trade, food shortages, and other issues that effect the globe.

Today, Global 3000 discusses the international drug trade (full program clip provided through link). In the clip provided above, Global 3000 presents their viewers with information regarding the concerning issue of global drug trade. The report takes us to Peru where many cocoa farmers are struggling with this crisis everyday. Cocoa, an essential crop in Peru is often grown for ritual purposes and as a natural stimulant for many. According to the report, 90 percent of the cocoa harvest goes to the illegal trade of cocaine. Unfortunately, cocoa farmers are caught in this "crossfire". Many farmers are caught partaking in this illegal trade of cocoa leaves due to the fact they need the money for survival. Black market drug dealers will buy cocoa leaves even if they aren't the best of quality. Therefore, farmers feel that it is an easy way for them to make money.

The life of a cocoa farmer isn't easy. In fact, the money that these farmers often earn isn't enough for them to live off, therefore leading many of them to poverty. Unfortunately, many farmers feel that this is the only work that they know, thus leaving them with few alternatives. The United Nations are trying to help farmers deal with this struggle by encouraging cocoa farmers to switch to the selling of other crops, but unfortunately this is a battle that will take some time to win. Programs like Global 3000 help us viewers recognize that problems like these do exist in the world.

What I like most about Global 3000 is that they provide their viewers with a broad range of topics from an international perspective. I also enjoy how they present material from all around the world, as opposed to material from solely one place. I feel that many programs here in the United States don't provide stories that deal with global issues. Programs like Global 3000 help us viewers recognize that these problems do exist. Globalization is all around us, and we deserve to be informed and educated on ways to improve global situations. Therefore, I find programs like Global 3000 to be the most informative and effective.

For more information about Global 3000, click it and visit it here!

May The Force Be With You,
Lauren

NPR: National Public Radio

The National Public Radio (NPR) strives to allocate recent news to it's viewers. A private and non-profit organization, NPR provides non-commercial news coverage, talk-show programs, and entertainment based programs to many listeners each week. NPR has gained international success and receives 27.5 million viewers each week. Listeners can listen to NPR through radio programing as well as on-line programming. Online, NPR provides their listeners with radio, pod-casts, community, and mobile services. I found NPR'S online-website to be very informative and effective for their listeners.

Today (April 29), NPR had broadcasted a variety of stories. The major breaking story provided on the network had regarded The Swine Flu Virus story. According to the broadcast, The World Health Organization (WHO) had moved the Pandemic Flu Level to a five today. On this scale, a five represents that the virus will soon turn into a widespread pandemic. The virus has now effected a dozen of countries. In the US, 94 cases have been detected. The symptoms are mild to moderate, thus making it hard to detect the virus. In the United States, one child has died due to the virus. The network recommends that people constantly wash their hands and avoid those who are sick.

The program continued on to report on the United States economic system. Although the system is weak, household spending has begun to "stabilize." In New Hampshire, same sex marriage has become legalized. The network raps up their report by providing their listeners with information regarding the release of several detainees in Gautama Bay and the recent death of four soldiers in Baghdad. In conclusion, the report provided much more information about The Swine Virus than the other stories that they provided.

Many networks like NPR are strictly providing more information regarding the virus. Since this is a recent and world-wide story, the coverage of The Swine Flu Virus will continue on for some time. Though it is important to cover the story, it is now being covered every hour. Even after listening to the NPR and other news programs, I feel that I really don't know anything about the symptoms and effects of The Swine Flu Virus. But since the virus is at an early stage, I will just have to keep my eyes and ears open for more information regarding the virus.

May The Force Be With You,

Lauren