2009 Polk Award for citizen journalism?
Feb 19, 2010 journalism, news, video
So the George Polk Awards in Journalism were announced the other day. Amongst the winners for 2009 there was something curious that I had mixed feelings about. The George Polk Award for Videography.
The anonymous individuals responsible for recording the shooting death of 26-year-old Neda Agha-Soltan at a June protest in Tehran, Iran, and uploading the video to the Internet. The video became a rallying point for the reformist opposition in Iran.
Here is the disturbing and horrifically sad video:
Here is the announcement in full:
The George Polk Award for Videography will recognize the efforts of the people responsible for recording the death of 26-year-old Neda Agha-Soltan at a June protest in Tehran, Iran, and uploading the video to the Internet. Ms. Agha-Soltan reportedly was shot by a pro-government militiaman. The video, which shows the woman collapsing to the ground and being attended to by several men as she lay dying on the street, became a rallying point for the reformist opposition in Iran after it was broadcast over the Internet. Seen by millions as it spread virally across the Web, the images quickly gained the attention of international media.
Here’s what I do like: that it is an award to the anonymous AND it is in effect the first time such a prestigious journalism award has been given to a citizen journalist and not a traditional news outlet or journalist. This is high significant and a HUGE leap in what I believe is the right and inevitible new direction we are headed in.
Here’s what I don’t like: it is the equivalent of awarding the winner of America’s Funniest Home Videos the Oscar for Best Picture. There’s no real skill or talent involved. It was just someone in the right place at the right time with a video camera. (This is to take NOTHING away from or to minimize the life and death of Neda Agha-Soltan or to diminish the bravery it to be and film in Iran at that time and under those conditions. I am talking strictly in a journalistic sense.)
I just feel it does a disservice to the title “journalists.” I feel like it does more to further the idea that just because you have a blog, camera and/or video camera that you are a journalist. Granted, armed with these things you have the potential to be a journalist, but the fact you use them and may even occasionally cover or catch real news does not propel you into the field or earn anyone the title of journalist. I think part of the evidence of this mislead belief being a slippery slope is the sheer number of talking heads on television, news programs and news stations that purport to be journalistic in nature or delivering the news when they are really only their to further their own agenda and there is very little legwork if any to uncover the truth. No, even an expensive camera and expensive suit does not make you a journalist.
I was talking with George recently about the National Enquirer being considered for a Pulitzer for their breaking the news about John Edward’s mistress and love-child. Essentially, he pointed out that just because you break a story doesn’t mean that it is journalistic in nature. Yes, he conceded, National Enquirer got the scoop but he felt that eligibility should hinge on more than just that. A Pulitzer was for the gathering of a story, the craft of putting it together and the disseminating of the assembled piece. Which the Enquirer fell short of. I think there’s parallels between this video and the National Enquirer consideration. (Care to weigh in George?)
So what does make someone a journalist? This question will elicit as many different and varied responses as what’s the best ice cream out there? (Ben & Jerry’s Crème Brulée if you really wanted to know the truth.) I think it simply would have to be someone who knows, believes in and adheres to certain practices and standards of the trade with a commitment to pursue and tell the truth. And I think the brave soul who shot this video does not meet this criteria.
So back to the award. While I do think it was a huge and necessary step in the right direction, one that I would rather have and disagree with than not have at all, while I appreciate the sentiment and nod, I can’t help but feel it might of missed its target.
Tags: 2009, awards, George Polk, George Polk Awards in Journalism, Iran, Neda Agha-Soltan, protest, Tehran
Brilliant
Jan 25, 2010 art, etc., storytelling
This is just kind of genius.
An absurd amount of time went into this.
200+ hours. I would of thought it was more.
All for 16 pages of (beautiful) infographics.
From Cool Hunting:
Earlier today infographic designer Nicholas Felton released his fifth annual report, the culmination of yet another year’s worth of data accretion and (according to his Facebook status) well over 200 hours of labor. With The 2009 Feltron Annual Report, Felton stepped up his game a sizable notch by creating his first ever crowd-sourced report, enlisting the help of relatives, friends, colleagues and even his dentist.
Calling daily on the people he met who he felt “had discerned enough of my personality and activities” to submit a record of the encounter through an online survey, the designer tracked responses and used his own subjective analysis to come up with the data set. While Felton acknowledges the variations in accuracy his methods produce, he exlpains that he “strived to sort and collate the data in a clinical and repeatable manner that could be reproduced by someone looking for the same stories I have selected.?”
Tags: 2009, 2009 Feltron Annual Report, crowd-source, data, Nicholas Felton
Two of the best things in Philly
This week’s show + last night’s game =
Tags: 2009, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Phillies, World Series
Sports Illustrated cover…
Oct 27, 2009 philly
11/2/09
Since we have established my allegiance…
A-Rod who?
Tags: 2009, magazine cover, Phillies, Ryan Howard, SI, Sports Illustrated, World Series
Phils v. Yanks
Oct 26, 2009 philly
Well, here it is. About four months ago Millz asked me who I would root for if the World Series came down to the Yankees against the Phillies. I laughed and dismissed it at the time. It was months away and seemed unlikely. Not because the teams weren’t capable of getting there, but just, what are the chances of both of them living up to expectations?
The Yankees clinched last night, the Phils having done so last week.
So what do I do? I almost always root for the underdog, and with the Yankee’s payroll being the size of the United States of America’s budget it practically makes them the favorites, despite the fact the Phillies are the defending champs.
Here’s my dilemma. I grew up a Yankees fan. Born and raised in NY, but even more-so, my Dad was a huge, lifelong Yankees fan. I remember him taking me to Yankee Stadium. It is a happy memory, as cliche as it may be. Here’s the flipside: I remember when he was dieing of cancer in our family room at home. I remember the day where after chemo treatment I had gotten home from school, went to see him in the hospital bed that had become fixture in our family room, and him asking me how Yankee Stadium was that day. I remember being 10 years old and thoroughly confused. I hadn’t been at the stadium that day, I had been at school. He realized his mistake and began to cry. I looked at my Mom in the doorway and she was crying too. I was sad and confused. So there’s a part of me that feels in some way to honor my Dad’s memory I need to stay true to my roots and cheer for the Yankees.
But there’s another part of me. My Dad died when I was 10. I lived in NY for about twice that long. I have been in Philly for about 10 years. Equal to the time my Dad was alive. It’s not like I just got here and would be jumping on the bandwagon. And then I got an email from my Mom about the games and the Series. We were talking about the possible NY/Phils Series, who I would root for, and she closed by saying “GO PHILLIES! As long as it’s not the Yankees I don’t care who wins,” and I realized, my Mom is a Mets fan. Always has been. Despite my Dad being a lifelong Yanks fan himself, she had no problem with her allegiance, and neither do I.
It ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at.
Go Phillies.
Tags: 2009, Dad, Matt Millz, Millz, Mom, New York, NY, Phillies, Phils, World Series, Yankees, Yanks
Tonight…
Oct 21, 2009 philly
Is the night.
Spotted in West (P)Hilly:
Distributed to businesses on Broad:
Subject: Preparations for Spontaneous Phillies Fan Celebration
To: “Center City District PCAN, Law Enforcement”
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 5:26 PMIn light of the incidents that occurred after last year’s Phillies Championship win, the City is taking steps to insure that any spontaneous victory celebrations stay positive on Wednesday night (or whenever the Phillies clinch the National League pennant). The Philadelphia Police Department will be deploying additional officers in Center City around South Broad Street to establish a safe environment for fans, property owners and businesses alike.
Property owners and businesses are being asked to survey their properties including loading docks, garage entries and alleyways for any non-fixed or permanent items such as planters, valet or sale signs, unsecured or unlocked dumpsters, bike racks, etc. The Philadelphia Police are asking that those items be removed temporarily or secured from harm.
The City is removing the new solar trash cans and replacing them with wire mesh cans that will be chained to poles. Newspaper publishers are being asked to remove unsecured honor boxes (newspaper boxes) as an additional precaution. In addition, restaurants and bars have been asked to refrain from serving take-out beverages in glasses or glass bottles and to use plastic instead.
Lastly, parking restrictions will be in place on Wednesday evening, starting at 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM along South Broad Street from City Hall to Locust Street, from 13th to 15th Streets and on the cross streets in between. In addition, parking will be restricted on North Broad Street from City Hall to Poplar Streets.
Thank you for your cooperation. Go Phillies!
All via Philebrity.
