05.18.09
Obama Attempts Peace with Middle East
President Obama Meets with World Leaders in Effort to Gain Peace
By Shea Northcut
President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet Monday to discuss their friendship and support for the bond between United States and Israel and the Middle East. These world leaders are meeting together for the first time since claiming their political positions and are revisiting concepts discussed in their last visit in June 2008.
Dr. Glenn Scott shares the main objective of President Obama's meeting
“Obama is going to say to Netanyahu that we are with you on this that we are going to fund you and support you and create diplomatic initiatives,” said Dr. Glenn Scott, Professor of International Communications. “Americans are going to be a lot softer on this then Netanyahu because he has to please his own constituents first and foremost.”
Although they have many agreements, Obama and Netanyahu plan to discuss issues including U.S. military and financial support for Israel. Obama seeks for change in the Middle East in order to bring peace among the nations.
“I think that peace is a long way off but Obama is trying something new and different,” said sophomore Catherine Reynolds. “I think he has only been in for a short amount of time and he has already made a good amount of changes and that’s what America is looking for is a new wave of hope.”
While Obama is meeting with several world leaders including President Mubarak of Egypt and Mahmoud Abbas, the president of Palestinian National Authority, some feel that peace is a long way away to grasp.
“Finding peace is a long hard road to get to,” explained Elon parent Bob Hannigan. “I don’t know if any one person can do that. It would take 100 years of people forgetting what has caused it all, and until people forget it is not going to go away.”
Bob and Lauren Hannigan speak about the long trail ahead for Obama to create peace.
Though some people don’t think that the change for peace can be accomplished, others find hope in Obama’s presidency.
“I think that Obama is a special person because he can reach out to specific people and put American pride behind himself,” explained Downer. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he put a major dent in creating peace in his efforts starting today with Netanyahu.”
President Obama will continue in his efforts over the next few weeks to meet with other world leaders after Prime Minister Netanyahu leaves the White House. In the beginning of June, Obama will fly to Egypt to make a speech to communicate his strategy for peace in the Middle East and rebuilding America’s relationship with the Muslims.
Watch Montage on Response of Middle East Peace Efforts:
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05.17.09
The Future of Journalism
By Shea Northcut
From the printing press all the way to online media, journalism is ever evolving and will continually progress. It is up to us to stay on top of this curve by hopping on board rather than watching this train go by. Though some say journalism is on its’ way out, it is actually just beginning. The future is now. It is time to act.
Newspapers
The article Journalism 2.0 explains how journalism “creates community on so many levels.” This creation is essential to the continuing viability of entire companies. As the market is changing, newspapers slowly slip out of the picture as new media come in. Newspapers don’t necessarily have to disappear, but new media must be supplemented to support their use.
Michael Riley from The Roanoke (Va.) Times described what it takes to make it in this industry in the December 2006 issue of Nieman Reports.
“No longer are we purely media companies,” said Riley. “We must become technology companies,too, and that means we must raise our technology IQ to compete in a digitally transformed world.”
Broadcast News
In a recent blog called “Buzz Machine” by Jeff Jarvis, he explains how news isn’t going anywhere but is simply changing its’ central focus. It won’t only be able the news organizations but also the communities and their needs. “The main focus is to provide platforms that enable communities to do what they want to do, share what they want to share, know what they need to know together.”
Another point that Jervis touches on is the reality of news organizations becoming smaller because it no longer holds a monopoly in a scarcity economy. Also, all local news organizations are shifting towards the focus specifically on beats. Beat reporters will not only be producing stories but also will maintain a blog to keep up with experts and people within the community.
Other Technologies
In order to compete in this digitally transformed world, there are new technologies that provide avenues for journalism to be used. Technologies such as IM, text messaging, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Google, Yahoo, and others are transforming journalism into an instant way of receiving information. Everyone is constantly connected and able to communicate with anyone. This satisfies the needs and wants of people in our “get it now” society.
As journalists, our main objective should be to serve the common good. With the future in mind, it is important to stay ahead of the curve- this is an age of globalization and convergence of all news sources. It is an expectation to be a leader as our industry begins to combine all platforms of news to better serve the public in the networked digital age. It is time to step up and take hold of the bright future of journalism. It is not on it’s way out but is simply taking on a new face as it shifts in a new direction of multimedia.
05.11.09
Math Tools for Journalists: Analysis Chapters 9-12
By Shea Northcut
Measurements are vital for reporters to use within their stories to communicate to the audience using real measurements. Rather than accepting other’s measurements, it is important for reporters to be able to measure things on their own.
The basic formula for time, rate and distance is all the same. A journalist has to make sure that they remain consistent between measurements for each one. Distance is found by multiplying rate and time. To find rate, you divide time by distance. Lastly, time is found by dividing rate by distance.
Speed, Velocity and Acceleration
Speed measures how fast something is going and velocity indicates the direction and the speed. As a journalist, it is mainly necessary to calculate speed.
To find speed, you want to divide time by distance. When looking for the acceleration, you want to take the ending velocity minus the starting velocity divided by time.
Area Measurements
Within journalism, it is always great to use analogies accurately when trying to describe a measurement for the audience. For instance, “the casino is the size of a football field,” “the bridal magazine was as thick as a phonebook,” etc. Although analogies can be beneficial in many instances, it is also good to use real, accurate numbers to better explain something within a story.
Volume Measurements
Volume measurements can be a large component when reporting in an article. All the way from the volume of a cup of milk to the volume of building materials, using volume can be beneficial for the reader.
The first thing that is important to know is common liquid conversions. These can apply to liquids in recipes, bodies of water and other types of fluids.
The formula to find volume is length times width times height.
By knowing the directional, area and volume measurements and the metric system, journalists are better able to communicate to their audience. It is important for journalists to understand how each unit of measurement works in order to best represent the true story to an audience.
05.04.09
Math Tools for Journalists: Analysis of Chapters 5-8
By Shea Northcut
Polls and surveys are very beneficial to journalists when using it correctly in their reporting. From political campaigns to polls and surveys to catch public opinion, it is vital for the reporter to understand the polls and surveys they are using within an article
Polls are mostly used when evaluating politics and are based on representative samples of a population. Surveys can also be used mostly as multiple questions and are used in a wide variety of settings. The crucial aspect of using both of these is to have random selection and check for reliability. 
Populations and Samples
To select a valid sample, it is typical to aim for at least 400 interviews to keep the margin of error within the limits. Some formulas that are used include a census, which is a universe or population sampling that involves everyone in the population.
A journalist can also use cluster sampling, which involves sampling in one area or region identified by ZIP codes or counties. Another system is multistage sampling, which is used in national samples. This involves selecting a specific geographic area. Next, a national sub-group is selected then is blocked off from there.
Margin of Error and Confidence Level
A margin of error shows the degree of accuracy the research has based on standard norms. It is expressed in a percentage and is based on he size of a randomly selected sample.
Confidence level is crucial to accuracy in reporting; this is the level, or percentage, at which researchers have confidence in the results of their research. It is determined in advance and falls at 90 percent, 95 percent or 98 percent. This gives the readers a chance to assess the results for themselves.
Z & T Scores
These scores are used in reporting the results of studies. The z score is known as a standard score and shows how much a particular figure differs from the mean. The t score is also known as distribution is closely related to z scores. It is only used in a sample size roughly 100 or fewer.
To find a z score, you take the raw score minus the mean divided by standard deviation.
Business and Numbers
The business beat contains the most math out of any news. It contains press releases, quarterly earnings and annual reports.
People use financial statements for shareholders, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders. This is a company’s annual report that includes a profit and loss report and a balance sheet.
Businesses have many different expenses. A company’s “cost of good sold” refers to the direct expense a business incurs in making or buying its product. The difference between this and the selling price is known as the “gross margin.” To find the gross margin, you have to take the selling price minus the cost of goods sold.
Balance Sheet and Ratios
A balance sheet is a written financial statement of a company’s assets, liabilities and equity. This shows the financial stability of a company. Assets always equal the liabilities and equity side.
Ratios are numbers that evaluate a company’s cash situation, operating efficiency, profitability, and the market value. There are several kinds of ratios.
Ratios evaluate a company’s cash situation, profitability, operating efficiency and market value. There are seven different kinds of ratios.
Out of all the ratios, the most common is the current ratios. This is a liquidity ratio that measures the ability of a company to meet its liabilities. You find this by dividing the current liabilities into the current assets.
Stocks and Bonds
Stocks and bonds are ways businesses raise money. The government uses bonds to raise money and it is important to understand the basic numbers behind this for journalists.
Corporations use stocks to raise money as they sell them and people buy stocks to make investments. When a person buys a share of a stock in a corporation, they become part owner to that company. Each person owns very little share in a portion of the company because there are several people who invest.
Next, journalists have to understand the importance of bonds. This is a loan from an investor to the government or other organizations that sell the bond. Bonds earn interest and are generally low-risk investments.
Bonds fluctuate within the market therefore the return on the investment (current yield) also fluctuates. The current yield is found by taking the interest rate times the face value divided by the price.
Property Taxes
Property taxes are the largest single source of income for local government, school districts, and other municipal organizations. It is determined b y taking the total amount of money the governing body needs and diving that among the property owners in that taxing district. When paying a property tax, the owner pays a price based on the value of his/her property. This includes real estate, homes and buildings.
The assessed value of a property depends on local policies, which can mean credits and other adjustments. To find this, you have to take the appraisal value and multiply it by the rate. Lastly, to calculate taxes owed, you have to take the tax rate and multiply it by the assessed value if the property over $100.
04.28.09
Math Tools for Journalists: Analysis of Chapters 1-4
By Shea Northcut
Numbers are crucial for journalists to use within their reporting. They can help add support and credibility to facts that are given in a report. Readers can also better understand the scope and significance of the information in the story.
When beginning to use numbers, it is important to remember to check the math of speakers and budgets because some people tweak the numbers to sound better when giving a speech or report. It is also important to avoid roman numerals and use words that are helpful to the significance of that number use.
“Numerical literacy is the hallmark of professionalism and is a foundation for excellence and a signal to our readers that numeracy is important to them.”
Percentages
Numbers help the reader understand the importance of a subject. By accurately calculating a percentage, the audience is able to better understand the issue. Journalists use percentages for four reasons: percentage increase, percentage decrease, percentage of the whole, and percentage points.
The formula for Percentage increase/decrease is the new figure minus old figure divided by the old figure. You convert the percentage by moving the decimal two places to the right.
Journalists can give perspective when finding a percentage as a whole. To find the percentage of a whole, you take the subgroup and divide by the whole group. After this, you move the decimal two places to the right.
When working with numbers that are already percentages, you must distinguish between percent and percentage point.
Interest Rates are crucial to calculate for the audience. The amount of money borrowed is the principal whereas the money paid for the use of money is called interest. When calculating interest rates, the formula is the principal times rate (as a decimal) times the time in years.
Statistics
After using percentages, the most common numbers that reporters use involve statistics. By using statistics, a journalist can report on surveys and studies. Without the knowledge behind the use of statistics and how they are calculated, journalists cannot use them effectively. First a journalist must understand three key parts to statistics: the mean, median and mode.
The mean is the sum of all figures divided by the total number. This is also called an average.
The median is a midpoint between all numbers when you order the numbers up from lowest to highest.
Lastly, the mode is the number that reoccurs the most often. To calculate the mode, a journalist just needs to count how many times a number appears then evaluate which one is the highest.
The next thing to understand statistics is knowing how to use percentiles. A percentile is a number that represents the percentage of scores that fall at or below the designated score. The formula that can be used for this is by taking the number of people at or below an individual score and dividing it by the number of test takers.
The standard deviation of a series indicates how much a group of figures varies from the norm. This is something that can be viewed graphically on a bell curve. At the middle of this curve is the mean and is usually the highest point on the graph. The wider the bell curve, the bigger the standard deviation whereas the steeper the bell, the smaller the standard deviation will be.
Federal Statistics
Journalists can use federal government statistics to report on inflation figures and unemployment figures. To use them properly, a reporter has to know where these numbers came from and how to properly use them within their reporting.
Something key to report on are the unemployment rates annually. The unemployment rates are defined as the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking work.
This number is gathered from the labor force which is the number of people who have a job or are looking for one and are over the age of 16. The formula for unemployment rate is equal to unemployed divided by labor force times 100.
The inflation rate and consumer price index and gross domestic product are also important to understand. By understanding all these key terms when using federal statistics, a reporter can effectively communicate to an audience using numbers.
04.22.09
Landfill on the Lawn at Elon University
Earth Day Celebration Begins with Enlightenment for Elon Students
By Shea Northcut
Students from the Sierra Club at Elon University gathered on the West Lawn outside of Moseley on Wednesday to make a statement about “going green” through recycling.
“Today, we are pulling out recyclables from the trash and hopefully will demonstrate how many recyclables we [Elon students] throw away every day,” said Rachel Shane. “It is important for students to recognize this, especially on Earth Day.”
This event was planned in efforts to celebrate Earth Day and bring awareness to Elon students to see what impact they are making and how they can recycle more efficiently. This event lasted all day between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Watch Junior Rachel Shane, Co-president of Elon University Sierra Club:
Irazú Coffee Seeks Business from Elon Community
Local Costa Rican Coffee Shop Fights the Economy
By Shea Northcut
Irazú is located on Church Street in Correct Time Plaza by Mike's Deli.
As the economy continues to suffer, local business Irazú Coffee is in danger of closing. This isn’t your regular coffee shop. Moving in 1988, a Costa Rican family came to America with hopes to start a new life and dream big.
High Hopes
“I knew I had to follow my life dream of being an entrepreneur and starting my own family business,” explained owner Rod Salazar. “It was hard leaving family in Costa Rica, but this was something I had to do.”
Once they were settled in, the Salazar family opened their very own shop in Correct Time Plaza on Church Street in 2005. The coffee shop is named after a volcano in Costa Rica. The ash from the Irazú Volcano makes the surrounding land extremely fertile, an ideal environment to grow coffee beans.
Customer Opinions
The loyal customers keep this shop alive and can’t imagine not having their daily Costa Rican fix.
“There would be avoid that would be hard to fill because of the social atmosphere every morning,” said loyal customer Ed Faulkner. “It is a bit of habit I look forward to on a daily and I hope they are able to stay open for a while.”
Loyal customer Tammy Smith orders her favorite drink.
Another regular customer Tammy Smith explained why this coffee shop must stay open.
“If we are thinking about what America is all about it,” Smith started, “America is about people from different places and sometimes you don’t taste that in that way here in Burlington.”
Irazú offers a different environment then your average coffee shop. With murals on the walls, authentic jewelry and music in the background, this place offers a new atmosphere for all to enjoy.
“It’s a slice of heaven that I have found,” explained student Carrie Ray. “It’s a little gem here in Burlington and I would hate to see it go because I can get away from Elon and do homework while enjoying the authentic atmosphere.”
Remaining Optimistic
From icy cold mochaccinos topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate to bold cups of espresso for the hard core coffee-drinkers, the diverse menu offers something for every taste.
Authentic murals decorate the walls to offer a Costa Rican flair.
“I think I had my first cup of coffee when I was two,” Salazar said. “In Costa Rica it isn’t like in America where parents are worried about their children drinking coffee and having too much caffeine. It is such a large part of our culture that children are raised drinking it.”
“We remain optimistic for the future because we have seen a subtle rise in customers, but we still need consistency to stay afloat,” explained Salazar. “It would be tough if this had to shut down because it was a dream that I had for a long time to be able to have our own business and It would be tough to see that happen.
Marked below the average Starbucks coffee, any customer can enjoy authentic coffee at a cheaper price. Irazú also offers outside events including local bands that entertain customers with live music every Friday and Saturday night. There is also a 10% discount for students who show their ID.
Check out the music schedule and coffee options!
Watch reaction from community members and owner Rod Salazar:
04.17.09
Earth Day Awareness at Elon University
Elon University Highlights Earth Week and Students Respond to Environmental Issues
By Shea Northcut
Walking instead of driving, reducing carbon footprints and recycling–these are ways Elon 
University students are taking action to combat environmental issues. With Earth Day right around the corner on April 22, students are speaking up about their perceptions of how environmental awareness is at Elon as well as what they are doing to reduce their carbon footprint on the planet. Earth Day is a day every year designed to celebrate and appreciate the Earth’s environment.
In an informal survey of more than 130 students, various questions were asked including: Do you consider yourself to be environmentally friendly?, Has Elon education made a big difference?, Are you concerned about global warming and taking action?, and What actions are you taking?
Environmental Awareness
When asked if “you consider yourself to be environmentally aware?” 90 percent of students responded yes while 10 percent responded no. 
“I think I am considerably environmentally friendly,” explained junior Laura Funk. “I really try to make an effort to do my part because I think our generation can be the ones to really make a difference.”
Elon Education Awareness
When asked if their Elon education helped with their perception about being environmentally friendly, 64 percent said yes while 34 percent said no.
“In my global class this year, I was able to learn a lot about going green and how I can make a personal impact on this planet,” said freshman Stuart Jones. “I think Elon does a great job of emphasizing to students the importance by setting an example with sustainability.”
The most recent environmental effort that Elon has made is the new Lindner Hall that is the greenest building on campus.
Global Warming and Taking Action
Sophomore Claire Tamer speaks on Global Warming.
Lastly, when students were asked if they are concerned about global warming and taking actions, 67 percent said yes while 33 percent responded no.
“I am definitely not considered about global warming and don’t think it is a rising action,” said sophomore Claire Tamer. “I think that it is important to remain aware of the environment, but I think it is silly to be worrying about global warming.”
What Actions Students are Taking
Overall, most students responded that they reduce/reuse/recycle to be environmentally friendly. Students also said that they prefer to walk more and taking fewer trips to use less gas. Other categories that they responded to taking action in were water conservation and reducing their carbon footprint.
“I personally don’t have a car here on campus so I automatically help save the environment everytime I have to go somewhere,” said Sophomore Ann Sterling-Dale. “I think it is really important to carpool and save the environment by catching a ride places.”
Earth Week Events at Elon
Next week, Elon University is promoting Earth Week in several different events happening throughout the week including a pot luck dinner, fashion show, a movie on a lawn, and a concert. To check out the events, click here to see a schedule of various happenings everyday.
Watch student Megan Schneider tell why she doesn’t recycle at Elon:
04.14.09
Analysis of Chapter 16: Investigative Reporting
Investigating Health Care
By Shea Northcut
In the Pulitzer Prize-winning article, “Flawed and sometimes deadly health care system” by Russell Carollo and Jeff Nesmith, these journalists looked into how the military medical system left many 
lives shattered by substandard care and treatment. They go into an in-depth investigation about how the U.S. military operated a sometimes deadly health care system that lacked significant things for the protection from malpractice.
“The military system employs some of the country’s finest physicians. But the examination also found doctors who failed several state medical board exams, doctors who had medical licenses revoked or suspended, doctors who lost their malpractice insurance – even doctors convicted of crimes.”
After reading the chapter in Investigating Reporting about investigating healthcare, I learned how vital it is to follow paper trails and do in depth research to find out the malpractice that occurs within hospitals as well as other centers that practice health care. In this article about the military, the journalists reviewed thousands of unreleased records, interviewed more than 200 people in 12 states, used databases within the states, and used the federal court to help within their research.
Their research showed that more than 75 medical facilities never reported a doctor for medical malpractice. Later on in the investigation, they found that within those same facilities, there were more than 1,000 incidents of medical malpractice, which also involved several deaths.
Within the reading, it also talks about how vital it is to follow up on specific details and see where the doctors received their licenses from to make sure they are registered. Nesmith and Carollo went on to find in their investigation that at least 77 physicians practiced in the armed services with “special licenses” issued only to doctors at military bases. It turns out that nearly all the doctors failed the state exam or had no evidence that they even took the test.
“The Department of Defense inspector general, he said, has initiated an audit to determine whether the services are following guidelines for reporting doctors linked to medical malpractice and misconduct. Mazzuchi also acknowledged that a number of military doctors practiced without proper licenses.”
04.13.09
Ken Calhoun Speaks on Interactive Media at Elon University
Speaker Highlights How Interactive Media is on the Rise
By Shea Northcut
Professor Ken Calhoun came to speak to students about the importance of interactive media in this digital and global age on Wednesday, April 8 at Elon University. Calhoun will be a professor for the new Elon Interactive Media Graduate Program starting this upcoming fall. He highlighted several points for students to better understand interactive media.
Ken Calhoun speaks to students about interactive media at Elon University.
“Writing is where all of this starts and is the basic format,” said Calhoun. “Interactive media is allowing us to communicate in other ways for the audience to better understand.”
Value of Interactive Media
Calhoun explained how this new media makes the way for a two-way connection or conversation for the audience to be an active participant. This allows the audience to have choice and control in how they access information.
“There are the blending and mixing of categories for this type of media,” Calhoun began. “It is important to have the aspects of storytelling, responsive visuals and conversation when communicating to an audience member.”
Extending Your Reach
He went on to explain the importance for students to develop these skills to make them more marketable within the job market. By being able to implement these interactive skills in the work produced, Calhoun explains the value that a student can offer in the market.
“The more hats you can wear and convey in the interview process, the more likely you will stay on the employer’s list,” said Calhoun. “This allows you to create more communication options and allows for a more immersive media rich work.”
By using specific tools within work, it allows for the audience to have a more immersive experience and creates more ways to connect with and build audiences.
Storytelling
The next topic Calhoun spoke on was the importance of maintaining the storytelling element within media work. By asking what ways are going to tell the story he best, the audience is able to get a better idea of what is being conveyed.
“The goal is to make the media itself revealing and make it so people want to touch, play and explore,” said Calhoun.
He showed the class Web sites like Starbucks and Monticello that have interactive media embedded to allow the audience to understand more about each company.
Responsive Visuals
Calhoun next explained the importance of designing with a purpose. By designing something that adds the “bells and whistles,” the audience finds it more responsive and rewarding.
“You can make something responsive by adding media objects like games, maps, timelines, hot-spot/rollover graphics, data visualization, and infographics,” said Calhoun.
Making it Conversational
The last topic Calhoun highlighted was the importance of maintaining the conversational aspect with the audience. Examples of this aspect include blogs, wikis, photo/resource sharing, social networks, and widgets.
“Creativity is crucial when having a conversation with your audience,” said Calhoun. “You want to create a trap for conversation and set the conditions so that the audience has to interact.”
By creating a conversation, it is the most effective way to tell a story when using interactive media.
Watch Ken Calhoun speak on the importance of interactive media to students:
