Introduction into Journalism and Communication
Semester 2, 2011
Annotated Bibliography
Dunlevy, G., Marszalek, J., Ag, K. (Oct 13, 2011) LNP leaders at odds over dirt file fallout. National Nine News Online.
This article addresses the recent issues that have occurred in the LNP and ALP in regards to the “Dirt File’ dossier that was revealed earlier in October this year; it explains the confusion and uncertainty of the LNP regarding the necessary disciplinary actions after the leaking of a file containing embarrassing and personal information about Labor MP’s. The author begins the article by introducing the names of well-known LNP members as primary sources and recapping their own, and other interviews with the likes of LNPs leader Jeff Seeney and parliamentary member Campbell Newman. The tone throughout the article suggests both the confusion and the severity of the issue and that ‘Mr Seeney wants the person responsible for engaging dirt file author Robert Hough to quit the party, or be sacked.’ Quotes from Mr Seeney and LNP treasurer Barry O'Sullivan that no well-known person made contact with the creater of the document, giving the reader the opportunity to make judgements of the story themselves by providing evidence that there is much confusion surrounding this document and that statements made by people from both the LNP and ALP are a result of previous heated discussions and this particular document was not a planned route of attack. The article does not provide bias towards either party and makes allowances for the reader to form own opinions based on primary, valued sources.
Van Vondren, J (Oct 12, 2011). Qld Opposition caught out over dirt scandal. ABC News(TV)
This article on ABC news covers Campbell Newman’s reactions to the issues regarding the LNP being caught commissioning sleaze files on certain government members. The article is introduced by the news anchor in a tone of disappointment and disapproval, using derogatory words such as ‘sleaze’ to portray the negativity of the article and making the audience have a adverse opinion on the story before all the facts are presented. The scene then cuts to the reporter, Van Vondren, at parliament house in Canberra. She uses quotes from MP’s such, as Campbell Newman, to give credibility to the story, while making negative remarks by insinuating, with voice and visuals, that there are lies and secrets behind the scenes. The story then cuts to an interview with Campbell Newman himself, giving primary evidence to allegations and his own disappointment at his party’s behaviour; while most previously believed that he was involved. It then flashes back to a previous interview with Newman about the ALP’s actions in relation to find information about his family and using it in personal attacks; this gives Newman less ground to say he was not involved as the Van Vondren is insinuating that it was retaliation to what the ALP was doing. Throughout the article, the tone and vision of disapproval and confusion from the reporter is continued as all the primary evidence used from interviews does not allow the audience draw a full, justifiable conclusion.
Guest, A. (Oct 12, 2011). LNP caught with 'personal dirt files' ABC News Radio.
This radio story is about the gathering and release of information about the personal and sex lives of Labor members of parliament. The story is introduced by the main news reader in a disapproving tone with the use of sarcasm, referring to the information as contentious party research. References to previous LNP and ALP disputes gives the listener background information to establish the value of the story and begins the formation of where their opinions lie. The newsreader then gives the mic to reporter, Annie Guest, who continues the disapproving tone; though no primary or secondary sources have provided evidence yet in the story. The use of backlogged, secondary recordings from another source is then used to quote Campbell Newman saying he wants nothing to do with the sleaziness. Quotes from previous Campbell Newman recordings are used in varying contexts to provide the listener with information to form their own opinions of the situation. Later in the story, however, a new recording of Newman is offered as stand up evidence that his party, and the stories surrounding it are accurate, though he has nothing to do with it. Without the use of images, Guest is able to paint a picture of confusion, frustration, betrayal and disapproval to the audience by the use of her language and her tone of voice.
Zelizer, B. (2011) Journalism in the Service of Communication. Journal of Communication: 61 (1-21)
This article discusses the role of journalism in the disciplinary growth of the study of communication. The author looks at how journalism started and how it has progressed differently in geographical regions, ultimately affecting that regions knowledge of communication. The article is very much centred around how the importance of journalistic knowledge has diminished as communicative studies has progressed, and how scholars do not contribute the origins to anything relating to journalism because the meaning of the word has become so blurred. Zelizer validates her research article by using primary and secondary sources, such as Dennis & Wartella and Robinson, 1988, 1996, who have conducted research into the origins of communication and how re-evaluations of its historiography have linked it to journalism. By using relevant information from previous theories and studies, the author is able to authenticate the grounds to her research and establish importance of factual knowledge to the audience. Zelizer talks of the multiple disciplines of communication being highly important to its origins and that development of journalism has played several parts in different timeframes to each discipline. Using rhetorical questions and quotes from her previous writings, Zelizer maintains a dignitary and factual writing style throughout her article, making it academic though still interesting to the reader. The use of varying language styles, both formally academic and simplistic, the article appeals and is readable by changeable audiences and provides insight into relevant information for our time.
Reference list:
Dunlevy, G., Marszalek, J., Ag, K. (Oct 13, 2011) LNP leaders at odds over dirt file fallout. National Nine News Online. (Web Address: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8359424/treasurer-never-met-dirt-digger-mciver)
Van Vondren, J (Oct 12, 2011). Qld Opposition caught out over dirt scandal. ABC News(TV) Web Address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3rQ0OMXkWQ)
Zelizer, B. (2011) Journalism in the Service of Communication. Journal of Communication: 61 (1-21)
This article discusses the role of journalism in the disciplinary growth of the study of
