The Omniscient Press

The ambrosia of Online journalism, in its darkest and finest of moments

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Really???

After watching "The Hamster Wheel" this week, which is a spin-off of some sort by the boys from the chaser. Who I might add have been sorely missed. Since it is almost the end of this course, my online topics feel almost exhausted, but luckily I had a light-bulb moment during the show. Online news enables us the readers as well as the publishers of the content to see what stories are most popular, even from what regions. As a massive online news reader, I have my specific picky sources. So, I thought I would look around at a few others to see what was most popular...   A regular read for me is the BBC News website, it offers comprehensive and generally fair coverage and has a global outlook. Articles initially inform, but proceed to have a feature-istic style.

The three most popular stories today were... 

1. Swank regrets going to Chechan part 2. Test driving cars of the future 3. On board stricken cargo ship in NZ 

 All in all, newsworthy story's. now we go over to the ever-reliable News.com.au Let's look at the top five stories of the day...

Most Read

How did this woman age 50 years in a few days?

Teen dies in agony after dyeing her hair

Keep bikini bottoms on 'til sun goes down

Dead sex worker knew secrets of the elite

Foul-mouthed Frasier explodes backstage

Really??? Only two of these are really newsworthy, and even so, only for there 'shock' value. Which this site seems to deem important. It is always interesting to see what sites are popular for what, but it honestly sadness me...

With all the things going on in this world, from war, famine, death, how important is it to know about what a certain celebrity wore today... I understand for some it may simply be to heavy. But, people need to all look past their odd obsessions with nationalism and remember they are a citizen of this planet and should know and care what is going on. Glad I got that out... Back to topic. Newsworthy-ness can often be taken out of context when it comes to timeliness, significance, prominence. If a famous person (proximity) put on a bit of weight (significance, to whom I do not know) on their vacation to Mexico (Timeliness). That isn't news... The point is, it is interesting being able to see what others like to read and what they deem as important. It would  not be possible with traditional newspaper without asking every single reader. This will be my last post for #QUTOJ1 this semester on The Omniscient Press.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this subject (we get marked on suck ups right?) and I hope you have had as much persistence listening to me as I have enjoyed ranting to you. I regularly post on my blog - www.rolltrolls.tumblr.com - it may not be your thing, but give it a try. Thanks,

- Casey. 

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Is there a downside to online news?

So far, we have only covered the advantages of online news, but is there a downside?

I sat pondering this evening to whether or not I can fault the phenom which has truly captivated the majority of people. As I was thinking about a disadvantage, I forgot what I was thinking about and got distracted... It happened a few times, then... Eureka!  That was it, online news and other common uses of the internet like social media may be shortening attention spans. I for one absolutely love reading the ABC 'just in' briefs. As the title can simply tell you what is going on, if necessary you can click to delve into the details. When it comes to newspapers, well finding good news is something like looking for a small sharp object in a pile of dried grass. It is hard...

What was I talking about... Yes, attention spans. Is reading briefs of news training our brains to only hone in for small amounts at a time. I honestly think so. Once upon a time I was a fantastic reader, now even the most interesting read has me bored or sleepy within the hour. I will be interested to see the next generations concentration... So as I was saying... That is how I saved Christmas.    

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Doctors warn of Chlamydia epidemic

Sexual health experts are calling for more to be done about the rapid increase in the cases of Chlamydia in late teens and young adults. 

Doctors and health workers alike are concerned that without more awareness Chlamydia will grow out of hand

.

The sexual transmitted infection is becoming increasingly common in youths particularly in regional areas.

Chlamydia is currently the leading cause of infertility in Australia as the infection causes chronic inflammation in the fallopian tubes making it impassable for an egg.                

Women’s health General Practitioner, Doctor Debbie Mortimer said it needs to be taken more seriously because it has the potential to wreck lives. 

 “It is usually only discovered after several years of trying to fall pregnant have passed, and by then further damage has occurred as well as aging of both partners, which further reduces their chances of a pregnancy,” Dr Mortimer said.

 “It has been a great tragedy for many people and the spread is creating our own epidemic.

“The disease can be treated if found early, however over half of the men and women who carry the Chlamydia infection don’t have symptoms,  meaning specific testing points need to be set up in medical centres or hospitals.” Lack of awareness and testing is another concern in which sexual health experts have.

A sexual health awareness commercial in the U.K.

While men are more likely to have the infection they are three times less likely to get themselves tested.

A study conducted by a northern-rivers sexual health clinic SHAIDS, found that one in six young men tested positive to the infection.

Sexual health expert, Dr Myron Binns, who works in northern-rivers region said it is not only tourists but locals to who were spreading the infection. “People seem to think that it is only the backpackers they have to worry about, but that isn’t the case,” said Dr Binns.

“We need a way to get patients to get sexual health tests without offending them when we ask.

“They find it embarrassing, because they are then obligated to contact all of their recent sexual partners.”

Doctors are astounded that even though treatment is as easy as a course of antibiotics, one in five treated for Chlamydia will be re-infected in twelve months.

For more information on Chlamydia - health.gov.au - or contact your local GP.

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Perspective

The last couple of posts, I have talked about what online news is like for the readers, but what about the journalists?  I feel like I had a good insight today whilst on route to my first day of TV prac. Since I was was running well before schedule, I dropped in at my favourite little spot and grabbed a coffee and take away breaky roll. Arriving at uni, around the same time as all the other prac students, I relised there were no parks... By the time I got one, i had just enough time to enjoy my breakfast whilst I walked. Here is the problem (there is a point...)

As I was eating fast, my jaw (the strongest muscle in the human body per mass) was masticating with tremendous force, hence an explosion of egg yoke erupted on my fresh suit... I should have learnt, food and journalism... The morale of the story is, if I was doing only online reports, I would have got egg yolk over my stubbies, wife beater and thongs... I would also not have spent feminine amounts of time in front of a mirror, looking good for the camera.

So, for us budding journos, online is a way we can all enjoy breakfast and loose self conciousness all together! Till next time, I will be eating plain toast.    

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Live News - On The Sly...

Since the dawn of time, man has wondered. How to slack off at work and get away with it. With the emergence of Facebook, many, many people have gotten themselves in trouble or ultimately fired because of using Facebook in the office. Such as a particular Stock Broker...

 These days most people have discovered how to quickly Alt+Tab out of trouble, those without the relevant skills are caught out during NSFW (do you dare click that link at work?) material at work. News on the other hand is important and those who need to be up to date with live breaking events, could potentially be caught out watching video. This is where the Live Blog comes in. All of us in QUTOJ1 have now experienced the stress of  running a live blog, and without a doubt I for one now greatly appreciate them. It is a beautiful concept, as it is now possible to be on the second up to date and the evidence can be Alt+Tab'd away if the boss comes for a walk. Though in extreme circumstance, ie, if you have a pseudo-Gordan Ramsay boss, the use of Alt+F4 is strongly recommended. I should also caution that the previous link is NSFW, too late?

:Unprofessional in the work place Not only do live blogs make us more spacially aware, but they can also keep us up to date with the world, on the sly...  

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Another Reason We Read Online News

Online news has, and continues to grow exponentially. Not only because it is up-to-the-minute accurate, easily accessed on the fly, but also because of specific interests it covers. Back in the good old days, news came from the town crier, news from one voice... Would you really want to hear anything from this guy?

The daily newspaper delivered to your door would have been appealing at one point...

  Then the daily 5pm bulletin, but we want to know sooner. Online news fills the gaps. No longer do we have to wait to read, hear or see the news. For most people these days it is always in our pocket. More so, is the ability to read what you want to read. With television, assuming you don't have pay-tv, we are limited to less than 10 channels, not that pay-tv stations are known for their broad opinions... We are only limited to so many news stations, reporting styles and biases. Online, there are limitless sources from which to be enlightened. So instead of waiting for 'that' story, you can google it straight away, or if it falls under a particular field, it is only a click away.

Consumers seeking the most obscure news will even be satisfied. Here is the Camel News. We are no longer in a world of waiting, rather a world of seeking.   

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What will become of the dinosaur?

Obviously, online news is a massive topic in the journalism sphere at the moment. As apps and online news sites increase in popularity, especially with the increasing attractiveness of smart phones, a heated debate always surrounds the topic. I have personally heard both extremes of the scale, from journalism professionals who I would trust. Some believe Newspapers already obsolete and will fade into obscurity; others say Newspapers will transcend technology. But what has the readers to say? So what I decided to do was simply ask people at a local café, who were reading the print news or on various devices; what their thoughts were, because after all, it is the reader who matters… What I discovered wasn’t ground breaking, but interesting none the less. It isn’t about what is obsolete, even what is more practical. but what kind of news reader they are. People reading on electronic devices, simply read the headlines and skimmed through stories, getting the basic facts, as not to fall behind on pub chat. This is consistent with what we have always been taught about online journalism. 

Whereas the newspaper readers wanted a more in depth story, enjoying the extra knowledge and feature style. I think we could all agree, it is much more pleasant to not read off a screen, nor have to worry about carrying around an expensive tablet all day.

So I think each medium will have to keep narrowing itself down. Smart phones and tablets may have to assume extra brevity, conciseness is the key. Where newspapers should delve further into the feature orientated news and take the reader on a less informative journey.

But with rapidly increasing technology, who really knows? We might be having news beamed into our brains in the next few decades… Newspapers will always exist, and like the horse, which with the arrival of the car was considered to be no longer useful, but obviously are still very popular as a recreational activity. The same will go for combustion engines over the next century. Maybe even the same for newspapers. They will be a niche market and only the best will survive, but, they will survive.

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South Banks "much loved" beach back open

View Streets Beach South Bank in a larger map

After being badly damaged by the Queensland floods, South Banks’ Streets Beach is set to re-open.

The iconic inner-city beach sustained structural damage during Januaries floods and it has been under repair for the last eight-months.

South Bank Corporation CEO, Malcolm Snow, said the opening a great milestone for Brisbane city.

“We are pleased to announce the reopening of our largest, and final pool in time for the school holidays, and invite the people of Brisbane and visitors to enjoy everything this unique precinct has to offer.” Said Mr Snow.

As well as brand new lighting and filtration systems, the large lagoon required the removal of 300 truckloads of contaminated sand, and has since been re-filled with over 3000-cubic-metres of fresh sand.

The area will be host to many new and familiar festivals over the coming months.

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QLD Police - Last 24 Hours

View QLD Police Map - Last 24 hours in a larger map

Police have charged a 23-year-old man in Cairns with assault and threatening violence around 10pm last night. Allegedly a man doused another man in petrol and threatened him with a lighter, after the two were in an alleged dispute on Alpin Street. The 23-year-old man is due to appear in court today.

Meanwhile, one person has died after crashing their near Gladstone today. The accident occurred on Mt Larcombe road around 2:40pm. Police are advising that the road will be closed both directions.

Also in the last twenty-four-hours, a Taser has been used on a twelve-year-old

after he threatened police with weapons. Initial evaluation deemed the action appropriate, however it will be reviewed by Queensland Police Service’s Ethical Standards Command.

The boy was not harmed, but was taken to hospital for a check-up.

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Libya Libre

As you all would have seen yesterday, Libyas’ rebels have finally taken the Gadafi compound, with the dictator of 40-years nowhere to be found.  Colonel Gaddafi was reported as saying on local radio that the retreat was ‘tactical’. The fighting during this uprising over the last 6 months has claimed over 10,000 lives. What I am interested in though is why NATO isn’t in Syria? Obviously Gaddafi has been a political target of the Western powers for a long time, he has always had an anti-west stance and considered NATO intervention neo-colonialism. Though the death toll in Syria is now well over 2,000, which is more than the death toll in Libya when NATO arrived…  But the only NATO intervention so far is a draft of an embargo… Clearly Gaddafi, being who he is, influenced the decision. I am not big on conspiracy theories, but is it not obvious to anyone else that Syria’s oil reserves are only about 2.5 billion barrels, where Libya’s are well over ten times that amount, actually in par with the U.S.

Obviously, not wanting another Afghanistan, no troops were physically put on the ground, and that was supposed to make the military double speak of ‘collateral damage’ ok? Whether someone is killed by a bullet from a soldier or a bomb from a plane, they are still being killed. But the latter somehow avoids scrutiny…

   - Ariel shots of the 'collateral damage'

Libya still has a lot of work to do to achieve stability. Whereas the situation in Syria cannot continue, civilians for no reason are being slain on the streets. There needs to be more action then simply ‘condemning’ Bashar al-Assad in a speech.

Because as they say, talk is cheap.

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If your reading this, you are a rioter...

Unless you have been under a rock for the last few weeks, you may have noticed a certain social disruption happening on the streets of London. Now, there are many hidden contributing factors to any disturbing situation, all possibilities should be considered. But, really? The London riots have destroyed not only buildings but the social fabrics which hold society together. I won't argue whether it was caused by the lingering social caste in England, increasing wealth gaps, or even the rich and powerful slithering out of trouble with a slap on the wrist. But it was not caused by social media. Has everyone forgotten about the Brixton Riots? (well before social media, or even mobile phones). While without doubt, social media was used to organise or alert rioters where to mass. It was NOT a cause. There have been far worse and bigger riots throughout history (pre-internet). Social media is simply a phenomenal organisational tool, clearly apparent through the Middle-East riots.  In saying that, in no way is rioting an efficient nor correct way to react or make a point. Protesting, even if aggressively can successfully convey a point, but when people are simply jumping on the band wagon, for the sake of something to do.  I imagine originally the riots stood for something, but once looting and robbing citizens starts, dignity ends. I will be watching...  

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Along For the Ride

This blog will be dedicated to posts throughout the semester for Online Journalism 1 at QUT.

It will include news and comments. Check  out my Twitter! @OnmniscientPress I will be watching...