I've always told you guys to be fair, accurate and true when reporting your stories. Fair in that you show both sides of the story, accurate in that you never report false information and attribute everything you say and true in that you stay true to the nature of the story and the angle that you chose to report. Good journalists are objective in their reporting. You are never part of the story.... but what if the story happens to you?
That was the case last week when Austell residents and other areas in metro Atlanta saw unprecedented flooding. According to news reports, an estimated 500 homes in Austell alone were destroyed. Many Eagle TV students and their peers at South Cobb lost everything. Undeniably, this will be the talk around school for a while and given that Eagle TV students latch on to the latest buzz as the subject of their next story, I'm sure I'll get many story ideas in next week dealing with the flooding. There will be many angles to the story. But you have to step back from the story in order to do it justice.
That's hard. Everyone has an opinion about things that they experience because we live the experience. We're not just being told a story by someone we're interviewing. We were there. We saw it, we smelled it, we heard it and we felt it.
So what are the angles to this story? There are many. Maybe an angle could be a subject that is unknown to you. Perhaps the story of someone who moved here from New Orleans to start over after Katrina who is now looking to start over again. (No, Chris, you can't do this story) Or maybe the story of the kids of Clarkdale...unless, of course, you have a little sister or brother at Clarkdale. Or maybe the slew of perfect strangers who have donated time to help clean up or items for those in shelters or maybe a story on how much money the Red Cross is spending daily to take care of those in need.
Tell me the angles that you would report on. Tell me how your experience may or may not allow you to be objective. Tell me about your experiences and then ask someone else to do the story. In the meantime, check out this documentary of a female CNN photographer who became part of the story she was reporting on. It's in two parts, very heavy, but extremely well-done. This woman has a lot to tell us about strength, courage, living life to the fullest and not dwelling on the bad. She also tells us a lot about how to objectively report the story, even when you're part of it. There is a big surprise at the end of Part 2.
Part 2 can be accessed after you've watched part 1. Below the video box will be another video you can click on and it is titled, "Camerawoman Fights Back". (TRT 10:00)
I would definitely interview someone i dont know. With this flooding, it has taught me alot. No damage occured to my house, but i felt for those who did have to go through this situation.
ReplyDelete-I can't say i've had a situation where it impacted someone, but i know plenty of people that have impacted me by this situation.
I already interviewed someone about the flood. it hurts to see your community hurting. Close family as well suffered from the flood and i feel the same pain they do. Even if i hadnt done this for class, i think i still would have given time for those who suffered to speak.
ReplyDeleteI would do my angle on clarkdale elementary school. I would interview staff and students that attend the school. My school was not affected by the flooding that went on in this area but my house got a little damaged so that is why I would do my story on the school.
ReplyDeleteIf somehow I am not able to do the story from that angle I would interview people who are devoted in helping others who suffered serverely from the flood.I would interview people who are doing more than just helping others clean up the disaster that took place in there homes but are also giving them a place to stay,food to eat and clothes if needed. My focus would not just be on the disaster and its victims but the generousity and appreciation they are giving to the ones that are giving a helping hand.
Man, that was really bad. I don't think I can do what she did so easily. She cold be a hero to a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteI believe that we should turn our focus to the ones from katrina that came here and have to start over again and still have hope. I know for some people, if i had to start over twice, my spirits would be crushed. But i know there are still some people that have high hopes and love being optimistic and looking for the good in every situation. So the angle should be optimistic people who are still looking forward to their sunshine instead of the storm.
ReplyDeleteI would interview some most of the people that were effected by the flood or someone that had relatives that were flooded. even though i was not a flood victim , my love and care goes out to the ones that were . however, the angle i feel we should do is the one about the people leanding a hand to help those in need when they dont have to.
ReplyDeleteThe angle that I would take on the flood story would be the organizatons coming to aid those who have lost their homes. The reason I would choose this angle is because I saw how many people were at one of these congregations. Also, I was not directly effected by the flood, the roads around me were closed.
ReplyDelete-Stephen Birt
Doing a package on the flood and the impact it has had on our community should be one that will be sensitive, accurate, and detailed. There were lots of people impacted from this situation and I definitely prayed and felt for the people who lost anyone or anything due to the flood. I think to approach this story, you need to be open minded and stong.
ReplyDelete- Lunna Zamarron
There are plenty of ways someone could report on the flood story. Personally, I would report on someone who had an amazing escape story. Plenty of people had to do some crazy things to get out of their flooded homes, or cars on the streets. I think it would be interesting to interview someone who has a crazy stort for getting out. I know a few people, who had to actually swim to get out of their homes. Or the people who had to use a boat or some other object to get away. To be able to see what made these people think of these ideas, or to see what was going through their heads, would be interesting.
ReplyDelete-Ashleigh Taylor <3
well i was affected by the flood because many of my friends houses are ruined... i would interview somebody i kno and have them tell about their experience.. this is a touchy situation because alot of ppl lost everything..
ReplyDeletedaneisha lane
This blog is very interesting. I would interview someone that i didn't know also because I would love to hear their side of the story. I have gone through what some people have gone through but Im just glad my famiyl is okay. We did loose our home and is currently living with my aunt. Sometimes when bad things happen to us we have to just look on the bright side of things instead of the bad. What my sister and I have agreed on is to just be excited about rebuilding our home and getting new things eventually. When this whole flood happened we were very devasted. We really didn't know what to do or what to say, but we are getting through it. I'm blessed that God gave us another chance, and i would love to hear the people that have the same thought.
ReplyDelete- Hannah Davis
Is it possible to have the angle be from FEMA? I know that they are helping me and my mom, and I think it would be interesting to interview someone from FEMA. Or the Red Cross. Interview a staff member and ask them exactly what they are doing to help and how it indirectly may have effected them. Also, I don't think an actual flood victim (such as I) should do the story simply because of not only the personal and emotional reasons, but also because they won't be able to capture the story in a sympathetic way; it's hard to sincerely feel sorry for someone in a "Can I do anything to help?" sort of way when you too are in the same situation as they are.
ReplyDeleteI would like to interview people in the neighborhood next to mines because the flood was on top of the roof and the people who couldnt swim drowned and lost their lives. All because they didn't have enough time to exit the neighborhood before the flood.And the ones that got out were standing in front of my hood cold & sad not knowing where to go or what to do.
ReplyDeleteMy angle on this story would have to be on the people that lost there homes and were put in shelters. I opened my home to one of my friends who lost there home due to the flood so i got a pretty good idea on how he felt about it. But i would also go to those very shalters that housed over 500 hundred homes and get there side of the story and ask them how hectic it was in those shelters. -Grim
ReplyDeleteI would interview about the people who got flooded and lost everything. But also on how people help others that dosent have food are anything.And they can go to the shelter for how many days until they get back on track an get more help.But im glad there's good people that care for other people even if they don't know them.This is a sad situation b/c alot of people died an lost everything.......
ReplyDeleteWell the first thing i would like to comment on is the margaret moth story. That story is great and i love when she said she thinks life is like a game of tennis. You have no choice over how that ball comes to you but it's how you hit it back that counts. That is very well said and i think she has a very good point.
ReplyDeleteSecond thing is i never imagined that something so bad as a flood would happen anywhere near me. I would always hear stuff like New Orleans with the hurricane katrina or other places but never Georgia. Especially Austell. I mean it's shocking. When i think about this flood the first thing i think about is this man that was stuck in his car in the water. He was drunk and he drove his car into the water. Jimm(my friend) jumped into the water, went to the car, and got the man out. I mean i was in complete shock and apparently so was the man. If i had a camera i would of totally filmed that! There was houses that were caught on fire on the water.
I would have interviewed him and seen how he felt and what his reaction and story is. I would also interview Jimmy to get his thoughts in the story. Alot of people from South Cobb don't have homes because of this flood. I mean im sure most people have a story to tell about this flood but personally i would find somebody that has a totally different story.
Like for example Ms. Watson, you mentioned the Cris thing. How he came from New Orleans because his house was destroyed and then again his house was destroyed. That's something different.
-Priscilla Bonnet
The flood was a devastating moment for the people who got affected by it and the community as a whole. i think my angle of this story would probably be appreciating what the people in the community did. i know everyone would go straight to just the flood but we have heard this part plenty of times. Doing this angle not only thanks all of the people that help but show how the community comes together.
ReplyDeleteMy angle of the flood story would me on people around the area in which I live that have lost everything. I am surrounded by many neighborhoods that had flood damage but ours wasnt. Some of my friends lost all of their prized possessions and have very strong opinions toward the flood. Even a guy that restored a car that was atleast 30 years old that he no longer drive. With them seeing this angle, maybe people can learn to appreciate things like family more.
ReplyDeleteI think a good angle would be about people who were affected by Hurricane Katrina and the flood here too.Like Briona said,I would be crushed if I had to start all over again for the second time.It would be interesting to hear their side of the story.
ReplyDelete~Amanda :p
The flood was a very abrupt and unexpected disaster. I feel if someone were to do a pacakge on the flood they should do it in a very creative outlook, yes it was a heartbreaking experience.. but was there any good that came out it? I feel that a positive look would be the best way to go.. being negative does not help. Seeing the video about mrs moth was very inspiring. If more people were like her i think the world might be happier and take the bad things and turn them around.
ReplyDelete-Christina
I agree a lot with Christina! To us kids the rain was just a way for us to get out of school! We didn't realize how bad it had gotten and how much damage it was doing! It taught us a great lesson to cherish what we have and not to take anything for granted! If we did a story on it i agree that it should be positive and not negative! Being negative will only make you sadder!
ReplyDelete-Michelle <3
If I were to do this story I would have taped all the damage that was done to my house. Interview my aunt and alot of my friends that had flooded homes. Then after taping all those things I would get as many people I as I can to come together. And we would all help clean up and help all the displaced families. Even though I am a flood victim I would love to help the people that do not have it as good as I do. Having your home being flooded is really hard for anyone. I mean losing all things you ever bought or had and having to start all over again is so hard and can really bring a person down. Luckly I have loving and caring family members and friends.
ReplyDeleteI would have taped many roads underwater, houses nearby, and people expierencing a historic moment. Boats where used to cross the water, showing how deep it really was. Also, there were residents who had their house in the flood path, have to use the boats to get across. I can't really be objective as much, as I don't know for sure on what happened around here, as thankfully my house wasn't hit. But if I interview them, I can say the reactions and explanations from the resisdents turns out to be the same: the worst flood they have been in. I can only sit on the sideline, and donate and see how it all turns out.
ReplyDelete-Dyan Johnson
I was not personaly affected by the flood but I had many friends that were. And all my friends were homeless, so I helped them out. I gave them food and clothes. Whatever they needed I gave them. Having your home gone do to a flood is a horrible thing.
ReplyDelete