Follow the Yellow Brick Road

Journalists, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. We all want to make it to the Emerald City to see the Wizard, or to the job of our dreams, but first we have to remember three important rules to follow along the way.

Scarecrow: If he only had a brain. The first important rule to follow is accuracy. Readers look to journalists for news and if it is inaccurate then it has no value. Errors can be found in spoken words, charts, maps and other graphics. Inaccuracies can be inconveinent and can sometimes lead to serious consequences. An inaccurate conclusion can lead others to make wrong decisions based off of the the issue at hand. So don't just "have a head all full of stuffin'" Remember to check your facts!

Tin Man: If he only had a heart. The second important rule to follow is attention to libel. You should know the difference between defamation that is justified and critique with no defense. An example of defamation is accusing a person of a crime. To defend this statement you should be able to prove it to be true. Qualified privilege, fair comment and criticism, and public official/public figure rule can be other defenses for negative reporting. Remember to have heart and make sure you can backup your statement before ruining a person's reputation.

Cowardly Lion: If he only had the nerve. Journalists will take short cuts. The pressure of getting the scoop and avoiding the lions, tigers and bears can lead writers to make up or steal other's work... oh my! A strong sense of ethics is needed here. Attribution should be included and sources should be mentioned in the print story or linked in an online story. You have to have the courage to stand the storm and not cut corners to get your story out there.

You made it to the land of Oz! Watch out for wicked witches, flying monkeys and pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Stay true to journalistic principles, legalities, and ethics.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

How To Take Better Pictures

In class we learned helpful hints when taking pictures. The first tip is to find soft lighting. This will give your subject the best skin tone as opposed to one produced by harsh lighting. The second tip is to fill the frame with your image. The idea here is that the image will be focused in on and the viewer will be less distracted by a meaningless background. The last tip is to take your picture from alternative angles. This will make your picture more interesting. You can take a picture from a higher or lower point of view instead of from normal eye level. By keeping these tips in mind, a photographer can produce an appealing picture for his or her viewers.

Greg Romano, senior Mass Communications major, seesaws to benefit Delta Sigma Phi's fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The members of the fraternity designated shifts to total 48 hours in support of testicular cancer research.