The Journalism of Fear

Earlier this month I was in Florida, where every night the local television news stations filled me in about the crimes of the day.

Break-ins, vandalism, car thefts, 7-11 stick-ups, domestic violence disputes, schoolyard skirmishes: Not a night passed without a laundry list of who-did-what-nasty-thing-to-whom over the past 24 hours.

But these headline-grabbers were seldom local fare. In fact, many took place over a large swath of South Florida territory. And while the incidents themselves weren't pleasant (what crime is?), they weren't exactly spectacular either. They weren't terrorist acts, organized crime shootouts, or anything especially gruesome.  They didn't involve celebrities, politicians, serial killers, or anybody else whose misdeeds would make us raise our eyebrows.

So why do local stations routinely fill up their nightly half hours with reports of gritty but run-of-the-mill crimes? Does nothing else of importance or interest happen in local Florida towns? Are news desks so starved for news--or so unimaginative in their conception of news--that they need to report each night on yet another shoplifting arrest or road rage incident six towns away?

This may be nothing more than a case of nitwits at the news desk--cheap, amateurish journalism at work--proof that the ability to find a really interesting story (or to provide more insightful reporting) is indeed a talent. But whatever the explanation, the local networks' obsession with humanity's underbelly has negative consequences for all of us.

At a time when crime in America is down big time, many in the media still skew their reporting to suggest just the opposite. While the likelihood of being a crime victim is dramatically less than in previous decades, some network news stations would still have us think there's a felon on every corner. And no matter how many thousands of people go through each day without ever becoming a victim, local news is forever within earshot, drawing its nightly coverage from a handful of police blotter incidents and whispering to viewers, "Watch your back."

Is it any wonder so many people are anxious and fearful? Is it any wonder that so many see the world as a scary place? Is it surprising that so many are arming themselves?

I am not naive about crime and violence. There are indeed criminals in our midst.  There are also mentally unbalanced individuals who'd do us harm because of who we are or how we look. We clearly can't afford to be oblivious to the possibility of danger.

But we also can't afford to let ourselves become perpetually frightened, cynical, or worse yet, immobilized by a nonstop litany of the landscape's dangers, delivered each night by chirpy news anchors reading off teleprompters, The journalism profession has to be better than this. As citizens we should insist on it.  And if some news stations can't be counted on to avoid the sensational, it's up to us to see through their fear-mongering and let them know that their reporting is bad news.

It's Not All Brian's Fault

It's tempting to join the hordes of people casting stones at Brian Williams.  And why not? As the list of charges (embellished accounts of events, skewed news reports, and perhaps even flat-out falsehoods) grows against the suspended NBC news anchor, it's hard to defend a journalist who has mixed facts and fiction--all, apparently, to make himself appear more important. 

Clearly, Williams screwed up.  He violated perhaps the most basic (and sacred) tenets of journalism--truth and trust.  No matter what they're reporting, journalists bank on being taken at their word. They ask readers, viewers, and listeners to believe that their account of the news is factual and accurate.  While journalists make mistakes at times (they are, after all, human), no good reporter deliberately distorts facts or misleads his or her audience.

But is that what Williams did?  Yes and no.  As the investigation into his reporting unfolds, it would appear that Williams routinely displayed a penchant for "Wish-I'd-been-there" journalism. He reported being in places he wasn't (aboard a helicopter struck by a grenade over Iraq); witnessing things he didn't (a suicide in the New Orleans Super Dome following Hurricane Katrina); and meeting people (the Pope) he never actually encountered.

Notice that all of these moments--and others like them--involved himself.  No one is disputing that Williams covered the Iraq War, reported on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, or attended Catholic University during a Papal visit.  Nor is anyone suggesting that his coverage of important news stories was grossly inaccurate.  In fact, it would appear that his detailed accounts of events was essentially truthful.  

But many are taking issue with his presentation of his own actions in these stories. His critics charge that he placed himself at the center of stories, sometimes when he was nowhere near them.  If Williams did indeed misrepresent himself, casting himself as an eyewitness to the fall of the Berlin Wall, for example, shame on him. As a reporter, he should know better; he should also know that journalists are never THE story, no matter how much they might wish they were.  

But while such behavior is hardly admirable, Williams is by no means the only "sinner" in the profession.  More than a few journalists--especially when in front of a camera--have trouble remembering that their role is to report the story, not to distract audiences or influence their perceptions of it. How many modern news anchors betray their objectivity by rolling their eyes at key moments, allowing facial expressions to communicate their reaction to a story, grilling sources with all of the histrionics of a "Law and Order" attorney, or sensationalizing stories that don't deserve to be?  How many journalists, when reporting on a snowstorm, a crime, a serious accident, or something already fairly dramatic, use their body language or tone of voice to make the events at hand seem all the more exciting?

The fault, in part at least, is ours.  Not only do we want to be informed by reporters, we want to be entertained by them.  We no longer want the news presented by Walter Cronkite types. Instead, we want to hear from TV reporters with a flair for the dramatic.  

We want to see reporters shrouded in snow, being buffeted by hurricane winds, or walking us down an alley where moments earlier a thief eluded police.  We want to follow a swashbuckling young Geraldo as he barges into a government office (accompanied by a camera crew) and thrusts a microphone in the face of some bureaucrat.  Such moments may be okay journalism, but they clearly have an element of entertainment.  And while most correspondents stop short of fabricating stories about their exploits, they also recognize (along with their network chiefs) that "drama" sells. 

Some of Williams's colleagues at NBC have commented on his fondness for stories. It would appear that on more than a few occasions Williams wove elements of fiction, at least regarding himself, into his reporting.  While the journalism profession clearly needs to take him to task for this behavior, it should also take a close look at its own assumptions about what constitutes good reporting. Journalists don't have to showmen, personalities, or characters. Nor do they need to stretch the truth about the stories they report or, for that matter, exaggerate about themselves.

How about we let talk show hosts embellish and entertain--and let reporters just report?        

Life, Love, Stress

 

By: Nakeem Grant 

Have you ever had trouble sleeping because you were angry at something or someone? Do you come home from school or work feeling physically and mentally drained? Well guess what? You’re stressing out. Stress is not something that should be overlooked or pushed to the side. It can cause anxiety, depression, and can lead to anger. Stress is an issue that more or less everyone deals with in some point of their lives, but there are various methods that we can practice in order to reduce and ultimately eliminate stress in our lives. I can relate to stressing out pretty well because I get stressed at least once or twice a week. Sometimes I put myself in a position where I overwhelm myself with tons of schoolwork and little time to get it completed. Another instance of when I stress out would be when I fail to do something correct the first time. It turns out that stress is different for everyone in that we all respond differently to stress. Some people might have strong physical responses to stress while others (like me) may have strong mental responses.

Stress is the body’s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental, or emotional adjustment. Stress can be hard to define because it affects each of us differently. Stress can cause anxiety, insomnia, frustration, and other mental issues of that sort. However, stress can also cause physical changes such as sweaty hands, dizziness, and grinding your teeth. Although stress doesn’t sound like a positive aspect, there are some effects that can be somewhat helpful and beneficial. Feelings of anxiety could be compared to as having the feeling of butterflies in your stomach. For example, winning a race or kissing a significant other can put your mind and body through stress just as much as losing a race or being rejected. Now that I’ve defined the true meaning of stress, let’s take a look at a break down of different categories and statistics involving stress.

Based on whatcausesstress.org, more than half of working adults and 47% of all Americans say that they are concerned with the stress in their lives. Each person however has different reasons for being stressed out. A scale known as the Holmes-Ray scale is used to measure the level of stressful occurrences. Death of a spouse causes 100% stress in the grieving member. Subsequently, the divorce process is at 73% on the scale. The top five causes of stress in the U.S. are job pressure, money, health, relationships, and poor nutrition. 76% percent of Americans state that money and work are the leading causes of stress in their lives. Also, 77% of Americans state that physical issues they deal with are caused by stress. It’s clear to see that based on these statistics, stress is a prominent issue in each of our lives to some extent. However, there are ways to deal with stress and better your lives in the process.

There are various techniques and methods that people can practice in order to reduce the mental and physical aspects of stress. WebMD.com explains that one of the best techniques of reducing stress is to meditate. Meditating helps to relax your mind and ease those stressful thoughts. It can be any activity that helps to keep your attention in the present moment. Another great technique is picturing yourself relaxed. Picturing yourself relaxed can be great for people that struggle with quieting their mind. The art of visualization (picturing yourself on a quiet beach, a penthouse in New York City, etc.) can help to keep thoughts away from any negative feelings.

In the end, the emotional and physical adjustments that our body and mind goes through are known as stress. In addition, I think it is safe to say that you and I are not alone, knowing that 82% of Americans are also dealing with some form of stress. Lastly, exercising on a daily basis, meditating, etc. are great practices that can help to diminish the stress in our lives. To reiterate what I stated earlier, we all deal with some form of stress. But I can’t stress enough (no pun intended) that if we take the necessary steps towards eradicating stress, it well better and benefit all of our lives.

The Hot Stove: 2012/2013 MLB Offseason Update

By: Nakeem Grant

            As the 2012-2013 MLB offseason is well under way, several big trades and signings have already been made. Players that have been household names for their respective franchises have been on the move including Josh Johnson being traded from Miami to Toronto, B.J. Upton being signed by ATL and Mike Napoli moving to the Boston Red Sox.  Nevertheless, there are several primetime free agents that are still on the market including All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton, former Cy Young pitcher Zack Greinke, and All-Star pitcher Rafael Soriano. The teams in line for a playoff push are trying to stocking up and teams looking to rebuild their rosters are focusing on building their team around newly acquired cornerstone players.

            Some franchises didn’t even titillate with the notion of leaving their players in free agency to see whether or not they were willing to resign. The New York Yankees reassured a portion of their starting rotation, resigning starting pitchers Andy Pettite and Hiroki Kuroda to one-year deals. They also resigned veteran closer Mariano Rivera to a one-year contract. Even so, they are a team that exemplifies the situation that a lot of playoff-calbur teams are dealing with this offseason. Outfielders Nick Swisher and Ichiro Suzuki are still in the free agent market and catcher Russell Martin turned down their two-year offer and opted to sign with the up and coming Pittsburgh Pirates. However, with A-Rod out due to hip surgery, the Yankees have made an effort to fill that void by offering third baseman/utility player Kevin Youklis a one-year, $12 million deal.

            Other franchises looking to change the platform of their team are throwing their stakes out to some of the most popular free agents. Non-playoff teams from last season such as the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Philadelphia Phillies have given their bids to Josh Hamilton and his agent, Mike Moye. The Rangers would like to resign him, but money might bring up issues if they go on to bolster their starting rotation in signing pitcher Zack Greinke.

            Several other notable free agents have yet to make any concrete decisions on what team(s) to pursue. The speedy, base-stealing outfielder Michael Bourn has yet to find a new home after his tenure with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves have already made their move in securing centerfield, signing outfielder B.J. Upton to a five-year deal. It looked as if Bourn was headed back to the team that drafted him in the Phildelphia Phillies, but the Phillies looked in another direction as they traded for another speedy outfielder in Ben Revere.

Another big time free agent who is still on the market is the crafty right hander, Kyle Lohse. Lohse, leading the National League in win percentage for 2012 as well as coming off a career high in multiple pitching categories with St. Louis, has received offers from several teams including the Red Sox, the Angels and the Blue Jays.

As always, in each offseason there are winners and losers for each ballclub, and this year is no different. The New York Mets won in managing to sustain their best all-around player in All-Star third baseman, David Wright. They managed to lock him up for a record-setting contract in Mets history, seven years with over $130 million coming his way. Wright had a stellar 2012 season, making him a big free agent to pursue in the offseason. It seems however that he was committed to staying with the Mets as they were able to hold on to at least one of their star players. With Cy Young knuckle-baller R.A. Dickey still exercising his free agency, it’s safe to say that the Mets are winners for now this offseason.

One of the biggest losers this offseason would have to be the Miami Marlins. With the big splash they made in the 2011/2012 offseason, they were expected to be a force to be reckoned with in the NL East Division. Unfortunately, the entire 2012 season was a bust as they finished last in the division. The team overwent a complete overhaul, trading Hanley Ramirez in midseason and eventually trading away Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonafacio, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, and John Buck to the Toronto Blue Jays. They went from a team that was primed to win to a team that is back to the drawing board, making them one of the biggest losers this offseason.

In the end, with many free agents still out on the market, there are bound to be more blockbuster moves to come as teams look forward to preparing for the 2013 MLB season.

Rawlings Are the Way to Go

 

By: Nakeem Grant

Over 30 kids from Baldwin, NY were included in a survey to see which brand was best suitable for a baseball glove. Kids in the age group of 12-13 took part in this survey and chose from multiple brands to decide on which one they preferred the most. This survey included every fielder’s position for gloves from pitcher, to infielder, outfielder, etc. Therefore, this survey spans over each position, cumulating every aspect of a baseball glove.

Based on the survey’s results, kids prefer Rawlings over any other brand. Other brands that kids mentioned were Mizuno, Wilson, Akademiks, and Nike. Reasons for choosing Rawlings over any other brand varied with each kid. Some kids said it’s the most comfortable, others said that’s what their favorite player wears, and some said that they last very long compared to the other brands. When asked what big leaguers they look up to, they mentioned premier defensive players such as Albert Pujols from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Carlos Gonzalez from the Colorado Rockies, and Robinson Cano from the New York Yankees.

 “Rawlings is actually a sponsor for the Gold Glove Award in Major League Baseball, an award that is given to the best defensive player at each position,” said Russ Johnson, founder of the program. When the kids were asked if they knew about Rawlings being the main sponsor for the Gold Glove Awards, most of them said yes.

This program has been running for almost ten years. Each year, about 20-30 kids come out to better their baseball IQ and skills. This survey began in 2006 to see how well kids know authentic equipment.

Russ Johnson also stated, “Premium performance is essential for athletes and so it is imperative that they have the best gear to use. It’s good to see that these kids are knowledgeable on the best mitt to wear”.

 

            In conclusion, based on the survey it’s clear to see that Rawlings ranks as the top glove to wear for little leaguers.

Fruitful Ways to Treat Asthma

By: Nakeem Grant

 

Asthma for many people in the U.S. can be a troubling thing to cope with. Kids more so can have a tough time growing up with asthma while they try to have a memorable childhood. For them, the asthma pump just isn’t enough for managing asthmatic problems on a daily basis. New studies however in food and health conducted by researchers have revealed that you can treat the symptoms of asthma by indulging in a more fruitful diet.

Health experts suggest that a diet that consists of vegetables, fruits and probiotics can help to alleviate asthma in children and adolescents. A treatment group filled with children from ages 10-12 were put together by researchers at the College of Life Science and a study for over 190 kids was recorded. They each had a well-balanced diet that mainly featured fruits and vegetables. A supplement that combined these foods known as FVFP was given to the kids and it showed many positive results.

Based on the feedback, medication use was heavily reduced and kids saw considerable improvement in pulmonary functions. Other trials proved that foods outside of these food groups may boost the issue that is asthma. Based on the research, it turns out that fast food is the most common food that is correlated with the buildup of asthma.

Under this controlled environment, fruits and vegetables seem to be the way to go in an effort to treat asthma. People that include fruits and veggies such as apples, tomatoes, lettuce, grapes, carrots, oranges and bananas in their daily diet from an early age can protect themselves from developing any form of asthma. It just goes to show that an apple a day can keep asthma away.

A Season to Remember 

By: Nakeem Grant

The Molloy Lions have had quite a remarkable regular season for the 2012-2013 campaign. They find themselves in great shape in the East Coast Conference holding down second place. Had it not been for Bridgeport (the team of ahead of Molloy) and their season-high 12-game winning streak, the Lions would probably be the number one team record-wise in the conference. This doesn’t undermine their spectacular year however as they shattered their school’s all-time single season wins record with 17 wins. The Lions will definitely look to be roaring in the playoffs this year.

From game-winning shots to career-highs and milestone moments, this will be a season that Molloy College will never forget. Led by their top three scorers, junior forward John Petruceli, senior guard Jimmy Nolan and sophomore guard Matt McLeod, they have proved to be a potent trio against their opponents.

Nolan joined exclusive company in men’s college basketball when he reached the 1000-point milestone. McLeod has been one of their fire starters offensively, especially during the team’s win against Mercy College when he scored a career-high 24 points. Lastly, Petruceli filled the stat sheet this season for Molloy, leading the team in major categories such as scoring, rebounds and assists.

The backbone of this team has been their stifling defense. They held opponents to a conference best 62.8 points per game. They forced bad shots and poor possessions for their opposition all season long as they finished at the top of the conference in opponent’s field goal percentage at 39%. You can credit guys like Tyler Hammett and Miles Prendergast for shutting down the paint area, grabbing rebounds and forcing teams to take tough, contested outside shots throughout the season.

When you put it all together, it’s no fluke that Molloy has had arguably one of the best seasons in their school’s history. Through grit, hard work and dedication, they played like a true team under their head coach, Charles Marquardt.