Political Journalism

Hello again, dear Journalism friends!

There is good news and bad news: The bad news first. I have not gotten any answer regarding the publication of my article yet. Apparently, the editors really take their time. I have talked to several people and did some research and this is obviously a very common "problem". So I will wait for at least two more weeks until I hear back from the editors...

The good news: I have finished the music journalism module and took the exam very successfully! :)

So off to the next: I started with political journalism. Now, we all know what controversy is going on right now when it comes to political journalism. Fake news, objectivity, the "death" of journalism even is being discussed online, specifically. I don't believe in it. I think this is just a current state of mind whenever there are changes in the political sphere. I don't think journalists are worse than before. I think this negativity just "happens" whenever there is a change. It might be very well the case that journalism changed through the digital age. What do you think?

Anyway, I think we should even focus more on these "negative" aspects (however, the negativity is very questionable) to maybe improve them and turn them around for the better. That's why I chose to focus on political journalism. Besides, it is a very interesting topic.

In my next entry, I will give some more insights on the module book. So far, I've reached only page 10 which is by far not enough yet to give an adequate evaluation.

Until next week around the same time. Thank you for reading my blog!

Kate

Band Interview in local music magazine?!

Hello!

So I managed to get an interview with the band! I decided to try to publish it somewhere local, not here on my blog. :/ Sorry -- but I have to take every chance I get.

I'm almost through with the Music Journalism module. There are only a few pages left before I can start studying for the online exam. My plan is to finish the module till Sunday and then start studying for the online exam on Monday night. Luckily, we are having a snow storm today -- perfect day for pajamas, a cup of hot chocolate and a study book. :)

So how will I approach this online exam? Well, the way I always prepare for such things is as follows:

1. I read the entire book (usually only the things I've highlighted along the way)
2. I try to memorize as much as possible
3. I write down some notes that help me memorize
4. I repeat everything at least twice a day

What do you think of that learning method? What other ways do you prefer? I know that everyone is different and prefers different approaches. It is always interesting to hear other people's way of studying. So leave me a message or pm me!

Oh, and keep your fingers crossed: I sent in my interview. Let's hope it's getting published!!!

Stay tuned until next week.
Yours,
Kate

Interview with a Band

Hello dear (Music) Journalism friends,

Well, I might be able to conduct an interview with a band. As a matter of fact, I'm friends with some band members - of course they are not really "big", but they are well known in my community. :) Pretty exciting! I'm just going to use some interview techniques described in the music journalism book. We'll see how that turns out! Anyway, I thought that's a neat idea and gives me some practice (and possibly a little taste of the future)!

So far, I've finished like half of the music journalism book. I also have worked through some of these tasks at the end of each chapter - it is going really well.

I was thinking that I could maybe post this interview on this blog right here. I don't really have a magazine or anything like that -- or maybe I should try to contact a local magazine? Maybe they would be interested in publishing it. Hmm. It certainly won't be the Rolling Stones Magazine, though. ;)

I'm sooo excited!

So stay tuned for next week's entry!

Yours,
Kate

Music Journalism - The big hit!

Dear Journalism and blogger friends,

So I started with a new study book this week: music journalism. It's awesome! I can't tell you how interesting it is already, after reading only a couple of pages. This might actually be my new focus! Should I be a music journalist? So far, it's sounds pretty exciting to me.

So what's "inside": The first chapter starts with an introduction into music journalism: definition, professionalism, print, broadcast and a critical reflection. Gives a great overview on the topic! The second chapter is all about the music industry: Who are the people behind the music industry? Publicists, musicians, and managers. What changes happened within the music industry? Also, there is a critical reflection at the end of the chapter. The third chapter deals with "sources" such as press releases, music (live or recorded), interviews, and events. The most interesting chapter is to follow, chapter four talks about the "content" such as news, interviews, video- and audio interviews, articles, documents and alternative content.

Of course, there are exercises after each chapter to be solved voluntarily.

I can't wait to get started with the exercises, they sound fun!

I hope this little insight into the music journalism study book gives enough information to let you know how interesting and awesome this topic is.

I'll keep you posted as my study progresses.

Best,
Kate

Travel Journalism and Blogging

Hello,

I hope you all had a great week! I am really excited to tell you about my newest endeavors in Travel Journalism! Believe it or not, but I am almost finished with the study book. I have read all chapters (still need to do the exercises), because I enjoyed it so much. It was really easy to read one whole chapter each day. I highlighted with a marker most important information for later, when I actually prepare for the exam. It was a real joy!

So now here we go: Travel Journalism is probably not really my future, although I really think it is an awesome journalistic field. Why? Because I think you need to be fully equipped with all kinds of things that I just could not imagine carrying around all day, several days. It seems to me that Travel Journalists need to be cross-media oriented which is exactly what carrying around a lot more equipment is all about. Maybe I'll change my mind... once I studied the whole course.

So blogging has always been a passion of mine. The most recent study on blogging and journalism - its similarities and differences - was quite motivating. It reassures me in my decision to take a journalistic journey in order to train my skills.

Btw, the next study field will be Music Journalism. Stay tuned!

Yours,
Kate

Travel Journalism

Hello journalism friends!

So I took the exam on "Interviews" the other day. It was quite interesting - I have never taken an online exam before. I was a little nervous about it, but I think I did well. Still waiting for the result!

I already started with the new module book on Travel Journalism - what a joy! I love it very much. Let me tell you a few things about this specific module: It has 7 chapters, including the topics "Travel writing context", "Categories and audiences", "Conveying place", "The features of the feature", "Travel Markets", "Travel writing issues", and "Travel writing futures". So far, I have read the first 15 pages which encompass the first chapter, including summary. I really like the fact that each chapter has a short summary. It makes it easier to remember important aspects after reading a whole chapter. Also, there are exercises (tasks) after each chapter to help you repeat what you have just learned. I have not looked at them yet but of course I will eventually.

The school recently published a new survey on blogging and journalism which was interesting to read. The results are astonishing: There is not so much difference, in fact, between those two. Blogging requires almost the same skills as professional journalism!

Well, I need to get back to work. Stay tuned with Kate for more!

Next entry will be all about Travel Journalism and a few details on blogging (my personal experience) in comparison to my first humble attempts as a journalist.

Yours,
Kate

Happy New Year, Journalism friends!

Kate is back! :)

Barely... I made it barely back to my desk this time. I had such a nice time with my family. My niece got a dog for Christmas - can you believe it? From an ethical point of view, this is certainly something to discuss. But it was good to see her smiling face when she held her puppy close to her. Nothing better than seeing happy kids on Christmas!

I actually interviewed a couple of people during the holidays. So there is my uncle Gerry and my aunt Betty who really loved my "technique". I also interviewed my little niece I just mentioned (the one with the puppy) - that was quite a pill. She is just not old enough and I had some trouble to keep her focused. I also interviewed my Dad. Interestingly, I didn't just "practice" my interview skills, I also found out some family secrets! Sorry folks, I cannot publish them on this blog. ;)

Well, I think I'm ready for my first exam. It's a little scary because I'm not sure how this works. I have to take the exam online. But I'm sure it'll be fine!

I already know which study topic is next for me: Travel Journalism! :) I can't wait to start reading it.

Well, I better prepare for my exam now... Interview is still on the desk and I need to get it done by the end of this week.

Stay tuned!

Yours,
Kate