'Five Star Final' Review Key Post

As a journalism student watching 'Five Star Final' made me think about the moment where writers get to a writing piece that may make or break their career. In which raises the ethical question of is it worth publishing and at what human cost? This reflects Yellow Journalism and when it comes to writing any type of journalistic story, writers must find topics that will capture the attention of the community. Yet, there continues to be a fine line between profit-driven journalism, in which is seen in this movie, and journalism that has an ethical purpose and is simply there to inform. Writers may find THE story to publish but will exaggerate, prioritize drama, or even exploit individuals all for reader engagement. In which journalists must decide their own ethical obligations and morals to decide if they should cover and publish the story. 

Each individual journalist steps inside the world of writing with their own set of beliefs, ethics, and purpose. There are journalists in the past, and even till this day who reflect the individuals that was seen in the movie. Writers who put a story out just for shock and profit value. One's who have little concern for individuals or the communities the story may affect and even cross lines to gain more information. 

Such as Joseph Randall who pushes for the story to be published, in which he quickly felt guilty as he watched the whole tragedy unfold because of his ethical failure. T. Vernon Isopod represents pure corruption and immorality that is often seen in yellow journalism as he fakes his own identity to gain information from other characters. Nancy Townsend who's quiet, simple life she built after her tragic history was ruined as her past life was dug up and posted across the front page. Townsend and her family represent the innocent individuals lives that are often ruined due to unethical journalism. Five Star Final represents the system of ethics in journalism that is experienced with each story that is investigated and then eventually finalized within a publication. The movie unfolds beginning to end as each fragment of journalism ethics is represented by the characters and the events that happen in and outside the newsroom. 

As a journalist we have a purpose to inform, entertain, and serve as a voice for the public, all with respect, attentiveness and morality for those we write about and for those who read our work. It is only right and fair for everyone's story to be heard, yet it must be done with ethical standards. Such as providing the accurate truth, avoiding the disclosure of sensitive information, and treating sources/subject as human beings. Journalism is a part of society for a reason, and individuals have been gifted with the purpose and ability to write emotional, informative, and community changing stories. Journalists are here to change and lift the world with their words, not to harm and tear down individuals which is unfortunately what many journalists are still doing to this day. "Five Star Final' is a movie I think all current and aspiring journalist should watch as ethics is key to not only being a successful, ambitious writer but to be able to do with ethical standards. 

EOTO #2 Key Blog Post: History of Music (Rock) Journalism

Journalism as we know it has transitioned into many different genres and eras over the last 100 years, shaping it into the impactful medium it is today. Early on journalism was for the elite, it was focused academic writing that was about news and politics, but that changed when European newspapers began to introduce critic writers to the public through the world of music. Journalists began to write pieces that included criticism and their own opinions on classical music composers and the opera. This established the foundation for professional music criticism as early as the 1800s. 

American journalists quickly picked up this type of writing throughout their newspapers and began to explore other types of music such as Jazz in the early 1900s, and eventually the era of Rock and Roll starting in the 1950s. Early Rock and Roll was often ignored or dismissed by mainstream press, but eventually the public could not ignore the impact of music as bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones quickly caught the attention of the world with their unique sounds. The Golden Age of music journalism began in the 1960s as it amplified voices and began to shape artists narratives, music culture and how fans consumed and interacted with music. 

The first serious American rock magazine was founded in 1966, Crawdaddy by Paul Williams at only the age of 17, and a year later the famous Rolling Stone magazine was founded by Jann Wenner, the two magazines revolutionized the journalism industry. Writers weren't just writing album reviews; they were and still are today living the artists lives with them. Many writers often travel and go on tour with bands, do concert reviews, and personal profiles on artists giving fans an inside look into the Rock and Roll world. Through the 60s and the late 90s music magazines were being established across the world and were the dominant medium for all things music, turning rock criticism into a literary art and serious profession. 

Music criticism gained academic and social credibility during this era as it was a shift in cultural conversation, defined artists careers and influenced fans and the music they consumed. Writers began to discover other genres of rock as well such as alternative, indie and even folk rock in which kept the public more intrigued as they were able to discover new music every day. Throughout the late 90s and through the 2000s came along a digital shift where writing about music went from print to media as the internet gave rise to blogs, short form content, and freelance writers in which lowered the barriers of publishing and brought more freedom to writers. Today, although still popular, music journalism has transcended into even more genres and had brought a new point of view to the music industry. Though it has gotten harder for writers to gain access to records, concerts and even artists themselves making music criticism a difficult profession, yet even more impactful. 

Rock journalism brought a new perspective and bigger voices to topics beyond the music world that were still significant, such as cultural and social movement messages artists often put in their songs. It also became a launch pad for artists and their talent, giving the music industry even more credibility not only as a business but as an entertainment field. Music journalism called out to the younger generation and began to shift how journalists write and the lengths they would go to get a good story. The music industry is just one field that often tests writers' morals and beliefs as they often have to decide to publish the truth or just a puff piece as sometimes the artists don't want the honest story published.

Writing about music holds an artistic quality, critical vocabulary and a cultural commitment as journalists have to put their emotions they get from their experience with music into words for readers to admire. Writers began to reach a high level of creativity and freedom within their writing in which made music journalism reach a new number of readerships. It introduced the world of real music journalism and overall criticism and opinion writing, in which opened doors to other types of journalism such as entertainment, film, food and much more. Rock journalism created a world of authenticity, excitement and the crave for something life changing within writing. 

EOTO #1 Key Blog Post: The Rotary Press

Modern day journalism and newspaper outlets are known for their high quality, diverse and fast pace daily coverage, but that wasn't always the case. In the early developments of journalism and its different eras such as the Partisan Press Era, news coverage was slow, often delayed and focused on just governmental issues. Yet that quickly changed as news coverage became more important and the development of printing technology in which made writing and printing newspapers more efficient. One significant technological innovation that changed and paved the way of modern journalism was The Rotary Press, designed and developed by Richard March Hoe. 

Richard March Hoe, an inventor and manufacturer who worked with his father at a family printing press factory in New York City began developing a new printing press design in 1843. In 1847 the rotary press received its patent and was first installed at the Philadelphia Public Ledger, one of the most influential newspapers in America during the 19th and 20th centuries. Hoe revolutionized newspaper production as he was in search for cheaper methods and materials which drove much of his motivation behind this technological advancement. He placed the press on a rotating four cylinder instead of on a flatbed in which increased the speed of printing greatly from 2,000 sheets per hour to 8,000, earning its name of "The Lightning Press" 

This innovation forever changed the influence of newspapers as it coincided with the rising literacy rates and public demand for news during the 1840s. With printing production being more efficient and now cheaper it made newspapers more affordable and turned journalism from an elite enterprise to a mass medium especially for the working class. Common workers, mothers, and even younger generations were now able to receive information firsthand instead of getting news that was filtered down through the mercantile and educated classes. This changed the economics, reach and social role the press had on the public as this new reach of mass literacy and low-cost information allowed people from diverse social classes read, discuss, and debate the news. 

The rotary press is one of the key things that helped create a modern media landscape as it came at a time when journalism was becoming about immediacy same day coverage as newspapers began developing multiple daily editions. As information that once took weeks to spread could now reach millions within hours with the efficiency of this new technology. Coinciding with the rise of readers and a crucial time in America fueled the public demand for news during social and political movements. This caused a transition within journalism as newspapers were now able to efficiently transform the type of information they were putting out. 

This printing advancement also came during one of the most significant eras of journalism known as the Penny Press Era, a fundamental business model that transformed the journalism world into what we know it as today. Newspapers began to broaden their coverage and the types of stories they were putting out. Along with the growing production of newspapers there was a need to expand the type of audience members and readers. Therefore, news outlets shifted to more art, investigative journalism, human interest stories, and local news instead of just depending on political news. News also became factual based information rather than opinion based. This coincided with the rising power of the working class and forever changed the political and educational landscape of the United States as more factual news was being produced. 

After his successful invention of the rotary press, Richard March Hoe continued to make successful advancements in his technology in which printing became even faster and more efficient. This led to the success and growth of papers during the Penny Press Era which resulted in complex societal and culture changes in America and the role journalism held. 

Disclaimer: This blog post was researched and written with the assistance of AI technology. AI tools were used to research and compile information about Richard March Hoe and the rotary printing press and its significance it had on journalism. I've made efforts to verify key facts and accuracy through other academic and professional resources. 

About me in 500 Words

My sister and I attended a Rainbow Kitten Surprise concert, July 2025 

A Girl with a Big Heart and a Deep Love for Music 

By Autumn Bell 

Growing up as the youngest daughter of six meant I was constantly surrounded by my big family in which meant growing up in a world of different music genres. 

Hearing classic 80's rock blast from my father's speakers while cooking dinner. 

A mix of Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles in the morning before school with my mom. 

Listening to Rap and R&B with my oldest sister Nessa in the car sneaking out to go on an adventure. 

A unique combination of country and Hip-Hop music with my brother Buddy on the way to the park. 

Folk and alternative music playing in the background as my brother Zach and I head to the lake to go fishing. 

A sharing love of indie rock music and Cage the Elephant with my sister Kenzie as we get ready to go get coffee.

And the genre that I never got into of goth music stemming from my brother Ryan's room as he plays video games. 

A blurry but meaningful photo
 as I met Noah Kahan
after his concert in October 2022

If anyone knows me, they know my big three, music, coffee and my family. It is what I live for each and every day. I can't imagine navigating through this weird, but sublime life without Noah Kahan's lyrics that hit straight to the heart, and my mom who brings comfort and calmness amongst the chaos. 

I think my life is a little bit chaotic because I always have music playing in the background no matter where or what I'm doing. While I'm reading, doing schoolwork, or driving to my favorite local coffee shop there's indie rock music playing. While I'm in the gym, getting ready with my best friends, or a late-night ice cream run there is R&B and Rap music blasting through the speakers. While I'm writing, taking my morning walk, or baking my favorite banana bread recipe there is folk and country music filling up the silence. 

The perfect way to end 
the summer attending a
Cage The Elephant concert
with my sister Kenzie on a warm
August night in 2024

Music is a form of communication for when our own words fall short, when life hands us emotions too tangled, too loud or too tender to translate. It's a world that never stops expanding, a universe of sounds so massive that it is impossible for anyone to listen to every song that has ever been made. Maybe that's the magic. There is always another voice to discover, another beat to fall into, and another song to fall in love with.

Concerts have become my lifeline. They are a serotonin filled experience that is hard to describe, but it feels like hugging your sister after not seeing her for a really long time. Or drinking that fresh cup of ice lemonade after being at the beach all day. it's the feeling of the beat rushing through your bones, feet hurting from dancing for two hours straight and smiling because you want that feeling to last forever. 

I get the same feelings from my family and friends. A breath of fresh air. I want to bring those experiences to as many people possible and writing about it just might be the way to do that.

My best friend Ruby and I attending a Joe P concert in October 2024