'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.