The criticisms of journalism

On Monday, professor Dr.H informed us that an engineer professor by the name of Dr.K would be giving us a speech. I had no idea what the speech would be about, but I assumed it would have to do something with journalism. After I listened to about three presentations, Dr.K walks in slyly with a slight smile on his face. To be completely honest, I was expecting a blunt college presentation. I was expecting a presentation that would be plain out--boring. As sad as that may sound, I love my college education, but c'mon there are time where lectures can be tedious. During some lectures I might end up staring at blank walls or counting the number of dots on the cottage cheese ceiling. But, despite my preconceived notions I was completely wrong about this presentation. Dr.K had proved me wrong because he used excellent diction, precise fluctuation, and was HONEST. Shocking...but he was honest. He started his discussion with jokes about engineers and scientists, which was quite enjoyable. After that he started to talk about his life in Egypt and about being a muslim. He discussed situations in San Luis Obispo where he has experienced racial acts.

The funny part about this whole event was that he consistently asked us why the media portrays muslims in a negative light. As a journalism student, I really didn't know how to answer his question. Almost everyday I hear negative remarks about the profession I WANT to eventually go into. I hear that the media is bias, it has an agenda, its left or right wing, etc. I mean, there is even a show titled, "Reliable Sources," on CNN that discusses the negative aspects of the journalism industry. Why is it that the media is constantly being criticized?

I feel like I am consistently defending my profession. In my ethnic studies class last quarter I was randomly chosen to conduct a presentation of whether the media should be analytical or objective. I defended my argument by showing examples of analytical media that have failed, but my teacher (who used to work for the LA times and was a previous Pulitzer Prize winner) felt the media should be more analytical and less objective.

I went into his office hours one day to discuss the presentation. We drifted towards the topic of "whats wrong with the media today" and he starts discussing every negative aspect. He felt that journalists today are not being watchdogs for society, rather they are being lap dogs. In a sense, I completely agree with him. Today, I feel the media is focusing so much on tiger woods when we could be focusing on unemployment or the current health care. But, people who are not in the industry do not understand that the media is also a business. Yes, journalists should be watchdogs, but how can they be when most people don't like to hear about what is really going on. Im sure people know more about the life of Britteny Spears (is that even how you spell it?) that what is going on in Afghanistan. Journalism takes a lot of crap, (excuse my language) but it really does. Is it because we are one of the few professions that are consistently being watched. Do I watch my mother at her hospital make mistakes on live television or radio? or my sister make a mistake when she's sitting behind her desk? I understand the journalism industry needs to change, but that's why they have new up and comers like me! There are so many questions that need to be answered for this industry to be saved. I hope people realize that journalists are also humans and we do mistakes. Only time will tell what will happen to this industry, but I know I will be ready to watch.

-christina jensen

summer fling article I wrote for POLYSCRIPT

Christina Jensen- Summer Fling

Imagine yourself on the beach of Hawaii. The glistening sun reflects off the perfectly proportioned females and men who look like their muscles will burst open from their tightly fitted shirt. The sand is warm, it makes you feel cozy and at ease. The temperate weather is perfect for your latest tan that you’re trying to work on, but one entity is absent. Where is the hottie lying down next to you?! Where is the hottie that you will share your warm summer nights and new gorgeous tan?

The one object missing from this perfect summer vacation is a fling. Now, you may be asking what does this “fling” term really mean? Well, a summer fling is a characteristic of summer that may not be hampered with; nor should it be by passed. By hampering I’m saying, do not—I repeat do not—become serious with this fling because after all—it is a fling. Webster Dictionary’s definition even coincides with my same attitude, “A fling is a brief sexual or romantic relationship.”Even the term speaks for itself, and hopefully you noticed the emphasis of the word brief in the definition. My point is, there is no subsidy in hampering with your soon to be ‘flinger’ (which is a term I just coined that will be used throughout this article). Your ‘flinger’ should be a person whom you really don’t know all that well, but will get to know. The person should be attractive and stylish; they should also posses poise. They do not have to be the “best of the best” because for all you know they could be out with their other summer flings not feeling a bit remorseful. Your flinger knows this is just a short-lived relationship.

Summer flings can originate throughout places around the world. For example, if you spontaneously decide to move in with a distant relative who lives in a remote city you may discover your fling to be your neighbor or co-worker. I’m sure many of us females have seen the movie, “The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants.” This movie is an excellent representation of summer flings. For male readers out there here is a quick synopsis, three out of the four women in the film have summer flings, which don’t persist. But, each one of them stumbled upon their flings because their location had altered. This location gave them a new sense of being; it gave them a new sense of purpose. They could be whoever they wanted to be. Because of this locality it caused them to seek their brief relationship.

Although it may seem I am being pessimistic about summer flings, I have come to learn much about myself through my own experiences. I realize that a fling is nothing compared to a real relationship. A relationship is a bond for a lifetime; you will never forget the idiotic fights and lustful moments that can construct a congregating partnership of best friends and soul mates. A summer fling doesn’t give you this affirmation. This “fling” may be full of jealousy or pure optimal fun. You can’t always monitor this outlandish relationship, so you have to let the flings write their own itinerary, until the closing stages of summer when your bond will probably terminate.

Although there are many negatives of flings, there are also positives. One positive is your fling will go with you to the beach, the movies, nightclubs, dinner, and many other places where romance will permeate the atmosphere. For a brief time period of three months your flinger will be your other half. If this person lives in another city you will now have an acquaintance, which you may decide to like yet again. And who knows, you even might be able to form a TRUE romance with this person, instead of a counterfeit liaison. Ultimately, summer flings should be a facet of our youth. We can learn through our mistakes and glory, but we will never forget the warm breeze of a summer night. We will never forget the moments of expressed amusement. And we will never forget our summer flings, because these are the people who compose the chapters of our life narrative. These are the people who construct our glorious days of summer. So my question I present to you is—are you ready to have a summer fling?

public defendaz article that I wrote for polyscript magazine 1/21/10

1/22/10

         When I found out I had received the duty of interviewing the hip hop group—The Public Defendaz—I started to recall the first performance I had seen them in. After watching their performance on Halloween night, I felt music is their infatuation. Music is their inspiration and the connection with music allows for the audience to enjoy the group’s passion for hip hop. That night each member on stage was performing to the utmost fullest. They managed the crowd, repositioned themselves around the stage, and rapped so intensely that you had to listen to their lyrics. Their music didn’t seem like a momentary hobby that is overlooked; it appeared music was their everything. After talking to each member my hypothesis seemed correct: Music is their everything—it is their soul, their life, and the bond that intertwines the seven members together to create Public Defendaz. The Central Coast group emerged in 2006 and has been expanding their fanbase ever since. There are seven members: Taktical, Oktapus, Royal, J4RD, Iyayi da Cali Kid, Danny Style, and Shamrock. Each participant conveys a certain aspect of the group that helps them to create a unique style. While each member writes his own lyrics, the group ‘s sound comes from the collaboration of all its members. J4RD contributes singing and engineering. Taktical supplies beat production, engineering, and is responsible for their social networks like Facebook, Myspace, and their Twitter account. Danny Style is their most recent addition, who adds the flare to each song with his DJ skills, and Oktapus produces, graphic designs, and writes lyrics. While Shamrock, Iyayi, and Royal write music and contribute to beat making, all three try to help out the group whenever anything needs to be completed. Before the group came together, each member was composing their solo projects, but they realized they could each bring something to the table to establish the independent group.

Royal said, “We all love music so why not do something together and make it our own…We wanted to build a hip hop scene in San Luis Obispo.”

            So far, they have generated two albums: “Speedy Trial” and “Tampered Evidence.” They also released their Mixtape Premiere in February 2010, which is a Mix tape over the sounds of DJ Premier. Taktical describes the mix tape as lyrics over DJ Premiere’s beats.

He said, “We are looking back on the past and digging out in that era.”

From the interview, the group hopes audiences will be proud of their work. The group smiled and were excited when talking about their work on their recent tape, they also discussed how much time they have put into the tape and their appreciation for DJ Premiere.

Together, the group wants to represent real hip-hop and their mix tape/CD’s are representations of what they feel hip-hop can be. They feel hip hop today is dissimilar from when they were growing up. Today, most hip-hop contains commercial lyrics concerning women, parties, and money. The group enjoys writing lyrics about current issues and being the defenders for the public, hence the name “Public Defendaz.” But, even though they complete many music projects and write lyrics for the public, when they first emerged in the small town market many businesses didn’t want to take a gamble on a local hip hop group. The San Luis Obispo market is largely notorious for rock groups so for a hip hop group to start in town could be seen as risky, but three businesses took a chance. Downtown Brew, J-Neal Enterprise, and Numbskull productions are the three risk takers. All of the members have much appreciation towards the businesses because they took a chance when no one else was willing to. After several shows, Public Defendaz were beginning to generate a name for themselves. It is a name that would soon be heard through the town of San Luis Obispo. A name that would soon be seen on stickers plastered over furniture by college students. The group started to open for sold out acts like E-40, Mistah Fabb, J-Diggs, The Pack, Tech N9ne, and with each performance they got to open for the people whom they admired while growing up. In the future, they want to continue working on music projects and building their fan base.

The group hopes to expand to a more diverse group of fans from both Cuesta and Cal Poly campuses. They make music because they love it and write about issues as a voice for the public. Although they may bicker at times, the group said they overcome their problems.

Royal said, “We’re like a family. That’s what it takes to be a real group.”

So far, they have a substantial fan base in San Luis Obispo and recently they have been asked for autographs around town. In the future, the group wishes they will become successful and travel around the world performing. Towards the end of the interview with Public Defendaz Taktical sums up the group's mutual feeling –“music engulfs my life.”

stay up movement launch party

tonight I will be filming the stayup movement launch party hosted by delta tau. It's a new clothing line that is focused on a progressive lifestyle. I have already interviewed the founder and the three other members. The party is sponsored by red bull and the public defendaz will be performing. TONIGHT WILL BE EPIC. they are sectioning off a part of the party so I will be able to film my story. The story on "stayup movement" will be edited by thursday, I definitely want to put it on my blog. Love you guys!

ok ok

okay. so nvm haven't put up the articles because i've been staring at the walls of the robert e.kennedy library literally ALL DAY!! its bs, but it's gota be done. DON'T WORRY ...UP SOON.!

coming soon my loves : )

Hello my loves, I decided to inform you that once I get my butt out of the library and go home I will let everyone see the two articles I have written. One is concerning the local san luis obispo hip hop group, "Public Defendaz." The article is about their new mixtape premiere that has already been released to the public (picture on left). The other article is about the positives and negatives of summer flings. Its both humorous and sarcastic. I know you'll love it. Hopefully I get some fans too, because I'm sick of talking to NOBODY!! haha

WHY HELLO THERE : )

Hello world,
is anyone out there? haha. This is now my first blog on eblogger under christinaMjensen..and I am quite stoked to say the least. Well actually it will be my first blog once I hit the bright orange button titled, "PUBLISH POST," in all caps to be exact. If you don't understand my humor now you will once i start to publish an extreme amount of blogs. Ultimately, I know you will begin to love me and I will begin to love you. : ) Well its almost 11pm and I have bio class at 9 in the morning...I'm headed off to read a chapter of global communications and get some ZzZzZ'S.

adios.

-jensen.