FINAL PROJECT

Same-sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage which is also known as gay marriage is a type of marriage between people of the same sex, either as a civil ceremony or in a religious setting. It has always been a major topic of interest in the world, but as of 2016 this topic has highly been talked about and given opinions on. In this 21^st century, it is shocking to see how the world is still debating on a topic like the same-sex marriage. People should be open minded on these topics and learn to let others do whatever they want to do. But it is nice to know that as of 1 March 2017, same-sex marriage is legally recognized in countries like Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay. But in America, Australia, and Europe it has seen that polls have shown rising support for the legalization of same-sex marriage. Whereas, the African countries, South Africa is the only country where same-sex marriage is recognized.

           
However, the recognition of same-sex marriage is a political and social issue, also a religious one in many countries. The debates on this topic have been arising day by day on whether people should be allowed marriage or some similar status. There are a few downfall of legalizing same-sex marriage. People tend to fake the same-sex relationships in order to get privileges such as getting citizenship, and other many things. Some countries are still hesitating on legalizing same-sex marriage due to people admitting to a faux relationship in order to skip the rules and regulations. Other issue is the religious issue. People are so religious about the same-sex marriage that they literally frown upon this topic. Well, other than these few topics I don’t see why people are still hesitating to legalize same-sex marriage in their country. 

            
There are still many countries in the world that are opposing same-sex marriage. Talking about a recent issue that has been all over the news as of March 20^th, 2017 is how the President of Philippines has still not legalized same-sex marriage and by the looks of it he will not be legalizing it anytime soon. According to the article posted on The New York Times on the 20^th of March 2017, the President of Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has said, reversing a campaign promise in which he pledged to support legalization to allow gay unions. Mr. Duterte also stressed that the country was Asia’s bastion of Roman Catholicism, which steadfastly opposes same-sex marriage. He pointed to a recent issue, featuring a transgender woman on its cover.

(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/20/world/asia/duterte-same-sex-marriage-philippines.html?_r=0)

            
There other many issues on same-sex marriage going around the world and people have been fighting, debating, and analyzing over this topic for a long time now. It is very important for the LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people get the right everyone else is getting. It is so weird to see people talk about equality in the world on top of their voice, but when it comes to topic like these people still have to debate about it and make big issues. The world would be much simpler place to live in if people actually understood how these types of topics are important for some people. 

            

In context of USA

Source: https://sites.psu.edu/alightpsu/2015/07/30/media-coverage-gay-rights/

In context of my country Nepal

         Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3ASame-sex_marriage_in_Nepal

Media Coverage

Source: http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2015-06-29/no-progress-on-legalising-same-sex-marriage.html

Video

Before concluding my brief, here a video on how much kids these days know about same-sex marriage and those who know about it, what do they think about it. Kids are the future of the country so it is very important that they are aware about the things going around in their country and all over the world. Kids should have some idea about it so that they don't get surprised when they see same-sex couples.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiFDY6N33aw

Conclusion

I personally think that even though same-sex marriage might have its downfall, it is necessary for it to be legalized around the world. I am from a country where these topics might never be legalized any time soon but if asked for my personal opinion, I would definitely say that it is normal for me and isn't a big deal. I have been here in the US for two and a half years now and here people have so much more freedom than in my country. The LGBT people all over the world should be felt as equal as any other group of people in order to make the world a peaceful place to live in. I am totally in support of the LGBT people and I think it shouldn’t be made a big issue because it is actually not.

BRIEF 10 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

Arkansas Freedom of Information Act almost unrecognizable now

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) generally provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information except to the extent the records are protected from disclosure by any of nine exemptions contained in the law or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions. 

According to the news article posted on HarrisonDaily.com on Thursday, April 20 2017, it is said that the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act is almost unrecognizable now. The article states many things such as: At last count the esteemed legislators in less than solemn assembly have added at least 10 more exemptions to this state's once model Freedom of session of the Ledge with still more holes in it. 

To quote Tom Larimer, a temperate fellow who is executive director of the Arkansas Press Association, some changes in the FOIA "were not bad ideas. Unfortunately, the bills went way to far by closing 'records and other information'. "That phrase, he noted, could cover "just about anything" any agency of the state wanted covered up. "I don't think there is any doubt," he added, "the 'security' bills passed in this session will have the most impact on the FOIA going forward." Impact indeed. Like the impact a freight train might have on a car stranded on its tracks. They may be dubbed "security" bills but they are likely to leave we the people more insecure as ever when it comes to knowing just what our public servants are serving up.  

Seven of these misconceived changes have already been signed into law by our governor, The Hon. Asa Hutchinson. Some of the exemptions may be warranted, but in their cumulative effect they are a standing invitation to abuse. For examples, the public will not be allowed to see or hear any recordings of a police officer's death; certain information about community correction centers or about records involving details about the state Capitol's security records and information may not be available to you. 

Just about the only thing that kept this session of the Ledge from being a total catastrophe for this state's Freedom of Information Act instead of an unmitigated disaster seems to have been its sponsor's decision not to press ahead with a proposal that would have kept secret any bill that had been considered by any attorney for any governmental agency.

BRIEF 9 COLLEGE MEDIA

College Media : The Massachusetts Daily Collegian

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian is an American daily newspaper founded in 1890, and the independently-funded, student-operated newspaper of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Published in print Monday through Thursday during the academic semester, the Collegian is a non-profit funded entirely through advertising revenue and receives no funding from the University or from student fees. Founded in 1890, the paper began as Aggie Life, became the College Signal in 1901, the Weekly Collegian in 1914 and the Tri-Weekly Collegian in 1956. Published daily from 1967 to 2013 and as a broadsheet since January 1994, the Collegian cut its Friday print paper in September 2013 due to declining ad revenue. The Collegian is one of the largest college newspapers in New England and the country.

Sections : It is organized into four sections

• News that includes Campus, SGA, Local, Five College, Environment, Technology, Health, Crime, and Politics.

• Editorial that includes Collegian editorials, Columns, and Letters to the Editor.

• Arts & Living that includes Entertainment, Music, Movies, Television, Comedy, Theater, Fine Arts, Culture, Food, Drink, and  Fashion.

• Sports that includes Basketball, Football, Hockey, Field Hockey, Soccer, Lacrosse, Baseball, and Softball. 

Web and Social Media

Hosted online at DailyCollegian.com, the Collegian provides year-round breaking news and sports coverage. A five-fold reduction in advertising revenue, from $1 million circa 2000 to only $200,000 in 2013, accelerated the adoption of web and social media platforms. In addition to web-exclusive features, the Collegian offers all print content online at DailyCollegian.com, which provides readers with more comprehensive coverage including photographs, videos, and podcasts. Collegian staff also maintain The Massachusetts Daily Collegian on Facebook and Twitter. 

Website : http://dailycollegian.com/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsDailyCollegian/

Twitter : https://twitter.com/UMassAmherst

Conclusion

Basically, The Massachusetts Daily Collegian is very informative and productive. It is simple to understand and follow up as well. It is updated frequently which is a good thing and there are tremendous amount of information presented in it. While I was searching for some ideas for College Media, this one really grabbed my attention. I think The Massachusetts Daily Collegian is very descriptive and knowledgeable.

BRIEF 8 INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

Investigative Journalism : BuzzFeed

First off, investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist's work is very difficult because he/she may spend moths or even years researching and preparing a report. Basically, investigative journalism is a primary source of information. It is mostly conducted by newspapers, wire services, and freelance journalists. The term "accountability reporting" is mainly used by the practitioners. There are numerous ways to conduct an investigative journalism. Some of the ways are as follow:

• The documents such as lawsuits and other legal documents, tax records, government reports, regulatory reports, and corporate financial fillings should all be thoroughly analyzed. 
• The databases of the public records should be managed properly. 
• Deep research into social and legal issues must be done as those are very sensitive issues.
• Interviews should be rapidly conducted especially with anonymous sources such as whistle blowers.

BuzzFeed

BuzzFeed is one of the major examples of Investigative Reporting outlets to follow. BuzzFeed has a growing investigative team and body of work worth attention, which makes us the readers gain knowledge on what is going around us and why is it happening that way. BuzzFeed is an American internet media company based in New York City. The firm describes itself as a "social news and entertainment company". Its main focus is on digital media and digital technology in order to provide most shareable breaking news, original reporting, entertainment, and videos. BuzzFeed was founded in 2006 by Jonah Peretti and John S. Johnson III. 

Trump dossier

This has been one of the biggest example of investigative journalism reported by BuzzFeed. In simple words, this news has tried to explain that on the existence of classified documents that claimed Russia had compromising personal and financial information about President-elect Donald Trump. Both Trump and President Obama had been briefed on the content of the dossier, or any specific details of the dossier, as they could not be verified. Later the same day, BuzzFeed published a 35 page dossier in full. BuzzFeed said that the dossier was unverified and "includes some clear errors". The dossier had been read widely by political and media figures in Washington, and previously been sent to multiple journalists who had declined to publish it as unsubstantiated.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/kenbensinger/these-reports-allege-trump-has-deep-ties-to-russia?utm_term=.ypzjVbaoq#.sfLgQYap3

 

My view

According to me, Trump dossier has to be one important investigative journalism's example of BuzzFeed as it is clear in the article that it has been a major issue whatsoever. It is definitely not a recent issue but is has been very hyped which is why I chose this topic. I think BuzzFeed does a good job when it comes to posting something that is related to investigative journalism. It is very important for the readers to understand the main idea of investigative journalism and how it is conduct. BuzzFeed makes sure that it is done properly and in a clear manner.