1. AN EXPLANATION OF BLOG TASK D 1.3 COVERING CURRENT EVENTS

2. 1. CHOOSE AN ISSUE OR EVENT Choose an issue or event. Your choice should be: Local (Something that has or is happening in New Zealand / a hot topic/issue the has been in the New Zealand news recently.) Current (it has happened/been discussed in the past year or, it is happening/being discussed now. It is also being reported on now.) Classroom Activity 1 Use the classroom computers to search for current and local news on the internet. Here are some examples to get you started: www.scoop.co.nz www.nz.yahoo.com www.msn.co.nz New Zealand Business Review: www.nbr.co.nzwww.nbr.co.nz www.startimes.co.nz www.stuff.co.nz

3. 2. CHOOSE A RANGE OF MEDIUMS Do you remember the lessons on ‘What is the media?’ and ‘An introduction to the media’ at the beginning of Term 1? We spoke about media being plural for medium. The medium being the channel or means (newspapers/magazines/television/radio) through/by which something (ideas/information) travels. News media include: 1. Television (6pm news/investigative journalism shows e.g. Close Up, Cambell Live, Sunday, 60 Minutes) 2. Magazines 3. Broadsheet Newspapers 4. Radio 5. News Websites

4. 3.BLOG TASK D Explore how the issue or event you have chosen is represented in at least 3 news mediums. What messages and values are conveyed, who is involved, what is happening and who is responsible? Write 1 paragraph for each medium chosen. Your responses should include these aspects of the media coverage: Point of view(s) (what views or opinions have been included and what viewpoints have been omitted?) Tone Style Depth and duration Placement (e.g. 1. medium, why has it been covered in this particular medium e.g. a broadsheet newspaper that is printed daily. You should consider your audience here. AND e.g. 2. location, has it been printed on page one / has it been mentioned at the end of news bulletin?)

5. LAYOUT EXAMPLE Issue : Designer drugs for example synthetic hallucinogens and synthetic cannabis are being sold in New Zealand. Local dairies, speciality stores and websites who are selling these drugs are advertising them as (1) legal and (2) safe, despite reports and advice from medical practitioners that the drugs are in fact potent and dangerous. –make sure that you make the issue clear. If it is an event, make sure that you include all details of the event. Media Coverage : Television (TVNZ Close Up), Broadsheet Newspaper (The New Zealand Herald), News Website (stuff.co.nz) –be specific here 1. Television – TVNZ ‘Close Up’ Viewed at 7pm on 12 March 2012, TV1 1 paragraph 2. Broadsheet Newspaper – The New Zealand Herald 14 March 2012 1 paragraph 3. New Website – www.stuff.co.nzwww.stuff.co.nz 12 March 2012 1 paragraph

6. 4. WIDER READING Read 6 different articles from a variety of mediums. The articles do not need to be related to each other and they do not need to be related to the event or issue that you have chosen. After you have read each article, fill out the chart on page 17 of your course outline. Transfer this chart onto your website underneath your homework for 1.3.