Annotated Bibliography Assignment

“Journalists have been shaping the language, thoughts and politics of the world at large” (Niblock, S., 1996).  Through communicating messages and information to the public, journalists and reporters are able to mould the perceptions and views on certain issues globally. This report will focus on the recent news story of President Barack Obama supporting gay marriage and will be analysed through the news sites of: The Sydney Morning Herald, CNN Politics and ABC Radio National. The mediums that have been chosen are: a news article, a television report and a radio interview. Each media forum provided similar perspectives on the situation yet presented the findings in contrasting ways to gain audience interest and provide a sense of credibility for each news station. Along with the three texts covering the news story, an academic book on the subject of Professional Communication and Journalism will also be critically evaluated.

Niblock, S. (1996). Inside journalism. London: Blueprint.

Sarah Niblock, the author of Inside Journalism, is a journalist and writer whose scholarly research covers the discourses associated with journalism studies, media and cultural studies, visual culture and communication technologies. Her extended studies in Liverpool, including freelancing news for the national press and writing regular features for Cosmopolitan and Company magazines, prove her credibility in regards to the literature world (Brunel University, 2011). The book exposes the internal workings of the field of journalism and how the industry operates through covering traditional press and magazines to radio and television shows. Niblock also focuses on future technological changes that journalists must deal with in order to continue to communicate effectively to the public whilst maintaining an understanding of these transformations (Niblock, 1996). The book is dissected into the concepts that a journalist must acquire in order to become successful in achieving the most newsworthy story. Niblock discusses the intricacies surrounding what makes a good story and the entertainment value involved with each event that is presented to the public. However, not all emphasis is placed on just the news story projected but the preparation that the journalist must go through in order to completely understand the story and how it will be received by the audience (Niblock, 1996). Multiple diagrams and examples are provided throughout the book to add credibility to the piece along with bolded headings for easier reading. The ideas and cases provided in Niblock’s book addresses the key factors of successful journalism and what has to be done in order to obtain a newsworthy story.      

“Evolved” Obama backs gay marriage. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/world/evolved-obama-backs-gay-marriage-20120510-1ydsj.html

The Sydney Morning Herald released a comprehensive news article on the recent support president Barack Obama declared in regards to the controversial issue of gay marriage, marking an end to the prolonged dispute (“Evolved” Obama backs gay marriage, 2012). The article delves into the reasons behind Obama’s decision and how the new position realigns himself with the growing number of Democratic officials who have embraced full marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. Opinions and responses to this announcement were also included to provide an overall understanding of the impact that Obama has created not only to Americans, but to people around the globe (“Evolved” Obama backs gay marriage, 2012). The number of timelines, images, statistics and quotes that are provided throughout the article prove the extensive research that has taken place for the news piece to be created, hence verifying its credibility. When comparing the Sydney Morning Herald’s pieces with the style and approach of CNN, the contrasts are extreme. Due to CNN being globally recognised and widespread with its information and coverage of world news, it is a more commercial medium compared to the localised Sydney newspaper (Gast, 2012). As CNN broadcasts to over 212 countries, the news broadcasted is trusted by the public as a reliable news source and therefore, more people would be inclined to watch the report than read the local newspaper.            

Gast, P. (Writer). (2012, May 9). Obama: Gay marriage “should be legal” [Television broadcast].  Washington, D.C.: CNN    

The CNN Politics television report provided the speech that Barack Obama recently gave to ABC about his beliefs on equality for gays and lesbians and the reasoning behind his initial hesitation to support gay marriage (Gast, 2012). He further explains the importance that is put upon the word “marriage” for all communities around the world and that people still feel constrained within their own rights to marry who they please. He ends with the line: “For me, I believe same-sex couples should be able to marry” affirming his previous outlook on the matter and solidifying the views he supports for the future (Gast, 2012). In terms of credibility, due to CNN utilising the coverage of the Obama interview from ABC, another reliable and widely known news station, the report is proven to be trustworthy and impartial. The footage is maintained in the exact same format and presented in a formal and professional manner. CNN and ABC are similar in their news broadcasting styles due to their global representations that must be upheld to gain public interest and importance (Kelly, 2012).  Both stations have a commercial edge to their broadcasting. In this circumstance, the fact that ABC reported this new report first, proves that ABC was more up to date and current than CNN.               

Kelly, F. (Writer). (2012). Obama supports same-sex marriage [Radio program]. Washington, D.C.: ABC Radio National 

ABC Radio National publicly announces that Barack Obama is the first US president to openly support same-sex marriage. It is explained that he finally made his position clear a day after voters in North Carolina approved a state constitutional amendment forbidding gay marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships (Kelly, 2012). An interview is also conducted with David Mark, a Senior White House writer with politico.com and he speaks from Washington DC on why he believes Obama has chosen now to announce his support for gay marriages. The interview provides an insight into the dealings with marriage and what effect Obama’s declaration will have for Americans and people around the world (Kelly, 2012). The previous interview from Obama that was recorded by ABC was played at the beginning of the radio show followed by the interview from David Mark. This order of events displays the credibility of ABC Radio National as the speech from the president is supported and explained by a credible politician afterwards. The interview proves further research and clarifications of the reasoning behind Obama’s decision. The comparisons between ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald are quite extensive as once again, ABC are a widely known and global form of news whilst the SMH relies purely on local opinion and audiences (“Evolved” Obama backs gay marriage, 2012). With ABC broadcasting around the world, it proves to be a more reliable and trusted source. The locally reported news usually gathers information and statistics from national news programs such as the ABC, in order to present trustworthy material.            

It is observed through the three separate mediums of a news article, television report and radio show, that the event of Barack Obama announcing his support for gay marriage can be presented differently. Although each source may have its own expression upon the matter and report in a slightly altered manner, The Sydney Morning Herald, CNN and ABC all uphold their credibility as reliable and trustworthy news forums. Although two of the news stations may be recognised internationally and the other directed at local audiences, all news sources follow the practices of good journalism (as outlined by Sarah Niblock’s book) and provide a newsworthy piece.