Is it time to scrap gender specific awards?

Emmy Award organizers asked Asia Kate Dillon from Billions which category the female-born star wanted to be considered for, it proved a struggle because the performer identifies as gender non-binary.

What to go for - best actor or best actress?The dilemma opened up a dialogue with Emmy organizers after Dillon wrote a letter to the Academy.

In the end the performer chose to enter the best supporting actor category explaining "actor" is generally regarded as a non-gendered word.

But is it time to drop the gender tag altogether?

*http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39513543

From BBC news

Summary of our meeting at The Reporter

Our meeting at The Reporter was an eye opening experience. I heard stories ranging from elementary school Model UN competitions to a desperate need for bicycle racks on campus, I believe they succeeded in enlightening others to stories on campus and in the Dade County community. Though our time with Mr. Barco was brief he let us into a world of insight. The first lesson I took away was the hard and fast rule of “gather your sources” an article is only as respectable as the professionals and relevant sources you use to gather information from. I found this piece of advice to be the most pertinent because it was the most relevant to my article. Though it was praised for its idea, I analyzed the story of one person versus seeking out the unique stories and situations of several others, even though my article was based on a general phenomenon then happens throughout the country. The level of knowledge and background information collected not only adds content but makes the story more rounded and interesting. Going forward with my story I will make sure to round out the information and make sure I represent other situations and backgrounds as opposed to only one.  He also counseled us on working with the resources we have to create dynamic stories with information we can actually acquire. Finally, learning that our stories can only improve the more we write and practice our skills was inspiring. In the highly competitive world of journalism, I find the industry daunting and overwhelming at certain points, but knowing that talent and skill can be nurtured with time is the best motivation and guidance we received.

Online Critique

Online Crique

by Gabriella Torres

The major national news story that I am choosing to critique is Trumps treatment of the impending health bill.From The New York Times. In print, the story read much like any other feature and contained numerous quotes from officials and politicians to help explain the “ultimatum” President Trump is giving to the Republican House to make a decision on whether or not to vote for the upcoming health bill meant to replace ObamaCare. The story was moderate in length, being 500 to 700 words in length. However, the corresponding stories I found online contained a few differences when being compared to the print version. The first major website I looked to was the online NY Times. On the website, the story is titled Trump Tells G.O.P. It’s Now or Never, Demanding House Vote on Health Bill.

This story contained a few similarities to the print feature. One being the extension in length 800-1000 words in length. Another key similarity was the use of inverted pyramid to form the lead. Explaining the who, what, and why of Trumps actions concerning the health bill. Where major difference occurred was the interactivity of the story itself. Littered throughout the story are underlined terms and names of politicians that when clicked, open a link that pulls up other stories concerning these events or people that NY Times has previously covered. Allowing the readers to interact with the story more while being allowed to omit other information from the story in order to not bog it down with more jargon. The article also contained an infographic that when clicked opened to a virtual chart that explains in depth the proposed changes to the health bill. Other than the use of web tools to further explain the major news story, the online feature read much like a print version.

The second website story I chose to critique is from NBC Today. On their website, the story is titled Health care push was ‘rookie error’ by Trump, Chuck Todd says the biggest difference when being compared to the print version is the lack of writing. Other than having a brief description of the issue, the story is nothing more than a video of NBC’s Today Show covering the issue from a previously aired segment.

Links:

Story one: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/03/23/us/politics/cbo-update-health-bill-amendments-will-cost-more-but-not-insure-more.html

Story two: http://www.today.com/video/health-care-push-was-rookie-error-by-trump-chuck-todd-says-905498691776

The Price of Education

It’s no surprise that the prices of attending college has steadily been increasing over the years and now the cost to attend even local colleges is a challenge to many young people seeking an education. However, this does not mean that students should be dropping out or foregoing it altogether. Now, to its time to stress the importance of financial education and the power of financial aid.

Lets crunch the numbers:

Let's compare the rising cost of tuition at a four-year college in Florida. Located in South Miami, Miami Dade College is a haven to many seeking a well priced education or a medium before they can save enough to transfer to another University. Yet in recent years the cost per credit has grown significantly. In 1996 the cost of two semesters after inflation was $1,821, in 2006 that number rose to $2,435 a more than $600 increase in a 10 year time span. In 2010 this number jumped again to $2,879. A $441 increase in only four years.

Every year the price per semester is increasing drastically across America affecting even the most price-conscious institutions. Applying for financial aid can lighten this burden and provide a sense of security.

Tips on applying for financial aid:

1. Visit your institution’s financial aid website for information on FAFSA deadlines and other required documents.
2. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA in a timely manner so it can be processed for the maximum amount of available aid.
3. Follow up with your advisor to make sure all documents are accounted for.
4. Applying for scholarships is a tedious process but the rewards are worth it. Go to your financial aid office and find out what scholarships you qualify for and apply.

Remember, going through the financial aid process can be a struggle to complete and issues always occur. Receiving an education is priceless and can only elevate you to the next set of goals in life. Take the time to fight for your right to an education.

Helpful information:

1. https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-information/scholarship-websites-search-free-or-dont-search/
2. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out

Identifying Leads

Gabriella Torres

JOU 1100

Professor Naumova

March 2, 2017

1. Sergey Kislyak, Russian Envoy, Cultivated Powerful Network in U.S. (NY Times)

Sergey I. Kislyak, the longtime Russian ambassador to the United States, hosted a dazzling dinner in his three-story, Beaux-Arts mansion four blocks north of the White House to toast Michael A. McFaul just weeks before he took up his post as the American envoy to Russia

Type: Immediate-Identification lead

This was a very efficiently written lead and very effective because immediate identification leads are meant to capture attention because they are often based on famous/ important people so I found it immediately eye catching and wanted to read the article even though I had no previous knowledge of Sergey Kislyak.

2. Women charged with murder in killing of North Korean leader's half brother (CNN)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (CNN)Two women accused of killing the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were charged with murder Wednesday.

Type: Multiple - Element lead

I found this lead to be very effective because it worked quite a bit of information into the first paragraph without being overbearing and hard for the reader to understand.

3. A simple plea: Let’s have Oscar-worthy movies in theaters all year, not just during awards season (The Washington Post)

Over the past 20 years, awards season has become an effective business model for small and mid-budget movies that otherwise might not get made within Hollywood’s blockbuster-centric system. When “Shakespeare in Love” won best picture way back in 1998, a new marketing tactic was born, one that leveraged public awareness throughout the run-up to the Oscars — culminating, if you’re lucky, in a big win on the night — to get free publicity for smart, adult-oriented movies without having to spend millions on big TV campaigns.

Type: Summary Lead

Though it was easy to identify the type of lead this article was going for I found it to be too wordy and not containing enough inverted pyramid information (who, what, when, why) to classify as a well written lead.

How often do you check your smoke alarms? Fire safety and why it’s important

By visiting the Miami Dade Fire Department you will find a wealth of information pertaining to fire safety regulations and how to implement them into your home. Anything from grill safety to the locations of units scattered across the county can be found. Every year close to 400,000 fires occur in the U.S. because of smoke alarm neglect. By implementing these precautions in your home you’re not only giving yourself peace of mind but allowing yourself those crucial minutes of escape in case of a fire.

I asked the heads of three different families. Two who live in Miami lakes in regular houses and one who lives in an apartment complex in Hialeah. Of those interviewed. None had an evacuation plan in case of emergency, did not regularly change their smoke alarms or could even identify where they were, and did not have carbon monoxide detectors in their homes. Marcela Caprile, 22, and a college student living with her mother stated “ I didn’t even know carbon monoxide detectors were a thing.”

I collected additional information from other trusted sources and found results similar to my own. I found that while some families did know where their smoke alarms were located, they did not test them regularly but replaced them every 10 years or waited for superintendents of their apartment complexes. These families also did not have evacuations plans in place.

As I stated earlier, this was a surprising and eye-opening experience for many of the interviewed residents and myself on fire safety procedures we just haven’t been thinking about in our daily lives. However, there is always time to start taking precautions.

Important information:

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department

9300 NW 41st Street

Miami, Florida 33178-2414

Business hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

786-331-5000

mdfrd@miamidade.gov

For inspections or fire prevention questions, email:

mdfrfpgeneral@miamidade.gov

Gabriella Torres

Hello all! It has been a very interesting start to my second semester here at MDC, I’m taking interesting new classes with different professors. So far I am having an amazing time being back. The beginning of a new year has a way of bringing out the hopefulness in everyone, even the most stubborn of people. With that being said I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I am looking forward to posting more on this blog!