annotated bibliography

JOUR1111 Annotated Bibliography

“And I believe that good journalism, good television, can make our world a better place.“ Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s Chief International Correspondent and ABC News’ Foreign Affairs Anchor.

This annotated bibliography will explore current news stories relating to coffee and its ability to prolong death through three news platforms: The Australian newspaper, YahooShine and The Globe And Mail. Through use of an online article, a blog and a video report, three different journalism mediums will be analysed, presenting different perspectives of the new research, building global rapport with different audiences whilst maintaining interest and credibility. 

Flew, T., (2011). Is journalism best located in the creative arts or as a communication discipline? Australian Journalism Review, 31 (1), pp. 31-35. Retrieved from: http://eprints.qut.edu.au/41988/1/AJR_July_2011_ERA_flew.pdf

Journal author Terry Flew is a Professor of Media and Communication at Queensland University of Technology. With almost two decades of experience in the field of journalism and media, Flew is overly qualified in areas of journalism disciple, particularly involving the contentious mutual exclusivity existing between the fields of communication and creative arts. Flew monopolises on personal experience examples to validate proficiency and ascertain reader appeal. The article examines the implications of journalism research and its place in the creative arts sphere, when history shows there is a collectively reinforcing relationship between artistic and communication disciplines. Flew discuses that journalism in Australia is more a facet of the creative and performing arts discipline than a communication, or “new humanities”, one (Flew, T., 2011). However, journalism also propositions the field of communication with a place in the “real world”, exploiting the media as a “useful vehicle for modernity’s dissemination”.  Even if assumptions fuel an association between journalism and communication, this only envisages a particular kind of modernity, which proliferates regardless (Zelizer, B., 2011). In a society where journalism is filled with varying debates around the “fact-seeking” and “truth-telling” roles of the professional journalists, journalism research operates to inculcate ethical and professional values. Flew concludes that journalism is required, by nature, to cater to both disciplines.  Use of citations to other ‘big name’ research journalists and the Australian Research Commission adds credibility to the author’s point of view and establishes the trustworthy nature of the article. 

NewsCore. (2012, May 18). Coffee Drinking Linked to Longer Life. The Australian Newspaper. Retrieved from: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/coffee-drinking-linked-to-longer-life/story-fn3dxity-1226359863824

The author of The Australian’s newspaper article entitled ‘Coffee Drinking Linked to Longer Life’ relies on data from the study conducted by and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study found that people who drink 6 or more cups of coffee a day can lower their chance of death by up to 15%. Reliance on research conducted by National Cancer Institute researcher, Neal Freedman gives the story needed factual basis and credibility. The story’s embedded links to Wall Street Journal articles also provides its own cross-referencing, further establishing its dependability and the accuracy of its information. However, the NewsCore byline does raise some suspicion about potential bias and the company does own both newspapers referenced in the story. One of the other less-biased sources may offer a more well rounded perspective, however why a story on this topic would have a hidden agenda is rather questionable. This fact-based story leaves little room for author freedom and more presents a collection of facts and arguments that were initially created by the authors of the original study. The information presented in this piece is almost identical to that presented in the other media stories below, allowing for the conclusion that this now prominent news story was product of a press release.

Morris, C. (2012, May 17). Coffee Linked to Longer Life, According to Large U.S. Study, YahooShine. Retrieved From: http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/shine-on/coffee-linked-longer-life-according-large-u-study-175111048.html

Canadian lifestyle Blogger Carolyn Morris also relies on the New England Journal of Medicine Research’s study for her article entitled ‘Coffee Linked to Longer Life, According to Large U.S. Study’. The author monopolises on facts from the case study, Statistics Canada and dietician Anar Allidina, giving the entry a strong truthful base and presenting as a reliable informative source. Morris uses Canadian daily coffee drinking statistics to appeal to a local audience and gain reader rapport, framing the article from a local viewpoint. The local twist does not detach itself from a global audience, but simply offers a Canadian perspective, still pertinent to the rest of the world. After quoting scientific analysis from both Neil Freedman (the author of the study) and dietician Anar Allidina, Morris discusses how coffee is the second highest consumed beverage in Canada, second only to water, giving the story applicability and relevance. Morris concludes that coffee may not only be good for us in the short term, but in the long term too – appealing to her audience probably drinking coffee as they read. Blogging is one of the newest forms of journalism, coining the title ‘J Bloggers’ from Australian Media Academic Nicola Goc. This medium, however, is considered journalism if the same code of ethics, entertainment values and privacy requirements are met as for an article for The Australian or a report for The Daily Globe and Mail (Gant, S, 2007). Whilst a blog is generally not one of the most reliable information sources, this is a very reputable source. Written by someone experienced in the field, Morris presents the facts presented in the original case study, similarly to The Australian article and The Daily Globe and Mail video report.

Associated Press. (2012, May 16). Coffee May be Key to Living Longer. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/video/video-drinking-coffee-may-extend-your-life/article2434917/

The Globe and Mail video report entitled ‘Coffee May be Key to Living Longer’ actualizes the realism and applicability of the story.  Filming in a small, local coffee shop is both a familiar and comforting setting for the audience and contextualises the story in terms of everyday routine. The new research report about the positive effects of coffee is not the report’s basis but use of medical opinion propositions the story as a reliable source. However, the doctor interviewed for this report is not named or credited raising suspicion as to the story’s reliability. The coffee shop setting of this video report is filled with work-bound men and women, collecting their coffee orders and continuing on their way. This is likely to be a very recognisable and common regime for majority of the report’s audience, which ascertains audience appeal and triggers interest due to applicability. Whilst no sole reporter is credited, the ‘Associated Press’ byline ensures that the original source is dependable. Lack of reporter and doctor acknowledgement however, makes The Australian article and even Morris’ blog entry seem like more reliable sources. Alternatively, the fact that this video report is on a well-known newspaper website does mean it’s likely to be a credible resource.

Journalism is changing in nature. Traditional forms of newspaper articles and television reports are now accompanied by a myriad of online resources and blogs. The Australian, Yahoo Shine and The Globe and Mail have all presented similar but unique recounts of the coffee research report, which all uphold the traditional news values vital to good journalism. These sources all maintain credibility and reliability, engage and stimulate their respective audience and present a point of view, whilst some do each of these better than another. These three media stories position journalism in both a creative art and communication discipline, showing no mutual exclusivity exists between the two realms, exactly as Flew argued in his journal article.