EOTO 3: What I Learned: Celebrity Journalism

Celebrity journalism is one of the most followed topics in the world of journalism. Celebrity journalism keeps up with the stories of the most prominent figures in Hollywood, digging into every nook and cranny of their private life. 

Celebrity journalism has been around for a very long time, and its origins trace back to the John Quincy Adams administration. The first presidential interview was none other than Quincy Adams, who was interviewed by Anne Newport Royall. Readers loved this interview and took to the idea of this kind of journalism. 

Anne Newport Royall 

After this, the celebrity news business took off. It advanced through media and newspapers, many publications using yellow journalism to plaster their headlines and front pages with celebrity news. Publications were bringing in more and more subscribers from celebrity stories -- and they began to make a heavy profit off of it. 

Marilyn Monroe on the cover of Screen Stories in 1953

The first gossip magazine in the U.S. was titled Photoplay, and it featured celebrity figures such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Margaret Sullavan and Norma Shearer. It was one of the most popular magazines of its time, and it was the leading celebrity magazine even after the competition came in.

Margaret Sullavan's Photoplay cover

Suddenly, America's most prominent political figures, movie stars and other big entertainment names were ending up in papers and special edition magazines weekly. 

Everyday citizens and readers were fascinated to get the inside scoop on their favorite (as well as America's favorite) celebrities. There was a race for other publications to get in on this action, but there was one central question.

What is the appeal of celebrity journalism?

Aside from the entertainment, it was a distraction. A huge draw to these stories was (and still is) the fact that it takes attention away from public life and politics. It took away a lot of that coverage, which was a huge benefit for many readers. It was a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and it was much "lighter" news. 

And even today, celebrity journalism still has the same effect.

Big headlines and tabloid style magazines are still huge when it comes to celebrity news. E! News and Entertainment Tonight are two of the biggest celebrity news outlets that use social media as their most important tool. Social media has brought a new sense of closeness, and it has only enhanced celebrity journalism.

When it comes to celebrity news, I enjoy it to some degree. I like to know when my favorite country artists are up for an award or have announced a new album. And I will even admit that sometimes I don't mind it too much when the Kardashians make their way onto my social media feed (although I do believe that they are the most overrated family in history).

I think that celebrity journalism, when consumed responsibly, isn't a bad thing. I do think it has negative effects when it's the only media content that a person is taking in. It's good to a certain amount, but it has its limits.

 

EOTO 3: The History of Anonymous Sources

In the world of journalism, confidentiality plays a huge role. In certain situations, sources may wish to remain anonymous, meaning that their identity remains a mystery to the story that the journalist is working on. This can occur due to a number of reasons. 

The source may fear retaliation to their personal safety or to their loved ones. Journalists are legally bound to protect the identity of their sources, and there are special laws that help enforce this. 

Confidentiality is central to journalism, and it's vitally important that it's protected by the law.

The idea of having confidential sources is a bit controversial. Some people believe that anonymous sources diminishes the credibility of the journalists' reporting. 

When it comes to legal proceedings, it can become tricky if the journalist refuses to give up their source's identity. Some people find this difficult to navigate and that it puts a hold on the justice system.

Regardless of negative opinions on anonymous sources, they have played prominent roles in the history of journalism. 

One of the most notable and famous anonymous sources is tied to the Watergate Scandal in 1972.

An anonymous whistleblower by the name of "Deep Throat" leaked information to reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, two young reporters at "The Washington Post", in regards to the truth about the Watergate break-in. 

Deep Throat exposed secret White House recordings of President Nixon revealing his involvement with the scandal, which prompted Woodward and Bernstein to begin a long road of investigative journalism to unveil the truth of Watergate.

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein

Woodward and Bernstein were successful in their reporting, and it won them a Pulitzer in 1973. Woodward and Bernstein went on to write the best-selling book "All The President's Men", which also earned them awards and national attention.

In 1976, their book was turned into a hit cinematic film starring Robert Redford as Woodward and Dustin Hoffman as Bernstein. The film's real-life plot was described as "the most devastating detective story of this century."

The identity of "Deep Throat" remained a mystery until 2005, when former FBI assistant director Mark Felt revealed himself to be the person behind Deep Throat. Felt went to great lengths to hide his identity, and despite Woodward and Bernstein's promise to keep him anonymous, Felt came up with ways to stay under the radar. Felt and Woodward met in secret locations and created a set of signals to communicate. 

This shows the importance of journalists keeping their word to anonymous sources. If Woodward or Bernstein had given Felt up, the entire investigation would've been blown, and there's no telling what kind of consequences Felt would have faced. Felt passed away in 2008 at the age of 95, leaving behind one of the greatest anonymous source success stories.

Mark Felt AKA "Deep Throat"

When it comes to the legal protection of confidential sources, there are state laws put into place. 

These are called shield laws. 

In the United States, shield laws protect journalists against the disclosure of confidential information...this includes the identity of their sources. 

This term is referred to as "reporter's privilege" 

There isn't a federal shield law, meaning that not every state is protected. The details vary by state, and despite attempts to create a federal law, it hasn't been successful.

The Free Flow of Information Act is a bill intended to provide this kind of protection to all 50 states in the United States. 

The bill has been presented to Congress, but it has yet to make it through and made into federal law. 

Essentially, this would allow all U.S. journalists to have the right to refuse to disclose any confidential information or sources. 

When it comes to interviews and using sources/information, there are layers to what can be used and what can't. 

When most people think of a journalistic interview, they think of an "on the record" interview. This means that the source's identity and any information/direct quotes that are shared can be used in the story. 

Then there are some middle ground interviews such as "on background" and "on deep background".

"On background" establishes that a source's information and direct quotes can be used, however, their real name cannot be identified. Usually the reporter will use a general title or a fake name. 

"On deep background" means that the source's information can be used, but they cannot be directly quoted or named in any way.

Finally, there are "off the record" interviews which strictly prohibit the source's name, information and direct quotes from being used. With "off the record" sources, the reporter can only use the information that was given to go find other information and sources. 

Confidentiality and anonymity is crucial to journalism, particularly investigative journalism. As we saw with the Watergate Scandal, the anonymous identity of "Deep Throat" was a huge part in the success of Woodward and Bernstein's investigating and reporting. 

We as journalists have a duty to protect our sources, and it's important to the stories that need to be told.

EOTO 2: What I Learned: Girl Reporters

There's no doubt that female journalists have come a long way since the beginning.

Women have made tremendous progress with making their mark in the world of journalism. Now, some of the most famous and respected journalists are women.

Christiane Amanpour 

A British-Iranian journalist who is one of the most influential female reporters

Female journalists are much more respected now than they were in the 1800s, but even during that time, that didn't stop women journalists from doing their civic duty and reporting the truth. 

If it weren't for the female journalists of history, female reporters wouldn't be nearly as advanced as they are today.

Many female journalists in the 1880s and 1990s were undercover. Many publications weren't hiring women, or they were severely looked down upon. There were dozens of female reporters who were striving to make their mark in the media world, and there are a few that were most influential. 

Nellie Bly was a young female journalist in the 1880s who dedicated her career to reporting. Nellie Bly was a pen name that she used instead of her real name, Elizabeth Cochran. Bly reported on numerous topics such as working conditions of girls, corruption and poverty in Mexico. 

At the peak of Bly's career, she went undercover and was committed to Blackwell's Island, a mental asylum in New York. Bly's investigation was focused on exposing the mistreatment of mentally ill patients. She wrote and published Ten Days in a Mad-House, which earned national attention and earned credibility for herself.

Nellie Bly

Eva McDonald Valesh worked for the "St. Paul Daily Globe" at only 21-years-old. Although she was young, she was fierce and committed to her work. McDonald focused her reporting on women's working conditions in Minneapolis. McDonald was a determined labor journalist who worked under the name "Eva Gay." 

McDonald also worked undercover, disguising herself as a worker at flour mills and garment factories. McDonald published her first article "Among Girls Who Toil" in 1888. She reported on the poor working conditions, describing the crowded workshops, little ventilation, dangerous chemicals and sexual harassment from male co-workers and bosses. McDonald's work led to labor strikes from mistreated women, and the poor working conditions were improved.

Eva McDonald Valesh

The motivation of female reporters has played a huge role in changes being made in corrupt societies. Their work ethic and passion undoubtedly paved the way for today's as well as future female journalists who strive to do the same. Journalism is much better and impactful with women in the picture, and these girl reporters are the foundation. 

American journalist Lucy Morgan in 1985