Wiki-Wa?

Wikipedia is often seen as the demon-child of the academic world. Without certain credibility it leaves students without verified information and and has professors wringing their necks trying to grade. The information is sometimes verified on the site but can still be editted by anyone, and it is not certain whether editted information is any more legitimate than its origin.
Along with information that can destroy the contents of a paper, the contents of Wikipedia page can also destroy or alter the reputation of people. During her talk at Clowes Hall, Madeleine Albright mentioned how she had looked herself up on Wikipedia only to find information about herself that she never knew! She chuckled about the findings, but not everyone is laughing after reading about themselves on Wikipedia. John Seigenthaler Sr. found his name on a Wikipedia page as being involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The information was untraceable, and was eventually removed, but the tarnishing of Seigenthaler's repuation was not.
Steven Colbert has made public comments about the ease of publishing on "Wikipedia: where you can make a contribution even when you don't know what the hell you're talking about" to take publishing a step further, he has even created a new word: wikilobbying. Wilkilobbying:
when money determines entries, reality becomes a commodity. What kind of information are we taking in if it is being paid for by a adds and swayed opinions?

let's be careful using Wikipedia and the type of information that is easily accessible; it's all paying a price somewhere. After all, what in life is really free?

Madeleine Albright, where have you been all of my life?

My aunt gave me a ticket to see Madeleine Albright speak at Clowes Hall last week. I accepted, but only out of courtesy for my aunt since she offered and I had no better excuse. I did not expect to walk out of Clowes seeing things differently than when I walked in. It cued me in that this woman was a much bigger deal than I was making her out to be when my twelve year old cousin remarked that she had been named after Madeleine. I was shocked. But when the first female Secretary of State began to speak, I realized what an awesome woman she truly was.



What does this have to do with journalism or education? Well, Ms. Albright has everything to do with both! As an important female figure in America, she is represented by the media in many different aspects. She represents a portion of America that is seeing their rights being given slowly and steadily: women. Ms. Albright spoke about the importance of education and how it plays into the role of women. When she became a mother, she spoke about how difficult it was to cater to different segments of life. Women have different segments in their life because of what is expected of them. Holding a degree that allows us to work in a profession and staying at home to raise children often conflict, but we are able to do it. Albright represents hard-working determined women, but also is so socially conscious that she must be able to speak to the public about anything and everything whenever she is called upon.



She is truly an inspiration for all women: mothers, professionals, public figures, young girls, female politicians, teachers/professors, and any other label you can put on determined women.

Matthew Tully and the Manual Project

Last Tuesday I attended my Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honors Society and heard Matthew Tully from the Indianapolis Star speak about his journalism project in Manual High School in Indianapolis . Tully spoke about a school that had little to nothing. The school seemed to be failing in many parts and only 39% of the students were graduating from high school. Amongst many other challenges, Manual High School left much room for improvement for both students and teachers.

However, Tully may have been just what Manual High School needed. When Tully started this project, writing weekly about his experience in this public school, it started as "unfortunate news." It was mere "reporting" and no intervening. (Which one would not expect from a reporter.) But Tully did manage to intervene. By writing about his experience and starting a blog and web page about this impoverished school, the community got involved. A Blog was posted about a school choral concert that was open to the public. Tully invited anyone from the community to attend the concert because it was free, but donations were welcomed. Because of this small feed about a small school's request for an audience, Manual High School saw more than 2,000 people in their auditorium, raised thousands of dollars, and brought much needed attention to a struggling school.

One reporter managed to spread the word about a high school's choir concert to the point where it's popularity raised money for the school. Everyone who attended wanted to help this school because of what they read in Tully's articles.



Tully is an example to me how the media really does affect the community. If he hadn't reached out and bridged the wide disconnect between school and community, the school would still be still be scraping for funds and unable to support students with many talents. Tully helped the community to uncover recognize these talents and to support our future generations. Not only did Tully give Manual High School hope, he renewed hope in me for the world of media. Journalists really do have the power to change our world through their words.