Journalism Studies Commons^™

Floyd Gibbons: A Journalistic Force Of Nature In Early 20th Century America, Andrew J. Nelson

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

“Floyd Gibbons: A Journalistic Force of Nature in Early 20^th Century America” examines some of the key journalistic work of dashing newsman Floyd Gibbons and his status as one of the top reporters to ever file a news story. This thesis will look at the world in which Gibbons inhabited 85 to100 years ago, what made him the man and journalist he was and his work as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune compared to what his competitors at national newspapers wrote.

As a reporter, Gibbons was remarkably aggressive and could be counted upon to get the story, no …

An Iphone In A Haystack: The Uses And Gratifications Behind Farmers Using Twitter, Sarah Van Dalsem

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

The fast-growing social media site, Twitter, is growing in popularity among Americans from all walks of life, including farmers who are using it to share information with other farmers and consumers. This thesis expands on Uses and Gratifications Theory by looking at how farmers are using the social media site to promote agriculture and reach out to others. Based on a qualitative analysis completed on 22 interviews with farmers, four major purposes for using Twitter came to light: (1) Farmers are using Twitter to seek information; (2) they are using it as a tool to lead others within the agricultural …

Why Anonymous Sources Are Used: Inside The Different Situations Calling For Reporter-Source Confidentiality, Erich Eisenach

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

Anonymous sources for years have been a hard thing for editors to figure out.  In journalism, they’re the kind of factor that editors can’t live with, and yet they can’t live without.  That’s because for years, anonymous sources have been critical to the completion of many major stories.  Some of the situations they are used in are obvious, and yet some are not so obvious.  In the thesis below, which includes material from two of the most veteran journalists within Nebraska borders, I talk about anonymous sources and why they are used in certain situations.  Here, I acknowledge the people …

"The Gifted Pen": The Journalism Career Of Susette La Flesche Tibbles (1854–1903), Erin E. Pedigo

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

This thesis explores the journalism career of Susette La Flesche Tibbles (Bright Eyes), a nineteenth-century Omaha Indian woman. She was the oldest daughter of Joseph La Flesche, Jr. (Iron Eye). Her father was metis, born of a French father and Ponca mother. Joseph La Flesche was the last chief of the Omaha tribe chosen in the traditional manner.

Susette’s work as an Omaha Morning World-Herald reporter during the Ghost Dance trouble and Wounded Knee massacre at Pine Ridge Agency from December 1890 to January 1891, and from 1893-1895 as a writer for both the American Nonconformist and the Lincoln …

Jcpenny: Ready For Change, Plaidvertising, Allie Busch, Griffin Jelinek, Anna Loach, Liz Garcia, Betsey Stehlik, Megan Kester, Doug Flegle, Krista Mcdonald, Joshua Anstey, Zach Bock, Nick Goodwin, Breanna Stewart, John Erlandson, Mike Taylor, Alex Mcareavey, Christina Fraser, Dennis Bukowski, Molly Wheeler

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Advertising Projects

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

For more than a century jcpenney has been a dependable retailer and a regular shopping destination for the American family. Founded in 1902 by James Cash Penney, the department store was established on the principle of the golden rule. Throughout the years they have developed a reputation for putting their customers first and providing them with their everyday needs.

However, in the minds of women between the ages of 25-34, the image of jcpenney has not been consistent. For a demographic so interested in fashion, these women prefer to do most of their shopping in specialty clothing stores …

An Integrated Marketing Communications Plan For Nebraska’S Centennial Mall, B. Bach Advertising, Brian Muhlbach, Crystal Wulfekuhl, Bryce Wergin, Kelsey Nowka, Colin Clifford, Tyler Vaughan, Stacy C. James

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Advertising Projects

Built in 1967 to commemorate the state’s Centennial year, Lincoln’s Centennial Mall is the open pedestrian mall area spanning from the Capitol Building on K Street north to the Nebraska State Historical Society on R Street. Managed by the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department, the Mall has been the site for many important political and social events, including Robert Kerry’s announcement for his candidacy for President as well as local festivals and functions like Rib Fest and World Day on the Mall. But, as of 2010, the once-grand fountains have been mostly filled in, the steps are not handicapped accessible, …

Nebraska's Centennial Mall -- Where You Go To Grow: An Integrated Marketing Communications Plan, Secret Radio, Pam Orr, Brianne Hake, Jessica Simpson, Stephanie Scharf, Charles Wetzel, Stacy C. James

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Advertising Projects

Situation Analysis
Nebraska’s Centennial Mall, extending from the State Capitol seven blocks north on what would be 15th Street, serves as a scenic connection between Nebraska’s iconic State Capitol and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Mall is currently in a state of disrepair, but a restoration project will soon begin. Our task is to implement a statewide awareness campaign to encourage all Nebraskans to visit and take pride in Nebraska’s Centennial Mall. In essence, the new Mall is the front yard and primary entrance to the State Capitol and should be viewed and appreciated as a symbol to the state …

Nebraska’S Centennial Mall: An Integrated Marketing Communications Plan, Shimmer Shack Advertising, Lauren Case, Jeff Price, Smidy Smidt, Kelsey Satra, Hilary Winter, Stacy James

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Advertising Projects

“A present touch on the future.”

Shimmer Shack is a group of five senior advertising majors from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. We set out in August 2010, to assist Nebraska’s Centennial Mall (NCM) and the Lincoln Parks and Recreation to promote the renovation of NCM and to increase statewide awareness of the brand NCM itself.

Through our research these last few months, we have seen the need for a newly renovated space that connects two great entities of our state: the State Capitol and the University of Nebraska. We discovered that Nebraskans are very proud of their state and that …

News Consumption Habits Of Students At The University Of Nebraska, Ford G. Clark

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

People in America today have many choices when it comes to the media. There are hundreds of channels available on cable or satellite television, hundreds of radio stations across the United States, as well as myriad newspapers. Many of these traditional media outlets have Internet websites available as well. Many studies have been done as well as current ratings, subscription information and website tracking to determine who is consuming news in this country. However, information about college students and news consumption is difficult to find. This study attempts to find out what, if any, news is being consumed, and through …

Commenting On Cannabis: Testing News Fragmentation Using Reader Comments On California's Proposition 19, John D. Beecham

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

This content analysis studies reader comments on news articles pertaining to the issue of California’s Proposition 19—the “Tax Cannabis Initiative” to legalize marijuana. It investigates whether these reader message boards are consistent with news fragmentation theory, by examining whether the distribution of “yes” and “no” opinion on alternative media sites’ message boards is more homogenous than the distribution of opinions on mainstream news sites’ message boards. This study also uses a thematic analysis to investigate whether the mainstream media, as represented by editorial board endorsements by daily California newspapers, influences themes used by reader comments on Proposition 19. Results show …

Revising The Ap Stylebook: Q&A With Editor David Minthorn, Sue Burzynski Bullard

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

David Minthorn, the deputy standards editor of the Associated Press, answered questions in an e-mail interview about how the AP Stylebook comes together. Minthorn has been a correspondent or editor with the Associated Press for more than 40 years. He has worked on style issues at the news cooperative since 2000. Minthorn is one of three editors of the AP Stylebook and answers questions on the Ask the Editor website.

Blogs: An Essential Teaching Tool, Sue Burzynski Bullard

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

Blogs are a good way to teach journalism. In fact, there are many journalism professors who contend that they are an absolute necessity if students are going to have marketable skills for potential employers. Or for those students who head down the entrepreneurial path, a blog can be the lifeblood of that enterprise. In creating and using blogs, students become aware of—and familiar with the use of—a popular and ubiquitous and (virtually) no-cost digital platform on which journalists work these days. For them, it’s like collecting “clips,” only without having to clip anything.

Innovator In Residence: Oh Yeon-Ho, Yeon-Ho Oh

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Presentations

Oh Yeon-ho, CEO and founder of the citizen journalism website OhmyNews, will be the second Innovator in Residence at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications. He will visit Oct. 12 to 14.

Operating under the motto "Every citizen is a reporter," OhmyNews receives between 200 and 250 stories each day from 100 countries worldwide. Launched in 2000 in Seoul, South Korea, OhmyNews began by working with 727 citizen journalists. Today, it is an international media outlet with nearly 62,000 citizen reporters and 70 full-time editors and reporters.

"OhmyNews, one of the first citizen journalism sites, is …

Regret The Error, But Who Admits It?, Sue Burzynski Bullard

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

Correcting errors is simple and quick online. For Craig Silverman, that ease raises ethical issues. The author of the popular "Regret the Error" book and website believes news sites too often "scrub" away errors without acknowledging the mistakes. But what's the most ethical way to handle those errors? Should the story be updated without explaining that the original error occurred, what Silverman and others call "scrubbing"? Or should the fix be made with a note appended to the original article explaining that an error had been made?

An Ardent Flame: Witness To Distant Suffering, Human Rights And Unworthy Victims In The Coverage By The New York Times And Two Journals Of The Religious Left Of The 1980s Civil Wars In El Salvador And Nicaragua, Charles A. Flowerday

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

Scholars have investigated witness to distant suffering (WTDS) almost entirely in visual media. This study examines it in print. This form of reporting will be examined in two publications of the religious left as contrasted with the New York Times. The thesis is that, more than any technology, WTDS consists of the journalist’s moral commitment and narrative skills and the audience’s analytical resources and trust. In the religious journals, liberation theology provides the moral commitment, the writers and editors the narrative skills and trust and the special vision of the newly empowered poor the analytical foundation. In bearing witness to …

Financial Literacy Explicated: The Case For A Clearer Definition In An Increasingly Complex Economy, David L. Remund

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

This study explicates the concept of financial literacy, which has blossomed in use this century. Scholars, policy officials, financial experts, and consumer advocates have used the phrase loosely to describe the knowledge, skills, confidence, and motivation necessary to effectively manage money. As a result, financial literacy has varying conceptual definitions in existing research as well as diverse operational definitions and values. This study dissects the differing financial literacy definitions and measures, urging researchers toward common ground. A clearer definition should improve future research, in turn helping consumers better understand and adapt to changing life events and an increasingly complex economy.

Study Of Convergence In Nebraska Newspapers, Kathryn L. Schindler

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

This thesis studies Nebraska newspapers and their efforts to converge with Web, multimedia, radio, or television entities. It also studies the efforts by Nebraska newspapers to converge reporter roles and organizational roles. Paper surveys were sent and in-person interviews were conducted in Nebraska during the 2009-2010 academic year. The results showed more examples of multimedia convergence than role or organizational convergence. Nebraska publishers and editors say they do not want to attempt convergence or multimedia products just to be trendy. They say convergence has to make sense, be useful, and be profitable for their individual businesses, staff, and communities.
Advisor: …

The Wired World: A Primer On Electronic Research, Wikipedia, Social Networking Sites, And Web Journalism, Ryan F. Love

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

THE WIRED WORLD: A PRIMER ON ELECTRONIC RESEARCH, WIKIPEDIA, SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES, AND WEB JOURNALISM

Ryan F. Love, M.A.

University of Nebraska, 2010

Adviser: Mary Kay Quinlan

The Internet initiated profound changes that are difficult to contextualize. Having grown up with the Internet, young people are particularly likely to perceive the wired world as a given condition, rather than the result of a developmental process. To understand and shape our society, people must see how the Internet has transformed it. After an introduction, this thesis contains three more chapters, focusing on electronic research and Wikipedia, social networking sites, and journalism. …

Edward R. Murrow: His Life, Legacy And Ethical Influence, Howard Lester Rose

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

EDWARD R. MURROW: LIFE, LEGACY AND BROADCAST ETHICS TODAY Howard Lester Rose, M.A. University of Nebraska, 2010 Adviser: Nancy Mitchell This study researched the life and legacy of Edward R. Murrow and examined broadcast ethics today. Murrow invented radio news, as we know it and was the standard-bearer of journalism, ethics, and reporting. Many consider him the father of broadcast journalism.

This study covers ethics in broadcast journalism today, with remarks by veteran journalists (and one student) and journalism educators. These experts comment on where TV news stands today based on the ethical standards that Murrow set five decades ago. …

Female Undergraduate Students' Perceptions Of The Portrayal Of Women In Advertising, Virginia M. Johnson

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

This study examined how twelve undergraduate female students at a university in Alabama perceive and react to the way women are portrayed in advertising. Using a purposive sample and qualitative copy testing techniques, the study was designed to investigate the reactions of these undergraduate students to seven images of women, each portraying a different role, that are similar to images currently used in print advertising. Several themes emerged from the participants’ responses to questions in the qualitative interviews. Themes about the participants wanting to have a family occurred within the responses to several of the questions. In addition, a theme …

User Motivation: Likability And Usability Of An Agricultural Web Site, Vishal Singh

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

Web communications has become a critical component of mass communications and media today. Web sites must be user-friendly if they are to communicate effectively. This study examines the relationship between user motivation and the likability and usability of web sites. Web designers, stakeholders, and web site owners need to pay close attention to the likability and usability of a web site since these are key components of its credibility.

A key finding of this study indicates there is not a direct relationship between likability of a web site and its usability. Often, web designers and web site owners judge web …

Student Perceptions Of Digital Textbooks In A College Nursing Program, Alan D. Eno

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

The purpose of this research was to study the use of digital textbooks in a small liberal arts college. The research was a mixed methods descriptive study using a pre and post survey to determine student perceptions of the technology. Findings indicated that students needed training in the installation and use of digital textbooks. Findings also indicated the need for further research into what students understand about using digital textbooks. Recommendations are for the college to institute training sessions to teach students how to use the digital textbooks.

Aejmc Adnews Winter 2010, Stacy C. James

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

This is the mid-year newsletter written, designed and produced for the AEJMC's Ad Division. It includes information about the Ad Division, kudos, paper submission guidelines for the summer convention and other Ad Division news and information.

Exploring Science Through Media: The Omaha Science Media Project 2009–2010, Belita Kalala, Scott Barry, Rebecca Aiken, Soo Hui-Lee, Mary Claire Rice, Elizabeth Gamez, Nkem Kalu, Amy Struthers, Adam Wagler, Bruce Mitchell, Julie Nichols

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Advertising Projects

The Omaha Science Media Project represents the efforts of more than a hundred people across eight organizations. Working together, these individuals explored innovations in teaching and learning science that challenged and contributed to Omaha’s learning community. This program owes tremendous gratitude to Katie Weitz White and the Sherwood Foundation for their vision, support, and enthusiasm. The Sherwood Foundation’s work has been critical to inspiring students, energizing teachers, and building strong programs for all. We also thank the Omaha Schools Foundation for its guidance and support. The project’s principal investigator is Judy Diamond, Ph.D., Professor and Curator of Informal Science Education …

State Farm: "Talk To An Agent", Tyler Thomas, Jessica Williams, Kate Stevenson, Kala Mosel, Derek Dillon, Chelsea Thompson, Shea Samani, Katie Sorensen, Matthew Berg, Jennifer Larson, Aaron Jarosh, Kyle Stebbins, Mike Sammons, Daniel Scheyer, Sara Leimbach, Doug Flegle, Brett Tesmer, Maggie Geist, Will Sharpe, Jamie Ksieski, Nicholas Huff, Andrew Ciaccio, Drew Guiney, Michael Taylor, Erin Sorensen, Phil Willet

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Advertising Projects

Established in 1922, State Farm has become a trustworthy, reliable company that prides itself on the dedication of its agents and their ability to provide personalized insurance policies. Even though State Farm leads the insurance industry, the company is struggling to gain customers in the 18-25 year old demographic.

As a part of this demographic, many of us were guilty of quickly purchasing our insurance policies online. We thought that we had the coverage we needed — that was before we talked to an agent. In one hour, local State Farm agent Vincon Krikac changed 25 minds. We learned how …

90.3 Krnu Get Indied, Power Of X (Ten)

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Advertising Projects

Situation Analysis Since KRNU first started experimenting with broadcasting over 80 years ago, the University of Nebraska—Lincoln has recognized the importance independent radio stations play in a college community. For the last 20 years, 90.3 KRNU has relied on a format of alternative/indie music mixed with eclectic specialty shows. Through our research we discovered that 90.3 KRNU no longer has top-of-mind awareness among its target audience, which is primarily UNL students. Rick Alloway, KRNU station manager, saw the need for things to change. Through the collaboration of UNL supporters and KRNU supporters alike, it was decided that the station format …

Refugees As People: The Portrayal Of Refugees In American Human Interest Stories, Sarah Steimel

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

This study combines discourse analysis and narrative analysis (Yin 2007) to examine top US newspapers’ coverage of refugees in American human interest stories. I find that the refugees are presented (a) as prior victims; (b) as in search of the American Dream; and (c) as unable to achieve the American Dream. As human-interest features, the stories provide a largely positive portrayal of individual refugees and their families. However, the human interest stories also depict refugees as current victims of the American economic crisis; deeply frustrated by their inability to achieve the American Dream. Together these discourses represent a narrative of …

Native Daughters, Christina Devries, Jordan Pascale, Shannon Smith, Katie Stearns, Carson Vaughan, Molly Young, Clay Lomneth, Alan Eno, Astrid Munn, Matt Buxton, Judi M. Gaiashkibos, Shannon Smith, Hannah Peterson, Elizabeth Gamez, Maggie Liggett, Katie Stearns, Natasha Richardson, Johnna Hjersman, Krista Vogel, Elizabeth Gasaway, Charlie Pfister, Matt Buxton, Anthony Troester, Christine Lesiak, Scott Winter, John Wunder, Joe Starita, Princella Parker, Nancy Kelsey

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

For almost two years, Nebraska’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications has benefited from this perfect storm, riding a project wave dedicated to a singular idea: You can’t really understand American history without understanding Native American history. And you can’t understand Native American history without understanding the critical role Native women have played in defining, enriching and protecting that history. Underwritten by a $125,000 Carnegie Foundation grant, this journalism project is intended to substantially raise the profile of Native Daughters. To that end, the college enrolled two dozen of its best and brightest students – reporters, photographers, videographers, Web masters, …

Displaced: Stories Of Struggle In South Africa, Sarah Bryant, Shannon Lauber, Christina Devries, Jenna Gibson, Logan Meier, Anna Mostek, Kate Veik, Chris Slaughter, Vanessa Skocz, Chelsey Manhart, Bruce Thorson, Charlie Mitchell

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

In June 2008, a group from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln — two advisers, seven student photographers, two student reporters and one student videographer — traveled to South Africa for 18 days. Their project, which had been in the making for the previous six months, focused on documenting immigration issues in South Africa. Howard Buffett, a documentary photographer, funded the trip, which was a partnership involving UNL, Arizona State University and the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. The group arrived in South Africa amidst the aftermath of xenophobic violence that tore through the country in the several weeks leading up …

2010 Special Olympics, College Of Journalism & Mass Communications, University Of Nebraska-Lincoln

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

A multimedia website, a nightly television broadcast and two new courses were created by the College of Journalism and Mass Communications for students to cover and promote the Special Olympics 2010 USA National Games in Lincoln.

Fifty students in two Journalism and Mass Communications classes joined forces with the games' media professionals to produce a website (http://cojmc.unl.edu/specialolympics) to tell the stories of the athletes and of competitions in text, photos and videos.

About 3,000 people with intellectual disabilities competed in 13 sports venues across Lincoln. The games, which were the largest multi-sport event in the state's history, attracted 15,000 family …