Radio Live Hit

For one of my radio room assignments, I went out to cover an event and called in to describe what was going on. Obviously, it was a slow news day. Here is my “Live Hit” from a coin unveiling.

My radio appearance

I’ve been covering the Jean-Talon–Namur Revitalization project for Actualites CDN-NDG (read articles here and here) and CBC’s Daybreak decided to devote some of their show to the issue. I was called in as a resident of the borough (error there because I’m actually in Westmount) but primarily as a journalist who has covered the project’s development extensively. I have edited the 11-minute segment to include only my parts—the other guests were Peter McQueen, the city councillor for NDG, and Charles Hammer, the owner of Uptown Volvo which is currently right in the middle of the project area. Enjoy my first foray into professional radio! (Apologies for the initial static, goes away after a couple seconds)

Click here to hear the segment in full.

Olympic Torch Relay in Montreal

Yesterday was a busy day! After seeing Hulk, I made my way up to the Plateau to visit Dooz and Eugenia and to see the Olympic flame go by. Some say torch, some say flame…which one is it? We bundled Doozy up in his hilarious snowsuit and braved the cold and snow with the stroller. It was hard work. Plus it was windy. But it was all worth it to see the flame. It was so festive and fun and I was so proud. I can’t wait for the Olympics. I am a fiercely patriotic Canadian. I hear from the Globe and Mail in a few days about that contest, fingers crossed.

Here is a clip of the flame going by!

The Montreal Screwjob…Hogan-style

Hulk Hogan was in Montreal to sign his new book “My Life Outside the Ring.” He basically did a blitz of Toronto and Montreal, appearing on Q and the Hour and then jetting to Montreal to sign his book. Big turnout in Montreal.

HAPPY 6-MONTH BIRTHDAY!

On December 11, it will be a joyous, wonderful, marvelous, stupendous day! My little nephew, Suraj Theodore Robin Leavitt Carvery or Doozy for short, will be SIX months old!!!!

Big accomplishments to date? 1) Lifted his head all on his own, 2) Smiled revealing the cutest of dimples on his left cheek, 3) LAUGHED! He loves it when his auntie dances like a fool, 4) Rolled over onto his stomach and now back onto his back, 5) Grabs for things or hair…I could go on but those are the bigs things. He is also very successful at holding his auntie prisoner while napping (he he) and spitting up on my clean shirts. I LOVE YOU DOOZY!

Canadiens Streeter

That’s me on the Habs Centennial night. Yes, I’m a bit of a loser. I couldn’t get tickets that didn’t cost an arm and a leg so I wore all my Habs apparel (those are official Canadiens pyjama pants) and watched at home…I even live-tweeted the event.

To bring that celebration to school, I did a streeter—went out on the street and asked people on the street—for my radio class. Interesting responses. Here it is:

Perspectives

Here is an example of a reading summary we had to do for our News Perspectives class. This is some of the real work a journalism student does!

Reading Title: Epistemologies in Contention: Journalistic Objectivity as (Un)workable Philosophy

Author: Robert A. Hackett and Yuezhi Zhao

The authors highlight four distinct philosophies concerning objectivity in this article; two which believe objectivity is possible and two which think it’s impossible.

The philosophy of Positivism is pro-objectivity. This theory contends that what can be experienced by our senses are facts and what cannot be does not exist. As journalists, we must use particular techniques of observation but if done correctly, we can most definitely present an accurate article on the event we covered. Positivism is more concerned with accuracy than with balance.

The authors move to Conventionalism and insist that it is the opposite of Positivism in that the reporter never experiences direct perception of the world but sees it only through a lens of preconceived categories or concepts. Objectivism, therefore, cannot exist. The philosophy also highlights the use of language in holding back any kind of objectivity: “The value-laden and pre-structured nature of language compromises journalism’s claims to objectivity.”

Another philosophy that claims objectivity is impossible is Postmodernism/structuralism. Through use of semiotics, an individual does not experience direct perception; values always intrude. Media is actually guilty of constructing our perceptions of the world falsely.

The authors’ position is that of Critical Realism; in which they combine the prior three philosophies. There is indeed an independent reality but individuals can access it through discourse and constant revision and change. “The world is knowable — but not at first sight.” Thus, this philosophy believes objectivity is possible.

Radio Class

For the first two months of the semester, half of my class was given a radio documentary assignment. Now that those are completed, we have an advanced radio class. Basically, we are given a different position each class—from Assignment Editor to Editorial. We meet at 12:15, set up the show and have three hours to put it all together. While paying attention to TV and Radio news that is ongoing, we prep. We do our interviews, we edit our audio, write our scripts…etc. It was definitely hectic at the beginning. Here is an example of my debrief.

Montreal Election cont.

Here I am interviewing the NEW councillor of NDG, Peter McQueen. He is a member of Projet Montreal and the only councillor who is not from Union Montreal in the CDN-NDG borough. He is lively and enthusiastic and it should actually make the borough council meetings a bit more interesting!

Montreal Election

Last Sunday was Election Day in Montreal and in municipalities across Quebec. I had a busy night covering the events for Actualites CDN-NDG. My editor and I had hoped to get to all three major party celebrations but Tremblay’s re-election came so quickly we couldn’t make it out to Vision Montreal’s convention. Check out my article here.