The Health of Ethnic Media: Needs and Opportunities

The ethnic news media (ranging the gamut from newspapers to broadcast programs to online ventures) have experienced rapid growth in tandem with the changing nature of the nation's demographics, yet considerable anecdotal evidence shows that many of these outlets struggle with a variety of serious problems, ranging from poor journalistic standards to sheer survivability as businesses. The study was designed to provide an assessment of the sector's health and resiliency and to identify threats to success, primarilyfrom the perspective of its staff and leaders

Journalism and New Media: African-American Media Outlet and their Use of the Internet.

Just a few years ago, a student had to visit the library and search through the card catalog to do research; a mother had to stand in line to purchase movie tickets for her children; spouses of soldiers at war had to wait days for a letter to arrive from his/her significant other serving time overseas; and the list goes on. Today, all of this has changed - the advent of the Internet has revolutionized the lives of every individual across the globe in many ways. Students may now access the library card catalog online; a mother may purchase movie tickets in advance online; and spouses may communicate in real time via electronic mail (e-mail). The Internet makes all of this possible. This phenomenon has been the main source feeding globalization and, in essence, assisting in making the world smaller. We have the ability to communicate with anyone, at any time, anywhere on the planet, as well as make purchases without leaving the comfort of our homes. Obviously, this powerful tool, if used wisely, can be a huge asset for any business, especially the media. The news media thrives on immediacy and the percentage of people who are actually reading, viewing, and listening to their news stories. The quicker a story is published and distributed, the better, and the Internet provides unprecedented immediacy 1 2 and access to the world\u27 s population; therefore, some media outlets have taken a huge interest in the Internet and what it can offer. Others have not. Representatives from 14 African-American publications in Dallas and Houston, the most populated cities in Texas, were surveyed in September 2003. Additionally, 24 public relations professionals from two of the nation\u27s leading agencies, Hill and Knowlton and Fleishman-Hillard, were surveyed to gain insight on their perception of working with African-American media outlets and provide counsel on how to improve overall perception of these publications . . Getting African-American publications in the targeted areas to complete the . survey proved to be somewhat challenging. Only three provided feedback - two answered the survey and one explained why she wouldn\u27t answer it. Nonetheless, answers from the two who completed it, coupled with personal research yielded some results. Findings show that, as a whole, black newspapers and magazines in Dallas and Houston are not taking full advantage of the Internet. The majority of these publications have sites that are unavailable, have very little content and interactivity, and are not updated regularly. This is because of lack of funding. Most black publications do not have the wherewithal to maintain a web site. Though, the few that do host web sites to compliment their hub publication do a fair job of taking full advantage of all the benefits such as graphics, hyperlinks, and navigational tools. Content is news oriented with special pages for features like original poetry, religious perspectives, and community news highlighting successful blacks, from students to government officials. . There is a consensus among public relations professionals that the Internet is extremely beneficial for media outlets. They are appreciative of any outlet that makes 3 use of it for many reasons. Currently, they do not have a strong awareness of African American publications in their respective cities. This is due to the fact that most of these publications do not have an online presence and are not generated in database and Internet searches that public relations professionals frequently conduct. Having an easy to-use, content-rich web site gives public relations professionals the information they need in order to reach these publications should they be interested in pitching one of their client\u27 s stories. This could lead to increased visibility among businesses and future advertising dollars, yielding an increase in revenue. Results �rom each survey prove that web sites enhance a publication\u27s reputation, credibility, readership, and revenue. The survival of periodicals that target blacks may depend on the importance they place on becoming part of the digital environment by developing and maintaining a web site to enhance their hub publication

A Historical Analysis of Methods of Teaching History in Fifty-Two High Schools in Texas

What teachers have been confronted with is how to tell facts. That one could present a method in history to work under all conditions is absurd; the best that can be done is to lay down some general principles which when applied by some keenly alive teacher to the duties and appointment of his profession may aid him in securing the desired results. In the book entitled Practical Methods, Aids and Devices For Teaching, Beecher states in the words of Gudson that there are some people who think history a simple matter because forsooth it is merely the telling of facts as they are. I do not know any thing more difficult in this world than to tell facts as they are. Teaching of history is not primarily that of crowding the brain with facts about the past; but that the child may live more completely in his world that he meets the problems of political, economical, intellectual and religious life fairly and squarely offering solutions based upon experiences of the past.1 To discuss this topic correctly the writer must state the purposes of this study. A. Purposes of this study The writer has seven purposes in writing this thesis: (1) To find and present a brief historical background of history teaching in the fifty-two high schools of Texas; (2) to survey the methods of teaching history employed in these schools; (3) to describe the school and community, equipment, and resources utilized in the teaching procedures; (4) to ascertain the preparation of the teachers who are teaching history; (5) to establish the degree of correlation between history and other courses in the curricula; (6) to criticize and evaluate these methods and devices of history teaching; and (7) to formulate a history teaching program adaptable to these schools. 1 Walter Julius Beecher, Practical Methods, Aids and Devices For Teaching, p. 18

Panther - February 1948-Vol. XXII No. 2

https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/pv-panther-newspapers/1795/thumbnail.jp

Panther- April 1996 - Vol. LXXII, No. 26

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