Current Event 2

American football is the most popular sport in the United States by a wide margin.  It is also the most violent sport played in America which is a big part of the appeal.  Concussions have become the by-product of that appeal and it is becoming a major health risk for everyone who plays the sport.  Studies have shown that concussions can cause permanent brain damage and even death.

Recently, an Ohio State football player went missing and could not be found for several days.  His family had stated he had been suffering concussion-like symptoms such as headaches and nausea.  Days later his body was found near his apartment complex with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.  This story is shaping up to be the most recent incident in a long line of concussion-related tragedies.  The concern over the effects concussions are having on athletes has sparked debate as to what measures should be taken to protect the health of athletes.  The NFL is working to advance helmet technology that will reduce concussion rates.  Others argue the sport should not be played at all considering children are at risk.  Regardless, until a definitive solution is developed for concussion protocol the debate will carry on.

Current Event 1

One of the biggest stories of the year has been the issue of officer Darren Wilson shooting and killing Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager.  The most recent development in the case has been Wilson's acquittal which has sparked protests across the country.  The protests stem from the fact that Wilson is white and Brown was black which has made issue that much more divisive.  Ferguson, Missouri was the location of the incident and it saw heavy protests as people began to loot various businesses and set fire to structures in the area.

The death of Michael Brown has raised several questions about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the shooting and the process of our justice system.  Multiple eye-witnesses claimed Brown was unarmed and trying to surrender as Wilson shot him six times.  Wilson testified that he shot Brown in self-defense due to a skirmish that ensued after Brown was caught robbing a store.  The suspicion around the case has begun to question our justice system especially when police officers are put on trial.  Measures are already being put in place to avoid future incidents.  For example, police officers could start wearing body cameras whenever they are on duty.  This could be one of many preventative measures for the future.

Social Media

Social media is now one of the most primary ways for people to stay in touch with those in their professional and personal lives.  Over the years, it has been streamlined from one format to another leaving us with the most efficient method to date to stay in touch with these people and in touch with news and media outlets.  As of now, Twitter seems to be the most effective of all social media platforms simply because the content is so easy to digest and the user has complete control over what is presented on their news feed.  Facebook is the primary alternative to Twitter.  The purpose of Facebook is more socially-oriented than Twitter by allowing users to keep up with the lives of people they know around the globe.

I think Twitter benefits journalism more than any other social media platform.  Many people follow several different news sources on Twitter which forces those sources to report quick and accurate information.  The natural competition created through Twitter helps maintain the overall integrity of journalism.