Samuel's Journalism 120 Blog

     This article found on  Vice News  is a surprisingly perfect example of soft news, despite belonging to their section on Communism. Chines technology company Tencent has recently released an app that, believe it or not, allows you to virtually clap for their president. That's right, while you can't like a post on Facebook or watch a YouTube video, and you can't "Google" all your questions away, you can give your president all the claps he deserves, as well as compete with friends and family for the highest number of claps. This story qualifies as a soft news story because it doesn't cover any hard-hitting topics, and was more so written for entertainment rather than informative purposes.      A recent story covered by the  New York Times  is an excellent example of hard news. The article discusses the C.I.A.'s expansion of its covert operations in Afghanistan, sending multiple small teams of highly experienced officers and contractors to work alongs

Toxic Secret ‘We expected cancer’: Are industrial spills in Canada’s ‘Chemical Valley’ making people sick? Timing - 4/4 The story is up to date containing much more information and accounts than the story similarly covered by Vice  in 2013. I've given it a 4/4 because it is much more than an update on the original story, and is increasingly becoming more and more relevant as new facts are uncovered.  Significance - 4/4 This is one of the biggest (and longest) stories I've read in a long time. Canada's "Chemical Valley" is plaguing the Sarnia community, vastly polluting the air with large amounts of carcinogens. This affects the approximately 70 000 people living in the vicinity of the 15-square-mile area containing roughly 40% of Canada's petrochemical industry.  Proximity - 3/4  This story hits close to home for some, affecting Canadians as well as some Americans who live near the Canadian-American border. It largely affects those livin

Suspected Kidnappers in Custody, Child not Found      Roughly two weeks ago, local preschooler Julia Carter, age 5, went missing. One week later, Sophie Harris, a student at Silverton Junior High. was abducted. And now, just two days ago, Eva Davis has been abducted.       Despite the arrest and pending prosecution of her suspected captors, Eva's whereabouts are currently unknown. The two men, aged 29 and 37, deny any involvement in the three cases, despite an overwhelming knowledge of each case.       Giving the surprising amount of disappearances that occurred in the past weeks, parents, as well as local law enforcement, are on edge.      "It's an awful feeling," Mrs. Davis proclaimed; "You feel as though you failed your child, failed as a parent". "No mother should ever have to wonder if their child is dead or alive".       If you or someone you know has any information regarding her potential whereabouts, they are urged to contact a