KONY 2012: "The Danger of a Single Story"

What is the danger of telling a single story? The danger of telling a single story like KONY 2012 is huge. KONY 2012 was a half an hour 'documentary' on Uganda's notorious Warlord, Joseph Kony, who abducts children to turn them into sex slaves and/or soldiers. Invisible Children's co-founder Jason Russell produced the video, and it has received over 100 million views on YouTube to date. Jason Russell subtly used a Western lens to show his fellow Americans who the "good person" is (Westerners) and who the "bad person" is (Joseph Kony). KONY 2012 undoubtedly convinced the privileged class of the West to adopt a colonialist mentality and get ready to 'help solve issues' in Central Africa. The danger in telling a single story like KONY 2012 is that it creates a generalization of the issues in Northern Uganda, as an "African problem," which requires the West's help. Thanks to TV commercials that portray the lives of individuals in the global south as 'poor,' Americans jumped the gun and became "saviours" once again!

This video specifically played on the emotions of young individuals to become a part of a campaign that attempts to "end the war" in Uganda, without offering information regarding the history of colonialism in Africa or even shed light on the complexities of the situation. The Ugandan population was outraged by the stereotypical and one-sided image that Jason Russell portrayed. Interestingly, various individuals from the Western world, as well as from Central Africa, have analyzed and debated over the documentary's purpose, as it "raised awareness" about a complex issue in a simplistic way, and aimed to raise funds that were given no explicit purpose. This podcast episode questions the lens through which KONY 2012 is depicted and argue that a more nuanced understanding is needed because a single sided story merely generates stereotypes.

Sara Siddiqui, W13: Software

As I mentioned earlier, I will be using an app (Voice Recorder) on my android (Samsung Galaxy) to record my short podcast episode. As suggested by Professor Bell, I plan to use Audacity as the software to edit my podcast. In addition to the sources provided by Professor Bell, I reviewed a variety of YouTube videos to understand how Audacity works. Here are a list of videos and articles I looked through to gather information on how to use this software: 

• http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Audacity

• http://ilearn.senecac.on.ca/storage/demos/audacity/

• http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/tutorial_your_first_recording.html

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w5L3gy9IJI

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rQr5YVNqI0

I tested out Audacity earlier this week to see how to edit a recording. I found it a little challenging, as it requires a lot of time and attention to detail. After testing out the software, I think it will take me nearly a week to edit my podcast for optimum results. In terms of my voice, it initially sounded a little squeaky at first, but I figured out that I should keep the recorder closer to my mouth. Also, after using this software, I might consider using it to record my podcast as well, because the app I plan to use for recording produces m4a files, which requires me to constantly convert files to mp3. However, the only reason I am apprehensive about using Audacity for recording purposes is that I do not have a lot of experience with this software, and I am finding it a little challenging to edit any audio clip with it. Although I am going to continue to find ways to learn the art of editing with this software, over the next few days, I plan to look into GarageBand and other editing software to see which would be the easiest to edit my podcast episode with.

Sara Siddiqui, W14: Structure

After considering the different podcast structures on: (http://howsound.org/2013/03/my-kingdom-for-some-structure), I believe my podcast resembles the "Morning Edition" structure. Also, I believe my podcast is organized in a similar structure as episodes on "On the Media," as it begins with a story, and then it is briefly followed by history or context, then the story is widened and explored a little bit more, and it finally concludes. Similar to several episodes on "On the Media," my podcast begins with a story, about stories, and it provides the audience with a small clip from a KONY 2012, in order to (re)acquaint my listeners with this video that went viral in March of 2012. In the "V," my audience will learn about the history of the video and also about the mission of Invisible Children. Thereafter, I return to my main point about the problem of telling a single story, and I support my claims with the use of several scholars (or characters as Bradley suggests) who raised their voices against the story told in KONY 2012, and the depiction of the events occurring in Uganda.

In terms of the total number of citations I counted in episode 102, "Icon for Access," of 99% Invisible, I counted roughly 24 citations. 

Sara Siddiqui, W 14: Search Strategies

In reflecting on the application of research strategies reviewed in class, I believe the lecture on Google Scholar vs. Library Databases was quite beneficial. Personally, I prefer using York University's Library Databases, as it is more organized, and it provides specific databases (that I am comfortable in using) like ProQuest, JSTOR, Social Sciences Abstracts, and a lot more. In addition, I appreciate the fact that most of the sources found on our Library Database are scholarly, which is quite important for academic research. Also, I believe that it is more reliable, as most articles are found in academic journals. However, sometimes due to the specifications of York University's library database, such as using keywords like "AND" and "OR," for relevant search results, it may become tricky at times, as you really need to try several keywords, before actually getting the results you want. However, with Google Scholar (in my experience), I believe it was more receptive to the types of articles I wanted to read. Nonetheless, the only drawback of Google Scholar is that the search results may not be as diverse and plentiful. There have been times when I used Google Scholar to figure out which "keywords" would work best to get the results I want, and then to use that on York's online database. Moreover, I have found that at times, there may be a great article that I may have found on either Google Scholar or York's Library Databases; however, it may not be available (for whatever reason). During instances like this, I have copied and pasted the title of the article to the other research portal, and try to gain access to it from there. In addition, most articles may also be found in books. Hence, whenever I find that I do not have access to a certain source, I enter the title on Google, and try to get a hold of the book that has the article I am looking for. For the future, I will rely on both, as Google Scholar and Library Databases, alike, provide great results, and enrich my researching experience. 

Sara Siddiqui, W14: Topic Refinement

The pitch exercise was extremely helpful to me. It allowed me to be give a brief, to-the point summary of my topic. Two weeks ago, when I finally picked a topic, “KONY 2012,” I was a little confused as to what aspects of this documentary I should focus on. I was not sure whether I want to emulate an On the Media-style podcast or Stuff You Missed in History podcast. However, after having the opportunity to work on this pitch exercise, I had a better understanding of what I should focus on and which podcast show I should try to emulate. Moreover, this pitch exercise allowed me to consider my audience, which is a vital factor that most podcasters consider when creating a podcast episode. I believe the “pitch” is definitely a useful pre-writing exercise in other assignments because it encourages one to narrow down his/her topic and consider all aspects of the given assignment. Most importantly, it leads us to ask and answer the question, “So what? Who cares?”

My refined show idea focuses on the ways colonialism was depicted in the documentary, “KONY 2012,” and it will encourage for a more nuanced understanding of the subject. I will include a variety of primary and secondary sources that will support my points.

Sara Siddiqui, W14: Pitching

As I began looking for advice on pitching ideas for podcast and radio shows, I came across many links that offered a lot of great information. However, I slowly began to realize that not all of the websites I came across were reliable. I determined the reliability of each website by asking myself the questions posed by the CRAAP (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) test produced my California State University. After measuring each website against the CRAAP test, I believe the following sources are the most reliable: CBC, International Freelancer Society, and AIR Media.

CBC is a reliable source as it is the largest news broadcaster in Canada, and has been in the business of broadcasting since 1941. CBC's webpage on, "Radio Pitch," suggests that the following questions are crucial to consider when pitching your idea:

1.                  "When you tell others about your idea, what seems to excite them the most? This is often a good way to start your pitch.

2.                  What makes your show perfect for CBC Radio now? Does it take CBC Radio somewhere new? Does it do something we aren’t already doing?

3.                  Does it fit our values as a public broadcaster? We're looking for high-quality, distinctive Canadian programming that’s intelligent, insightful and entertaining, and reflective of the diversity of Canada.

4.                  How would you describe your show’s sound? Will it be light-hearted, serious, cheeky, respectful, probing, reflective, journalistic? Is there anything new or different about how your show will sound?

5.                  Who is the host? Do you have someone in mind? If not, what qualities does your ideal host possess? What should they sound like? What’s his or her role in the show?

6.                  What is the online component? What opportunities do you imagine for the web and social networking?

7.                  What format do you see your idea taking? Is it a half-hour summer replacement series, or a one-hour holiday show?"

Source: CBC

Similarly, I came across another website called, "International Freelancers Academy," and an individual by the name of Diana Ennen (who is the President of Virtual World Publishing), posted an article titled, "How to Develop a Media Pitch that Gets Attention". Diana Ennen has been featured on Fox Business News, CBS, CNN Radio, USA Today, Woman's World, Entrepreneur Magazine, and a lot more. Hence, I believe this source is just as reliable as CBC because the information looks valid and reliable.

Here is a list of useful advice that I found in the article:

1. "First, get to the point quickly and lead in with your best stuff. Don't save the best for last; it just won't get read. You need to capture their attention immediately.

2. Second, keep your pitch short and sweet. I often email my pitches, so I add an introductory paragraph or two that summarize why the reporter would be interested. I sometimes also add my press release or article, but not always. You can also just send a pitch without a release or article and let the pitch stand on its own.

3. Third, stay with one general theme or big idea. Too often, people try and cram as many ideas as they can in the pitch, thinking that if one idea doesn't interest them, they might be interested in something else. But all this does is create confusion and hamper your success. Instead, keep it to just one focused idea and save the others for your next pitch.

4. Finally, be cautious of the tone of the pitch. Remember, even though you're pitching, you're also trying to build relationships with the reporters and editors to whom you're sending these. That way, if your idea is not a good fit now, they'll hopefully still consider you for a future story. So make sure to keep your tone friendly and professional."

Source: International Freelancer Academy

Lastly, I came across a website called, "AIR Media," and it is operated by the "Association of Independent in Radio (AIR), which consists of 10 independent producers who are employed by various media organizations. I found the information posted on this website to be reliable, as the individuals who post on this website are mainly news journalists, media activists, station-based producer and podcasters. These individuals have programs that train new podcasters and experienced media professionals. This is a list of valuable information that I found on AIR Media's website:

1. "Make sure you actually have a story in mind, and not just a vague idea. If you suggest "some sort of business story on old people retrofitting their houses so they don't need to go to nursing homes," you may have a clear sense of what the story is, but you haven't expressed it in a way that an editor or producer could evaluate it. A better pitch would be, "I think we should do a story on the industry that has grown up around helping old people retrofit their houses so they can avoid moving into nursing homes. I've found surveys that show senior citizens overwhelmingly want to stay in their own homes -- and articles that say some of the companies that are helping them do that are reaping big profits. Those companies are holding a trade show in Chicago next month. We could use the expo as a way to show what sorts of devices and renovations they're selling to senior citizens, talk to some seniors about how they made the decision to stay home, and look at how the home retrofitting boom is affecting the fortunes of the nursing home industry."

2. If a newspaper article prompted your story idea, make sure you can suggest how to advance the story. After reading the story, do you still have questions you'd like answered? Who might be able to answer those questions? How might the subject be approached in a new way?

3. Check the transcript file or archives to determine whether the outlet to whom you're pitching has done a similar story before. If so, ask yourself whether there's enough news to justify returning to the subject again. Think about how the new version would be different from the old one.

4. Frame your pitch so there can be no doubt about the focus of your story. You don't need to put all the facts you have gathered into your pitch. But you do need to know where the tension in the story is, what is happening now that justifies the coverage, and why people in your locale (or other parts of the country if you're pitching to a national outlet) are going to care.

5.  Figure out whether your story should be told by a reporter or through a host interview. Some stories require a reporter to ascertain the facts, present both sides, characterize the way a scene looks, etc. Others rely mainly on the experiences or insights of a single person -- and sometimes interviewing that person is the most efficient way to get the story on the air."

Based on the advice I have gathered, I need to find ways to grab my audience's attention. Although I am very interested in the topic, I did not pay a lot of attention to how others will perceive the topic. Hence, it is crucial for me to find ways to engage the audience, and rather than trying to "sell" the idea, I need to make it sound interesting enough to capture my audiences' attention (CBC). Moreover, as mentioned by Diana Ennen in her article, "How to Develop a Media Pitch that Gets Attention," it is important for individuals to keep their pitch ideas to be short, and to-the-point. As I began doing further research on my topic, I came across a lot of information that I was thinking of incorporating into my four-minute pitch. However, after reading her article, it has become apparent that I will lose my audiences' interest if I try to cover too much information. Thus, I will try my best to stick to one big and topic and avoid including too many ideas that may confuse people. Lastly, I will spend more time going through podcasts available on "On the Media," as it will inform the kind of questions that I will propose for my own short podcast episode.

References

Barasoain, D. (n.d.). About Us. The Association Of Independents In Radio. Retrieved January 23, 2014, from http://www.airmedia.org/PageInfo.php?PageID=1

California State University. (2010, September 17). Evaluating Information Applying the CRAAP Test. Meriam Library California State University, Chico. Retrieved January 23, 2014, from http://www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/eval_websites.pdfCBC. (n.d.). CBC Radio Pitch - Index.

CBCnews. Retrieved January 24, 2014, from http://www.cbc.ca/pitch/radiopitchguide.html

Ennen, D. (n.d.). How to Develop a Media Pitch that Gets Attention. International Freelancers Academy. Retrieved January 23, 2014, from http://internationalfreelancersacademy.com/simple-secrets-to-pitching-success-how-to-develop-that-pitch/

Sara Siddiqui, W14: Topic Selection

Initially, I was sure that I wanted to use one the following podcast shows: On the Media, Freakonomics, Under the Influence, and Stuff You Missed in History Class to find a topic that I want to emulate for my own show. I was convinced that I would be able to find an array of topics on social and cultural issues on those podcast shows. However, as I browsed through various topics in the aforementioned podcast shows, I did not find anything that caught my attention. I was interested in creating a podcast on 1) the caste system in India (and its impact on children and youth), 2) learning disabilities and what it means to be normal, or 3) looking at the topic of shadism/colourism beyond its colonialist discourse. Unfortunately, I had an extremely tough time finding any podcast that covered these subjects, as 1) these topics are quite broad and 2) I could not find any podcast on these topics. Hence, I began looking at different podcast shows and in the midst of doing so, I came across an interesting topic, titled: "Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined" on Spark. Nora Young (Interviewer) and Scott Barry Kaufman (a cognitive psychologist - interviewee) were engaged in a dialogue about the ways that we currently define "intelligence," and how labels such as "gifted" or "learning disabled" influence children's learning and self-esteem. I enjoyed the style of the podcast, and it was interesting that the topic was presented in the form of an interview.

In terms of creating my own short podcast, I want to use an "On the Media" style podcast by focusing mainly on the portrayals of individuals who have learning disabilities or are considered as "gifted". I want to explore how stereotypes are treacherous, as it creates an oversimplified image or idea of people's actions and behaviour, which are more complex and relative than individuals assume. Although, I will be drawing on a topic that I found on Spark, I want to use an 'On the Media' style podcast for my show and try to present it in the form of an interview. In my short podcast episode, I want to review the dangers of labels and discuss its implications in the realm of education. Moreover, I want to explore how stereotypes have the potential to further stigmatize a particular group of individuals (who share similar experiences of marginalization) and thus, may internalize a discourse of being a misfit in society.

I used SPARK last semester for an assignment that I had to complete, and I found it extremely helpful. For example, since the assignment for this course revolves around research (and the process of researching), I had a look at the "Research" section on SPARK, and it suggests that depending on the length of the paper, we should have at least 5-8 resources for a shorter paper, and 8-10 resources for a longer paper. Although, we are not writing an "essay," I presume that our transcript for the podcast will be around 5-7 pages (single-spaced). Hence, I am aim to find at least 5-8 resources so that I do not overwhelm myself with too much information, which I would not be able to cover in 15 minutes. Additionally, as I was going through the left panel on SPARK, the time management bar covered interesting topics and suggestions for research. I also came across a helpful checklist for assignments: http://www.yorku.ca/spark/time_management/Time%20Management%20-%20Assignment%20Task%20Checklist_Final_Oct4.pdf

In my opinion, websites like SPARK are great for students who are struggling with topic selection and decision-making, however, I believe that it is crucial for students to consult with course instructors occasionally to make sure that they are on the right track.

Sara Siddiqui, W14: Introductions

Hello everyone,

My name is Sara Siddiqui, and I am Children's Studies major. I am an avid researcher of social psychology, issues within marginalized and underprivileged populations, health/wellness, and religion. Along with these topics, I am quite interested in social work, international development, human rights and social science based-research. In the past, I have conducted ethnographic research with children and youth, and I hope to start my own blog about my experiences with those projects after I graduate. I enrolled into this course because I want to learn about the intricacies of research, and understand the pros and cons of both primary and secondary sources (and how to use them). Moreover, I want to learn about the ways that I can present information in an unbiased and coherent manner and evaluate the validity and reliability of sources.

I have used information management software like RefWorks before; however, I only used it for generating citations and bibliographies. I do not have any experience with radio or podcasting. I enjoy listening to the CBC radio, and particularly appreciate Paul Kennedy's podcast/program: "Ideas". In terms of our course project, I am considering the following podcast shows and topics: On the Media, Freakonomics, Under the Influence, and Stuff You Missed in History Class. Most of the aforementioned podcast shows and topics revolve around social, political, historical and cultural issues, which are of interest to me. In particular, On the Media seems to be the most appealing one, as I like evaluating and discussing matters around journalism and media. Overall, I look forward to creating a short podcast episode for this course because I enjoy taking on projects that I have never done before. Most importantly, since our project will be available for public viewing, this project will motivate me to do my best to engage with others through my work.