Precious art works coming to Sydney

Sydney-bound: China's famous terracotta warriors. (Reuters : Philippe Wojazer )

Terracotta warriors are national treasures for Chinese people, and they are also precious heritages of human civilization. They will come to Sydney this December, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally announced this week. ABC and SBS have the story on their websites.

ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/14/3038261.htm?section=entertainment

SBS: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1382312/Terracotta-Warriors-coming-to-Sydney

As a piece of online news, SBS does technically better than ABC. It adopts new format of link – using key words instead of string of digits in producing the last layer of the link. This adoption may bring it advantages in competing with its counterparts in search engines such as Google and Bing. Key-word-made links are more likely and quicker to be found by the engines, and usually listed high among the results. According to the statistics, readers are used to clicking the first five results on the page.

In stories about art and design, pictures are essential supplements for textual description; visual attraction could make up the tedium which abstract words has made. In this case, ABC’s picture-choice is much better than the SBS’s. ABC unfolds the story with a picture of Terracotta on the right top of the text. For the Australian readers, it is a big lure for them to get the story behind the splendid exotic picture. SBS choose to take a picture of two directors of the arts series in front of a poster of Terracotta. It is far less attractive than the ABC one, and provides no extra information. For the readers, it doesn’t mean anything.

Another better-done factor in ABC’s story is its clear structure. It begins with a brief intro of the arts series, which may start from this December, staring the first Terracotta show, accompanied with some background knowledge. Than spare some space for the following shows. This story keeps a nice balance between main ideas and extra information, yet the SBS one does not.

P.S. I really appreciate the comments part on ABC’s story, hope that SBS will adopt one soon.

Kerry O'Brien to host Four Corner

Kerry O'Brien will quit 7.30 and host Four Corner

Kerry O’Brien, a famous name for Australians, especially for the media practitioners here, decided to leave 7.30 Report and to host investigative program Four Corners from next year. Both of the programs have a large number of audiences across the country. O’Brien’s shift is a big news and change for them. Here lists two pieces of online news on Kerry’s shift:

From SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/kerry-obrien-to-host-four-corners-20101014-16krn.html

From The Australian (quote by Herald Sun): http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/obrien-returns-to-four-corners-as-host/story-e6frf7jx-1225938719425

Both of the news titles leave their subjects to O’Brien. According to my experience of reading news, title subjects usually refer to main ideas of news stories, thus, at first, I thought that they were stories mainly talking about Kerry O’Brien, yet carefully reading tells me that the latter one isn’t. It does talk about O’Brien coming to new program, but put the focus on the program Four Corners rather than O’Brien. It introduces the new format of the program followed by brief history of it. O’Brien is just a part of evidence to demonstrate the merit of the new format. It doesn’t mention his shift from 7.30 Report to Four Corners. In this case, I think it will be more appropriate to use the title “Four Corner welcome O’Brien” rather than “O’Brien returns to Four Corners as host”. Readers who want to get stories about O’Brien’s shift may be disappointed after clicking this news link.

Come to the SMH piece. Its title is in concert with main idea of the story. Not only the title is precisely presented, so do its structure and words. The first part of the story concerns about O’Brien’s shift. Except the narration, you may get quotations from both the Four Corner’s editor and O’Brien himself, which make the whole story more credible. The next part turns the focus to the new program, introducing the changes O’Brien may take to the show next year. By reading this piece, readers could get adequate information about the shift and the new program. It not just tells readers what happened to O’Brien, but also takes O’Brien’s audience to, according to himself, his new phase of life.

Happy 70th birthday, Dear John Lennon

From AFP

October 9^th, 1940, John Lennon was born in the English city of Liverpool. 70 years later, Lennon is still a big name around the world. Beatles fans celebrate his birthday in many ways today. Here are two pieces of news on this story.

ABC world news: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/beatles-fans-celebrate-john-lennons-70th-birthday/story?id=11836351

Reuters: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/09/3033920.htm?section=entertainment

These two pieces are presented in different style though they both posted as online news. The story from ABC is unfolded in a broadcast style, while the other one is more like plain online news. The style difference reflects mostly in their word choice and structure.

The former one uses much more oral language rather than literary language which online news usually prefer. And it has looser structure than Reuters does. Take a careful look at them, you may find that the piece presented by Reuters follows strict news logic – a brief introduction embracing core information of the news, some background knowledge about the main characters followed by some quotes from them and then some detail reports of what actually happened. ABC presents the story with back-story and actual news story intersected. The merit of ABC’s style is that it makes the news more story-like and attractive. I cannot give a black-white judgment in this case, because, I think, both of them are informative and well-presented, everyone may has his/her own favored style, so the one fits better is better.

Though the contents of these two stories are equally appreciated, Reuters has a nicer layout than ABC. Because of too much additional materials and adds, ABC has to squeeze its news into some small blocks, in this case, the whole news is spilt into 4 blocks in two pages. This kind of layout may cause some loss in readers. Usually, readers don’t bother to turn to the next page to read some unnecessary information of entertainment news. Thus news, especially entertainment news, in proper length within one page is important.

Demi Moore settle out of court with New Idea

Hollywood actress Demi Moore sued New Idea for alleged copyright infringement Source: AFP

The “Ghost” Hollywood star Demi Moore got a settle-out-of-court on her case with the gossip magazine New Idea this week.

ABC, AFP and The Australian got the news. (The links are listed below)

ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/27/3022718.html

AFP:http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jqrrkI6IPHGsybJbPFNQGQP4xdXQ

The Australian: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/moore-new-idea-settle-out-of-court/story-e6frg996-1225930060967

Reports from ABC and AFP have the same angle. As case reports, they present the factual information prior to other unconfirmed elements, such as quotes and alleged information concerning the case. Such kind of structure provide every reader, whether he/she is familiar with the case or not, with clear and integrated understanding of the case.

Except the structure, the second thing that makes the report successful is the word choice, especially in the case of lawsuit. ABC and AFP report the case in general words, easy to understand. Putting the reports in entertainment section, reporter may have had a clear identification of their audience – average readers. Thus the whole style of reporting is targeting common readers. As one of them, I think I get adequate information of the case.

Then turn to the one on The Australian. Directly clicking into the story, readers, who didn’t know what happened before, may be confused by the intro part and the following paragraph. They just present the current process of the case, no background at all. The factual information of the case was split into two parts – one following the first part of quoting, another on the button of the report. In addition to the factual presentation, the rest of the article is full of quotes and paraphrases, which lack credibility and authority. Readers can get little information they think it’s true from the story. Compared to the one from ABC and AFP, The Australian’s work seems bad.

Paris Hilton: Yes. I'm guilty

After Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton kneed down before the law for her drug possession. Paris pleaded guilty in Las Vegas this week. She fortunately avoided being kept in jail again. Here is two reports concerning Paris case.

From AP (pulled on Forbes.com): http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/09/20/entertainment-us-paris-hilton-arrest_7942915.html

From Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/21/1834487/paris-hilton-yes-i-was-carrying.html

Comparing the news title, I prefer the one of Miami Herald. It tells in the first person instead of an objective angle, which is more eye-catching for a less formal entertainment report.

Coming to the story, I find the Miami one is totally crap. It starts with Paris case, yet words about the case just lasts 4 short paragraphs and than turns to other Hollywood celebrities’ drug scandals. Readers can get little information about the case from the text; it just wastes our time. Though its content doesn’t deserve attention, its layout is worth mentioning. The extra aids about the news are gathered in an information box on the left side, including picture gallery, case video and related content. They will help readers to get an overall view about the story. Unfortunately, excellent extra cannot make up the awkwardness in the original story. The Miami Herald piece is not favorable.

The one presented by AP is much better. It is a compression of ideas – it is short but provides every important detail which readers may care about. Says, the background of the story and the court decision. It has no visual aids accompanied. In this case, from the view of a reader, it doesn’t bother me whether there are pictures or videos to bring me deeper in the story. Because any scandal with the name Paris Hilton is not “news” at all, we know who she is and what she is doing for her life. Sometimes we are just curious about the punishment she may get in a new case.

New York Fashion week kicks off

The first event of two-yearly fashion weeks - New York Fashion week – raised its curtain this week. It caught eyeballs of celebrities, industry insiders, fashion fans and absolutely media. Here are two pieces of reports concerning its opening:

“New York Fashion Week kicks off” from ninemsn.com.au

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/7959008/new-york-fashion-week-kicks-off

“New York Fashion Week spring/summer 2011 opens” from Telegraph.co.uk

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/hilary-alexander/TMG7994813/New-York-Fashion-Week-opens.html

The one pulled on ninemsn is written in a clear structure and simple words, which is easy for me to get the idea it conveys; while the one from UK Telegraph may suit well with readers who know much about fashion, but not everyone.

In respect of structure, ninemsn reports with a highlighted intro, then gives some details of the event, such as date, place and even the size of the place where the first show held. After the details, the report goes to some particular aspects it focus on –plus-size fashion recently appeared in industry; why did the organizer choose Lincoln Center after 17-year staying in Brain Park; the economic benefits of the fashion week, especially after the financial crises; some special nights of the event. Every aspects is presented in separate paragraphs, such kind of layout is more visual-friendly compared to everything-in-one-paragraph style used by UK Telegraph. And the focuses of UK Telegraph are not fully demonstrated, says, it talks about Vogue Fashion Nights but then quickly turns to the sponsors of celebrities in Empire Week, which is quite confusing for common readers.

In terms of the word choice, ninemsn prefers the simple ones, yet UK Telegraph uses many jargons, names of designers and famous brands, which common readers don’t really care about.

What’s more, ninemsn inserts some interviews into its report, making it a lively story, not just a boring description of the event.

The only thing, I think, UK Telegraph does better than his competitor is it has a picture at the top of its text. A picture usually speaks more than a hundred words, and for me, it does take me to the theme quicker than ninemsn does.

Miss Australia claim the third in Miss Universe

Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell came third in the event. Photo: AFP and Reuters

This week Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell wins the third in 2010 Miss Universe. News websites in the country develop the story in different angles – some just report the competition; some give back-stage stories of Jesinta. Here lists two pieces of news presented in an overall angle.

From smh.com.au: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/miss-mexico-wins-miss-universe--with-jamaica-and-australia-in-top-honours-20100824-13nbz.html?autostart=1

From heraldsun.com.au: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/jesinta-campbell-finishes-third-in-miss-universe/story-e6frf7jx-1225909395494

By contrast, I favor the former one. Pictures attract most in news of beauty contests; Sydney Morning Herald really harnesses it well. Clinking the headline brings me to the story; what catch me first are its well-used visual aids, including video clip and photo gallery. These images are accompanied with brief intros below them, which help readers quickly get the main idea of the news. If you choose to click on heraldsun, you will just get a boring text.

In terms of the text, I appreciate its structure, choice of words, hyperlinks and quotes. The author gives a concise beginning unfolding the final ranks of the Miss Universe, than turn to the Aussie girl’s background and performance. It is composed of simple sentences and common words, which could easily reach readers in every level of literacy. Hyperlink in the text refers to the news about the controversial national costume Jestina choose to wear on stage, which is exactly the highlight of Miss Australia’s competition. This hyperlink gives readers an opportunity to get some details of the pageant beside the overall information of it. The quotes in the story are only cited from Jesinta - one from her twitter, others from her answers to the judges. They are quoted completely and authentically according to my check on the sources, while the news from heraldsun doesn’t do it so. It quotes part of Jeainta’s tweet and adds one more sentence to it. It doesn’t matter in this case, but if heraldsun do it in hard news, it will be likely to arouse problems.

China's Got A Armless Talent

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/armless-man-liu-wei-plays-piano-with-his-toes/story-e6frfmyi-1225905013684

This week, one piece of news is headlined in hundreds of news websites’ Entertainment section. It tells a story about an armless Chinese pianist plays on the stage of “China’s Got Talent”, and wows audience. I came across this news firstly on News.com.au, than found it had been reported almost around the world. The video clip was posted on Youtube right after its broadcasting on TV, and won about 800 thousand clicks within one-week period. The news is too hot to ignore.

Most reports of this news put word “armless” in their titles, which is quite eye-catching. Imagining an armless guy plays pianist with his toes, general readers may not believe it, and eager to check it with eyes, that is how this novel news successes.

Come to the piece posted by News.com.au, as regular, it is started with brief notes of the news story. While I notice a small change in this regular part – “Join us over on Facebook | Twitter” is listed as one of the notes on this page. The editor seems to take advantage of readers’ habit of scanning news notes first or only to gain more long-term followers. I don’t see it a good idea. It wastes readers’ time and attention for the news. If it goes on like this, readers will be more likely to read this part carelessly and also may skip some main points of news. Move forward to the news itself. I, as usual, attracted by the way of presenting on this website. It follows a clear structure – brief introduction with appealing elements of a story, then comes the main body, following by quotes and background. Though it’s just around 200 words, it provides a story complete enough to move readers. And the choice of words matches well with the type of the story – it is casual, up-to-date and widely used by “Youtubers” (where the story come from).

Compared to the other reports on this topic, the one from New.com.au is successful. It is clear presented and informative, and well use the aid of a video clip.

Here gives one other link on this story:

From AFP:

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_568309.html

*Next entry shares the video clip of the story.

Armless Pianist in China's Got Talent

Super Model With Blood Diamond

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/09/2978055.htm?section=entertainment

Here is the latest news about supermodel Naomi Campbell’s “blood diamond” case on ABC news website. Actress Mia Farrow and Campbell’s former agent Carole White were called to testify at the trail.

This case is quite hot these days because of its combination of Campbell and blood diamond. The title of the news uses exactly these two elements to attract readers: “Campbell bragged about huge diamond”. Clicking the mouse brought me to the news.

The first paragraph gives an introduction of the story, which is clear and brief. It is bolded, which gives readers visual sense of importance, persuading readers to cover it first. Then the story develops, with a good structure. Since Mia Farrow’s testimony is much more important and more directly related to the case than White’s, the author divides the story into two parts – Farrow part and White part.

In the first part, the author quotes exactly what Mia Farrow said in the trail, just does few edition on the sentence sequence, says, “She said in the night she had been awakened by men knocking at her door ... They had been sent to her by Charles Taylor and they had given her a huge diamond," Farrow said, adding that Campbell had been “quite excited" about it, and the original video shows that Farrow recalled the scene as “Campbell said quite excited that in the night…” This small change highlights Campbell’s reaction to the diamond and makes her testimony suspect, further strengthening what the title implies. After that, author presents the background of the story, giving some information about Liberian ex-president’s war crime trail, which is helpful for readers to proceed to the next part of the story.

The “White part” is subtitled with “Mildly flirting”. It is a piece of testimony quoted from White. All she talked about is the affair between Campbell and Taylor at the dinner and later the diamond giving recollection. Since the story is quite long as online news, readers may get bored when they finish the first part. The subtitle re-catches the readers’ attention and presents White’s testimony to raise questions about Campbell’s innocent. Readers are likely to trace the story after reading this news, at least, as a reader, I will.

(Next entry is the video: Mia Farrow testifies at The Hague)

VIDEO: Mia Farrow testifies at The Hague

VIDEO: Mia Farrow testifies at The Hague

Susan Got Problem

(Susan Boyle has sold more than eight million copies of her album I Dreamed a Dream / AP)

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/millionaire-susan-boyle-complains-shes-broke/story-e6frfn09-1225899761274 (news.com.au)

http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/news/celebstories/7938453/subo-struggling-on-less-than-900-per-week (ninemsn)

http://www.hollywoodnews.com/2010/08/02/susan-boyles-family-in-control-of-her-millions-giving-her-reasonable-allowance-though/ (hollywoodnews.com)

Here are three pieces of news about Scottish singing superstar Susan Boyle’s personal financial crisis. It is said that Susan, under a strict weekly budget made by her managers, could only get about $500 per week to cover all her living expenses.

It’s quite interesting for me, because, now, as a superstar, Susan is gaining fame from every part of the world, and her bank account is expanding with booming sale of her album. She should have been a millionaire, I suppose, who is leading a luxurious life rather than living in her old council house as reported.

I got this news from news.com.au first, which is my favorite one among these three. It has an eye-catching headline claiming “Millionaire Susan Bolye complains she’s broke”. How could Auntie Susan be broke? I was puzzled by the headline, thus, it won my click. The news page lists three keynotes on the top of the report, which further arouse my curiosity. It’s written in simple words, clear structure, and moderate length. I found it’s quite easy to understand, even for a foreign student like me. The reporter uses ‘local supermarket’ instead of ‘clothing chain Tesco’, ‘bus’ instead of ‘public transportation’, which may arouse resonance directly whether you are familiar with the brand ‘Tesco’ or not. It is well-reported news for common readers, but maybe not for Susan’s fans. They may complain that it is too short, having no Susan’s own voice. Anyway, it works for me.

I got the same news when I checked updates on ninemsn and hollywoodnews. The former one reports with different information from the other two. It says Susan got $900 per week. I checked it on Google, and found ninemsn made a mistake. Except its fail in checking up sources, ninemsn presents well. Its page leaves some questions for their readers, and welcomes comments. I like this part, because any reader could add something new on this topic, and others can get much more than the news itself. The one from hollywoodnews is my least favorite. Bad in structure and expression made it worthless.