A Tunision Girl: A Courageous Blog

A Tunisian Girl is a very powerful blog.  I read a few passages more than once to absorb some of this blogger’s passion. Lina Ben Mhenni, the author of the blog Tunisian Girl, is passionate about her desire to get the word out about the suppression and violence that is happening, to the rest of the world. She is inspirational.
As an American, I feel it is unbelievable and unconscionable that these atrocities are happening in another part of the world.    
This blog has some very interesting thoughts and photos on her website. The photos give you an idea of the intensity of the situation in Tunisia. Lina is a young woman who risked her life to take the pictures and put the words in her blog.  She is very courageous to keep up with this gathering of information.  
Check it out to get a different perspective of controversial events that are happening beyond our borders.

First Amendment

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

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As a photojournalist student and an American citizen I feel that the first amendment is a wonderful portion of the constitution.
The First Amendment allows us, as a nation to be diverse and have the freedom to express that diversity. When I hear of other countries that cannot speak the most basic thoughts that we take for granted, I am humbled. I also am aware that the first amendment is a right that can be abused. Where to draw a line is very subjective and controversial matter that can change as the times change. We are not in the same place as when the words were written. Ideologies and technology continue to evolve, creating new issues for Americans to deal with while upholding the laws of this democracy.

About Me

 My name is Teri, and I am new to photojournalism and blogging.  My interest in learning to take photos and write stories is to build a solid foundation for photojournalism. 

I particularly like getting that shot that you just had to be there at the right time.  I haven’t had many opportunities for that, but when I do, it’s rewarding. Most of the shots I’ve taken are in sports, and not so much in the general news category.  However, those pics and the stories about them can be news for the right audience.

I am taking this class because it is part of the Commercial Photography program.  However, I would take this class on my own anyway because it interests me.

I have learned that news is more than just getting the facts and putting them on paper.  There is a formula for a story that needs to be followed. There should be a flow with the information that makes the story easy to read and interesting at the same time.

I have also learned that when writing, you have to consider the audience and the venue you are writing in.  The tone and wording of a story in a high school blog will be completely different than that of the local newspaper.   For example: the newspaper would give the facts of the story and any quotes that were obtained, give a summary and any useful pertinent information.  The blog could also give this type of information using slang terminology and opinions to round the story out.

In summary, I feel I have an opportunity as a collegiate photojournalist to put an opinion out there that may interest some readers and be helpful to others.