Before viewing the movie, you wrote down some words to describe a journalist or reporter. You then researched real-life reporter Veronica Guerin herself to see if your general descriptive terms fit her. Now you have seen the movie and probably have a different feel for whether the movie character corresponded to your predispositions.
Please REPLY to this. In one initial, long paragraph, describe the evolution in your thinking. In a second paragraph, react to this proposition: a reporter performs a civic duty by shining a spotlight on problems in government or society at large.
Danielle Manzella
ReplyDeleteWhen I thought of adjectives that would describe the word “journalist”, I immediately thought of words such as intelligent, opinionated, and curious. After viewing the tragic movie Veronica Guerin, I realized that these words fall far short in describing a reporter. It is shameful to limit Veronica’s description to three simple words. Although Guerin did indeed live up to my predispositions, she also portrayed emotions and had other remarkable characteristics. Her passion for her work and dream are striking; and the gumption and independence she portrays throughout the film is rarely found. Her actions contributed to stopping the horrific drug abuse throughout Ireland during the 1990s. Though often criticized as being egoistical and nervy, I do not think it is fair to diminish Guerin’s bravery.
People often assume that it is a reporter’s responsibility to reveal problems within their society. They fail to realize the risk journalists take in the pursuit of this task. It is easy enough for them to take the easy way out, writing about steroid use or discussing the latest fashion trends. We should appreciate people such as Veronica Guerin who have the courage to address difficult problems. Thanks to her and many other professionals, we are exposed to news that educates, warns, and benefits us.
Giovanna Giampa
ReplyDeleteWhen asked the 3 adjectives to describe a journalist, I thought of opinionated, a newspaper or magazine and (at times) biased. Veronica Guerin was so much more than all of those words. While she was extremely opinionated, she was courageous, and risked everything for her job with the very fervor that any journalist would be proud to possess. Guerin clearly did not care what the drug lords may have done to her, because she still fought to write stories against them. Indeed, she put her life, and her family, in jeopardy in order to get a well received and good story out. I wish that the movie did a better job in describing her crusade and went more in depth into specific articles that she wrote. If the movie had been on drug violence in 1990's Ireland, it would have been superb. However it did not get Guerin's entire story out, and poor character development did not explain fully the reason for her fight against the corruption of Ireland. What remained clear throughout, however, was Guerin's passion for her cause, as she ultimately died for her work. An inspiration, Veronica Guerin surpassed many of the stereotypes of journalists, and is still regarded in a league of her own.
It the reporter's objective to write a great story while also revealing a notion or controversy that the reader may not know. The audience often takes reporters for granted, not fully realizing how big of an impact all of their stories have on our everyday life. Without reporters addressing and getting to the bottom of specific issues in the government or society, we would have no way to knowing what is going on in the world. It was clear through Veronica Guerin what lengths reporters go through in order to get a great and effective story to the audience. While the reader may not fully understand it, the reporter is indeed performing a civic duty to them by creating a meaningful story.
Prior to watching the movie, I viewed Veronica Guerin as an exceptionally hard worker and took her job very dangerously. I was right about my prediction after the movie because her job was her life and the reason for her death. Veronica Guerin did not give up; she kept on trying to fight the bad guys. After getting beat up numerous times and being threatened, you would think she would have given up, but this was not the case for her. It was shocking to see how she took her job seriously, but I personally think she took it to a different extent than other reporters. Veronica’s bravery is incomparable to many other female reporters from her fearless sense of fighting. Besides that, Veronica Guerin’s character in the movie seemed realistic by her serious, aggressive, and sarcastic attitude.
ReplyDeleteWithout reporters in our society, then many people would be unaware of what is currently happening in our world. Veronica Guerin shows how dedicated a reporter must be, and the amount of time and interest you must have to be a successful journalist. It is not easy being a reporter on stories that include crimes, drugs, and fighting. Our society does not recognize that reporters affect everyone in humanity by expressing new stories and sharing them with the rest of the world. If it weren’t for reporters like Veronica Guerin, then our society would be more dangerous and less educated.
Julie Cleary
ReplyDeleteThree things that first came to my mind when asked about a news reporter were dedicated, attending press conferences, and intelligent. Veroncia Guerin definitely had all of these characteristics. She was extremely dedicated to her job. She was willing to do anythign for her job and to get a story. She was willing to risk her life. Throughout the movie she is seen going around interviewing people. She would just show up at their houses alone and question them. This does not seem like a safe or smart way to get information. Veronica Guerin was definitely very intelligent but she also did many things that I would consider not to be very smart. She had death threats made against her, was shot in the leg, and even her son's life was threatened yet she still refused to give up on the story. This ultimately led to her losing her life.
A major part of a journalist's job is to warn the citizens of problems that are occuring in society. I think that a reporter is doing their civic duty. If a problem goes untalked about it is very likely that there will be no change. Also as seen in the movie journalist's are often going through very dangerous situations in order to get to the bottom of a story. If Veronic Guerin had not written the stories that she did then there is a large change that the drug problem in Ireland would not have gotten any better and istead might have gotten worse. A reporter is making the people aware and hoping that it will cause a change and I thnk that they are performing a civic duy.
When first thinking of a reporter/journalist the three words that came to my mind to describe a person in that field is someone who is a good-listener, someone who is passionate, and someone who is a diligent worker. Veronica Guerin definately exemplified all of those characteristics. Whenever in conversation or interviewing she was always absorbing everything that was said and thinking about her next move. If she was not passionate about her job, she would of stopped working after being shot in the leg. You saw her in her house working non-stop with her headphones on. All of the other reporters should of stopped being jealous and try to use the same work ethic that Veronica did.
ReplyDeleteReporters are people in a profession just like anyone else. At times,
they can be shunned upon by people of society but it is mostly
because they are the ones digging up the dirt that no one else wants to
get out. If you think about it if there were not any journalists or reporters we wouldn't really have any news to read or any big stories.
We would be pretty ignorant as a society as a whole because we would not be aware of everything that is going on around us. I believe they need to receive more credit, as you see they work very hard for not that big of a pay.
David Gelormino ^
ReplyDeleteMatthew Morrissey
ReplyDeleteWhen we were asked to choose three words to describe a journalist, inquisitive, thorough, and dedicated all came to mind. After viewing the movie Veronica Guerin I knew that my original descriptions were correct. Throughout the film, Veronica displays a dedication to her work that is unmatched by her colleagues. She visits the people and places that she is writing about and sees firsthand the effect that drugs are having on the community. We also see a highly inquisitive nature when examining Veronica. She could have easily written the news articles from the safety of her office, or used information from second hand sources, but that was not her style. Veronica wanted to know the truth about what was going on with the drug trade, so she spoke with police officers, politicians, drug users, and even confronted the drug pushers or dealers. Finally, Veronica displayed an unbelievable level of thoroughness when reporting on the drug trade. Even after being threatened, beaten, and shot she continued her work in an attempt to reveal those responsible for the dangerous flow of drugs.
Veronica Guerin embodies the ideal reporter. The ideal reporter remains unbiased on all topics, they have a duty to report news as it actually is, not as they see it. Reporters are also in a position to greatly influence public opinion. They can bring a subject to the attention of the public that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Reporters are a key part of society because they keep the people well informed and act at a watchdog for the general public.
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ReplyDeleteKevin Bachman
ReplyDeleteWith my sister having just graduated with a degree in Broad Cast Journalism and Mass Communications, I realize how difficult the field of Media is. In order to be successful, Journalists should be honest, relentless, and smart. The problem with the three qualities is that, often, one cannot be both relentless and smart. After researching Veronica Guerin, I came to the conclusion that she was honest and relentless, but not smart. Guerin often put her work before the safety of her family. Even when she was dealing with known criminals, she was issuing threats. Threatening a criminal is not one of the brightest actions.
Although she used unorthodox techniques and was not always intelligent, Guerin performed her job. Her job was to find the news and report it. If a story, like where the drugs were coming from, had missing points, it was her job to find them. A story is incomplete without details, and Guerin went and sought out the missing details. Often, when a reporter is searching for the information, a much larger story may follow. Woodward and Bernstein were looking for details and, with more information than they could have imagined, brought the end to the Nixon presidency. Guerin was performing her job first, and her civic duty second.
The first three words that came to mind when I thought of a journalist were biased, opinionated and controversial. Although I could not stay for the whole movie because I had to attend an Open Visions Forum for another class, I learned a lot of about Veronica Guerin in the first forty-five minutes that was quite different then the way I perceived most journalists. Looking at her life through the movie, she was not someone that sat around and thought, "hmm how can i make someone look bad in the Sunday Tribune today". She researched a situation and interviewed people without being biased going into it. I was right in the sense that she was opinionated, but who wouldn't want to draw attention to this drug problem and try to stop it? From what I saw in the movie, controversy had no set in because she did not start writing about the situation, but I'm sure if I watched more, the men who sold the drugs to the children would be completely against the articles. She not only interviewed, because at times that was often hard to do, but she observed from a personal view and from afar. Which caused her to make opinions on what she experiences rather than a second hand account. With this, she was able to express emotions more clearly and was able to connect to the readers on a higher level.
ReplyDeleteVeronica used her power of words to make people all over aware of this giant problem; kids as young as 14 were being sent to rehab! This is a great way to get the word out about a serious problem and it is the job of the reporter to make sure people know about the dangers going on around them. For example, no one knew about the parents who marched every night to try to stop the problem with drugs and kids. Veronica helped them gain publicity. But, depending on the situation, sometimes journalists need to take a step back instead of trying to start a problem by digging up dirt on random people. They need to stick to problems that really matter. You cannot expect a problem to change without everyone knowing about the problem. It would be like running for president and no one knows you are running;no one would vote for you!
At first, my perception of a reporter included talking a lot, having a camera, and a pad of paper. Although these words have been based off experience with small local reporters, I really don't believe that Veronica Guerin fit my mold as a reporter. So instead of being excited about the movie, I went into the movie with a negative disposition about Mrs. Guerin. During the movie I was surprised to find Guerin's character very intriguing because she did not correspond to my disposition at all. I discovered that this woman was tenacious, fearless, and a heroine. I have to say the biggest thing that impressed me with this lady as a person and as a journalist was her ability to play by the gangster's rules, as she was very upfront, clear, and demanding with them.
ReplyDeleteI believe that reporters have the ability to shine a spotlight on problems in government and in society because they already have many people at their feet reading their newspaper. Veronica Guerin definitely performed did this with her tenacity and passion for the people suffering from the effects of the gangsters and the drugs. But, I do also believe, like in any other profession, that some people fall short of this goal or choose not to meet it. No one really can be interested in every article in a newspaper because they are so many, but I don't necessarily think that is because they don't want to perform a civic duty. We all know that there are probably enough injustices out there to fill the L.A Times, but we have to keep in mind that a Newspaper is a business and as employees, the reporters are pressured to get good stories and not perform civic duties.
My original thought, when we were assigned this word association assignment was to respond in what came to the top of head. Those words were biased, opinionated, and deadlines. Most often when I think of a reporter you think of a person writing or reporting about and event that they have researched to bring to the attention to the readers. There are always stereotypes that come along with the reporter and often reporters let their own personal opinions leak through their writing. In Victoria Guerin I had no clue what this remarkable woman reporter was capable of doing. She clearly creates a league of her own when it comes to reporters, not even minutely fitting the stereotype. It is amazing to see the power that this woman had to create such change in a corrupt drug trade in Ireland. Gurein was driven to an extreme that I have never seen before putting her life on the line for her passion.
ReplyDeleteAs part of a reporter’s job, they are obligated to report the news to society. To call this a civic duty, you could argue that some reporters accomplish this and some do not. There are often reporters that allow their own agendas effect the news that they are reporting. This is only creating a biased article that will effect the real stories. The articles and reporters must stay fair and balanced.
Grayson phillips ^^
ReplyDeleteWhen I was asked to respond the word reporter the words: opinionated, hard working, and news columns came to mind. Veronica Guerin fit these words because she had a strong opinion that drugs should be off the streets and not as easily accessed by anyone, in turn she dedicated her time to investigative journalism which was very time consuming. She worked tirelessly to gather facts and leads on stories she wrote weekly. In her investigations she was often forced to leave her husband and young son to go into dangerous, life threatening situations. I felt she was dedicated as she did what no one was willing to do at the time.
ReplyDeleteMany individuals would not risk their lives, job, or families to uncover a problem in society as a whole. Veronica Guerin acted as a martyr for a cause that she cared deeply for and her death advanced the cause she fought for. I believe that even Diane Wilson would classify Veronica as "an unreasonable woman"
Tucker Bellingrath EN11
ReplyDeleteWhen asked about the three words that came into my mind when speaking of a journalist, I almost instantly came up with: persuasive, intuitive, and thorough. As I researched Veronica Guerin, I immediately realized she possessed all of these qualities; only in more extreme ways. She was persuasive in every sense of the word. Veronica would often bribe people with money for a story, or use blackmail when necessary. She stopped at nothing to complete her story but more importantly fighting the 1990's drug battle in Ireland. She was also intuitive to a fault. She knew that John Gilligan was the man behind the substance abuse problems in the urban slums, and yet that did not stop her from showing up unannounced at his home. This resulted in both a physical beating and threats against her young son. Her thorough articles exposing the terrible conditions of this irish slums earned her an International Press Freedom award in 1995 and continued writing until she was brutally shot at a red light in 1996. She was seen as one of the leading pioneers in the movement against the drug problem in Ireland.
Veronica Guerin was able to shed light on a subject that most just brushed under the surface. Due to her investigative journalism, this battle against drugs no longer could be ignored, and in fact later became a priority for Irish officials. In todays day and age, the media plays one of the most, if not the most, important role, in bringing issues into the forefront. Journalists not only in the newspaper, but also on television and the blogs bring people around the world information that helps them form and mold their thoughts and ideas. I see it both as a civic duty and a personal duty to report on what they know and have experience with. They owe it to themselves, the media outlet they represent, and the readers/watchers to focus on the truth and the topics at hand.
When I hear the word journalist I think of opinionated, news, and dedication. Veronica Guerin does fit these three words, but she is also so much more. Guerin was opinionated when it came to drugs and how the drugs are being used my younger and younger people. Through her articles she let the readers know where she stood on these issues. She stood against them. I think she took the issues very personal especially seeing the children addicted because she has a son of her own. The word news is a very broad term but I think she reported the news. I know when I think of Ireland I do not think of drug wars and heroin addicts. I think of a nice peaceful place. She made known the not so pretty side of Ireland. Guerin was more than dedicated. She put everything she had into the story. Whether it was staying up late or going to the actual streets. She was also courageous. I do not tend to think of journalists as being courageous but she changed my mind. She kept pursuing the story even after being threaten, shot in the thigh, beat up and having her son be threatened. She never let any of that scare her away and she never backed off. She loved her work so much that she ended up dying for it.
ReplyDeleteReporters do have a civic duty when they report the news because with out them no one would know about the things that are going on. They open the minds of the people. Veronica Guerin especially opened the eyes of many about the drug problems in Ireland. I think that many people did not know it was happening and how bad it really was. Her stories brought awareness and she ended up helping Ireland because now the rules are different and better. It is a reporter’s job to break the news whether it is controversial or not.
The words which I thought resonated best with the word "journalist" were determined, dedicated, and powerful. After researching Veronica Guerin, I learned that she was indeed all of these things plus a multitude of others (relentless, curious, fearless...). Her drive to inform the public about drugs and criminal activity was passionate and extremely heroic. On the other hand, Jerry Bruckheimer's film portrayed a woman who was undeniably courageous and ardent, yet in my opinion, a bit Diane Wilson-esque in her trials and tribulations. Certainly her cause was worthy and her zeal was admirable, but there comes a point where one must ease focus on their interest to maintain their own well-being. Clearly, Guerin disregarded that idea and focused solely on getting her story. That being said, I still admire her drive to inform the people, her antics, and her passion.
ReplyDeleteA reporter’s job is one that takes courage, initiative and a willingness to get one’s hands dirty. It is, in my opinion, a civic duty. Veronica Guerin was a martyr for journalism, and that speaks to just how much journalists risk to inform the public about issues in society. Without those like Guerin, where would we be receiving information on controversies such as drugs, crime, or war? Journalists expose what needs to be seen in order to keep society informed and functioning.
Before watching the movie, three words that I believed would accurately display a journalist were inquisitive, biased and experienced. Veronica Guerin exceeded my perspective on journalists and any such expectations I had prior to watching the movie. Not only was she inquisitive, but also devoted to her work. She constantly demanded more than the status quo and expanded the boundaries on how a journalist perceives his/her work. After witnessing vivid images of children playing with syringes and a population consumed by drugs, Veronica became a fidelity to her country. Her motive: taking down drug-dealers and bringing righteousness back to the streets. Veronica is nonetheless a heroine in her time.
ReplyDeleteIf a reporter covers a story that shines a spotlight on problems in a government or society, he/she is performing a civic duty. Like the quote, “a journalist does not tell you to think, but what to think about,” it is imperative that people know problems so they can voice their opinion. Problems do not always get resolved, and, in certain circumstances it takes a sacrifice to achieve justice. This correlates directly with Veronica Guerin. Although she died, her movement became universal and the people of Ireland took the baton after her death.
The three adjectives I instinctively thought of when hearing the word reporter were tragedy, opinionated, and courageous. After watching the movie, I feel that Veronica Guerin fits all three of these qualities. Tragedy is an obvious fit for Veronica's story because of the articles she wrote involving the drug world and of course her own tragic fate. The stories she wrote about were sad and gave her a good look into the world of drugs as she witnessed children playing with syringes in the streets of Ireland. Veronica was extremely opinionated in this film with regards to the drug issues in Ireland. Her mission was to uncover the faces behind the illegal actions leading to the deaths of so many people. She was very determined and showed her beliefs on this subject. Veronica's courage played a huge part in her stories. She was not afraid to deal with these horrible people and get right down to where the issues were originating. Veronica perfectly fit what I thought a reporter would be.
ReplyDeleteA reporter performs a civic duty when they shine a spotlight on problems in government or society. Reading news articles is the initial way people hear about what is going on in the world. People need to know the facts about these issues so they can decide for themselves where they stand. It is the reporters obligation to inform their readers of everything they themselves are aware of. They also need to dig as far as they can into the stories. Veronica Guerin did exactly this. She went above and beyond to do her job right.