Ferguson Prompts More Hatin' on the Media

Sierra Leone Citizen Journalists Share Ebola Stories

"The Ebola crisis has been a difficult story for mainstream media to report on as it's often difficult to access areas that are most affected by the epidemic. In Sierra Leone citizen reporters have been sharing updates on the crisis with main stream media — the Guardian, BBC World Service and Channel 4 News,"Caroline Bannock reported Tuesday for the Guardian in Britain.

"In 2012 the citizen journalism training organisation, OnOurRadar ran a training programme in Sierra Leone and it's these citizen reporters who have been sharing news about how Ebola has affected their communities all around Sierra Leone — from cities and mining towns to remote villages. Their reports were submitted using basic mobile phone technology, that's available to them, sharing information via recorded telephone interviews, WhatsApp audio and photo functions, and SMS.

"We wanted to find out more about the citizen reporters who have been sharing their reports from Sierra Leone. Here are some of their stories. . . ."

• Erik Wemple, Washington Post: Time for Bill O'Reilly to make amends for his panicked Ebola commentary

Cronkite School Plans Degrees in Sports Journalism

"The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University will offer two new degrees in the fast-growing field of sports journalism beginning in fall 2015," the school announced on Tuesday.

"The Arizona Board of Regents last week approved new bachelor's and master's degrees in sports journalism. The proposal for the degrees is now pending final approval from the University Senate, with action expected on Dec. 1.

"Student interest in sports media and sports journalism is tremendous and growing,” Cronkite School Dean Christopher Callahan said. “Our new degree program will make Cronkite the first major journalism school in the country to offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sports journalism.' . . .”