Recent orders
EEOC and Sexual harassment
EEOC
Institution
Student’s Name
It is against the law to harass an individual employee because of the person’s sex. Sexual harassment can involve sexual favor requests, unwelcome sex advances, as well as any other physical or verbal harassment of sexual nature. Sexual harassment may as well include offensive remarks about one’s sex. The law hardly prohibits simple teasing, isolated and unserious incidents, or offhand comments but it considers harassment as illegal when it becomes frequent or so severe such that it generates a hostile working environment such as in the case of the two women claiming to have been sexually harassed by their supervisor.
Sexual harassment can also create a situation of advanced employment decisions like demoting or firing employees. Sexual harassment is illegal when it violates the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This title mainly applies to the employers with at least 15 employees. Such employers can include state as well as the local government, employment agencies, labor organizations, and the federal government. Sexual harassment can be filed as a case when the behavioral conduct implicitly or explicitly affects one’s employment interferes with the person’s work performance, or the unwelcome behavior generates a working environment that is hostile, intimidating, or offensive. The law accepts claims from any situation whether the harassment comes from a different sex or same sex. The law also stipulates that the victim may not be the individual harassed but can be any other person affected by this offensive conduct (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 2013).
The Auto Corp. organization should have been given notice within ten days after the case was first filed against the supervisor claimed to be the harasser. This notice should state that one of the organization’s supervisors has been charged with sexual harassment. To defend the claim, the Auto Corp. Organization should have conducted adequate investigation to find out all possible facts about the claims. The organization would investigate the behavioral pattern of the supervisor, which create a ground for the sexual harassment to the two women workers. The organization should also find out what relationships have been in existence between the two women and each one of them with the supervisor. This would be important to establish whether there is something behind the claims (Thomson Reuters business, 2013 ).
Sometimes a claim could be set to be a plot to avenge against someone. The organization would do this to find out whether there has been a kind of different conflict existing between the two women and the supervisor. Again, it would be necessary to find out the kind of sexual harassment being claimed. Sexual harassment could be of different types including sexual favor requests, unwelcome sex advances, as well as any other physical or verbal harassment of sexual nature. It would be important to listen to the women’s cases in order to distinguish their claim of sexual harassment from the rest. There could be more to the case than whatever is claimed to be sexual harassment. It would therefore be important for the company to investigate the case and hear the three parties out (The Ohio State University – Policies and Procedures, 2006).
It would be legally unacceptable for the Auto Corp. organization to remain silence despite the owners or management having knowledge about the sexual harassment claims. The law will assume that the organization encourages such issues within its work place and that the company is in support of the behavioral conduct of the supervisor. The company would be expected to have attempted resolving the problem through settlement or meditation process. Given that, Auto Corp. had knowledge of whatever happened it would be liable for such cases. There could be a conclusion that this case was hardly the first case and that there could be many other victims of sexual harassment within the organization (The Ohio State University – Policies and Procedures, 2006). The organization should thus gather adequate information that shows that the management was hardly aware of the case or was trying to resolve the problem and ensure compensation where necessary.
Mediation would be the best way of solving the problem. Mediation would involve a negotiation to resolve differences that is conducted by the impartial party. Through mediation, the organization or employer may be ready to offer compensation to the two women after establishing adequate information that they were sexually harassed. This action may attract other employees to establish false claims on the same case. Avoiding future claims would require the organization to take strict legal actions on the supervisor or carry out a based on the decision made by the organizational committee.
If the case has to be resolved by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the owner should be ready to accept the claim based on the facts established but should defend the company by establishing that the case was the first of its kind and that the organization was trying to resolve the case. The owner can also prepare evidence to show that there was an attempt to resolve the problem locally but the two women were hardly contented with the organization’s decision (The Ohio State University – Policies and Procedures, 2006). A case of sexual harassment involving a work visa would have been different in the sense that workers working for multinational organizations are fully protected by the Equal Employment Opportunity Laws. Given a situation that the two women are foreign workers with a work visa, the EEO laws would be available to protect them against any cases of sexual harassment within the organization (Thomson Reuters business, 2013 ). The protection is offered irrespective of whether the employer is a citizen or a foreign employer. As long as the workers are within the working territories of the country, the EEO laws protect them and the employer should operate within the same laws.
References
The Ohio State University – Policies and Procedures. (2006, 1 7). Sexual Harassment Policy 1.15. Retrieved May 9, 2013, from osu.edu: http://hr.osu.edu/policy/policy115.PDF
Thomson Reuters business. (2013 ). Right When Working for Multinational Employers. Retrieved May 9, 2013 , from findlaw.com: http://employment.findlaw.com/employment-discrimination/dealing-with-multinational-employers.html
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (2013). The Charge Handling Process. Retrieved May 9, 2013, from eeoc.gov: http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/process.cfm
Edward R. Murrow and Broadcast Journalism
Edward R. Murrow and Broadcast Journalism
Abstract
Communication is a vital aspect in every day life, it enhances the understanding and the way individuals relate with each other in a given region. This passage of information from one person to another also promotes the mutual coexistence between them; this can be done through the media. This paper will give an analysis of the introduction of journalism by Edward R Murrow in the communication and media sector. The aspects relating to the broadcasting of the information to the public or the audience so as to inform them on the occurrences or happenings in their surrounding will also be evaluated with regard to the activities of Murrow and his eventual introduction of radio and TV broadcasting .
Introduction
Murrow was born in Guilford County, North Carolina in April 25, 1908 and is remembered as the founding father of the broadcast journalism; it is even argued that he made the TV journalism broadcasting to be way it is presently. The introduction of the TV news is believed to have been introduced in the 1940s and 1950s where the ethical and the moral standards and the concurrent reporting principles for the broadcast news were implemented. The bizarre approach that Murrow gave the journalism and broadcasting processes of the news served as an inspiration for the media throughout the decades and set a standard for the news coverage all over the world and this has been the trend since time immemorial and has ever since been adopted by the journalists and the news broadcasters to enlighten the mass on the various pieces of information that they could have gathered from the different places (Doherty, 2003, p. 78).
One of the eventualities in his media broadcasting and journalism that makes him a reputable icon in the field of communication as far as broadcasting and journalism is concerned is the pioneering of the correspondent journalism when he went overseas to provide an eyewitness report on the actions that were being undertaken during the World War II. This commitment made it easier for the Americans to believe his information/news and depended on him for his information; this was basically due to the fact that covered an extensive region. Essentially, this paper will portray a critical analysis of the information relating to the activities of Murrow that validate the statement that he is the founding father of the broadcasting and journalism, for instance the presentation of the factual data or news to the public ; these are basically the current reporting tactics that he developed.
Thesis Statement
The development of the broadcasting journalism in radio and TV presentation as pioneered by Edward R Murrow is a key element that determines the present system of media and the modes of communication that are used by the journalists. This is evidenced by the principles, ethical and moral aspects or standards that were used by him are currently upheld by the broadcasting journalists so as to give their audience the right information basing on the prevailing environmental occurrences.
Review of the Literature
The broadcasting of the information is usually a task of the journalists and is done through the media, this is attributed to the actions of Murrow and as a result most individuals prefer relying to the broadcasted news as the journalists follow the same ethical and moral values in the presentation of information; this is traced back to the truthful information that Murrow was giving the people; he is said to have explored wider regions within and outside the United States so as to present to the public or the audience truthful information. The presentation of information that he made was revolutionary, this is attributed to the fact that he began with the uncensored radio presentations before developing and finally coming up with the TV presentations that provided the individuals with both the audio and the visual data that enhanced their understanding. This made Murrow to gain popularity in the broadcasting of the incisive information to the individuals, he traveled to the actual scenes to view the events or the situations by himself before he made any reposts; this is evidenced by his report on the bombings that resulted from the wars (Edwards, 2004, p. 185).
The information he presented was very clear due to the linguistic proficiency that he had gained from the college as he trained in speech and therefore his broadcasts were nice to be heard due to the effectiveness in the radio broadcasts that he made.
The varied programs that were offered on the radio provided an opportunity for most individuals to be keen with the occurrences, for instance the programs like See it Now, This I Believe and Hear it Now. All these programs were aimed at enlightening the individuals on the happenings and giving them chances or opportunities to talk about their feelings and perceptions on the prevailing conditions or the events that were taking place (Fellow, 2009, p.46).
From the analysis of the compiled information regarding Murrow, it is noted that he was not a person of high esteem and famous, however with the inventions and innovations in the journalism and broadcasting sector, he won many awards and therefore his profile was upgraded even when he was given the presidential medal award of freedom in 1964. This was the highest American civilian honor that an ordinary individual could be given, he also won other nine national Emmys for his effectiveness in the field of journalism.
Murrow was a determined personality as he strived to ensure that the individuals receive the right information and this was a push factor that made him fight for the allowance of the CBS radio to present the recorded sound. He also went to an extend of risking his life especially during the wars and the frequent conflicts that were associated with the recurrent bombings as he made it certain that the world is informed of the fact that Britain was being bombed and therefore made it easier for the Americans to understand what was really going on in the war.
In spite of his proficiency in the development and analysis of the data or news, he was also exposed to some identifiable risks which were his weaknesses, for instance it is noted that sometimes his prejudices or the negative attitudes towards certain aspects and opinions prevented him from making the analysis of the information and also gathering of the data that made his presentation of the data unreliable at some points; he is also accused of being liberal and therefore this trait was also portrayed as one of his flaws (Boyd, 2008, p. 132)
However, in spite of the outlined weaknesses, Murrow’s efforts in the establishment of the radio and TV broadcasting journalism is an invaluable aspect in the communication and media sector as it is presently the core field that employs mass numbers of the individuals and relied upon for the truthful presentation of the news regarding the happenings in almost all the accessible places world wide.
Research Hypothesis
This research paper is intended to conduct a study on the actions Murrow as the pioneer of the broadcast journalism that is currently in use. From the articles and the books analyzed it is clearly shown that he did his professional work with integrity as he sacrificed even his life in a bid to get the bet possible news that was deemed necessary and suitable for the individuals. By way of example it is noted that Murrow was the pioneer in the implementation of the standards and ethics or morals to be followed in the presentation of data or news to the public. The ideology of issuing truthful and correct news to the individuals even if it means risking ones life, updating the individuals on the events from all parts of the globe and presenting the information timely are some of the principles that were outlined by Murrow and have ever since been adopted by the TV and radio broadcasters. This significantly is the core factor that is assessed in this research paper.
Research Design and Methodology
This research paper is purely historical and therefore the information regarding Murrow is derived from the internet sources, books and articles/journals. The research instrument that is used is the analysis of the information from the secondary sources of data. This is the suitable model as it is the only convenient method of data collection that can be applied in this context. However, it has a limitation as the information in the secondary sources may not be well organized and therefore makes it tiresome for the person conducting the research to logically arrange the information with regard to the set requirements. In spite of this disadvantage, the researcher can be in a position to assess the actions of Murrow as regards the journalism and broadcasting that he pioneered and which is now relied on by all people both directly and indirectly either for earning a living or just for getting informational updates (Edwards, 2004, p. 185).
Findings
The analysis of the data in the books, journals and the internet source comply with the factual assertion that Murrow is the founding father of broadcasting journalism. He is also said to have done all that was necessary, even to an extent of risking his life; he went to the war scenes just to get the factual and truthful information to his audience. Murrow also used vivid descriptions and proper vocal projections in speech so as to capture the attention of the listeners during broadcasting and this made him gain popularity, he won nine national awards from different nations and also the presidential freedom award in 1964. He is also said to have involved people on the respective radio and TV broadcasts in programs like Person to Person and This I Believe to make it certain that the individuals discuss their pertinent issues openly on air so that the information may reach many people and in this case broadcasting journalism was in use.
From the thesis statement of the research, it is also found out that the factors of ethical concerns, moralities and the upholding of the standards in the presentation of the information are among the principles that Murrow followed in the analysis of the information that he broadcasted to the individuals; this has also been upheld up to date, this is indicates by the truthfulness of the news that is broadcasted via radios and the televisions in the current states.
Discussion
Murrow deserves tribute for the invaluable lot of work that he did in the communication sector. The introduction of the TV and radio broadcasts in journalism is one of the technological advancements that have made it possible for the world to be considered as a small village due to globalization. This has an insinuation that an individual is in a position to be acquainted with news from another region through the broadcasts. The implementation of the innovative and inventive skills in the mass media of Murrow has also positively impacted on the lifestyles of the individuals. For instance, people are directly or indirectly employed in the broadcasting and journalism field and they subsequently earn income from this (Boyd, 2008, p. 132).
However, there are cases when unscrupulous individuals also, due to the effect of the human flaws, spread propaganda through the broadcasting since they do not get the first hand information but rely on the data presented by the other people; in this case the information may be distorted and its truthfulness may thus be questionable. The information broadcasted can only be termed valid and truthful if the researcher or the journalist is the one broadcasting the information, just as it was the case with Murrow who went to an extent of risking his life by traveling to tragic places where there were bomb shells to collect and then broadcast the news to the audience.
Conclusion
The radio and television broadcasting that was pioneered by Edward R Murrow has a direct influence of the broadcasting and journalism in the current world affairs. This is portrayed by the adherence of the broadcasters and the journalists to the principles or the ethical and moral values that were laid down by Murrow. Just like the Americans depended on him for his extensive coverage of the information, even today the reporters use the skills and tactics and moral guidelines in the presentation of the news to the audience truthfully. Journalistic courage and integrity are still the competencies that individuals who have intentions of becoming broadcasters or journalists, this therefore has an insinuation that the activities of Murrow as far as the inventions of the radio and TV broadcasting are concerned have great influence on the present media and communication systems (Time Magazine).
Reference:
“Edward R. Murrow: This Reporter.” February 2, 2007. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/edward-r-murrow/this-reporter/513/ (accessed June 26, 2010).
Edwards, B, 2004, Edward R. Murrow and the birth of broadcast journalism Turning points Volume 12 of Turning Points in History Book TV. New York. Wiley, p. 185.
Fellow, A, 2009, American Media History. Edition2. London, Cengage Learning, p. 46.
Doherty, T, 2003, Cold War, cool medium: television, McCarthyism, and American cultureFilm and culture. New Jersey. Columbia University Press, p. 78.
Boyd, A, 2008, Broadcast journalism: techniques of radio and television news, Edition6, London. Focal Press, p. 132.
Time Magazine, “This is Murrow.” September 30, 1957. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,891371-1,00.html (accessed June 26, 2010)
Education-IST conference
Education
Name
Course
Institution
Date
Reflection
The recently concluded IST conference was one of my most fulfilling moments in the university. The conference was more of a student conference geared toward imparting useful skills to graduate students as well as a haven on how they could gain experience in the areas of listening and disseminating information, presenting information, and taking part in professional conferences in their future employment. We had a chance to have in our attendees’ list the alumni, the faculty of IST, as well as residential and long distance students in our midst. This provided us and me especially, with an experience of sharing the experiences of others in their careers as IST professionals. These students amongst our midst brought with them experiences of their learning and practice in IST, the challenges that they undergo in their areas of study and work, the successes that they have been able to achieve, their visions and ambitions in the profession, their expectations in the career and in the academic studies, and what they hoped to change within the profession to make it even better. “Designers face challenges in choosing the right social media tools for various types of learning tasks”, (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012).
The above experience and informal learning was an eye opener for me and my friends as young students still finding their way in the career. Reiser and Dempsey (2012) define informal learning as, “learning other than that which typically takes place in a classroom or other formal instructional setting”. I was able to explore the many options available in the field of IST so that I could define better what and how I would like to become as an IST professional. I was able to relate some of the challenges and successes of those in attendance to my own experiences in the profession and along the way, found solutions to the challenges. The ambitions of those who had the chance to air them formed a part of mine, as I realized that I could form role models out of them and use their experiences and vision to sculpture mine as well. Above all, I was most comforted knowing that I was not alone in the journey towards becoming a professional IST and that I had the support of the alumni and faculty, who announced their continued and dedicated support of the students community toward success.
An important aspect that I was able to pick from the conference is that recent scholars have made efforts to view and judge design in the lens of science rather than practical lens. This way, they have been able to apply some of the scientific qualifiers that have been lacking in design for many years. Viewing design through the scientific lens would also mean that IST and other related studies will now be accorded the respect and significance that they deserve as science subjects and not social sciences. This was especially critical to me because for a long time, I have wished to study a science and not an art. Although IST is such a good subject, I would admit that on occasions, I got embarrassed among my friends who were studying sciences. With the subject being regarded as a science now, I will be more proud of myself and before my friends.
An intriguing element of the conference was the assertion made by the key speakers of the role of the designer in the design process. According to these speakers, the designer is the one most important element in the design process. This was especially intriguing because with the continued and proliferated use to technology, many aspects of design have been handed over to other players besides the designer. In some cases, these other players tend to demand more recognition for the designing work than the designer himself. The assertion made during the conference, therefore, helped to reinstate the role and influence of the designer in the design process. What this meant to me, in essence, is that I was the most important person as far as IST and design are concerned. The power of making a design process complete lies in my hands and I have all of the power and ability to influence the design process to become what I want and in the way that I want it to. Nothing could boost my ego and morale better than these words as I looked forward into becoming the best designer I could.
I was able to relate back to the course material a number of concepts from the conference, with one of them being the need for organization in the design process. Design is largely a creative subject that relies to a large extent on the creativity and talent of the designer. Many people tend to rely on their creative abilities while designing that they fail to adopt and keep in line with any organized and structured process. Through the conference, however, I realized that just as we had learnt in the course textbook, an effective and successful designer needs to work with some form of structure and designated process.
One speaker talked about the importance of research in IST, an area that I have been interested in for some time. He was able to answer a lot of my questions regarding professional research and even went ahead to identify some of the possible topics that an IST professional could engage in research. I would equate research to a form of performance support, which Reiser and Dempsey (2012) defined as “a system that provides performers with varying levels of access to information and tools that support performance at the moment of need”. I did not think of all of these immense opportunities, especially the one on research in the area of IST, having reserved this for the humanity and sociological sciences. I found it motivating in the words of the speaker that “research drives practice”. With these words, I knew I had the power and ability to inform the design process and the principles governing this process through research. Actually, I, for once thought that I did not want to be a designer per se, but a researcher in the area of design. This way, I could ensure that the design process was guided and based on concrete and highly credible principles, all informed by my research into the field. Now I know that just about anything and everything was possible with IST and that I could mould my area of study and career into whatever shape and form I wanted. “Instructional design skills are necessary in order to prepare effective online courses”, (Reiser & Dempsey,2012). “Instructional design skills are necessary in order to prepare effective online courses” (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012). The above statement lays more emphasis on the need for learning for successful engagement in design.
I was surprised, however, that IST professionals are fast moving away from the fascination of technology including the hard and software of technology that had informed the process and practice of design for a long time. “Professionals in the field of instructional design and technology often use systematic instructional design procedures and employ a variety of instructional media to accomplish their goals” (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012). The emphasis now is on the learning process, which is the determiner of the technology used in the practice of design. IST professionals and other professionals in the field have discovered that learning is more important than technology itself and that while technology may stall, learning will not stall and will be the tool that will provide options and solutions to such technological stalemates, “knowledge management requires that one moves from codification to personalization of information”, (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012). With this notion, I was able to reevaluate my perceptions regarding technology because like the rest of the predecessors, I was so engrossed in technology and its importance in the design process. Now I know that I have to pass my studies and above all, develop a critical mind that will be able to perceive and deduce aspects of design. Bottom line; I have to pass my exams with excellence and develop a yearning for learning and knowing in order to be a successful designer. Reiser and Dempsey (2012) define knowledge as “collecting, archiving, and sharing valuable information, expertise, and insight within and across communities of people and organizations with similar interests and needs”.
Looking back at the visit, I realize that I am and will become a better IST professional because of the professional knowledge and insight I was able to gain from the conference. The interaction with the faculty members and professionals in the field was crucial in helping me develop a wider scope and insight of the practice of design in general. Besides, I was empowered in my abilities and capabilities as an IST professional and most importantly, as a designer with the power and ability to influence and determine the outcome of the design process.
Reference List
Reiser, R. A. & Dempsey, J. V. (2012). Trends and issues in instructional design and technology
(3rd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc