My name is Katharina Goetze. I work with a team based in
London which produces a weekly global media watch
show called the Listening Post for Al-Jazeera English.
Our broadcast takes a critical and irreverent look at global
news coverage - of events and non-events. We also track
developments in the use of media.
For our upcoming broadcast, we will be looking at the media
war in the Palestinian media between Hamas and Fatah. A
section of our show is called Global Village Voices and
we ask for people's opinions on media issues via webcam.
We look for informed opinions from people who are
interested in Palestinian media issues. We'd love to hear
from you. Some of the issues we'd like to hear responses on are:
- How has the rivalry between the factions affected
the Palestinian media's credibility?
- What impact does the media war have on the
Palestinian people and thepeace process?
- What are the obstacles Palestinian journalists are facing?
Just in case you are able to do this, I have attached our list of
hints and tips for video blogging. We would like to get your
video file by next Thursday please. The file will need to be
uploaded, and I have attached instructions on how to do it below.
You need not answer all the questions I have put up there.
They are just for you to get an idea of what we are looking for.
Feel free to pick just one and give us your reply. You could
even break the mould completely and give us an opinion
about the media's coverage that's all your own. It shouldn't
take long, a clip of around 40 to 50 seconds would be
perfect length.
We would love to hear from you! Do check out
our website and here's a list of some of our episodes
- watching them will probably give you an idea of
what we are all about.
Also, if you can think of anyone else who may be
suitable for the show and interested, please do
forward this email to them. We are always looking
for new Global Village Voices!
Do e-mail me if you have any questions or doubts.
Thanks,
Katharina
Here are our tips for contributors:
- Install any software that comes with your webcam
unless you already have it
- Plug in your webcam
- Find a quiet place to record your comment, so that background
noise doesn't cause a problem. Overhead fans, open windows,
air conditioning – all of these can create a hum in the background.
Try to switch them off before you make your final recording
- Think about what is behind you in the picture.
A plain backdrop is usually the best
- Secure the camera on an even surface so that it
doesn't wobble or shake
- Frame the picture so that you have your head an
shoulders in frame with about a quarter of the frame left
empty at the top, for head space (the more of your face
we can see the better!)
- Make sure there is light on your face –
a lamp facing you is a good option
- Make sure that your microphone
(often part of the webcam) is directed towards your face
- Think about what you want to say before hand,
but don't worry about getting it all word for word,
it's good to be as natural as possible
- Don't worry about getting it right first time you can
always re-record as many times as you like
- If you find it difficult to look into the lens of the camera
and talk, find a spot to focus on just above the camera
and talk to that
- Record on your webcam software OR quicktime (.mov)
- Once you start to record count 5 seconds in your head
while looking at your spot, before you start to talk,
and when you have finished count 5 seconds before stopping
the recording. This will give us clean in and outs for edit.
- Start your piece by saying your NAME, PROFESSION
and LOCATION
- Speak clearly and not too quickly.
- Around 45 seconds is the optimum length.
Once you are happy with your piece, save it and upload
it to www.yousendit.com
(you may need to register for free first).
Direct the file to listeningpost@aljazeera.net.