Author Archives: Ralph Hanson

Remembering Stephen Hawking on Pi Day

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

Dr. Stephen Hawking died today, on Pi Day (3.14), having outlived by decades any expectation for someone with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).  Trapped inside a failing body lived one of the great minds ever in theoretical physics. … Continue reading →

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Guest Blog Post: Overlooked Women in Movie History

Posted on March 8, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

Saw an interesting post on Facebook this morning about women in the movie industry from my friend Dolores Hill Sierra. Dolores is retired from teaching communication classes at Blackhawk Community College in the Quad Cities area of Illinois where she … Continue reading →

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What my blogging students have been writing.

Posted on March 8, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

My JMC 406 students have been working on column ideas through their blogs this week.  Here’s some of what I like that I’m seeing: Katie on her grandfather Shelby on left turns Rachel A on her birthday… and her video … Continue reading →

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Processing the News: Remembering Dr. Doris Graber

Posted on February 26, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

When I was a master’s student in journalism and mass communication at Iowa State University back in the mid 1980s, I read a book for class that served to shape how I view mass communication effects.  In fact, I would … Continue reading →

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What Can Journalists Do To Improve Public Trust in their Stories

Posted on February 24, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

NYU Professor Jay Rosen is a long-time critic of how journalists worship at the altar of old-school “objectivity,” something he argues convincingly that they have never been able to achieve.  Instead of being truly neutral and unbiased observers, he says … Continue reading →

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Copyright in the News

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

Judge rules that embedded tweet violates photo’s copyright The blog Engadget is reporting that a New York federal court has ruled that a news sites that embedded a tweet containing a photo of quarterback Tom Brady violates the photographer’s copyright. … Continue reading →

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Remembering David Carr: Keep typing until it turns into writing.

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

“Keep typing until it turns into writing.” David Carr It’s been three years since legendary New York Times media reporter David Carr died of cancer. He was a brilliant reporter and writer, as well as being an honest and caring … Continue reading →

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The Ghosts of Super Bowl Halftime Shows Past

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

I will confess that I was underwhelmed by Justin Timberlake’s Super Bowl halftime show.  Now I’ve never been much of a JT fan, so I didn’t come at the show with high expectations. And I will further admit that I … Continue reading →

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State of the Union Blogging Contest

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

Every time I teach Commentary and Blogging at UNK, I have a blogging competition or two.  This year, my students had the opportunity to do an instant blog post somehow related to the president’s 2018 State of the Union address. … Continue reading →

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The Dutchman & Hello in There: Songs about growing old

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

“If you don’t do anything wrong for a period of three minutes, then the spirt of the music rushes in there and occupies it full time.” – Songwriter Michael Peter Smith discussing his song “The Dutchman.” Michael Peter Smith’s classic … Continue reading →

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