Vox Popping...

Whats best thing about being a student in Sheffield...?

This week I wanted to find out what the students of Sheffield think about where they live and study. Armed with my pen and paper I set out to hear their thoughts...

Emily Gilmore, Age 18, Studying Nutrition & Health.

"Having everything so close together in the city is great, the shops, uni and night clubs are all within a short walk."

Katy Brayford, Age 19, Studying Media Studies.

"The best thing has to be the nightlife. There are so many bars and clubs, because of the two uni's there is always student prices!"

Robert Hannah, Age 19, Studying Film and Media.

"The freedom is great, I get to go in when I want and stay at home when I want, no one forces me to go anywhere or do anything!"

Jonathan Clarke, Age 20, Studying Business.

"I get on with everyone, the lecturers and teachers are cool and friendly, we all talk together as adults."

Screening Row

One of the biggest topics in the news currently is the issue of cervical cancer. I have decided to base my blog on current issues in the news.

Campaigners are fighting for the age limit for a screening test to be brought back down to 20. The system was changed in 2004 when the government raised the age to 25 for women in England, this was after a study completed by cancer research UK found that cases of cervical cancer in teenagers is very rare. Does this mean women in England are less at risk than those who live in Scotland or Wales? This is clearly a very risky view on the whole situation.

The issue has recently been brought to light by Jade Goody. She was told just weeks ago that her cervical cancer is terminal. Jade developed early symptoms at the age of 23, 2 years short of the current age restriction for the NHS screening test. Time is everything when it comes to treatment and sadly the cancer was discovered too late for it to be beaten. Meaning that if Jade was in fact from Scotland or Wales the cancer could of been discovered three years earlier, this could even have saved the young mother's life.

Under pressure from the whole situation ministers have now promised to review the evidence again and consider lowering the age limit for the tests. Health minister Ann Keen said: "If we in the house of commons mean anything, it's our duty to look at the evidence again." After all how can women's health in different countries controlled by the same government be of different value?

Following the devastating news of Jade's condition her long term boyfriend Jack Tweed proposed and the couple married a fortnight later on Sunday 22nd February. Jade has two sons five year old Bobby and four year old Freddie. Unsure of how much time she may have left, Jade said: "I will be watching my boys from heaven. I've told my family I will be the brightest star."

Introduction

Writing the Message Online:

This blog has been created for a module concentrating on the influence of online media as part of my first year studying a Media studies degree. I have never written a blog before, I think that it will be a new and interesting way to express my thoughts and feelings on different topical issues. Within this module I have been learning about the different aspects of the Internet and how it is used by businesses and corporations around the globe.

Writing a personal blog online is something many people now do to convey their personal opinions to the world wide audiences. Whether they are ordinary people or professional journalists, the blogs they write can become very influential and reach hundreds of people worldwide. They can use a blog to:

• Note down personal experiences
• Write about national issues
• Convey their opinions on politics
• Comment on worldwide issues
• Take part in reporting news, (Citizen Journalism)