So this is why we all join this silly profession in the first place isn't it? Maybe we watched too many episodes of Superman and related with Lois Lane. I don't know what did it for me but every image of journalism I had as a child was of some muckraking son-of-a-gun reporter who wouldn't give in no matter what.
So why is that when faced with the idea of investigative reporting I get suddenly nervous and scared? As addressed in Chapter 18 this is one of the number one things that holds reporters back from doing a good job when investigating. And why is that, because I myself am guilty of that thinking also. I'm not saying that everyone feels this way but I'm sure some of us new baby journalists have to shudder a little at the thought of getting down and dirty.
Perhaps the reason is that when one is writing an investigative piece there is no room or margin for error. This is true no matter what type of story you are reporting on but the stakes are much higher when exposing someone or something like one does in an investigative piece. As pointed out in the chapter getting multiple sources to go on the record is one of the most concrete ways to avoid a libel charge. But come on, I've seen "All the President's Men," 800 times like the rest of you...what do we do with Deep Throat!?!
Ok -- I'm getting a little ahead of any journalistic possibility I might encounter coming out of school. But it has to be brought up. Sources. Hmm....such a tricky subject. The chapter gives a list of possible sources for a story one of which was the enemies of whoever you are writing about. That made me scratch my head. How do you know they aren't being completely biased? And even worse -- making everything up for fun? But to counter that the chapter also suggests speaking to the friends of your subject. So I guess that bias would balance out the other. But all so intimidating!
Another interesting thing I noted in the chapter was the mention of how investigative reporters feel like the writing in the chore they save for last. I found that oddly surprising. After all of that hard work wouldn't you be rushing to the good ole' typewriter to pound out the truth as you've found it to be. Call me a romantic but that's how I see it!
In the websites I thought it was a very interesting resource for reporters. One of the things that I thought about while perusing the sight was how did all these reporters come up with these ideas? Some of them including the one about the animal shelter throwing dead animals into a dumpster, must have been tip offs from citizens. But one that impressed me was the study of how athlete's weights may have an effect on them later on in life. The reporter was resourceful enough to use old rosters from the football line up from a span of 10 years to come up with an alarming growth. I thought that was pretty cool.
I was also impressed with the length of time some of these reporters were given to write the investigative pieces. On one story reporter Loretta Tofani was given 12 months to look into working conditions in China. To be committed to one story like that for so long doesn't even seem real to me. The patience and organizational skills one must have to conduct a controlled investigation is enormous.
Also to conclude I really liked the database of different story ideas and the links provided. Such things as agriculture, bus accidents, ferry accidents and Dam resources were on the large compiled list. Having those resources so easily organized and available makes you wonder what reporters ever did before the Internet!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Happy Birthday Hillary...
Ok -- so the many other Hillary haters in the class can just stop reading right now...I mean it...I don't want any more blog comments criticizing my humorous take on the politicians that no one seems to love on this campus. So STOP READING!
Ok -- now that I've gotten that out of my system I have to admit, I completely forgot it was the Presidential candidate's birthday today. Thank God I was perusing the Washington Post website and found an interesting article not only pointing out that today is the day she celebrates her 60th (and by the way -- I only hope I look that good after surviving scandals, Monica Lewinsky, and the Iraq war vote the way that woman does!) with the 40th anniversary of John McCain's capture as a POW in Vietnam.
Isn't history funny like that. Especially after you look at what has recently happened in the last week. Both New York senators were caught earmarking funds for a Woodstock museum in upstate NY. Now I have to admit, I'm basis when it comes to this. Unlike the rest of my idealistic classmates, I understand that the earmarking of funds takes place all the time however unethical it may seem. And as a child who remembers the woodstock of 1996 and how badly my sister fought with my parents to let her go (thank God they didn't...remember the nastiness?) I appreciate Hillary and Chuck's attempt at giving upstate a jumpstart to its economy. We need it.
But anyways I'm getting off topic here. Why it is ironic is because as Hillary is supporting money that will go somewhat resemble her days as an anti-war protester "hippie" McCain was at the other end of the spectrum surviving in a POW camp. And her birthday and his anniversary fall on the same day. To be honest...you can't write this crap for a movie....people wouldn't believe it!
But this is why I love politics so much...it has the slightest resemblance to hollywood but with not-so-goodlooking people.
The moral of the story is...thank you John McCain for sounding the alarm on this country's practices in torture. And Happy Birthday Hillary -- ya' know I love ya'.
Ok -- now that I've gotten that out of my system I have to admit, I completely forgot it was the Presidential candidate's birthday today. Thank God I was perusing the Washington Post website and found an interesting article not only pointing out that today is the day she celebrates her 60th (and by the way -- I only hope I look that good after surviving scandals, Monica Lewinsky, and the Iraq war vote the way that woman does!) with the 40th anniversary of John McCain's capture as a POW in Vietnam.
Isn't history funny like that. Especially after you look at what has recently happened in the last week. Both New York senators were caught earmarking funds for a Woodstock museum in upstate NY. Now I have to admit, I'm basis when it comes to this. Unlike the rest of my idealistic classmates, I understand that the earmarking of funds takes place all the time however unethical it may seem. And as a child who remembers the woodstock of 1996 and how badly my sister fought with my parents to let her go (thank God they didn't...remember the nastiness?) I appreciate Hillary and Chuck's attempt at giving upstate a jumpstart to its economy. We need it.
But anyways I'm getting off topic here. Why it is ironic is because as Hillary is supporting money that will go somewhat resemble her days as an anti-war protester "hippie" McCain was at the other end of the spectrum surviving in a POW camp. And her birthday and his anniversary fall on the same day. To be honest...you can't write this crap for a movie....people wouldn't believe it!
But this is why I love politics so much...it has the slightest resemblance to hollywood but with not-so-goodlooking people.
The moral of the story is...thank you John McCain for sounding the alarm on this country's practices in torture. And Happy Birthday Hillary -- ya' know I love ya'.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Keeping the Beat
I'm not going to lie people...this whole beat thing is starting to freak me out. The idea that I'm going to be constantly thrown into topics -- such as the ever complex world of court reporting -- without having a clue is making my knees rattle.
But like Chapter 14 said, reporters who do well in the biz have a healthy appetite to try new things. And hey...I've always been game for new things -- it's just that my job never depended on it before!
Some of the principles discussed for coving a beat seemed pretty straight forward -- the ever popular "be prepared" was there. But I guess they can't beat that into our little journalism brains enough. Because whenever I think I'm prepared I suddenly am thrown a curve ball and have to stammer some form a of on-the-spot question. So yes...be prepared!
The author also brings up the very important point of how to connect with sources. I find in interesting in beat reporting how important your relationship is with your source. But that can lead to some tricky reporting if you think about it. But as the chapter pointed out you just have to remind yourself that you're not writing for your sources, you're writing for your readers. Also it is important and useful to find something in common with the person you are trying to get information from.
All of the beats mentioned we had read about previously except for schools and religion. The religion one made me scratch my head a little. Perhaps we could discuss that one in class more. I've never heard of the religion beat. It sounds complicated to me.
The school beat was one that I had heard of before but because I grew up in such a small community with only one...cough...newspaper...if you could call it that -- I never really thought about the newsworthiness of the school budget. But it's true, citizens are interested in what is going on in their town's institutions, epically in something that effects them so directly as their children's school.
Now onto the web information. These two chapters were a little harder to digest than the first three we read last week. Maybe because it didn't have all the excitement of a crime scene and more resembled a watered down version of Judge Judy. But I did learn a quite a bit though not much sank in because of the confusing legalese.
I did not know that motions were a good source to find out what was newsworthy. I liked that the author explained the different types of motions and what each meant. My personal favorite was the Mental Competency one, which asks for a psychological evaluation to take place. Let me tell you -- there are times when I wish I could pull that one out in everyday life!
The tip on being there for the jury selection was also very helpful. I always thought that those were boring, long, tedious and had no real advantage to going to. But as the author pointed out -- going to the selection can give you helpful tips on how to contact the juror after the trial is over to get an interview. Another way to be creepy and sneaky...I like it.
In covering the civil courts I was wondering how many papers actually have reporters on the civil court beat. As the author mentioned civil courts are not regularly where one finds a newsworthy piece. But as was mentioned there are those occasional "golden nuggets" that can make for an interesting story.
The tip about being careful of reporting damages being sought was a good one. So many times you read some outrageous figure in a news article and automatically you are basis against the defendant. But the reality is that we don't understand the actual damages that took place or what kind of strategy the legal team has using that figure.
Also I did not know that settlements can be public knowledge or kept a secret at the discretion of the presiding judge. Who knew? I certainly didn't. I do feel that sometimes when the figure is not given in high profile cases involving huge corporations it is not serving the greater public by withholding information about a company they may hold stock in or buy products from.
Just a thought...
But like Chapter 14 said, reporters who do well in the biz have a healthy appetite to try new things. And hey...I've always been game for new things -- it's just that my job never depended on it before!
Some of the principles discussed for coving a beat seemed pretty straight forward -- the ever popular "be prepared" was there. But I guess they can't beat that into our little journalism brains enough. Because whenever I think I'm prepared I suddenly am thrown a curve ball and have to stammer some form a of on-the-spot question. So yes...be prepared!
The author also brings up the very important point of how to connect with sources. I find in interesting in beat reporting how important your relationship is with your source. But that can lead to some tricky reporting if you think about it. But as the chapter pointed out you just have to remind yourself that you're not writing for your sources, you're writing for your readers. Also it is important and useful to find something in common with the person you are trying to get information from.
All of the beats mentioned we had read about previously except for schools and religion. The religion one made me scratch my head a little. Perhaps we could discuss that one in class more. I've never heard of the religion beat. It sounds complicated to me.
The school beat was one that I had heard of before but because I grew up in such a small community with only one...cough...newspaper...if you could call it that -- I never really thought about the newsworthiness of the school budget. But it's true, citizens are interested in what is going on in their town's institutions, epically in something that effects them so directly as their children's school.
Now onto the web information. These two chapters were a little harder to digest than the first three we read last week. Maybe because it didn't have all the excitement of a crime scene and more resembled a watered down version of Judge Judy. But I did learn a quite a bit though not much sank in because of the confusing legalese.
I did not know that motions were a good source to find out what was newsworthy. I liked that the author explained the different types of motions and what each meant. My personal favorite was the Mental Competency one, which asks for a psychological evaluation to take place. Let me tell you -- there are times when I wish I could pull that one out in everyday life!
The tip on being there for the jury selection was also very helpful. I always thought that those were boring, long, tedious and had no real advantage to going to. But as the author pointed out -- going to the selection can give you helpful tips on how to contact the juror after the trial is over to get an interview. Another way to be creepy and sneaky...I like it.
In covering the civil courts I was wondering how many papers actually have reporters on the civil court beat. As the author mentioned civil courts are not regularly where one finds a newsworthy piece. But as was mentioned there are those occasional "golden nuggets" that can make for an interesting story.
The tip about being careful of reporting damages being sought was a good one. So many times you read some outrageous figure in a news article and automatically you are basis against the defendant. But the reality is that we don't understand the actual damages that took place or what kind of strategy the legal team has using that figure.
Also I did not know that settlements can be public knowledge or kept a secret at the discretion of the presiding judge. Who knew? I certainly didn't. I do feel that sometimes when the figure is not given in high profile cases involving huge corporations it is not serving the greater public by withholding information about a company they may hold stock in or buy products from.
Just a thought...
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Covering Crime
So I have to say...this web reading was probably the most interesting thus far for me. Especially since last night I spent four hours riding around in an Ithaca City Police car.
Chapter One-The Crime Beat:
I thought it was really interesting how the author explained the writing for the crime beat automatically has the ability to produce great stories. I guess I never thought of it that way -- like the article said, its got everything: sex, violence, rage, revenge, victims, and occasionally happy endings. There's a reason why so many top TV shows in America are based off of police crime stories -- audiences like it and are interested. The same goes for news stories of the same genre.
I also didn't know that the crime beat was something I should be expecting as a more than likely job placement my first years out of the fish tank. The whole idea that the beat was used as a "sink or swim" technique was surprising to me. But I'm glad the author explained that so I could be prepared.
I also agreed with the whole "cops are leery of journalists and journalists are leery of cops" idea. Last night while riding along with one of Ithaca's finest (and funniest for that matter) he glanced at my notebook on more than one occasion and asked, "What are you writing in that thing?" Just a small example but I thought it portrayed that sentiments behind what the author was trying to explain.
The section discussing how this beat produces the most error in reporting was also an important fact to bring up. Most reporters, including myself, don't know the deference between larceny, theft and robbery. When I looked at the definitions it surprised me how easy it would be for a reporter to make one slip-up like that in a story.
I was also interested in the idea of creating a good source relationship with the police one might be working with on the beat. How do you keep a good standing with the police if you have to write a story unveiling some problems the department might be having. You of course can't always paint them in a positive light because that wouldn't be fair and accurate reporting. But if you produce an "anti-cop" story how do you keep the main sources of your beat talking to you? Something to think about...and worry about slightly...
I also appreciated the 12 questions included as something every journalist should keep near-by when working on a crime story. That is something I will definitely use throughout my career. The ideas for what to keep in your trunk were also great tips. But I have to ask, how do I get a media flack jacket...?
Chapter Five-Covering Crime and Its Victims
This chapter was helpful in navigating the ever uncomfortable world of interviewing victims. I have never had to do that for a story yet...but I know how uncomfortable I get sometimes just asking an older woman her age...how the heck do you talk to someone who just had something terrible happen to themselves or their family? Geezz...
I liked the key things that a reporter needs to have when covering crime: perspective, persistence and patience. Very true. I thought the tips from the Detroit reporter on how to get a source to talk to you were very helpful. The idea that rushing up to join the pack of reporters at the scene is not a good idea. But if you wait patiently, slip your card and number to the victim, and then wait awhile until you contact them again -- this could possibly give you a better story than if you had joined the pack of dogs searching for scraps of a quote. I also think this approach is more ethical on a human level.
One point of confusion though...how is a woman walking alone at night compared to a prostitute as a "high-risk victim"? Hmmm...chew on that one for awhile...I know I did.
Also, in the end of the chapter it discusses the use of rape victims' names in a news story. Previous practice has always been to never report the name of someone who has been raped. I agree with this practice. It is our job as journalists to inform the public of potential danger but also to minimize individual harm as much as possible. The author says that there is a growing trend from journalists my age pushing for the names to be printed if the victim agrees. They believe this will help fight off the stigma that surrounds rape victims and shed light on a taboo subject. Rape will always be taboo to me, yes I want to do whatever I can to prevent it from happening, but I don't believe making it more "conversational" will help that from being accomplished.
Chapter Seven- Covering the Courts
Surprisingly this chapter was a lot of fun for me. As I mentioned before I was a possible legal studies minor until I realized how time consuming writing those stinkin' briefs can be! But I do have a huge appreciation for reporters who cover the courts.
Many do it without having any legal training. I thought this chapter did a very good job of explaining the basics to someone who was brand new to the beat.
One of the most important things the author touched on was the duty of the reporter to turn the legal briefs into everyday human language that the average reader could understand. This is EXTREMELY difficult! These briefs can be hundreds of pages long, all written in lawyer mumbo-jumbo (that's a technical term in case you didn't know.) But it is the writer's job to condense this information and present it in an accurate but understandable manner.
I also liked the section of "you never know..." Being respectful to everyone is what gains you good sources. The example given of the janitor's helping the author find missing files was an excellent one. Being rude to a court clerk could come back to bite you in the...well you know. I think this is something young journalists should be reminded of. And use in all aspects of journalism and life...because you just never know...
Lastly I thought the list of possible sources was very helpful. For instance, I didn't know that a bailiff was a good source of information. But if you think about it they do have access to the behind the scenes stuff that reporters are banned from. A good tip!
Overall I think that this website is something that I will be frequenting often, and will use if and when I get assigned the "crime beat."
Chapter One-The Crime Beat:
I thought it was really interesting how the author explained the writing for the crime beat automatically has the ability to produce great stories. I guess I never thought of it that way -- like the article said, its got everything: sex, violence, rage, revenge, victims, and occasionally happy endings. There's a reason why so many top TV shows in America are based off of police crime stories -- audiences like it and are interested. The same goes for news stories of the same genre.
I also didn't know that the crime beat was something I should be expecting as a more than likely job placement my first years out of the fish tank. The whole idea that the beat was used as a "sink or swim" technique was surprising to me. But I'm glad the author explained that so I could be prepared.
I also agreed with the whole "cops are leery of journalists and journalists are leery of cops" idea. Last night while riding along with one of Ithaca's finest (and funniest for that matter) he glanced at my notebook on more than one occasion and asked, "What are you writing in that thing?" Just a small example but I thought it portrayed that sentiments behind what the author was trying to explain.
The section discussing how this beat produces the most error in reporting was also an important fact to bring up. Most reporters, including myself, don't know the deference between larceny, theft and robbery. When I looked at the definitions it surprised me how easy it would be for a reporter to make one slip-up like that in a story.
I was also interested in the idea of creating a good source relationship with the police one might be working with on the beat. How do you keep a good standing with the police if you have to write a story unveiling some problems the department might be having. You of course can't always paint them in a positive light because that wouldn't be fair and accurate reporting. But if you produce an "anti-cop" story how do you keep the main sources of your beat talking to you? Something to think about...and worry about slightly...
I also appreciated the 12 questions included as something every journalist should keep near-by when working on a crime story. That is something I will definitely use throughout my career. The ideas for what to keep in your trunk were also great tips. But I have to ask, how do I get a media flack jacket...?
Chapter Five-Covering Crime and Its Victims
This chapter was helpful in navigating the ever uncomfortable world of interviewing victims. I have never had to do that for a story yet...but I know how uncomfortable I get sometimes just asking an older woman her age...how the heck do you talk to someone who just had something terrible happen to themselves or their family? Geezz...
I liked the key things that a reporter needs to have when covering crime: perspective, persistence and patience. Very true. I thought the tips from the Detroit reporter on how to get a source to talk to you were very helpful. The idea that rushing up to join the pack of reporters at the scene is not a good idea. But if you wait patiently, slip your card and number to the victim, and then wait awhile until you contact them again -- this could possibly give you a better story than if you had joined the pack of dogs searching for scraps of a quote. I also think this approach is more ethical on a human level.
One point of confusion though...how is a woman walking alone at night compared to a prostitute as a "high-risk victim"? Hmmm...chew on that one for awhile...I know I did.
Also, in the end of the chapter it discusses the use of rape victims' names in a news story. Previous practice has always been to never report the name of someone who has been raped. I agree with this practice. It is our job as journalists to inform the public of potential danger but also to minimize individual harm as much as possible. The author says that there is a growing trend from journalists my age pushing for the names to be printed if the victim agrees. They believe this will help fight off the stigma that surrounds rape victims and shed light on a taboo subject. Rape will always be taboo to me, yes I want to do whatever I can to prevent it from happening, but I don't believe making it more "conversational" will help that from being accomplished.
Chapter Seven- Covering the Courts
Surprisingly this chapter was a lot of fun for me. As I mentioned before I was a possible legal studies minor until I realized how time consuming writing those stinkin' briefs can be! But I do have a huge appreciation for reporters who cover the courts.
Many do it without having any legal training. I thought this chapter did a very good job of explaining the basics to someone who was brand new to the beat.
One of the most important things the author touched on was the duty of the reporter to turn the legal briefs into everyday human language that the average reader could understand. This is EXTREMELY difficult! These briefs can be hundreds of pages long, all written in lawyer mumbo-jumbo (that's a technical term in case you didn't know.) But it is the writer's job to condense this information and present it in an accurate but understandable manner.
I also liked the section of "you never know..." Being respectful to everyone is what gains you good sources. The example given of the janitor's helping the author find missing files was an excellent one. Being rude to a court clerk could come back to bite you in the...well you know. I think this is something young journalists should be reminded of. And use in all aspects of journalism and life...because you just never know...
Lastly I thought the list of possible sources was very helpful. For instance, I didn't know that a bailiff was a good source of information. But if you think about it they do have access to the behind the scenes stuff that reporters are banned from. A good tip!
Overall I think that this website is something that I will be frequenting often, and will use if and when I get assigned the "crime beat."
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Blog Comments
lizzyswickedsweetblog.blogspot.com
"Gore for President"
newsreportingicjessg.blogspot.com
"Barackstars..."
fallingfornews2007.blogspot.com
"Why campaigns should start later..."
seagullatemycheetos.blogspot.com
"Campaign Map"
emokenews.blogspot.com
"Truest Republicans..."
archanatalk.blogspot.com
"Showdown Hillary and Michelle..."
amusante123.blogspot.com
"Wishy Washy Hillary..."
thestorysofar-jt.blogspot.com
"Seperation of Church and State."
"Gore for President"
newsreportingicjessg.blogspot.com
"Barackstars..."
fallingfornews2007.blogspot.com
"Why campaigns should start later..."
seagullatemycheetos.blogspot.com
"Campaign Map"
emokenews.blogspot.com
"Truest Republicans..."
archanatalk.blogspot.com
"Showdown Hillary and Michelle..."
amusante123.blogspot.com
"Wishy Washy Hillary..."
thestorysofar-jt.blogspot.com
"Seperation of Church and State."
Friday, October 12, 2007
Saving One Polar Bear at a Time
So I know this blog is suppose to be about the Presidential election but I figured former Vice President Al Gore's recent Nobel Peace Prize was worth mentioning in this forum. Because after all the man has found a new found life...saving polar bears.
I'm not poking fun, I've seen "An Inconvenient Truth," it changed my life. Don't believe me? Ask my roommates the craziness that overcame the apartment the night I came home after the viewing of the film in the Park Aud. I was running around like a crazy person shutting off all the lights and telling my roommates to buy smaller cars.
And now Al Gore has found a new political life. This once somewhat dorky Presidential candidate that lost -- must I remind you -- to our great leader President Bush, is now a bonafied rock star. Even enough to push supporters of the eco-friendly politician to start a group called Draft Gore.
So far according to both the New York Times and the Washington Post the newly born Gore is staying out of the Presidential ring. But you know how these things go...how many months -- no make that years -- did Hillary Clinton tell us New Yorkers that she had no intentions of running, meanwhile she was building funds for the biggest undertaking of her career.
So I guess all of us tree huggers, polar bear lovers are going to have to wait it out to see. I mean, I voted for him the first time around for President. Sadly enough...I was probably the only one in this class old enough too...hmmm....
And you know -- the man can't be half bad if Bon Jovi loves him....
I'm not poking fun, I've seen "An Inconvenient Truth," it changed my life. Don't believe me? Ask my roommates the craziness that overcame the apartment the night I came home after the viewing of the film in the Park Aud. I was running around like a crazy person shutting off all the lights and telling my roommates to buy smaller cars.
And now Al Gore has found a new political life. This once somewhat dorky Presidential candidate that lost -- must I remind you -- to our great leader President Bush, is now a bonafied rock star. Even enough to push supporters of the eco-friendly politician to start a group called Draft Gore.
So far according to both the New York Times and the Washington Post the newly born Gore is staying out of the Presidential ring. But you know how these things go...how many months -- no make that years -- did Hillary Clinton tell us New Yorkers that she had no intentions of running, meanwhile she was building funds for the biggest undertaking of her career.
So I guess all of us tree huggers, polar bear lovers are going to have to wait it out to see. I mean, I voted for him the first time around for President. Sadly enough...I was probably the only one in this class old enough too...hmmm....
And you know -- the man can't be half bad if Bon Jovi loves him....
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Crime and Punishment
Just like obituaries its every reporters fate to cover the crime beat in some backwoods small town newspaper. But I thought this chapter did a nice job of making it sound interesting and important to new reporters like myself. I mean, it is kind of cool if you think about it -- like some old time black and white movie where the reporter is sleeping on a police station bench waiting for some huge story to break...sorry I get off on these tangents!
Oh I have to say this, in the preparation section of the chapter they always mention going to the morgue first. And I have to admit to my diztyness here, I always think, "that is so gross and morbid." But then I remember that is what they call the database newspapers use to catalogue all old news stories and photographs...geez....
I also thought the example of what a crime report looks like to be very helpful. I myself -- luckily -- have never seen one of those before. I wouldn't have been able to even take a guess at what one would look like. Also the list of the three main sources every reporter should get when on the scene of a crime: police officers and their reports, victims and witnesses. It sounds silly but every reporter needs a little reminder of what is important every once in awhile. I wish thought the chapter had disscussed more of how to deal with a victim of a crime or housefire. It's one thing to just say go ask them questions, but its another to stay within your own personal ethical boundries while doing your job as a reporter. Perhaps there is no easy way around it and the only thing one can do is learn as you go.
I also felt the court section was very important. A lot of students don't realize how complex the court system can be when covering it. This past summer in Washington DC I wrote a story about the reporters who cover the Supreme Court as their beat. Now what most people might not know is that Supreme Court Justices will NOT talk to the public, even the communciations office in the building is kept under a tight no-talk-policy. I couldn't even get a janitor to talk to me! But eventually I was able to get a hold of the Washington Post's beat reporter for the Supreme Court along with the Boston Globe's. Both cool guys and nice enough to let me interview them. But basically they practically had law degrees to be able to take these 100 pages of a decision and break it down into something the average reader might understand. A very difficult process that made me rethink law school.
All of the libel laws that were discussed in the chapter are also very tricky things. And I also didn't completely understand the idea behind why a reporter would use Megan's Law when looking for adresses of defendants? The book was not completely clear on that.
www.supremecourtus.gov/
www.smokeybear.com
Oh I have to say this, in the preparation section of the chapter they always mention going to the morgue first. And I have to admit to my diztyness here, I always think, "that is so gross and morbid." But then I remember that is what they call the database newspapers use to catalogue all old news stories and photographs...geez....
I also thought the example of what a crime report looks like to be very helpful. I myself -- luckily -- have never seen one of those before. I wouldn't have been able to even take a guess at what one would look like. Also the list of the three main sources every reporter should get when on the scene of a crime: police officers and their reports, victims and witnesses. It sounds silly but every reporter needs a little reminder of what is important every once in awhile. I wish thought the chapter had disscussed more of how to deal with a victim of a crime or housefire. It's one thing to just say go ask them questions, but its another to stay within your own personal ethical boundries while doing your job as a reporter. Perhaps there is no easy way around it and the only thing one can do is learn as you go.
I also felt the court section was very important. A lot of students don't realize how complex the court system can be when covering it. This past summer in Washington DC I wrote a story about the reporters who cover the Supreme Court as their beat. Now what most people might not know is that Supreme Court Justices will NOT talk to the public, even the communciations office in the building is kept under a tight no-talk-policy. I couldn't even get a janitor to talk to me! But eventually I was able to get a hold of the Washington Post's beat reporter for the Supreme Court along with the Boston Globe's. Both cool guys and nice enough to let me interview them. But basically they practically had law degrees to be able to take these 100 pages of a decision and break it down into something the average reader might understand. A very difficult process that made me rethink law school.
All of the libel laws that were discussed in the chapter are also very tricky things. And I also didn't completely understand the idea behind why a reporter would use Megan's Law when looking for adresses of defendants? The book was not completely clear on that.
www.supremecourtus.gov/
www.smokeybear.com
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Primary time...
It's difficult to understand all the hoopola around primary dates in Presidential campaigns. There's complex rules and traditions upheld that many average voters don't even bother to comprehend.
I remember when I went to a New Hampshire Democrat fundraiser where Hillary Clinton spoke last spring. I remember thinking, "Nashua, New Hampshire. What the hell is in Nashua, New Hampshire?" Well, the first northeast primary in the country and the first win to mark on the score cards...and that's pretty much it...oh and I think they had an Applebee's.
So why all the current talk of shifting dates in the primaries? Well, this is a big election and states like Florida no longer want to be left out of the star powered action. They want Hillary and Rudy to run over and try their local ice cream at the state fair just like the New Hampshire or Iowa folks get.
According to the Washington Post, with New Hampshire moving up their date to January 8, this might potentially push Iowa -- known normally as the first primary in the states -- to possibly schedule a call to arms in 2007. So what?
Well the big so what is that this could potentially hur the underdogs like John Edwards from ever having a chance. The faster the primaries line up on the calander, the easier it is for the more popular and more financially endowed candidates to step forward as the inevitable winners in such a short period of time.
Right now the news is focusing on Iowa primarily. MSNBC is practically camped out there watching for any sign of action in the normally quiet state. By normally being the first primary it is the best indication of who is going to win.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/10/05/post_121.html
I remember when I went to a New Hampshire Democrat fundraiser where Hillary Clinton spoke last spring. I remember thinking, "Nashua, New Hampshire. What the hell is in Nashua, New Hampshire?" Well, the first northeast primary in the country and the first win to mark on the score cards...and that's pretty much it...oh and I think they had an Applebee's.
So why all the current talk of shifting dates in the primaries? Well, this is a big election and states like Florida no longer want to be left out of the star powered action. They want Hillary and Rudy to run over and try their local ice cream at the state fair just like the New Hampshire or Iowa folks get.
According to the Washington Post, with New Hampshire moving up their date to January 8, this might potentially push Iowa -- known normally as the first primary in the states -- to possibly schedule a call to arms in 2007. So what?
Well the big so what is that this could potentially hur the underdogs like John Edwards from ever having a chance. The faster the primaries line up on the calander, the easier it is for the more popular and more financially endowed candidates to step forward as the inevitable winners in such a short period of time.
Right now the news is focusing on Iowa primarily. MSNBC is practically camped out there watching for any sign of action in the normally quiet state. By normally being the first primary it is the best indication of who is going to win.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/10/05/post_121.html
Summing it all up
To begin: I have to say that I wasn't crazy about The Politics of the English Language. Personally I've never been a fan of George Orwell's writing. I find it to be like running through mud on a hot sticky day...I hope that isn't a "dead metaphor" I just used...
Of course I see the merit in reading the passage, I understand there are links to what he is saying and what we have been discussing in class. But snore. Yuck. Blah.
I have to apologize, this blog is coming at the end of a very long and horrible weekend of flying arrangements that left me stranded for countless hours in the Binghamton Airport that slightly resembles the set of "Wings". You get the picture.
I also found the assumption he was making regarding economic and politcal speeches being the cause of a dying language confusing. Yes, reading scientific mumbojumbo is also like running through mud, but do that many people read it and use it so that it is effecting societal tendencies...? And I loved the over pretentious line about a writers lack of precision, "a mixture of vagueness and sheer incompetence." That's uplifting and makes me want to write more.
The only rule I really liked and wrote down to further inspire myself throughout this trying semester was "if it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out." I thought that was useful and pertained to something I could constuctively use.
In the Five Characteristics of Academic or Scholarly Prose I liked the brief way of explaining the complexities of science rhetoric without wallowing in the complexities. I thought the idea of remembering that scientific prose emphasizes the noun rather than the verb was helpful in remembering how to avoid such writing.
I also thought the examples adequately showed how to put the advice into practice. My favorite was this one: a direct lean usage -- rat, the academic usuage -- small founal species. Nice.
Moving along... the Assessment of Media Performance and Three Mile Island was a surprisingly interesting read. And in reading it I began to sympathize with the reporters who had no idea what they were writing about. Like Ben Livingood from the Allentown Call, I too wouldn't be able to tell you what a nuclear meltdown really meant. I guess that's why I found the original assignment of writing the story and bit crazy to be honest, and then to be graded on accuracy on that type of story was just a calcuated blow to me journalistically. I understand the point being made. But myself, like the other reporters who actually covered the event, would have like a accurate technical brief. We're sophomores and humans...not nuclear scientists.
Anyways I'm getting off track. I also appreciated the disscussion on sensationalism during the coverage. Right now in my ethics class we are focusing on how to avoid sensationalizing the story. I thought the point that was made about not asking the "what if" questions a helpful hint in staying away from tabloid material. Something I will bring up in my next class.
And finally, I liked the quote from the Philadelphia Inquirer about multiple sources. "There is a better chance of getting the truth from many tongues."
www.binghamtonairport.com
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/rat
Of course I see the merit in reading the passage, I understand there are links to what he is saying and what we have been discussing in class. But snore. Yuck. Blah.
I have to apologize, this blog is coming at the end of a very long and horrible weekend of flying arrangements that left me stranded for countless hours in the Binghamton Airport that slightly resembles the set of "Wings". You get the picture.
I also found the assumption he was making regarding economic and politcal speeches being the cause of a dying language confusing. Yes, reading scientific mumbojumbo is also like running through mud, but do that many people read it and use it so that it is effecting societal tendencies...? And I loved the over pretentious line about a writers lack of precision, "a mixture of vagueness and sheer incompetence." That's uplifting and makes me want to write more.
The only rule I really liked and wrote down to further inspire myself throughout this trying semester was "if it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out." I thought that was useful and pertained to something I could constuctively use.
In the Five Characteristics of Academic or Scholarly Prose I liked the brief way of explaining the complexities of science rhetoric without wallowing in the complexities. I thought the idea of remembering that scientific prose emphasizes the noun rather than the verb was helpful in remembering how to avoid such writing.
I also thought the examples adequately showed how to put the advice into practice. My favorite was this one: a direct lean usage -- rat, the academic usuage -- small founal species. Nice.
Moving along... the Assessment of Media Performance and Three Mile Island was a surprisingly interesting read. And in reading it I began to sympathize with the reporters who had no idea what they were writing about. Like Ben Livingood from the Allentown Call, I too wouldn't be able to tell you what a nuclear meltdown really meant. I guess that's why I found the original assignment of writing the story and bit crazy to be honest, and then to be graded on accuracy on that type of story was just a calcuated blow to me journalistically. I understand the point being made. But myself, like the other reporters who actually covered the event, would have like a accurate technical brief. We're sophomores and humans...not nuclear scientists.
Anyways I'm getting off track. I also appreciated the disscussion on sensationalism during the coverage. Right now in my ethics class we are focusing on how to avoid sensationalizing the story. I thought the point that was made about not asking the "what if" questions a helpful hint in staying away from tabloid material. Something I will bring up in my next class.
And finally, I liked the quote from the Philadelphia Inquirer about multiple sources. "There is a better chance of getting the truth from many tongues."
www.binghamtonairport.com
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/rat
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