Reading Abstract – The Existential Copy Editor April 9, 2008

In today’s competitive workforce, to be successful in the world of journalism is particularly difficult. Ironically, a journalism degree is not even necessary in order to pursue a career in media. As such, students expecting to be successful right out of college are often disappointed to face the fact that beginning reporters and editors do not make high salaries. As a copy editor, it is often hard to gain the respect and praise in a newsroom. However, adopting an existential philosophy and being can benefit copy editors in a busy newsroom. As Susan Keith explains, copy editors have a vital role of being the last line of defense against errors. With existentialism; however, they also have the potential to serve as the last line of defense against violations of ethically challenged journalists to reject a “herd mentality” and embrace freedom and responsibility.

According to existentialism, humans must experience angst to experience the possibilities of life. Therefore, instead of feeling isolated in a conflicting niche as a journalist in society, existentialism allows a copy editor to take a leading role in their own choices and actions. In order to succeed as a copy editor, existentialism shows that one can not merely sit as a passive receiver of jobs and responsibilities, but must take matters in his or her own hands and be an active supplier of autonomy. The difficulty in being a copy editor is that potential and motivation are often hidden behind daily obligations and certain expectations. Copy editors are rarely allowed to create their own content or choose the topics they get to work on. An existential copy editor finds a way to demonstrate individualism by creating their own ethical standards and expressing himself.

Journalists are usually taught to be objective when providing information. What is interesting to note about an existential copy editor is that he or she rejects the idea that any human can produce a truly objective report, what Merrill called the “objective-neutralism” fallacy. Therefore, while copy editors are often taken for granted, existentialism can allow them to connect with the readers, and even perhaps making changes in their newsroom or the media field by volunteering for difficult assignments and embracing new technology. Existentialism can improve the difficulties that copy editors face because they will no longer be looking for the respect when wishing to advance – “the existential copy editor is an internally motivated steward of good journalism.” The existential copy editor is engaged and committed wholly and is not afraid of speaking out. If budding, young journalists adapted existentialism as their personal mantra, then they would challenge their superiors and contribute to a more diverse newsroom.

Reading Abstract – Week 11 March 25, 2008

Under the Getting Sued section of Dr. R’s Journalism Readings, many issues come up regarding the importance of editing blogger comments and the risks that come along with true, but harmful, information.

In “Assessing Legal Risks and Guidelines for User Comments,” Al Tompkins stresses the implications of having third parties post their own information on news Web sites. With the increased use of technology in reporting news and information, non-expert journalists have the ability to post their own opinions that may, whether they are aware of it or not, can bring defamation; invasion of privacy; misappropriation and right of publicity; and emotional distress. While the posted information from online users is not directly from a professional news representative, news outlets should hold users’ opinions to the same editing standards that they do their own work. Since the media are responsible for informing the public, any posted comment that gives what might be considered professional advice should be published cautiously and under strict scrutiny.

As a journalism student, I find it inexcusable that news executives hold a common belief that if they do not edit comments, they are more protected from defamation and or/libel claims than if they edit the feedback. If editors edited feedback they way they edited their own stories, then they would have the opportunity to increase their reputations and credibility. In addition, if users knew that their information would be under strict editing standards, then defamatory and false information could possibly be prevented.

“Dialogue or Diatribe,” is a clear example of the problems that come with including user feedback and comments on news Web sites. While the survey in the article shows that most newspapers do edit, spike or kill comments before they are posted, Ellyn Angelotti points out that a majority of newspapers that responded are the ones that approve comments before posting. As with most other surveys, there is a hole in the results; they are misleading because newspapers that don’t approve or kill comments before publication aren’t represented.

While user comments can carry legal issues, sometimes reporters and editors are the ones who dig themselves into controversial lawsuits. While reporting the truth accurately is one of the main tenants of journalism, “reporting the truth is not always popular,” as described in “Truth v. False Light.” When government officials abuse their power, they do not always welcome media attention when their acts are negatively reported in the news. While defamation suits are usually held to the same standard of evidence as false-light actions, there is a lower standard of proof for the latter in Florida. News organizations, unfortunately, can be sued even when the information reported is true and accurate. While the standards in Florida threaten the ability of the media to report the truth, it also demonstrates the importance of careful editing. Editors and reporters alike need to realize the implications of word choice; for example, the use of “a man shot and killed his wife” should not be used in a story about an accidental death. Especially with the use of the Internet, news is a constant, fast-paced source of information that lives on infinitely. Editors have an obligation to make sure that information is true, fair and sensitive to others. In the end, they will protect their readers and themselves.

Reading Abstract – Week 10 March 25, 2008

When using statistics, polls and surveys in news stories, writers and editors both need to understand the margin of error and the possibility of deception and inaccuracies that come along with reporting that uses numbers and math. In “Margin of Error,” Robert Niles explains the mathematical definition of and process of margin of error, as well its relationship to the standard deviation. The problem is that the average reader probably does not comprehend the basics behind arriving at the margin of error, so the numbers can be misleading for them. As we have learned in previous articles regarding journalists and mathematics, many reporters and editors don’t see math as being part of their job, and consequently, the average journalist is most likely not aware of the repercussions of reporting facts with the inclusion of margin of error. Perhaps stories regarding polls where margins of error and surveys play an active role, a clear explanation should be included so the reader can fully understand the significance and meaning of the story. If the reporter were responsible to include that explanation, misleading and deceptive information and assumptions could be prevented.

            Jack Rosenthal also demonstrates the possibility of misguiding readers when using surveys and statistics. When dealing with surveys in general, there is often researcher and participant bias, similar to how the actual news does not reflect the general population. When the media have such an important role in providing truth and accuracy, it is important that readers understand the clear messages and facts behind a story. Rosenthal uses the example of the American Medical Association, which reported “an alarming rate of binge drinking and unprotected sex among college women during spring break.” In fact, the report was based on 644 women who volunteered to answer the questions, and only 25 percent of them had actually ever taken a spring break trip. This report is a clear example of how readers can be brainwashed into believing misleading information. Journalists need to be extremely careful not to create a story out of inconclusive data simply to have a story.

            Additionally, Rosenthal explains how The New York Times issued an extensive paper on polling standards for editors and reporters. While all newspapers should do the same, they also need to include these standards and guidelines for their readers as well. Seeing an overabundance of percentages and statistics won’t have any true importance if the readers don’t understand their implications. When covering polls, the National Council on Public Polls recommends that journalists ask themselves 20 questions, including such questions such as who did the polls; who paid for the polls; and what questions were asked. In order to have information that reflects accuracy, journalists should include the answers to these questions in polling stories so that readers won’t fall into the realm of deception. It is important to understand that many readers are naïve, and it is the media’s role to educate and inform readers to their highest capabilities with fair and objective reporting. If polls and surveys continue to be reported and published with research biases, then the media will ultimately fail to fill that role in society.

 

 

 

Reading Abstract – Week 9 March 4, 2008

This past week’s readings bring up debatable and ethical concerns regarding the use of anonymous sources, as well as how sources should be protected and whether or not reporters should have a certain privilege when writing these kinds of stories. When the media often report on highly publicized governmental and criminal events, reputations and national security are things that are often at stake.

Washington Post national security writer Walter Pincus explains how he made his decisions regarding the Valerie Plame case and how other general guidelines should be used when using confidential sources in “Anonymous sources: their use in a time of prosecutorial interest.” When an administration official was talking to Pincus confidentially about a matter involving Iraqi nuclear activities, he told him about former Ambassador Joseph Wilson’s CIA-sponsored trip to Niger in 2002, which was set up as a “boondoggle” by Wilson’s wife, an analyst with the agency working on weapons of mass destruction.

With information from a confidential source, Pincus had a dilemma. He disclosed the information, but not the source, after Valerie Plame had been named by Robert Novak, who was under criminal investigation. Under certain circumstances, a government official’s disclosure of identity could be a violation of federal law. Receiving a subpoena in order to find out the identity of his source, Pincus refused. He believed that the identity should be withheld until he agreed to reveal himself publicly. With such vital information, Pincus behaved in a way that would abide by the ethical principles of journalism, safeguarding national security and credibility within the media. Pincus brings up an interesting perspective on reporter’s privilege in that he views it as something that is shared by the source and the reporter. Nevertheless, it is extremely risky for a reporter to pledge anonymity and for newspapers to publish information from anonymous sources, as information eventually lacks credibility and readers ultimately don’t know what to believe to be true. As seen in the movie “All the President’s Men,” the use of anonymity harms the media’s profession and diminishes the value of confidentiality given to the people who risk their jobs and reputation for what they believe is the moral thing to do.

One Poynter article by Ryan Pitts asks for the opinions of readers on confidential sources and reveals that “a significant number of readers say the media would be better off not using them, even if that means waiting longer for an important story.” One reader asserts that if a source is willing to give information, then they should be willing to be named, as it is far too easy “to hide behind the cloak of anonymity.”

A lot of times, it is understandable why a newspaper would choose to publish confidential information on a governmental or scandalous story, especially in the profitable business of being the first to know. Many times throughout history, the media have acted as a watchdog and a form of check and balance on the government through the knowledge learned through confidential sources. If the information can be confirmed, then they have succeeded in producing social change. If not, then their reputation, as well as the ones of the subjects of the stories, is tarnished indefinitely. Unfortunately, in today’s age of fast-paced technology and the rush of deadline, thorough reporting and fact checking is not as effective as it should be or once was. The only time information should be published from a confidential source is if the information is absolutely vital to the public interest or prevents harm, if the source is in a position to make the claims and to supply the information, and if there is no other way to obtain the information.

While the American public believes the media would be better without confidential sources, Rachel Smolkin’s article reveals that most agree that reporters should be allowed to keep a source confidential. Ironically, Americans endorse the watchdog role of the media in their role in acting within our democratic government. The use of anonymous sources, incidentally, is a journalistic tool that falls in to a very gray area. While they can be useful, they should be used sparingly and vigilantly, as no one can agree on the harms and benefits that come along the way.

 

Local Paper Description – The Miami Herald

            While the newspaper has a large percentage of non-white newsroom staff, the percentage has gone down since previous years. In 2005 the percentage was 43 percent, and in 2004 it was 63 percent. Ironically, the circulation areas have a non-white population of about 70 percent, while the county’s non-white population is about 80 percent, which clearly does not reflect the actual diversity in the newsroom.

 

Reading Abstract – Week 8 February 26, 2008

When editing a story prior to publication, even the smallest details, such as punctuation and word choice, can change a meaning. In “The Comma that Cost 1 Million Dollars,” Ian Austen describes how a phone company got out of a contract because of a cable provider’s careless use of punctuation. Commas are often small marks that are used for clarification and listing, but in this case, one comma completely changed the meaning of the main clause of the contract. This example shows how important it is for editors to have a watchful eye for grammatical slip-ups, especially when libel and defamation are issues when writing the news. Also, a misplaced comma can change a fact of a story, which would deter readers from the truth.

In “Who you callin’ ungrammatical,” Jan Freeman debates the use of “whom” in formal writing and print. She mentions the opinion of one linguist, who thinks that beginning a question with “whom” in contemporary, standard English would be unusual and bizarre. However, as traditional newspapers and the AP Style Guide tell journalists, “who” is always a subject, never an object. Freeman goes on to explain the ideas of using “whom” in a headline. Some suggest that it sounds too formal to grasp a reader’s attention and would use “who” instead. However, there are others who would use the proper English or simply change the headline to avoid the debate. While formal words, such as “whom” are not often spoken, it is important to keep the English language the way it was intended. If editors and newspapers were told that the difference between “who” and “whom” didn’t matter, then one can’t help but wonder what would come next. While using “who” instead of “whom” doesn’t confuse the reader, allowing it would make room for other exceptions that may not be as synonymous in meaning. Disagreement is beneficial in a newsroom, and editors and reporters need to debate such issues as the use of “whom” because there is a reason why the word exists in the English language. There needs to be editing standards so that errors and confusions don’t appear in news stories.

It is important for copy editors to notice the smallest of grammatical and organizational errors that others among the news staff may not. As Ann Auman describes in her article, copy editors are the “glue in the whole process of writing, editing and presentation.” They add quality and value to the final project. However, in today’s fast-paced news room, copy editors have been given more and more responsibilities with the advent of technology and online projects. Copy editors must look at a story as if it is the first one they will read at any given moment. Fresh, attentive eyes must catch any margin of error so that one hyphen, one article or one pronoun won’t hurt credibility or reputation.

 

Case Study – Grandfather charged in blaze that killed 3

            The headline of this story demonstrates how careful editors need to be before publishing a story. One needs to think carefully if there are any issues that may arise because of publishing one word over another. In this case, for an editor who doesn’t consider a fetus a human life, there would be no problem with the headline. However, for a reader who is a staunch conservative, pro-life activist, then problems will surface. It is best to choose headlines and words that remain neutral. For this story, a better headline would have been something like, “Grandfather sets blaze, charged with 4 murders.” This headline coincides with the facts of the story while avoiding the subjective opinions of how many people actually died.

 

Week 7 February 20, 2008

Reading Abstract – Week 7             When reporting a story, the duty of providing objective and accurate information is often difficult to fulfill because of the issues of sensitivity and ethics that come along with certain stories. Many times, it is the way a story is covered and not what is covered that makes a published story ethically sound.             It has been shown in numerous studies that suicides increase when media reports of suicide increase, and the same happens when a particular suicide is treated prominently, according to Kathleen Hall Jamieson’s article, “Can suicide coverage lead to copycats?” The media often romanticize  suicides and create  a story out of something that vulnerable individuals may not comprehend to the fullest. It is important to understand why a person committed suicide, not how he or she went about doing it. Since the media have such an important role of informing the public, discussion about psychiatric disorders is important to understand that such acts are not inexplicable acts of “otherwise happy and normal individuals.”            The problem is that news outlets are often more interested in increasing readership and neglect to realize the ramifications of covering suicides in what has been the common way. Hall cites the example of a “The New York Times” study, which shows that 60 percent of the suicides covered in 1990, 1995 and 1999 mentioned the word “suicide” in the headline, and only 7.9 percent of the articles cited depression as a factor of the reported suicide. When dealing with a subject as sensitive as suicide, reporters and editors need to stray away from their objective point of views, and for once, stray away from being robotic journalists and become human beings. The way a story is reported can change the effect of a story, and the media can play an influential role in educating the public about suicide prevention. In Hall’s other article, “Choosing language carefully,” certain ways to report on suicides are suggested in order to prevent or mitigate negative effects, such as copycats. Hall shows how something as simple as a word can affect the reader. Avoiding the reference to suicide in the headline, unless the suicide took place in public, can decrease the likelihood of contagion. Also, contrasting “suicide deaths” with “nonfatal attempts” is preferable to using terms such as “successful” and “failed.”

The first thing that comes to mind as an example of suicide coverage is the repeated exposure that the Virginia Tech shootings received in the media and the recent shootings at NIU. In a case study last semester for my ethics of journalism class, I analyzed the ethical implications of NBC’s coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings. On one side was the journalistic value of disseminating the truth and why the tragedy occurred, but on the other hand, there was also the necessary concern for sympathy and human emotion when covering public trauma. “Showing the video was more a question of putting the story in to context and telling a story of a very disturbed individual,” said Neal Bennett, news director of NBC 29 in Virginia, in an interview with me. However, after the 24-hour news cycle, NBC removed what was aired from Cho’s manifesto from broadcasting, as the information became more harmful than informative, he said. One can not help but wonder if the media manifesto influenced the NIU shootings. Nevertheless, Bennett also said, “Seeking thruths – plural, not single – is the most important thing in journalism. Very few things are black and white.”

The coverage of the Virginia Tech Massacre also demonstrates the difficulties in deciding what to publish, in terms of visual information. Pictures and videos have a certain effect that can not be conveyed with words alone. However, in only airing small parts of the manifesto, providing cautionary disclaimers, and also providing the bulk of the pictures and video on the Internet were ways that NBC attempted to balance sensitivity issues. In “You Be the Editor,” Senior Scholar Roy Peter Clark of the Poynter Institute encourages debate about the macabre images from Fallujah, Iraq, which showed the charred and dismembered remains of American civilians hanging from a bridge and Iraqis cheering in the foreground. As with suicide coverage, the way photographs are published can have a considerable effect on readers. Editors need to put an extreme amount of thought before publishing such graphic photographs, such as looking to see if a specific face is recognizable; where the photograph will be run; and if there are any alternatives. However, it is a newspaper’s responsibility to show the truth and report the facts, especially during wartime. With such emotional power, photographs can produce morality and consciences, and they have the ability to influence social and cultural change. 

Week 6 February 12, 2008

Reading Abstract

             In “Calling for back-up,” Richard Chacon questions the purpose and accuracy of the opinion columns in newspapers. He asserts that op-ed pieces should have the same standards for sourcing and attribution that are applied to regular stories in the news sections. He cites specific cases of op-ed pieces where editors did not check the facts, sources and/or the math. While op-ed pieces are personal opinions of the author, that doesn’t necessarily mean that anything can be published without someone checking every single name, number and attribution. One free-lance writer suggests that newspapers should make writers include source information in brackets when submitting a column. In turn, the editor will know where the information comes from and whether or not it is accurate. The lack of accuracy in certain op-ed pieces is thus a demonstration of the lack of tight standards of editing when putting out a newspaper for deadline. Since the opinion pieces are not always directly written by newspaper staff, it is as if they are exempt from standard editing procedures, simply because they are opinions. However, what most editors are not realizing is that since op-ed pieces shape the minds and views of the reader, the facts that these opinions are based on should be just as, if not even more, prone to scrutiny.

            “The Discerning Eye: Truth in Storytelling” by Peter Osnos also deals with flaws in accuracy and truth in stories. He uses the example of James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces and the invented stories by Janet Cooke and Jayson Blair, which were both eventually published. He compares and contrasts book publishing and news editing, and states that “it is undeniably true that soaring success if often accompanied by arrogance which makes the institution especially vulnerable to a failure of standards or insight.” When an editor receives a story that is so unbelievable, it might just be. Stories like “Jimmy’s World” sometimes blur the line between success and skepticism and protection of credibility. Osnos also makes the assertion that books, unlike parts of the media, are based on sales have no advertising and no subscription. However, in today’s fast-paced commercialized and capitalistic newspaper industry, every little fact and name must be checked before news is disseminated around the world. Therefore, the media are under a more discerning eye than books are, because the reputation of a whole industry is tarnished. When an author of a book fabricates his story, one person’s reputation is hurt, but the work can become a successfully selling work of fiction. Newspapers are never fiction, and when an editor is skeptical about the credibility of a story, he or she should always protect the standards of accuracy when making writers prove their facts and stories.

            During the most recent New Editors’ Survival Guide seminar at API, Rosalie Stemer led a group of new editors in a discussion of skeptical editing. They came up with a list of questions every editor should ask when editing a story before publication. Some examples include double-checking addresses, names, math, spelling and attribution. Also, an editor should check the information on LexisNexis and to ask whether there is any reason to doubt the information. If Stemer’s list were posted in every newsroom, careless errors and fabrication might be prevented. An editor must understand that there is never a reason to be completely sure that a story is accurate and credible. Editors must question writers, sources, research tools, and most importantly, themselves.

Reading Abstract – Week 5 February 5, 2008

“Journalists + math = anxiety, self-doubt” and “The Quest for Accurate Numbers”

             The readings from this past week stress the importance of accuracy and credibility when dealing with numbers in news stories. As shown, one of the problems in journalism is that many journalists are not confident when it comes to doing basic math. In addition, journalism and math are often considered two completely different fields. However, reporters will often have to write stories dealing with business, elections, surveys, crime, sports and the economy – all dealing with numbers.

            Scott R. Maier explains that despite journalists’ ability to excel in math, “math anxiety” persists. He offers a way to instill confidence to use skills that they already have. He suggests that newsrooms should award those who use numbers well and that quantitative skills should be awarded with high salaries. What is interesting to note is that he mentions how mathematics should be a basic part of journalism curriculum, along with knowledge and mastery of AP style. Unfortunately, as can be seen among any average journalism student, many undergraduates are uncomfortable doing math in news stories and see their abilities to write news stories as something completely different from their math skills. Ironically, journalism and math are much intertwined. Journalists are taught to write with objectivity and precision, which are two basic characteristics of math. If journalists were taught from the beginning that math is a fundamental part of writing stories, then perhaps newspapers could prevent careless inconsistencies and errors in math-related stories.

            Another problem that Malcom Gibson addresses is that there is a lack of interest in understanding numbers. Perhaps if potential journalists were taught that numbers and words had a complementary relationship in their writing, then they might acquire in interest in arithmetic if they understood the importance. The interest could possibly be the catalyst for the confidence needed to spot errors in news writing. Editing numbers should be as natural as editing the spelling and facts of a story for copy editors, but because they aren’t taught how important and relevant numbers are from the beginning, a lot of incorrect calculations make it in to published stories.

            Even at UF, where the journalism school is one of the top in the country, over half of an advanced editing class could not figure out how to calculate a decrease in percentage. If a calculator were required as a resource, along with an AP style guide and a dictionary, perhaps the accuracy of numbers would be thought of being as important as the accuracy of people’s names and ages.

            The math dilemma also is associated with the relationships between the reporter, editor, source and story. The copy editor has to question every fact that the reporter includes in the story. Also, the reporter has to question every mathematical fact that he or she receives from the source. If journalists were taught to be aware of the numbers during the story-writing process, then a lot of errors could be prevented.

 

Case Study – Violent crime increases in Gainesville

            The story reveals the problems relating to mathematical awareness and knowledge in the newsroom. As the readings prove, if there were rules regarding percentages and other mathematical rules posted in a newsroom, along with other AP style rules then maybe journalists would realize the importance that numbers have in the world of media.

            If any copy editor were aware of the mathematical importance of the story, then he or she would realize to check the numbers in the story to those in the table, and the inconsistencies could have been prevented. Another problem with the story is that there are too many numbers for the reader to keep track of the story. It is not necessary to include the amount of mathematical facts in the story in addition to providing the table. I doubt any copy editor would enjoy being the reader who would be reading this story. It is as if the editor viewed the mathematical skills necessary for editing the story as out of his or her ability. As Scott R. Maier suggests, “the problem is that many think they can’t do math.” The case study is visible proof of the lack of emphasis that math has in the newsroom.

Reading Abstract – Week 4 January 29, 2008

Reading Abstract – Week 4           

Under the Sources and Subject section of the journalism readings, “Reflecting the Audience” and “Women are Still Missing as Sources for Journalists,” one can’t help but question the media’s objective role. There are currently 374 all-white staffed newspapers in the country, and only 13 percent of newspapers  responding to a report for the Knight Foundation “meet the goal of parity between newsroom and community non-white percentages,” according to www.poynter.org. In addition, although women make up about 52 percent of the population, more than three quarters of all stories contain male sources.  Based on these findings, writers and sources do not accurately reflect the average American citizen. Journalists are told to be objective, non-biased writers who simply inform readers. However, if a story doesn’t contain diverse sources and doesn’t come from a diverse and open reporter, than the story fails to be objective.                                                                                                                                                                                                              The reading “Newsroom diversity attitudes affect content” proves that a positive newsroom climate to diversity issues can positively affect the quality and quantity of an organization’s news coverage of minorities. Since most newspapers aren’t run by diverse newsrooms, minority news coverage is lacking, which results in a majority of one-sided coverage.              

   In a society where people often question the media and its actual motives and responsibilities, minorities have a right to do so. If a black woman read the first page of each of the top five major newspapers in the country, she would not find as many sources and stories that she could relate to, as compared to a white man reading the morning news.  As a result, it is not surprising that readers have formed blogs and other outlets to create their own forums for communication through citizen journalism. Improvements in diversity is a slow progress, but “the key is to have a person who is empowered and signed-on to promote diversity causes and issues in a decision-making role,” fellow researcher Subervi said. In a true decision-making model, objective criteria need to be the source of the decision, and multiple avenues and alternatives must be researched. By having a news staff that is educated on a broad spectrum of issues pertaining to diversity, a newspaper can effectively cover diverse and objective news.  The Newspaper Association of America’s “Cover Story: 20 under 40” illustrates the media’s attempt towards incremental improvements in diversity. The people chosen represent the “enthusiasm, talent, hard work and innovation that’s needed to carry the newspaper industry into the future.” While only four are non-white, the top finalists consist of 10 women and 10 men, showing a step forward in diversity that women are being recognized for their creativity and passion. The finalists are opinionated and recognize that there are other stories to tell in the local market, further appealing to diverse audiences. In order for newspapers to last in to the future there needs to be a loyal readership. If readers can not relate to the editors and content, then the newspaper fails. By finding innovative and diverse ways to cover news, news can be more objective and can be appreciated by an increasingly broad audience.

Case Study: Jimmy’s World

When first reading Jimmy’s World, a copy editor should first ask himself if the story is actually possible. While anyone would want to believe that a story of such magnitude were true because it does make valuable news, it is highly doubtful that an 8-year-old boy would talk in the manner that Jimmy does. One would also have to ask what kind of mother would allow her young child to be addicted to heroin. Also, since drugs are illegal, it is also questionable how a drug dealer allowed a reporter to come into his home, conduct an interview and take detailed notes on his home and the people who come and go.  Another thing that comes to mind is to question what kind of drug dealer would waste costly drugs by personally injecting a child, who probably is not mature enough to understand the legal and medical consequences. There are also language inconsistencies, and the story seems a little exaggerated in some places in order to be completely true. The street life she depicted seems too stereotypical at times as well.Jimmy’s World relates to last week’s readings in that this could have been prevented if reporters and editors worked as adversaries in the newsroom. This is an example of an editor having too much faith in the reporter. If the editor asked for the source information before the story was published, the problem could also have been prevented. While there are exceptions to confidential sources, a drug-addicted 8-year-old and his drug dealing family would probably not be one of them.

Reading Abstract and Case Study – Week 3 January 22, 2008

This past week’s readings dealt with credibility, the relationship between editor and reporter and the questionability of blogs in a constantly changing world of communication.

            “Skeptical Editing,” by Reid MaCluggage forces one working in the field of media question the sources of flawed journalism. When the media do make factual errors and flaws in reporting, they are often blamed for not being ‘skeptical enough,’ but a reporter’s story is the result of what an honest reporter believes to be true. However, in the world of fast-paced technology, when a story is made public, it sometimes becomes too late to correct an error. The problem with practicing editorial virtue, such as incredulity, as Sissela Bok suggests, is that there is a journalistic paradox in her ethical decision making model. When one is forced to consider alternatives, her ethical model is based on the premise that maintaining social trust is a fundamental goal. However, according to Bok, any decision should be a result of seeking expert advice for alternatives and conducting discussion with those involved in the decision. Bok’s model, therefore, addresses the complex relationship of editor and reporter, as well as the reader. The editor is supposed to have social trust for the editor, and the reader trusts the newspaper to public factual information. At the same time, looking for hypothetical alternatives and public discussion is necessary for factual reporting. The only way to fix the paradox and provide a remedy for flawed journalism is to revamp the relationship between reporter and editor and the story. Like in law and in science, journalism should be a field where everyone questions one another in order to achieve accurate or fair results. The news story is the witness, and it is the editor’s and reporter’s job to cross-examine the witness in order to uncover holes in the story.

            One way that readers are trying to reformulate their own relationships with news sources is through forming a new world of citizen journalism through blogging. Online journalism can challenge and uncover flaws of traditional newspapers, while sometimes even creating sources of political and social change. One grassroots news Web site, iBattleboro, was founded at least in part, because they felt that mainstream media were not telling the whole story on important issues, Tom Grubisich said. The blog also portrays one way mainstream journalists can see a reason to self-examine their own professions. While blogs can aide to the adversarial relationships in media and create new sources of information, they are sometimes inaccurate and biased. Grubisich’s article uses the metaphor of a “Potemkin Village,” which is now defined as something that appears elaborate and impressive but in actuality lacks substance. It is also used to describe a flawed interpretation (www.wikipedia.org). Thus, one must utilize blogs wisely and skeptically. Mainstream journalists can benefit from blogs in that citizens help expose fallacies through feedback, while citizens can also benefit by voicing their own opinions through taking a role as additional reporter.

            With the consolidation of the newspaper industry and rise of the Internet, there are less joint operating agreements. However, like opposing editors and reporters working for the same newspaper, competing newspapers working under the same joint operating agreement could form a system of check and balance in the world of factual news publishing. Because the Internet is a place where everyone is a skeptic, perhaps blogs can offer a new path towards skeptical editing and reporting in order to uncover inaccuracies and alternatives to mainstream journalism.

 

 

Case Study: Eagle Snatches Dog While Owner Watches

 

            This past week’s case study clearly demonstrates the importance of skeptical editing and reporting, as explained in the readings. The story is unusual and entertaining, but there is often a fine line between certain news values and actual newsworthiness.

            As a reporter or editor, one can not take a tip of information as true right from the beginning. In this story, the only attributed source is a gas station attendant. Therefore, the story’s information is only based on hearsay. In a story of such unique magnitude, it is important to get quotes and information from the parties directly involved in order to show to the readers that the newspaper is credible and practices comprehensive reporting.

            While the story is unusual, in that one wouldn’t think of an eagle to come down and take a person’s beloved pet, one can’t help but assume that eagles often feed on small rodents that resemble Chihuahua’s in the wild. If a reporter or editor thought about this before publication and researched whether or not similar incidents have occurred in the past in nearby areas, then someone might have uncovered the myth behind the story.

            Another issue that comes to mind when reading the story is the emotional and ethical aspect of the story. If the story were to be true, one can’t help but to feel bad for the poor woman who cried for her small dog. This kind of story is not front page news, but slants towards more of a feature-like story. To create a poignant and complete story, one would have to interview the woman and go into more detail, rather than objectifying an animal that she probably viewed as her child, as most pet owners do.