You can tell the experience of a writer by the stories they write. Suzanne Russell of The Home News Tribune does an excellent job with her "Today's a Miracle" story. She captures the feeling and emotion of a young girl battling a disease and celebrating life with a party. Ms. Russell has been with the newspaper for years and her skill as a writer shows with this story. She makes you want to reach out and help this young girl without making the story all about the disease she is fighting. She then shows the outpouring of support from the community to help the girl.
Her story captures the beauty of the moment and makes us all stop for a moment. There is little more you can want from a reporter then to make you stop and think.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
A 1
I realize with 24 hour cable news covering every minute of Anna Nicole Smith's death things have gotten bad. They only break when they want to update us on Britney Spears on again off again rehab. But what I can not understand is how things have fallen off in New Jersey. I realize I expect alot from my Sunday papers but this week raised more questions.
The past week saw talk of the state budget, federal subpoenas, and civil unions. But the whopper on page A1 of The Home News Tribune was about WRESTLING! Yes if you don't understand the behind the scenes working of wrestling you can turn to the front page, above the fold of today's paper and find out about 23-year-old Rob Strauss. Rob is a wrestler who struggles to make it big - and that is about all the story gave us. Not only can you read the story but there are 7 photos of the wrestling at a Knights of Columbus hall.
Come on is this really front page news. Maybe it belongs in sports or entertainment but the top news of the week. When I read today's paper I try to think of who the target audience is. I would love to know the demographics of the readership. I just can not believe there are senior citizens in Woodbridge or Edison so excited that their questions about wrestling are finally getting answered.
Oh well can't wait for next week - Loch Ness Monster Real or Fake.
The past week saw talk of the state budget, federal subpoenas, and civil unions. But the whopper on page A1 of The Home News Tribune was about WRESTLING! Yes if you don't understand the behind the scenes working of wrestling you can turn to the front page, above the fold of today's paper and find out about 23-year-old Rob Strauss. Rob is a wrestler who struggles to make it big - and that is about all the story gave us. Not only can you read the story but there are 7 photos of the wrestling at a Knights of Columbus hall.
Come on is this really front page news. Maybe it belongs in sports or entertainment but the top news of the week. When I read today's paper I try to think of who the target audience is. I would love to know the demographics of the readership. I just can not believe there are senior citizens in Woodbridge or Edison so excited that their questions about wrestling are finally getting answered.
Oh well can't wait for next week - Loch Ness Monster Real or Fake.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Great Coverage
While the first two posts have been critical of media reporting I realize that the vast majority of stories are well put together. The majority of writers are hard workers who do a tremendous job at informing the public.
One such instance was a story in The Trenton Times on December 23, 2006. The reporter Michael Ratcliffe described in great detail a harrowing house fire that almost cost three Trenton firefighters their lives. Mr. Ratcliffe's writing placed the reader at the scene in the frantic moments as the firefighters were trapped. He then followed up with quotes from the firefighters and union leaders. The story then turned to asking questions about why the tragedy almost took place. The story recognized the amazing rescue but also elevated the discussion of safety at fire scenes.
One such instance was a story in The Trenton Times on December 23, 2006. The reporter Michael Ratcliffe described in great detail a harrowing house fire that almost cost three Trenton firefighters their lives. Mr. Ratcliffe's writing placed the reader at the scene in the frantic moments as the firefighters were trapped. He then followed up with quotes from the firefighters and union leaders. The story then turned to asking questions about why the tragedy almost took place. The story recognized the amazing rescue but also elevated the discussion of safety at fire scenes.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Subpoena Story
Last Saturday all New Jersey newspapers had lead stories about the federal government serving subpoenas on New Jersey's elected officials. In reviewing the stories from the Associated Press and Gannett they appeared similar. The Star-Ledger however had a scoop citing sources with direct knowledge of the probe. They also included the following quote from Assemblyman Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex), "Trenton is on fire..this is the equivalent to Rome burning". They went on to explain that the subpoenas were related to an investigation into Senator Wayne Bryant that had expanded. The sources told the newspaper that they were looking to see if any lawmakers had steered money towards non profit organizations that they would directly benefit from.
The problem I have is that the Star-Ledger only gives us half the story but must know more by the way the story is written. The newspaper says the subpoenas only date back to 2004 but gives no explanation why. The quote used to illustrate the dire straits is not clarified. The reader can not understand why an elected official believes this is such a disastrous occurrence. It appears that the writers and the lawmaker realize the true impact of the subpoenas but fail to tell us what it is. It makes me believe that the writer knows what the subpoenas will uncover but wants to hold off telling us as if this is some suspense thriller or mini series. The writers who cover this beat must know what money was steered to questionable projects but fail to share that with us. If you cite sources with direct knowledge you owe the public more direct knowledge.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-11/117169056125890
The problem I have is that the Star-Ledger only gives us half the story but must know more by the way the story is written. The newspaper says the subpoenas only date back to 2004 but gives no explanation why. The quote used to illustrate the dire straits is not clarified. The reader can not understand why an elected official believes this is such a disastrous occurrence. It appears that the writers and the lawmaker realize the true impact of the subpoenas but fail to tell us what it is. It makes me believe that the writer knows what the subpoenas will uncover but wants to hold off telling us as if this is some suspense thriller or mini series. The writers who cover this beat must know what money was steered to questionable projects but fail to share that with us. If you cite sources with direct knowledge you owe the public more direct knowledge.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-11/117169056125890
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The Auditor - Questions
When The Newark Star-Ledger ran the following story I had to read it twice;
"Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura was out eating with his wife and daughter at Birichino Northern Italian Resteraunt on West 29th Street in Manhattan recently when he noticied a familiar face: TV gangster ChristopherMoltisanti from the HBO's The Sopranos, in real life he is actor/ writer Michael Imperioli".
The story goes on to tell how the Sheriff confronted the actor about how he doesn't like the work he does in Essex County. But then the good part;
"He told Imperioli, stay out of Essex County. But in spite of that here is a card for you in case you get caught speeding as your leaving the county. It was a card identifying the holder as a honorary deputy sheriff in Essex."
The Star-Ledger who only months ago was all over the then Attorney General for trying to fix a ticket does nothing to follow through on the story. Are you kidding me? The last time I checked the Sheriff was an elected official who is admitting to giving out cards to get people out of tickets. I bet the hard working residents of Essex County would like the same opportunity to get out of a ticket. It is one thing for someone to have one of those cards and try to get out of a ticket, but for the newspaper to write a story and not follow it up makes you wonder if any reporters have the card as well.
"Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura was out eating with his wife and daughter at Birichino Northern Italian Resteraunt on West 29th Street in Manhattan recently when he noticied a familiar face: TV gangster ChristopherMoltisanti from the HBO's The Sopranos, in real life he is actor/ writer Michael Imperioli".
The story goes on to tell how the Sheriff confronted the actor about how he doesn't like the work he does in Essex County. But then the good part;
"He told Imperioli, stay out of Essex County. But in spite of that here is a card for you in case you get caught speeding as your leaving the county. It was a card identifying the holder as a honorary deputy sheriff in Essex."
The Star-Ledger who only months ago was all over the then Attorney General for trying to fix a ticket does nothing to follow through on the story. Are you kidding me? The last time I checked the Sheriff was an elected official who is admitting to giving out cards to get people out of tickets. I bet the hard working residents of Essex County would like the same opportunity to get out of a ticket. It is one thing for someone to have one of those cards and try to get out of a ticket, but for the newspaper to write a story and not follow it up makes you wonder if any reporters have the card as well.
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