1. Week 12: Journalism 2001 November 24, 2008

2. Announcements Cory Bellamy, student intern Cory Bellamy, student intern –Office of Sports Information Director –Former Jour 2001 student

3. WDIO Tour What surprised you? What surprised you? What did you learn? What did you learn? Always job openings at the station! Always job openings at the station!

14. News Release Rewrites Good summaries Good summaries Need to include 5Ws and H Need to include 5Ws and H Avoid full name in lead unless prominent person Avoid full name in lead unless prominent person Watch wordiness! Watch wordiness!

15. Upcoming deadlines Feature Story Assignment Feature Story Assignment –Final article due: Monday, December 8 Final eportfolio project: Due December 15 Final eportfolio project: Due December 15 Final Exam: December 15 Final Exam: December 15 –Open book, similar to past AP Stylebook editing assignments

16. Feature story draft: Due tonight! This is your out-of-class assignment for November 24 This is your out-of-class assignment for November 24 We will review/discuss your drafts/outlines individually We will review/discuss your drafts/outlines individually Worth 10 points Worth 10 points Final story due December 8 Final story due December 8

17. Also tonight In-class assignment: In-class assignment: –Editing classmate Community Journalism story  Make changes, give to reporter  Editing form returned to me: Worth 5 points –Rewrite Community Journalism stories  Using all of the editing suggestions, rewrite/edit your story  Email final copy to: lkragnes@d.umn.edu lkragnes@d.umn.edu –Worth 5 points  Stories will be posted on class weblog

18. Chapter 19: Multicultural Reporting NY Times: How Race is lived in America NY Times: How Race is lived in America –One year project –Published in June, July of 2000 –15 installments –Teams of reporters, editors

19. Rodney King beating Rodney King beating Rodney King beating –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_King http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_King –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROn_9302 UHg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROn_9302 UHghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROn_9302 UHg Minneapolis riot, 1967 Minneapolis riot, 1967

20. Trends in multicultural coverage Cultural sensitivity training Cultural sensitivity training Diversification of media staffs Diversification of media staffs –13.42 percent in 2004 Overall newsroom staffing tumbling Overall newsroom staffing tumbling –4 percent decline overall Diversification of coverage Diversification of coverage –Inner cities: Minorities are the majorities

21. Approaches to multicultural coverage Guidelines for media and reporters Guidelines for media and reporters –Provide consistent, daily coverage –Get to know the communities you cover –Develop multicultural links and friendships –Expand coverage beyond the “problem people” perspective –Mainstream sources for all stories –Periodically assess the representativeness of sources –Don’t “overcredential” sources –Recognize that there is diversity within cultures –Bring your own perspective to the newsroom

22. Multicultural websites Asian American Journalists Association Asian American Journalists Association Asian American Journalists Association Asian American Journalists Association National Association of Black Journalists National Association of Black Journalists National Association of Black Journalists National Association of Black Journalists National Association of Hispanic Journalists National Association of Hispanic Journalists National Association of Hispanic Journalists National Association of Hispanic Journalists National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Native American Journalists Association Native American Journalists Association Native American Journalists Association Native American Journalists Association The Center for an Accessible Society The Center for an Accessible Society The Center for an Accessible Society The Center for an Accessible Society Journalism Organizations & Related Sites Journalism Organizations & Related Sites Journalism Organizations & Related Sites Journalism Organizations & Related Sites

23. Checklist for improving coverage Have I covered the story with sensitivity, accuracy, fairness and balance regarding all of the people involved? Have I covered the story with sensitivity, accuracy, fairness and balance regarding all of the people involved? What are the likely consequences of publication? Who will be hurt and who will be helped? What are the likely consequences of publication? Who will be hurt and who will be helped? Have I sought a diversity of sources? Have I sought a diversity of sources? Am I seeking true diversity or using tokenism by allowing one minority person to represent a community or point of view? Am I seeking true diversity or using tokenism by allowing one minority person to represent a community or point of view? Have I allowed preconceived ideas to limit my efforts to include diversity? Have I allowed preconceived ideas to limit my efforts to include diversity?

24. Am I flexible about the possibility that the focus of the story may change when different sources are added? Am I flexible about the possibility that the focus of the story may change when different sources are added? Have I thought about using quotations from minority experts in non-traditional fields? Have I thought about using quotations from minority experts in non-traditional fields? Have I spent time in minority communities and with residents to find out what people are thinking and to learn more about lifestyles, perspectives, customs, etc.? Have I spent time in minority communities and with residents to find out what people are thinking and to learn more about lifestyles, perspectives, customs, etc.? Have I written about achievements on their own merits, rather than as “stereotype breakers?” Have I written about achievements on their own merits, rather than as “stereotype breakers?” Have I guarded against allowing place names to become code words for crime? Have I guarded against allowing place names to become code words for crime? As I seek diversity, am I being true to my other goals as a journalist? As I seek diversity, am I being true to my other goals as a journalist? Will I be able to explain my decision clearly and honestly to anyone who challenges it – and not to rationalize? Will I be able to explain my decision clearly and honestly to anyone who challenges it – and not to rationalize?

25. Out-of-Class Assignment: Due December 1 Red Lake Cartoon Assignment Red Lake Cartoon Assignment Read the letters to the editor Read the letters to the editor –Write short story about Jim Heffernan’s apology –Short reaction to the controversy

26. Chapter 25: Business News and other specialties What’s the difference between beat reporting and specialty reporting? What’s the difference between beat reporting and specialty reporting?

27. Business reporting Typically more than beat reporting Typically more than beat reporting –Reporters do cover store openings, speeches, meetings, etc. Provide analysis of business events Provide analysis of business events

28. Types of business stories Hard news to soft features Hard news to soft features Handouts to personal finance columns Handouts to personal finance columns People items to business openings People items to business openings

29. What is an annual report? Difference between publicly held, privately held company Difference between publicly held, privately held company Auditor’s report Auditor’s report Financial statements Financial statements Letter from chairperson Letter from chairperson Actual numbers Actual numbers

30. Checklist for business reporting Read The Wall Street Journal religiously Read The Wall Street Journal religiously Take courses on economics and business to give yourself a good base of background knowledge Take courses on economics and business to give yourself a good base of background knowledge Don’t think that business writing has to be boring Don’t think that business writing has to be boring Build a clip file Build a clip file Don’t stop learning about business Don’t stop learning about business

31. Consumer Journalism Began with Ralph Nader Began with Ralph Nader –1965 publication of “Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile” Today: More than comparing grades of meat or gas prices Today: More than comparing grades of meat or gas prices –From when to mail packages to long-term dangers of using common materials in the home

32. Online business, consumer news sources www.safetyforum.com www.safetyforum.com www.safetyforum.com www.consumer.gov www.consumer.gov www.consumer.gov www.natlconsumersleague.org www.natlconsumersleague.org www.natlconsumersleague.org www.consumereports.org www.consumereports.org www.consumereports.org www.fda.gov www.fda.gov www.fda.gov

33. Consumer journalism checklist Get a well-rounded liberal arts education Get a well-rounded liberal arts education Read as much about consumer affairs as possible Read as much about consumer affairs as possible Learn the language of consumer reporting Learn the language of consumer reporting Try to get an internship in consumer reporting Try to get an internship in consumer reporting After college, take more advanced training courses After college, take more advanced training courses

34. Other specialties Expanding coverage in new technologies Expanding coverage in new technologies Coverage of the environment Coverage of the environment Other specialties? Other specialties?

35. Chapter 26: Law First Amendment First Amendment First Amendment First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. — The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

36. Reporters and their sources Shield Laws Shield Laws –Statutory laws to protect reporters from revealing sources –Each state has different interpretation –What does Minnesota have?

37. Fair trial vs. free press Conflict between First Amendment and Sixth Amendment Conflict between First Amendment and Sixth Amendment –Sixth amendment: Rights of the accused to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury Why would there be a conflict? Why would there be a conflict? Jury Duty Jury Duty

38. Where to learn more Minnesota statutes Minnesota statutes Minnesota statutes Minnesota statutes U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Supreme Court Federal circuit courts Federal circuit courts Federal circuit courts Federal circuit courts Online legal research Online legal research Online legal research Online legal research

39. Libel Libel: Communication of false information that damages an individual in his or her profession, business or calling. Libel: Communication of false information that damages an individual in his or her profession, business or calling. –Six requirements for libel action:  Publication  Identification  Defamatory nature of the story  Proof of falsity  Proof of fault  Actual damage to reputation

40. “Red Flag” Words: Libel & Privacy adulteryblackmail confidence man drunkard AIDSblockheadcorruptionex-convict alcoholicbooze-houndcowardfraud altered records briberycrook gambling den Ambulance chaser brotheldeadbeatgangster Atheist buys votes deadheadgay bad moral character cheatsdefaultergraft Bankrupt child abuse divorced groveling office seeker bigamistcollusiondouble-crossedherpes blacklisted con artist drug abuser hit-man

41. hypocritemanipulaterape/rapist stool pigeon illegitimate mental illness scam stuffed the ballot box illicit relation mobsterscandalmongersuicide incompetent moral delinquency scoundrelswindle infidelitymouthpieceseducertaken informerNeo-Nazi sharp dealing thief insider trading paramourshysterunethical intimate peeping Tom slacker unmarried mother intoleranceperjurer smooth and tricky unprofessional Jekyll-Hyde personality plagiaristsmuggler unsound mind kept woman pockets public funds sneaky unworthy of credit Ku Klux Klan price cutter sold influence vice den liarprofiteering sold out villain Mafiaprostitutespy fawning sycophant

42. Classes of libelous words Words imputing the commission of a criminal offense Words imputing the commission of a criminal offenseAvoid: John Doe was taken into custody Wednesday for murdering Sally Smith Tuesday night. Better: John Doe was taken into custody Wednesday in connection with (or in the investigation of) the Tuesday night slaying of Sally Smith.

43. Words that impute infection with a loathsome communicable disease of any kind that would tend to exclude one from society. Words that impute infection with a loathsome communicable disease of any kind that would tend to exclude one from society. Is this news?: John Doe, who was elected Wednesday to be president of the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was treated last summer for a venereal disease, the Daily Bugle has learned.

44. Words that impute inability to perform, or want of integrity in the discharge of, duties of office or employment. Words that impute inability to perform, or want of integrity in the discharge of, duties of office or employment. Don’t write: Public school groundskeeper John Doe is unfit by temperament and intelligence to adequately perform his duties, sources who wish to remain anonymous said Wednesday. Words that prejudice a particular person in his or her profession or trade. Words that prejudice a particular person in his or her profession or trade. Don’t write: Attorney John Doe, who will represent the widow in the embezzlement case, is the most incompetent lawyer in town, according to courthouse observers.

45. Defamation by implication Implication created by the reporter’s organization of facts. Implication created by the reporter’s organization of facts. John Jones was seen entering the Shady Oaks motel yesterday with a woman. The motel is located in a known prostitution area.

46. Quotations Reporter/news medium must assume responsibility for the statement if it is used Reporter/news medium must assume responsibility for the statement if it is used –The fact that information was provided by a source does not necessarily mean that it is correct. –Beware of off-the-record tips passed along by sources, even high-ranking officials or law enforcement officers.  Don’t write: Police said that the alleged crook is in custody.  Instead: Police said that the man charged with the crime is in custody.

47. Defenses against libel Conditional defenses Conditional defenses –Privilege of reporting: Fair, accurate reporting of official proceedings –Fair comment and criticism: Applies to opinions about matters of public concern –Neutral reportage: Report charges made by one responsible person or organization about another when both parties are involved in a public controversy

48. Absolute libel defenses Statute of limitations Statute of limitations –Two years in Minnesota Truth Truth Privilege of participant Privilege of participant –Participants in official proceedings Consent or authorization Consent or authorization Self-defense or right of reply Self-defense or right of reply

49. Partial defenses Publication of a retraction: Clear admission of erroneous reporting Publication of a retraction: Clear admission of erroneous reporting Facts showing no gross negligence or ill will Facts showing no gross negligence or ill will Facts showing that the reporter relied on a usually reliable source Facts showing that the reporter relied on a usually reliable source

50. The actual malice standard The New York Times rule The New York Times rule –New York Times Co. v. Sullivan: 1964  Supreme Court: To collect damages, a public official would have to prove the defendant acted with “actual malice;” knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. –1967: Supreme Court said that public figures, in addition to public officials, also have to show actual malice to recover libel damages. Bottom line: More protection from libel action if plaintiff is a public person.

51. Libel in cyberspace Distributor vs. publisher Distributor vs. publisher 1996: Communications Decency Act 1996: Communications Decency Act –Protects online service providers from liability for publication of defamatory material

52. Checklist for dealing with libel Be aggressive – but don’t take foolish risks Be aggressive – but don’t take foolish risks Be fair – keep an open mind Be fair – keep an open mind Seek advice if you are unsure of your turf Seek advice if you are unsure of your turf

53. Sports broadcasting errors When an apology is not enough When an apology is not enough –http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/sports/g olf/11sandomir.html http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/sports/g olf/11sandomir.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/sports/g olf/11sandomir.html

54. Final In-Class Assignments December 1: December 1: –GLBTA Panel Story  No more than 400 words  Email to lkragnes@d.umn.edu lkragnes@d.umn.edu December 8: December 8: –Amy Rutledge Interview  No more than 400 words  Email to lkragnes@d.umn.edu

55. Community Journalism Rewrite Peer review and rewrite of community journalism stories for Web site Peer review and rewrite of community journalism stories for Web site

56. Community Journalism Review Overall excellent stories! Overall excellent stories! –You’re all good writers now – we’ll work on being stronger reporters! –Remember the basics: 5Ws and H –You might know a topic – assume this is new to the reader Need attribution Need attribution –Strongest after direct quote –,” he said, she said.  Comma inside quote marks Stick to third person: Not we, us, I, you Stick to third person: Not we, us, I, you Need quotes! Named sources! Or reads like report/opinion piece Need quotes! Named sources! Or reads like report/opinion piece Style errors: Style errors: –Dates –Months –Numerals –Need first name Several stories almost ready for publication – good job! Several stories almost ready for publication – good job!

57. A Residence Inn is set to be developed now through 2010 in the Duluth Heights Community area after about three-fourths of the residents within 300 feet of the property signed a petition passing the rezoning of the area for commercial land use. Campus Park Villas and Townhomes, which is a student housing complex as implemented a new rules that has residents disappointed with the housing facility.

58. Chester Park’s Lush forest is under attack by an invasive foreign species. Duluth’s native forest Chester Park is being invaded by a foreign plant called buckthorn. The Buckthorn plant blocks sunlight and moisture from reaching other plants. * * * * * * * * * * * * Chester Park’s lush forest is under attack by the Buckthorn plant, an invasive foreign species that blocks sunlight and moisture from reaching other plants.

59. Review of feature story drafts While doing editing/rewrite of community journalism stories While doing editing/rewrite of community journalism stories

60. Let’s revisit portfolio https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jsp

61. Portfolio Store academic information on your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage. Store academic information on your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage. Access Electronic Portfolio at: https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.j sp Access Electronic Portfolio at: https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.j sp https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.j sp https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.j sp