Week 6: Journalism 2001 February 26, 2007

Its Its Its’ Its’ Or it’s? Or it’s? Bottom line: Use it’s when mean it is, it was, it has – its’ is not a word!

Announcements New Moon internship New Moon internship –New Moon is accepting applications for a summer intern until March 1. –For more information:   Click on "About Us" and "Jobs and Internships"

Extra Credit: WDIO tour WDIO-TV Tour: WDIO-TV Tour: –Wednesday, 3/7: 4:30 p.m. –Tour, watch 5 p.m. broadcast –15 extra credit points – me if interested

WDIO-TV Directions WDIO-TV is located at 10 Observation Road between Arlington and Skyline Drive. WDIO-TV is located at 10 Observation Road between Arlington and Skyline Drive. –From UMD, take College Street north to Kenwood. –Turn right on Kenwood to Arrowhead. –Take a left on Arrowhead to Arlington (second stoplight). –Take a left on Arlington and go a few miles to Observation Road, which is about a mile past Central Entrance. –Take a left on Observation Road and go about a mile to WDIO, which is on the left in the shadow of the towers.

Review of last week’s news Hard News: Hard News: (murders, city council, government, etc.) –Major local stories –Major national/international stories –Major sports stories Soft News: Soft News: (retirements, school programs, human interest) –Local stories –National/international stories –Sports stories

Let’s take a quiz!

Hermantown city officials are questioning the science behind Minnesota Pollution Control Agency requirements that may derail a long-planned _______________ expansion project. 1. Sam’s Club 2. Wal-Mart 3. Menards

Ice anglers walking last week off the sand beach of Duluth's Park Point found this under the ice. 1. Unidentified body 2. Uncharted wreckage of a Lake Superior vessel 3. Zebra mussels

This race that normally ends on Hayward's Main Street was shortened last week due to the lack of snow. 1. American Birkebeiner 2. Grandma’s Marathon 3. Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Lake Superior District School Board has voted to have the old high school demolished in this North Shore community. 1. Grand Marais 2. Lutsen 3. Two Harbors

Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson has required a full audit of the privately run ____________________, according to an he sent to city councilors last Tuesday. 1. Grandma’s Marathon 2. Bayfront Blues Festival 3. North Shore Inline Marathon

The Carlton County attorney said Thursday he will charge a 16-year-old with felony stalking for his role as the alleged ringleader of a series of attacks on residents at the Sunnyside Health Care Center in Cloquet. The teens are accused of _________________________________. 1. Posing as grandchildren of nursing home residents 2. Stealing food from nursing home residents 3. Dumping pitchers of ice on nursing home residents

At least six City of Duluth ____________________ have suspended licenses for driving while intoxicated, and now the city is considering creating a special job category to let them stay on the payroll without having to drive. 1. Heavy-equipment operators 2. School bus drivers 3. Snow-plow drivers

The UMD men's hockey team was swept over the weekend by Alaska Anchorage. 1. True 2. False

The UMD women's hockey team won 2 out of 3 games over St. Cloud over the weekend and will play Minnesota next Saturday in the WCHA championship tournament in Minneapolis. 1. True 2. False

Both the men's and women's basketball teams will host first round North Central Conference Basketball Championships games at home this Wednesday. 1. True 2. False

North Dakota Proposal!

Review of last week’s assignment Wordiness, attribution, allegedly –Retrieved the money: recovered –Avoid full name, full address in lead –Editorializing: thanks to excellent work –Exhibiting suspicious behavior: acting suspiciously –Attribution –Looking through the windows of parked cars lined along the street: Looking in parked cars –Wall kicked in and an illegal entry had been made: Wall kicked in –Was found with: had

Style errors: Style errors: –States –Ages –Addresses –Numerals Run-on sentences Run-on sentences Recovered all of the approximately $741.10: recovered the $ Recovered all of the approximately $741.10: recovered the $ Made contact: talked Made contact: talked Pockets overfilled with money: full pockets Pockets overfilled with money: full pockets Admitted Admitted Had stolen: is charged with Had stolen: is charged with

A man was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary and felony theft on Monday after $ was stolen from Panhandler’s Pizza on 106 E. University. TEMPE, AZ – Police charged man with third-degree burglary and felony theft early Monday after he was caught looking in parked cars and was linked to breaking into Panhandler’s Pizza on University. TEMPE, Ariz. – John Q. Smyth, a former employee of Panhandler’s Pizza on 106 E. University was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary and felony theft after police observed the man looking into cards parked along the street. Tempe, Ariz. – A man was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary and felony theft after he broke into Panhandler’s Pizza through the bathroom at the back of the building and stole cash.

Let’s rewrite a few graphs!

What’s misspelled? 1. Croisant 2. Breakfast

Chapter 14: Speeches, news conferences

Covering a speech Preparation: Preparation: –Research subject, speaker –Prepare questions –Catch the speaker early –Advance texts  Research easier, but speakers often wander from text –Tape recorder  Use for backup of quotes

Steps to follow during the speech Take copious notes Take copious notes –Quotations: mark notes Make observations Make observations –Clothing, mannerisms Listen for news Listen for news –What makes this speech special? Listen for summaries Listen for summaries Follow-up questions Follow-up questions

Writing the speech story Questions to answer: Questions to answer: –What is the key point? –What are the other major points? –Which quotes are the best? –Is any of this news? –When is the deadline?

Organizing the information Organizing the information –Inverted-pyramid news stories  Summary lead: –35 words, usually one sentence  Second paragraph: –Back up lead with strong quote, paraphrase  Third paragraph: –Continue developing lead, or write transitional paragraph (possibly bullets)  Fourth paragraph or after the bullets: –Continue developing lead, or developing bulleted items  Balance of the story: –Quotations, paraphrases  Final paragraph: –Try to end with direct quotation –Never: “he/she concluded”

News Conferences Gang interview Gang interview –All reporters get same information Why call a news conference? Why call a news conference? –After a crisis –Explain controversy –Make an announcement –Can control what’s given to reporters

Covering a news conference Do your homework! Do your homework! –Read news releases –Research old stories –Research speaker –Talk to editors –Talk to other reporters  What will not be covered

Advance story Advance story –Brief story announcing event –Often only coverage of event Questions and answers Questions and answers –Television reporters often have the edge  Speakers wants to be seen as well as heard –Arrive early for a good seat

News conference as media event Presidential news conference Presidential news conference –Began with Theodore Roosevelt –Today major news event  Reporters also want to be seen and heard  Draws 300 reporters, usually lasts 30 minutes

Online speech sources Great American Speeches: PBS Great American Speeches: PBS – The History Channel The History Channel – infoUSA infoUSA – m mhttp://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/speeches.ht m

An awfully long day…

Chapter 18: News Releases What is a news release? What is a news release? –Announcements  New line of products  Events  Promotions  Public service announcements –Cause-promoting  Fundraising  Volunteers –Image-building  Politicians  Corporations

Evaluating news releases Does it have news value? Does it have news value? –Local, regional or national Is it trying to gain free publicity? Is it trying to gain free publicity? Is it worth following up? Is it worth following up? –Story and/or photograph Can it be trusted? Can it be trusted?

What is Public Relations? Promoting an organization, institution or corporation Promoting an organization, institution or corporation UMD Communicators Council UMD Communicators Council UMD Communicators Council UMD Communicators Council –University Relations University RelationsUniversity Relations –Natural Resources Research Institute Natural Resources Research InstituteNatural Resources Research Institute –Minnesota Sea Grant Minnesota Sea GrantMinnesota Sea Grant

Which releases will be used? No set formula No set formula –Interests of reporters, editors –How many people affected Usually rewritten Usually rewritten –Eliminate “fluff:” self-serving, promotional info –Embarrassing if two media use exact same wording –Often raise additional questions

ed releases –How to write a press release How to write a press releaseHow to write a press release  Concise  Well-written  Factual  Honest  Timely

Using news releases Boiling down a handout Boiling down a handout –Determine 5Ws and H –Find the lead –Eliminate fluff –Avoid free ads –Determining local news value

How to write a news release Avoiding hype Avoiding hype Avoiding jargon Avoiding jargon Structure of a release Structure of a release  Contact information  For Immediate Release  Dateline  Headline  Lead, inverted pyramid style copy  Quotes  Boilerplate paragraph

Handouts Wise Words from PR Week Career Guide Wise Words from PR Week Career Guide Women in Sports Journalism Women in Sports Journalism –Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sports Journalism can be a deadly profession Journalism can be a deadly profession

Another wayward sign! What’s the correct spelling? 1. Souvenirs! 2. Souvanirs

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

Rodney King beating Footage of the Rodney King beating Footage of the Rodney King beating – kingbeating- qt,1, quicktime?ctrack=2&cset=true kingbeating- qt,1, quicktime?ctrack=2&cset=truehttp:// kingbeating- qt,1, quicktime?ctrack=2&cset=true Ten years after the LA Riots: Ten years after the LA Riots: – poll-470pa2an,1, story poll-470pa2an,1, storyhttp:// poll-470pa2an,1, story

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

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

Multicultural websites Asian American Journalists Association Asian American Journalists Association Asian American Journalists Association Asian American Journalists Association Maynard Institute Maynard Institute Maynard Institute Maynard Institute National Association of Black Journalists National Association of Black Journalists National Association of Black Journalists National Association of Black Journalists –Minnesota Spokesman Recorder Minnesota Spokesman RecorderMinnesota Spokesman Recorder 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 Disability Resources on the Internet Disability Resources on the Internet Disability Resources on the Internet Disability Resources on the Internet Disability Data Disability Data Disability Data Disability Data

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?

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?

Speech/News Conference/Multicultural Reporting Assignment Story Pitch Due: March 7 Story Pitch Due: March 7 –No more than three paragraphs, 200 words –Include 5Ws and H –Review Chapters 15, 18 – to: Final story due: April 9 Final story due: April 9

Hard News 1 Assignment: Due TODAY Any problems? Any problems? Tips: Tips: –Just use said: he said, she said –Keep paragraphs short: no more than two sentences, three absolute max –Story length: 8-10 paragraphs, words –Write strong summary lead of one sentence, no more than 35 words –Need attribution from sources –Review text –Review class lecture notes at:  Write story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and as an attachment to: Write story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and as an attachment to:

Sports Reporting Assignment Final story due: March 26 Final story due: March 26 Any challenges? Any challenges?

Assignment: Due 3/5 From information provided from a Duluth Police Department news release, write an inverted-pyramid news story based on all the information available. From information provided from a Duluth Police Department news release, write an inverted-pyramid news story based on all the information available. Write your story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and a copy of the story as an attachment to: lkragnes Write your story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and a copy of the story as an attachment to: lkragnes Make sure to copy yourself on the Make sure to copy yourself on the

Egradebook Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: – Mid-term alerts to students with Ds, Fs Mid-term alerts to students with Ds, Fs If grading today: –A: –B: –C: –D: –F: 0-39

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: sp Access Electronic Portfolio at: sp sp sp