1. Week 12: Journalism 2001 November 28, 2005

2. Review of last week’s news Hard News: Hard News: –Major local stories –Major national stories –Major international stories

3. Announcements Tonight: AP style quiz Tonight: AP style quiz Last guest speaker next week: Last guest speaker next week: –Susan Latto, UMD Public Relations Director Journalism internship meeting: Journalism internship meeting: – Wednesday, Nov. 30 at noon in Kirby 323 (across from the Dining Center) –Attendance mandatory if you want academic credit for your spring internship

4. Bob Nygaard story review Another overall good job! Another overall good job! Fewer style errors: Fewer style errors: –Titles: When do you use Sports Information Director? –Months: When do you abbreviate? –Spelling –Internet Attribution strongest after a quote Attribution strongest after a quote Avoid stating question before a quote Avoid stating question before a quote Quotes good: but need transitions Quotes good: but need transitions

5. The Sports Information Director for the University of Minnesota-Duluth talked to journalism students on Monday regarding his job and the changes in his profession he has experienced. The UMD Sports Information Director talked to a UMD journalism clas about his job and his background in the field of journalism on Nov. 21. The Sports Information Director of UMD shared some of his experiences and advice with UMD journalism students Monday evening. A UMD Sports Information Director and Duluth native has found the internet to be a useful tool in promoting and reporting on UMD Athletics.

6. Deadlines for major stories Speech/News Conference/Multicultural Reporting Assignment Speech/News Conference/Multicultural Reporting Assignment –Final article due today: November 28 Feature Story Assignment Feature Story Assignment –Story pitch due: Last week –Final article due: December 12 Final Project Due: December 19 Final Project Due: December 19 –Will review tonight

7. Feature story assignment Story pitch due: November 21 Story pitch due: November 21 Story pitch due Story pitch due Final article due: Monday, December 12 Final article due: Monday, December 12 Length: No more than 800-1,000 words Length: No more than 800-1,000 words –Need at least three sources; list names, contact info at end of story Possible points: 50 Possible points: 50 –Photographs: No set amount of extra points, but if you believe digital photos would enhance your story, send them! Review: Review: –Chapter 9 on Features –November 14 lecture Any challenges? Any challenges?

9. Chapter 26: Ethics and Fairness: Responsibility to Society The Fairness Movement The Fairness Movement –American Society of Newspaper Editors: Journalism Credibility Project  Three-year, $1.2 million project: 1997-99  1998: Focusing on the problem –Surveyed 3,000 Americans, 1,714 working journalists  1999: Developing and testing solutions

10. Journalism Credibility Project Six major reasons credibility is declining: Six major reasons credibility is declining: 1.Factual errors: spelling, grammar 2.Inconsistent respect and knowledge of readers and their communities 3.Journalist bias influences stories 4.Sensational stories 5.Newsroom values conflict with priorities 6.Public who have experience with the news process are the most critical of media credibility

11. Key findings of 1999 tracking research Key findings of 1999 tracking research –Fundamental public perceptions of credibility haven’t changed –Efforts to improve credibility are applauded. –Errors can be forgiven, but confession is required. –Absent explanation, motives will be presumed. –For newspaper’s efforts to make any difference, they must show in the pages of the newspaper.

12. Best Practices for Newspaper Journalists* Newspapers are unfair when: Newspapers are unfair when: –They get the facts wrong –They refuse to admit errors –They won’t name names –They have ignorant or incompetent reporters –They prey on the weak –They concentrate on bad news –They lack diversity –They allow editorial bias in news stories –They can’t admit that sometimes there’s no story * Written by Robert Haiman, president emeritus and distinguished editor in residence at the Poynter Institute; Part of the The Freedom Forum Free Press/Fair Press Project

13. The Media and the Public Criticism of the press Criticism of the press –Media Critics –Ombudsmen: “middle person”  Objective newspaper employee who listens to complaint from readers and, when justified, passes them on to the appropriate reporters or editors.  Organization of News Ombudsmen Organization of News Ombudsmen Organization of News Ombudsmen

14. Code of Ethics Associated Press Managing Editors Association Associated Press Managing Editors Association Associated Press Managing Editors Association Associated Press Managing Editors Association American Society of Newspaper Editors American Society of Newspaper Editors American Society of Newspaper Editors American Society of Newspaper Editors Society of Professional Journalists Society of Professional Journalists Society of Professional Journalists Society of Professional Journalists Associated Press Sports Editors Associated Press Sports Editors Associated Press Sports Editors Associated Press Sports Editors

15. Ethical Issues 150 daily editors surveyed on ethical issues 150 daily editors surveyed on ethical issues –Fairness and objectivity –Misrepresentation by reporters –Economic pressure –Privacy versus the public’s right to know –Conflicts of interest –Anonymous sources –Gifts –Compassion versus policy Journalistic arrogance Journalistic arrogance

16. Ethical dilemmas A reporter for a 15,000 circulation daily covers city and county government. Each day, she dutifully makes her rounds: the police department, the county sheriff’s office, the clerk of the court, the city engineer’s office, the city clerk’s office, etc. During the holidays, three of her regular sources give her gifts: a small box of chocolates, a novel and an inexpensive pen and pencil set. Should she accept the gifts? A reporter for a 15,000 circulation daily covers city and county government. Each day, she dutifully makes her rounds: the police department, the county sheriff’s office, the clerk of the court, the city engineer’s office, the city clerk’s office, etc. During the holidays, three of her regular sources give her gifts: a small box of chocolates, a novel and an inexpensive pen and pencil set. Should she accept the gifts?

17. The wife of the education reporter for a 25,000- circulation daily in a community of 40,000 decides to run for city council. The education reporter is not involved in coverage of city government issues or in coverage of the city council. The managing editor calls the reporter into his office. The managing editor tells the reporter that he has two choices: persuade his wife to drop out of the political race or resign his job because of a potential conflict of interest. Do you agree with the managing editor? The wife of the education reporter for a 25,000- circulation daily in a community of 40,000 decides to run for city council. The education reporter is not involved in coverage of city government issues or in coverage of the city council. The managing editor calls the reporter into his office. The managing editor tells the reporter that he has two choices: persuade his wife to drop out of the political race or resign his job because of a potential conflict of interest. Do you agree with the managing editor?

18. Minneapolis Star-Tribune Kate Perry: The Reader’s Rep Kate Perry: The Reader’s Rep

19. Washington Post New ombudsman with Minnesota ties New ombudsman with Minnesota ties

22. 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. Let’s start building your portfolio Let’s start building your portfolio

23. Susan Latto Guest Speaker: 12/5 Due today: Write three questions and email them to: lkragnes@d.umn.edu lkragnes@d.umn.edu Susan Latto Biographical Information: Susan Latto Biographical Information: –1963 UMD graduate –UMD Director of Public Relations, 1996-present –Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Greater Downtown Council, Duluth, 1984-1995 –Account Executive and Creative Advertising Writer, WAKX FM and KXTP AM Radio, Duluth, 1979-1984 –Freelance television and radio on-air talent and writer, Duluth –Private tutor and homebound instructor, Duluth Public Schools –Secondary English and Speech Teacher/Debate Coach/Drama and Forensics Director, Duluth Public Schools and San Diego, California Public Schools

24. Egradebook Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: –http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook Late Assignments: If you haven’t made arrangements to complete late assignments, you receive no points.