Category: Journalism

Ken pointed me to a new site that he and some folks are working on called 210west.com. It was a site put together by a bunch of BG News alums as, basically, an independent journalism/news blog (210 West Hall is where the newsroom was located on the Bowling Green campus, hence the name).

Are there any old Oregon Daily Emerald alumni who would be interested in something like this? A journalism/alumni site of sorts, with maybe an online database for old alumni members? I can provide hosting (if Judy will renew my Alumni club membership ;-)) and setup the software that runs this site for use. I can even buy 300emu.com or something :-). Just e-mail me if you’re interested, or comment here.

Dr. Ink‘s columns have always been a favorite of mine. He recently wrote his 300th column, and it provides some VERY useful information that’s not only useful for newspapers, but some of the same ideas can be applied to other mediums as well. Be sure to check it out.

The American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) was holding a meeting, dubbed “What Gives a Magazine Buzz?.” It was a prestigous panel: Glamour Editor in Chief Cindi Leive moderated the panel that comprised of Keith Blanchard, editor in chief of Maxim; Amy Gross, editor in chief of O, The Oprah Magazine; and Stuart Zakim, a spokesman for Wenner Media, which publishes Rolling Stone and Us Weekly. Stuff magazine’s editor in chief hired some “little people” to cause some trouble at the meeting. To quote the article I got this from, “The pint-sized pranksters started setting their cell phones off every few minutes and coughing and tearing open bags of potato chips, which they munched loudly throughout the panel discussion. Finally, Cindi Leive, the moderator, got up and said to one of them sitting in the front row, ‘If you don’t turn off your cell phones, you’re going to be asked to leave.’ And he said, ‘You’re just saying that because I’m a little person!’ Then Cindy said, ‘No, no. I’m a little person, too!'” Then the midgets started peppering the panel with questions. One asked O editor Gross, “When are Stedman and Oprah getting married?” Another simply bellowed, “Rolling Stone sucks!”

The moral of the story, according to the Stuff editor? “The moral of the story is that to get ‘buzz,’ you’ve got to do something unexpected.” And I agree. Talking about generating the buzz is nothing like actually getting it, which is why Stuff is so popular.

An interesting story in the New York Times regarding how the major TV networks are covering the war in Iraq, discussing when they start covering it, when they interupt their money-making shows, and when they go back to them. It should be noted that ABC was the last one to move to Iraq coverage last night.

One of the most common questions I’m asked is how you can find certain information on the ‘net. The answer? Think (and act) like a journalist. There is honestly not a whole lot you can’t find on the ‘net.

First, I’ll run just a quick basic search through Google to see what it can come up with (and remember that you can get phone numbers, maps, and a whole bunch of other stuff with Google, too. Click Here to see.). You can also try the various simple tools at iTools.com to help, as well.

I also subscribe to the ResearchBuzz and Search Day e-mail newsletters which are full of useful, specialized search sites.

And another useful site that should be on every researcher’s toolbar: The Journalist’s Toolbox. From general to specialized searches and sources, this site will provide dang near everything you’ll ever need. It’s tricky to wade through, but if you’re looking for something, you can (and probably will) find it via this site.

If you do any sort of newspaper design at all, then you need to have this site bookmarked. It was a flash presentation created by the Poynter Institute. It’s very well done, and provides a LOT of useful information about smart design in general.

I always hated the term “wifebeaters,” a word used to describe certain types of tank-tops. I’m glad the Boston Globe is making a stand against the term, too.

From Dr. Ink, Which kinds of journalists make the best lovers? His speculation is TV news anchors are the best, but I have no opinion as I can’t say that I’ve ever even come close to dating a journalist. Worked with a pile of them, but never got close to romantically involved.

The head of the government’s Total Information Awareness project got a taste of his own medicine and will hopefully realize how STUPID this idea is (not only that, but a complete invasion of our privacy). As noted in this Wired News article, the head of the TIA project had all of his information exposed in a SF Weekly column. The information was all public record, so it was perfectly legal what the columnist did, but (hopefully) it will make Poindexter (yes, that is his name) realize that it doesn’t feel all that good to have your privacy violated. From the aforementioned column by Matt Smith:

Optimistically, I dialed John and Linda Poindexter’s number — (301) 424-6613 — at their home at 10 Barrington Fare in Rockville, Md., hoping the good admiral and excused criminal might be able to offer some insight.

Why, for example, is their $269,700 Rockville, Md., house covered with artificial siding, according to Maryland tax records? Shouldn’t a Reagan conspirator be able to afford repainting every seven years? Is the Donald Douglas Poindexter listed in Maryland sex-offender records any relation to the good admiral? What do Tom Maxwell, at 8 Barrington Fare, and James Galvin, at 12 Barrington Fare, think of their spooky neighbor?

According to the Wired article, his phone number, information, address, and even satellite imagery of his home has spread like wildfire over the net (similar to what happened to our spamming friend). Phone-phreaking hackers even supplied details on the Verizon switch serving the admiral’s home so they could play with it as well.

I hope the admiral feels better. I’ve believed my entire life that tax-payer dollars should NOT be going to shmucks like this guy, but that’s another rant, another day.

From Ask Dr. Ink, one of the best journalism columns I’ve seen in a long time, an analytical look at the famous “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” song:

As journalists begin to plan their holiday coverage, let them not forget the continuing inspiration of that most archetypal of yuletide tales, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Dr. Ink never ceases to be amazed by the nuances of this legend, a deconstruction of which reveals much about the power of story.

Lyric

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Had a very shiny nose.

And if you ever saw it,

You would even say it glows.

Explication: The story begins with a protagonist set apart by a distinguishing characteristic, a nose that glows. But the narrator is ambiguous. Does he bear a badge of honor, or the mark of Cain; is it a blessing or a curse?

Lyric:

All of the other reindeer

Used to laugh and call him names.

They never let poor Rudolph

Join in any reindeer games.

Explication: The complication. The genetic inheritance (or mutation), the source of individuality (or Otherness), turns out to be a curse, leading to alienation, excommunication, and reindeer ennui.

Lyric:

Then one foggy Christmas Eve

Santa came to say:

“Rudolph with your nose so bright,

“Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight.”

Explication: The author adds a complication, with the ante raised. Now the happiness of all children across the world is at stake.

Lyric:

Then how the reindeer loved him,

As they shouted out with glee:

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,

“You’ll go down in history.”

Explication: The ending, the payoff, is opened to interpretation. Are the reindeer just Santa’s yes-men, sucking up to the Big Guy? Or have they been saved by Rudolph’s courageous intervention?