Week 6: Journalism 2001Week 6: Journalism 2001October 19, 2009October 19, 2009

Its’, its or it’s?Its’, its or it’s?

1.1. ItsIts

2.2. Its’Its’

3.3. Or it’s?Or it’s?

EgradebookEgradebook Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook:Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook:

– http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebookhttp://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook

Mid-term alerts to students with Ds, FsMid-term alerts to students with Ds, Fs

If grading today:If grading today:– A: 90+A: 90+– B: 75-89B: 75-89– C: 60-74C: 60-74– D: 45-59D: 45-59– F: 0-44F: 0-44

North Dakota Proposal!North Dakota Proposal!

Balloon Hoax?Balloon Hoax?

Was media manipulated?Was media manipulated? http://www.google.com/hostednews/ahttp://www.google.com/hostednews/a

p/article/ALeqM5iC6jwbmzuVUF4YLJVp/article/ALeqM5iC6jwbmzuVUF4YLJVJo5CPNtOLxQD9BE3E380Jo5CPNtOLxQD9BE3E380

City Council Forum Story City Council Forum Story ReviewReview

Tough to write under deadline!Tough to write under deadline!– Reinforces why reporters come prepared to Reinforces why reporters come prepared to

meetings with agendas, background infomeetings with agendas, background info Difficult story to writeDifficult story to write

– What’s the news?What’s the news? Style errorsStyle errors

– TitlesTitles– City Council or city council?City Council or city council?

List first name on first referenceList first name on first reference Use councilor – not counselor!Use councilor – not counselor!

What’s misspelled?What’s misspelled?1.1. CroisantCroisant

2.2. BreakfastBreakfast

Covering crimeCovering crime

Crime writing style and structureCrime writing style and structure

Kicker

Inverted-pyramid lead

Chronology

Covering the crime beat

– Get to know Get to know everyone.everyone.

– Find what Find what information is information is available.available.

– Get familiar with Get familiar with police procedures.police procedures.

– Use a scanner.Use a scanner.

Covering the crime beatCovering the crime beat

– Be prepared for Be prepared for anything.anything.

– Think trends.Think trends.– Convey the Convey the

human drama.human drama.

– Remember Remember teachers, coaches, teachers, coaches, ministers and public ministers and public officials are big officials are big news.news.

What you should withholdWhat you should withhold

– Names of minorsNames of minors– Names of victims Names of victims

of sensitive of sensitive crimescrimes

– Names of Names of endangered endangered victimsvictims

– Labeling people Labeling people as suspectsas suspects

– Stereotypes Stereotypes

Homicide or assault Homicide or assault checklistchecklist

Victim’s nameVictim’s nameExtent of Extent of

injuries/cause of injuries/cause of deathdeath

LocationLocationTimeTimeCircumstancesCircumstances

Description of Description of suspectsuspect

Name and Name and identification of identification of anyone arrestedanyone arrested

CommentsComments Unusual factorsUnusual factors

Theft story checklistTheft story checklist

Type, value of Type, value of items takenitems taken

VictimVictimLocationLocationTimeTimeCircumstancesCircumstances

Description of Description of suspectsuspect

Name and Name and identification of identification of anyone arrestedanyone arrested

CommentsCommentsUnusual factorsUnusual factors

Covering CourtsCovering Courts

Federal Judicial SystemFederal Judicial System– Supreme CourtSupreme Court– U.S. Court of AppealsU.S. Court of Appeals– U.S. District CourtsU.S. District Courts– U.S. Bankruptcy CourtU.S. Bankruptcy Court

Minnesota Judicial SystemMinnesota Judicial System– Supreme CourtSupreme Court– Court of AppealsCourt of Appeals– District CourtsDistrict Courts

Covering courtsCovering courts

Most trials aren’t newsworthy, Most trials aren’t newsworthy, except:except:

– Murder cases.Murder cases.– Celebrity trials.Celebrity trials.– Important legal Important legal

rulings.rulings.– Human-interest Human-interest

stories.stories.

Criminal, civil court Criminal, civil court proceduresprocedures

– Misdemeanors Misdemeanors – minor offenses– minor offenses

– Felonies Felonies – – serious crimesserious crimes

– Civil suits Civil suits – – resolve disputes, resolve disputes, recover right or recover right or obtain obtain compensationcompensation

What’s a famous criminal case What’s a famous criminal case ultimately decided in civil ultimately decided in civil

court?court?

Types of court casesTypes of court cases

Criminal CasesCriminal Cases– Enforcement of criminal statutesEnforcement of criminal statutes– Brought by state or federal government Brought by state or federal government

against a person for committing a crime against a person for committing a crime such as murder, armed robberysuch as murder, armed robbery

Civil casesCivil cases– Legal disputes between individuals, Legal disputes between individuals,

businesses, state or local governments, businesses, state or local governments, government agenciesgovernment agencies

– Commonly include suits for damages from Commonly include suits for damages from auto accidents, breach of contract, libelauto accidents, breach of contract, libel

Criminal CasesCriminal Cases

Basic criminal process:Basic criminal process:– Indictment/information filed: Indictment/information filed: Criminal chargeCriminal charge– Warrant issued for arrestWarrant issued for arrest– Arraignment: Criminal charge is read to Arraignment: Criminal charge is read to

accusedaccused– Preliminary hearing/Grand jury: Probable Preliminary hearing/Grand jury: Probable

causecause– Second arraignment: Plea enteredSecond arraignment: Plea entered

Plea bargaining, jury date setPlea bargaining, jury date set

– Trial by judge or juryTrial by judge or jury– Jury reaches verdictJury reaches verdict

Civil casesCivil cases

Basic civil processBasic civil process– Plaintiff files a complaintPlaintiff files a complaint– Defendant served with a summonsDefendant served with a summons– Defendant files pleadingDefendant files pleading– Depositions takenDepositions taken– Appearances before judgeAppearances before judge

Settlement often reachedSettlement often reached

– Trial scheduled: Either jury or judgeTrial scheduled: Either jury or judge– VerdictVerdict

Checklist for covering courtsChecklist for covering courts

Learn the judicial systemLearn the judicial system Learn the record-keeping systemLearn the record-keeping system Provide sufficient background for the Provide sufficient background for the

readerreader Double-check factsDouble-check facts Use complete names, addresses or Use complete names, addresses or

occupationsoccupations– Johnson story exampleJohnson story example

By the NumbersBy the Numbers

Journalists often dread using “math Journalists often dread using “math skills”skills”

Numbers can help illustrate a story, Numbers can help illustrate a story, make comparisonsmake comparisons

Math for journalistsMath for journalists

– PercentagesPercentages– Mean & medianMean & median– Polls & surveysPolls & surveys– Use graphicsUse graphics

Pie chartsPie charts Line chartsLine charts Bar chartsBar charts Fast factsFast facts

Understand the figures that matterUnderstand the figures that matter

Idea fileIdea file Simplify.Simplify. Use understandable Use understandable

values.values. Round off.Round off. Put budget numbers Put budget numbers

into context.into context. Be accurate.Be accurate.

Basic math skillsBasic math skills

Percentages:Percentages:– 10 percent, 40 percent10 percent, 40 percent– Budget increase/decrease:Budget increase/decrease:

(Year 2 – Year 1)/Year 1(Year 2 – Year 1)/Year 1

– Percentage of a wholePercentage of a whole (subgroup/entire group)(subgroup/entire group)

– Percent or percentage pointsPercent or percentage points (1 percent difference/5 percent base = .20 (1 percent difference/5 percent base = .20

or a 20 percent increase)or a 20 percent increase)

Math for journalistsMath for journalists

– PercentagesPercentages IncreasesIncreases DecreasesDecreases Increases of 100 Increases of 100

percent or morepercent or more

Understand the figures that matterUnderstand the figures that matter– Mean and Mean and

medianmedian Mean is Mean is

arithmetic arithmetic average.average.

Median is the Median is the halfway point.halfway point.

Information charts and graphs

– Pie chartPie chart Shows different Shows different

parts that make parts that make up the whole.up the whole.

– Line chartLine chart Measures Measures

changing changing quantities over quantities over time.time.

– Bar chartBar chart Compares two or Compares two or

more items.more items.

– Fast factsFast facts Highlights most Highlights most

important data.important data.

Ask for helpAsk for help

Journalists often have big egos!Journalists often have big egos!– OK to ask for helpOK to ask for help

Where to turn online:Where to turn online:– Robert Niles’ Journalism Help:Robert Niles’ Journalism Help:

http://nilesonline.com/stats/http://nilesonline.com/stats/

– Math test for journalists:Math test for journalists: http://www.ire.org/education/math_test.htmlhttp://www.ire.org/education/math_test.html

– Looking for a calculator?Looking for a calculator? http://www.refdesk.comhttp://www.refdesk.com

Working with polls & surveys

– The sourceThe source Was data Was data

collected by collected by objective objective researchers?researchers?

– The sample sizeThe sample size The larger the The larger the

sample, the more sample, the more accurate the accurate the survey.survey.

– The questionsThe questions Kill any pole that Kill any pole that

uses leading, uses leading, biased questions.biased questions.

– Other variablesOther variables Is survey Is survey

demographically demographically representative?representative?

Is it current?Is it current?

SurveysSurveys

Conducting a surveyConducting a survey– Formulating the questionsFormulating the questions

– Usually closed-end question: yes or no, one of two Usually closed-end question: yes or no, one of two choiceschoices

– Open-ended questions: tough to tabulateOpen-ended questions: tough to tabulate

– Testing the questionsTesting the questions– Developing the sampleDeveloping the sample

Identifying respondentsIdentifying respondents Selecting a random sampleSelecting a random sample Determining the sampling errorDetermining the sampling error

Gathering dataGathering data– Face-to-face interviewsFace-to-face interviews– Mailed questionnairesMailed questionnaires– Telephone interviewsTelephone interviews

Analyzing the dataAnalyzing the data– Hand-tabulateHand-tabulate– Computer programsComputer programs

Writing the storyWriting the story– Don’t overstate results in the leadDon’t overstate results in the lead– Must explain survey methodologyMust explain survey methodology

When are surveys used?When are surveys used?

Election campaignsElection campaigns– Harris pollHarris poll– Media pollsMedia polls

http://www.startribune.comhttp://www.startribune.com

– Political party pollsPolitical party polls Local issues:Local issues:

– Price of gasoline, price of beerPrice of gasoline, price of beer Pew Research Center:Pew Research Center:

– http://www.people-press.orghttp://www.people-press.org

Survey rules and guidelinesSurvey rules and guidelines Analyze the data carefullyAnalyze the data carefully Carefully interpret statistics correctlyCarefully interpret statistics correctly Lead with survey’s most significant findingsLead with survey’s most significant findings Strive to humanize the statisticsStrive to humanize the statistics Organize the story to help readersOrganize the story to help readers

– Use bullets for key statisticsUse bullets for key statistics Make comparisons among subgroupsMake comparisons among subgroups

– Gender, sex, ageGender, sex, age Consider using charts for statisticsConsider using charts for statistics Don’t forget to explain survey methodologyDon’t forget to explain survey methodology

Covering speechesCovering speeches

Speeches: Before, during …Speeches: Before, during …– BeforeBefore

Research the Research the speaker.speaker.

Request an Request an advance copy of advance copy of speech.speech.

Ask if picture- Ask if picture- taking will be taking will be allowed.allowed.

– During During Get a good seat.Get a good seat. Estimate the size Estimate the size

of the audience.of the audience. Monitor the mood Monitor the mood

of the crowd.of the crowd. Take along a tape Take along a tape

recorder.recorder.

Covering speechesCovering speeches

… … and afterand after– AfterAfter

Create a Create a compelling lead.compelling lead.

Avoid topic leads.Avoid topic leads. Include minimal Include minimal

background/ background/ biographical data.biographical data.

Highlight Highlight speaker’s key speaker’s key points.points.

Convey tone of Convey tone of speech.speech.

Beware of false or Beware of false or libelous libelous comments.comments.

Speech story checklist

Speaker’s nameSpeaker’s name

Relevant Relevant credentialscredentials

Reason for speechReason for speech

Time, day and Time, day and locationlocation

Description of Description of audienceaudience

QuotesQuotes

CommentsComments

ResponsesResponses

Speaker’s feeSpeaker’s fee

Hard News 2: Attend City Council Hard News 2: Attend City Council Meeting next Monday, October 26Meeting next Monday, October 26

Story Due:Story Due:– Thursday, October 29Thursday, October 29

Covering meetingsCovering meetings

Explain issues, how decisions are Explain issues, how decisions are made, and what it meansmade, and what it means

– Start with Start with research.research.

– Clarify. Condense. Clarify. Condense. Concentrate.Concentrate.

– Encourage readers Encourage readers to attend to attend meetings.meetings.

– Go early.Go early.– Dress Dress

appropriately.appropriately.

Covering meetingsCovering meetings

Explain issues, how decisions are Explain issues, how decisions are made, and what it meansmade, and what it means

– Stick around after Stick around after the meeting. the meeting.

– Distill meandering Distill meandering malarkey into malarkey into meaningful news.meaningful news.

– Remember, Remember, meetings are not meetings are not always news.always news.

Covering meetingsCovering meetings

Meeting story checklistMeeting story checklist Group/agency Group/agency

namename Location and length Location and length

of meetingof meeting Important decisionsImportant decisions QuotesQuotes ReactionsReactions

Crowd sizeCrowd size AtmosphereAtmosphere GraphicsGraphics Unusual eventsUnusual events What happens What happens

next?next?

Covering meetingsCovering meetings

Personalizing meetingsPersonalizing meetings– Write about real Write about real

people.people.

– Write about real Write about real issues.issues.

– Look for ways to Look for ways to involve your involve your readers.readers.

Where to find info about next Where to find info about next week’s meeting?week’s meeting?

Duluth City Council Agenda:Duluth City Council Agenda:– http://http://www.duluthmn.govwww.duluthmn.gov//

Covering politicsCovering politics

Covering campaigns and electionsCovering campaigns and elections– Prioritize.Prioritize.– Get to know the Get to know the

candidates.candidates.– Do your homework.Do your homework.– Use reliable experts.Use reliable experts.– Decide what matters.Decide what matters.– Brainstorm story ideas.Brainstorm story ideas.– Spread onto the Web.Spread onto the Web.

Covering politicsCovering politics

Keeping tabs of governmental Keeping tabs of governmental policies and playerspolicies and players

– Decision makingDecision making– The election The election

processprocess– MoneyMoney

Getting the factsGetting the facts MeetingsMeetings SpeechesSpeeches News releasesNews releases News conferencesNews conferences Network of sourcesNetwork of sources Documents Documents

Unfortunate truths about covering politics

– Politicians lie.Politicians lie.– Politicians will Politicians will

schmooze you so schmooze you so they can use you.they can use you.

– People don’t want People don’t want to read about to read about government government process.process.

5

– Everybody believes Everybody believes your stories are your stories are biased.biased.

– You must peel away You must peel away layer after layer to layer after layer to get to the truth.get to the truth.

An awfully long day…An awfully long day…

Another wayward sign! What’s the correct Another wayward sign! What’s the correct spelling?spelling?

1.1. Souvenirs!Souvenirs!

2.2. SouvanirsSouvanirs

Sports Reporting AssignmentSports Reporting Assignment

Final story due: November 12Final story due: November 12 Any challenges?Any challenges?

Out-of-Class Assignment:Out-of-Class Assignment:Due October 26Due October 26

From information provided the From information provided the University of North Carolina, write a University of North Carolina, write a short story about a survey the students short story about a survey the students completed.completed.

Write your story in Microsoft Word, Write your story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and email a copy of the doublespaced, and email a copy of the story as an attachment to: lkragnesstory as an attachment to: lkragnes

Make sure to copy yourself on the emailMake sure to copy yourself on the email

Hard News 1 StoriesHard News 1 Stories Interesting stories!Interesting stories! A lot of red marks: Next story will be A lot of red marks: Next story will be

easier…easier…– Constructive criticism that will help Constructive criticism that will help

you write your next storyyou write your next story Stick to third person, past tenseStick to third person, past tense Watch style errorsWatch style errors

– Dates, titles, numerals, spellingDates, titles, numerals, spelling Remember the 5Ws and H!Remember the 5Ws and H!

Avoid restating questionAvoid restating question Many used quotes effectivelyMany used quotes effectively

– High up in story, direct and indirectHigh up in story, direct and indirect Need demographic information to give Need demographic information to give

reader perspective:reader perspective:– What’s that?What’s that?

Age, where from, where went to college, Age, where from, where went to college,

One sentence summary lead the strongestOne sentence summary lead the strongest Punctuation inside quote marksPunctuation inside quote marks

– ““Blah blah blah,” she said.Blah blah blah,” she said.

John Hyduke is a business man, a John Hyduke is a business man, a president, and a past hockey player with a president, and a past hockey player with a lot of experience in multiple fields.lot of experience in multiple fields.

Long time media guru and Executive Editor Long time media guru and Executive Editor of the Duluth News Tribune Rob Karwath of the Duluth News Tribune Rob Karwath always knew he wanted to be a journalist.always knew he wanted to be a journalist.

Susan Latto, UMD Public Relations Susan Latto, UMD Public Relations Director, is always on the go.Director, is always on the go.

Barbara Reyelts, investigative reporter and Barbara Reyelts, investigative reporter and head of KBJR was born to uncover and head of KBJR was born to uncover and spread the truth.spread the truth.

In-class Assignment: Due todayIn-class Assignment: Due today Editing classmate storyEditing classmate story

– Make changes, give to reporterMake changes, give to reporter– Editing form returned to me: Worth 5 pointsEditing form returned to me: Worth 5 points

Rewrite Hard News 1 journalist interview Rewrite Hard News 1 journalist interview storiesstories– Using all of the editing suggestions, Using all of the editing suggestions,

rewrite/edit your storyrewrite/edit your story– You MUST make style changes – or no points!You MUST make style changes – or no points!– Email final copy of story to: Email final copy of story to:

lkragnes@d.umn.edulkragnes@d.umn.edu Worth 5 pointsWorth 5 points

– Stories will be posted on class Web siteStories will be posted on class Web site

PortfolioPortfolio

Store academic information on your Store academic information on your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage.100 mb of storage.

Access Electronic Portfolio at: Access Electronic Portfolio at: https://https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jspportfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jsp