Week 6: Journalism 2001Week 6: Journalism 2001October 17, 2005October 17, 2005

North Dakota Proposal!North Dakota Proposal!

Grand Forks Herald:Grand Forks Herald:– http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/12892698.http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/12892698.

htmhtm

Fargo Forum:Fargo Forum:– http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?

id=105555&section=Newsid=105555&section=News

Review of last week’s newsReview of last week’s news

Hard News:Hard News:(murders, city council, government, etc.)(murders, city council, government, etc.)– Major local storiesMajor local stories– Major national/international storiesMajor national/international stories– Major sports storiesMajor sports stories

Soft News:Soft News:(retirements, school programs, human interest)(retirements, school programs, human interest)– Local storiesLocal stories– National/international storiesNational/international stories– Sports storiesSports stories

A classmate has a letter A classmate has a letter published in the Duluth News-published in the Duluth News-

Tribune!Tribune!

True

False

50%50%1.1. TrueTrue

2.2. FalseFalse

Mayor Herb Bergson hired Julio Almanza as Mayor Herb Bergson hired Julio Almanza as interim Chief Administrative Officer. interim Chief Administrative Officer. Almanza is former:Almanza is former:

Polic

e Chie

f

Super

inte

nden

t of S

c...

May

or of S

uper

ior

33% 33%33%

1.1. Police ChiefPolice Chief

2.2. Superintendent of Superintendent of SchoolsSchools

3.3. Mayor of SuperiorMayor of Superior

The Vikings are now 1-4.The Vikings are now 1-4.

True

False

50%50%

1.1. TrueTrue

2.2. FalseFalse

Several Viking players are excellentSeveral Viking players are excellentoff-the-field role models. Do you off-the-field role models. Do you

agree?agree?

Yes No

50%50%

1.1. YesYes

2.2. NoNo

Do you think the Vikings’ scandal will help or Do you think the Vikings’ scandal will help or hurt the chances for a new stadium for the hurt the chances for a new stadium for the Gophers, Twins and Vikings?Gophers, Twins and Vikings?

Help

Hurt

Won’t

mat

ter

33% 33%33%

1.1. HelpHelp

2.2. HurtHurt

3.3. Won’t matterWon’t matter

Do you think the media coverage of the Do you think the media coverage of the Vikings’ scandal has been fair, sensational or Vikings’ scandal has been fair, sensational or inaccurate?inaccurate?

Fair

Sensa

tiona

l

Inac

cura

te

33% 33%33%

1.1. FairFair

2.2. SensationalSensational

3.3. InaccurateInaccurate

Kerry Rodd, play-by-play announcer for Kerry Rodd, play-by-play announcer for Bulldog hockey on KDAL-AM 610, was Bulldog hockey on KDAL-AM 610, was fired last week.fired last week.

True

False

50%50%

1.1. TrueTrue

2.2. FalseFalse

Mesaba Airlines filed for Mesaba Airlines filed for bankruptcy last week.bankruptcy last week.

True

False

50%50%

1.1. TrueTrue

2.2. FalseFalse

Wordiness, attribution, Wordiness, attribution, allegedlyallegedly

Retrieved the money: recoveredRetrieved the money: recovered Full name in leadFull name in lead Editorializing: thanks to excellent workEditorializing: thanks to excellent work Exhibiting suspicious behavior: acting Exhibiting suspicious behavior: acting

suspiciouslysuspiciously AttributionAttribution Looking through the windows of parked cars Looking through the windows of parked cars

lined along the street: Looking in parked lined along the street: Looking in parked carscars

Wall kicked in and an illegal entry had been Wall kicked in and an illegal entry had been made: Wall kicked inmade: Wall kicked in

Was found with: hadWas found with: had

Style errors:Style errors:– StatesStates– AgesAges– AddressesAddresses

Run-on sentencesRun-on sentences Recovered all of the approximately Recovered all of the approximately

$741.10: recovered the $741.10$741.10: recovered the $741.10 Made contact: talkedMade contact: talked Pockets overfilled with money: full pocketsPockets overfilled with money: full pockets AdmittedAdmitted Had stolen: is charged withHad stolen: is charged with

Review: Writing a summary Review: Writing a summary leadlead

Usually a single sentenceUsually a single sentence No more than 35 wordsNo more than 35 words Bottom line:Bottom line:

– Use a single sentence of no more than Use a single sentence of no more than 35 words to summarize an event35 words to summarize an event

Chapter 25: LawChapter 25: Law

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

Judith Miller, who was jailed for refusing to Judith Miller, who was jailed for refusing to identify a source in the naming of a CIA identify a source in the naming of a CIA agent, is a reporter for what newspaper?agent, is a reporter for what newspaper?

1.1. Washington Washington PostPost

2.2. New York TimesNew York Times

3.3. Los Angeles Los Angeles TribuneTribune

Do you agree with Judith Miller’s decision to Do you agree with Judith Miller’s decision to testify before a grand jury after spending 86 testify before a grand jury after spending 86

days in jail?days in jail?

1.1. Strongly AgreeStrongly Agree

2.2. AgreeAgree

3.3. DisagreeDisagree

4.4. Strongly Strongly DisagreeDisagree

Latest Judith Miller Latest Judith Miller developments…developments…

Let’s check the New York Times Let’s check the New York Times websitewebsite– http://www.nytimes.comhttp://www.nytimes.com

LibelLibel

Libel: Communication of false Libel: Communication of false information that damages an information that damages an individual in his or her profession, individual in his or her profession, business or calling.business or calling.– Five requirements for libel action:Five requirements for libel action:

PublicationPublication IdentificationIdentification Harmful to reputationHarmful to reputation Proof of falsityProof of falsity Proof of faultProof of fault

““Red Flag” Words: Libel & Red Flag” Words: Libel & PrivacyPrivacy

adulteryadultery blackmailblackmail confidence confidence manman

drunkarddrunkard

AIDSAIDS blockheadblockhead corruptioncorruption ex-convictex-convict

alcoholicalcoholic booze-houndbooze-hound cowardcoward fraudfraud

altered altered recordsrecords

briberybribery crookcrook gambling dengambling den

Ambulance Ambulance chaserchaser

brothelbrothel deadbeatdeadbeat gangstergangster

AtheistAtheist buys votesbuys votes deadheaddeadhead gaygay

bad moral bad moral charactercharacter

cheatscheats defaulterdefaulter graftgraft

BankruptBankrupt child abusechild abuse divorceddivorced groveling groveling office seekeroffice seeker

bigamistbigamist collusioncollusion double-double-crossedcrossed

herpesherpes

blacklistedblacklisted con artistcon artist drug abuserdrug abuser hit-manhit-man

hypocritehypocrite manipulatemanipulate rape/rapistrape/rapist stool pigeonstool pigeon

illegitimateillegitimate mental illnessmental illness scamscam stuffed the ballot stuffed the ballot boxbox

illicit relationillicit relation mobstermobster scandalmongerscandalmonger suicidesuicide

incompetentincompetent moral moral delinquencydelinquency

scoundrelscoundrel swindleswindle

infidelityinfidelity mouthpiecemouthpiece seducerseducer takentaken

informerinformer Neo-NaziNeo-Nazi sharp dealingsharp dealing thiefthief

insider tradinginsider trading paramourparamour shystershyster unethicalunethical

intimateintimate peeping Tompeeping Tom slackerslacker unmarried motherunmarried mother

intoleranceintolerance perjurerperjurer smooth and trickysmooth and tricky unprofessionalunprofessional

Jekyll-Hyde Jekyll-Hyde personalitypersonality

plagiaristplagiarist smugglersmuggler unsound mindunsound mind

kept womankept woman pockets public pockets public fundsfunds

sneakysneaky unworthy of creditunworthy of credit

Ku Klux KlanKu Klux Klan price cutterprice cutter sold influencesold influence vice denvice den

liarliar profiteeringprofiteering sold outsold out villainvillain

MafiaMafia prostituteprostitute spyspy fawning fawning sycophantsycophant

Classes of libelous wordsClasses of libelous words

Words imputing the commission of a Words imputing the commission of a criminal offensecriminal offenseAvoid:Avoid:

John Doe was taken into custody Wednesday John Doe was taken into custody Wednesday for murdering Sally Smith Tuesday night.for murdering Sally Smith Tuesday night.

Better:Better:

John Doe was taken into custody Wednesday John Doe was taken into custody Wednesday in connection with (or in the investigation of) in connection with (or in the investigation of) the Tuesday night slaying of Sally Smith.the Tuesday night slaying of Sally Smith.

Words that impute infection with a Words that impute infection with a loathsome communicable disease of loathsome communicable disease of any kind that would tend to exclude any kind that would tend to exclude one from society.one from society.Is this news?:Is this news?:

John Doe, who was elected Wednesday John Doe, who was elected Wednesday to be president of the local chapter of to be president of the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was treated last summer for a venereal treated last summer for a venereal disease, the Daily Bugle has learned.disease, the Daily Bugle has learned.

Words that impute inability to perform, or Words that impute inability to perform, or want of integrity in the discharge of, duties of want of integrity in the discharge of, duties of office or employment.office or employment.Don’t write:Don’t write:

Public school groundskeeper John Doe is unfit by Public school groundskeeper John Doe is unfit by temperament and intelligence to adequately temperament and intelligence to adequately perform his duties, sources who wish to remain perform his duties, sources who wish to remain anonymous said Wednesday.anonymous said Wednesday.

Words that prejudice a particular person in his Words that prejudice a particular person in his or her profession or trade.or her profession or trade.Don’t write:Don’t write:

Attorney John Doe, who will represent the widow in Attorney John Doe, who will represent the widow in the embezzlement case, is the most incompetent the embezzlement case, is the most incompetent lawyer in town, according to courthouse observers.lawyer in town, according to courthouse observers.

Defamation by implicationDefamation by implication

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

QuotationsQuotations

Reporter/news medium must assume Reporter/news medium must assume responsibility for the statement if it is usedresponsibility for the statement if it is used– The fact that information was provided by a The fact that information was provided by a

source does not necessarily mean that it is source does not necessarily mean that it is correct.correct.

– Beware of off-the-record tips passed along by Beware of off-the-record tips passed along by sources, even high-ranking officials or law sources, even high-ranking officials or law enforcement officers.enforcement officers. Don’t write: Police said that the alleged crook is in Don’t write: Police said that the alleged crook is in

custody.custody. Instead: Police said that the man charged with the Instead: Police said that the man charged with the

crime is in custody.crime is in custody.

Defenses against libelDefenses against libel

Conditional defensesConditional defenses– Privilege of reporting: Fair, accurate Privilege of reporting: Fair, accurate

reporting of official proceedingsreporting of official proceedings– Fair comment and criticism: Applies to Fair comment and criticism: Applies to

opinions about matters of public concernopinions about matters of public concern– Neutral reportage: Report charges made Neutral reportage: Report charges made

by one responsible person or by one responsible person or organization about another when both organization about another when both parties are involved in a public parties are involved in a public controversycontroversy

Absolute libel defensesAbsolute libel defenses

Statute of limitationsStatute of limitations– Two years in MinnesotaTwo years in Minnesota

TruthTruth Privilege of participantPrivilege of participant

– Participants in official proceedingsParticipants in official proceedings Consent or authorizationConsent or authorization Self-defense or right of replySelf-defense or right of reply

Partial defensesPartial defenses

Publication of a retraction: Clear Publication of a retraction: Clear admission of erroneous reportingadmission of erroneous reporting

Facts showing no gross negligence or Facts showing no gross negligence or ill willill will

Facts showing that the reporter Facts showing that the reporter relied on a usually reliable sourcerelied on a usually reliable source

The actual malice standardThe actual malice standard

The New York Times ruleThe New York Times rule– New York Times Co. v. Sullivan: 1964New York Times Co. v. Sullivan: 1964

Supreme Court: To collect damages, a public official Supreme Court: To collect damages, a public official would have to prove the defendant acted with “actual would have to prove the defendant acted with “actual malice;” knowledge that it was false or with reckless malice;” knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not.disregard of whether it was false or not.

– 1967: Supreme Court said that public figures, in 1967: Supreme Court said that public figures, in addition to public officials, also have to show addition to public officials, also have to show actual malice to recover libel damages.actual malice to recover libel damages.

Bottom line:Bottom line:

More protection from libel action if More protection from libel action if plaintiff is a public personplaintiff is a public person..

Checklist for dealing with Checklist for dealing with libellibel

Be aggressive – but don’t take foolish Be aggressive – but don’t take foolish risksrisks

Be fair – keep an open mindBe fair – keep an open mind Seek advice if you are unsure of your Seek advice if you are unsure of your

turfturf

Where to learn moreWhere to learn more

Minnesota statutesMinnesota statutes U.S. Supreme CourtU.S. Supreme Court Federal circuit courtsFederal circuit courts Online legal researchOnline legal research

What’s misspelled?What’s misspelled?

Crois

ant

Break

fast

50%

50%

1.1. CroisantCroisant

2.2. BreakfastBreakfast

Chapter 14: News ReleasesChapter 14: News Releases

What is a news release?What is a news release?– AnnouncementsAnnouncements

New line of productsNew line of products EventsEvents PromotionsPromotions Public service announcementsPublic service announcements

– Cause-promotingCause-promoting FundraisingFundraising VolunteersVolunteers

– Image-buildingImage-building PoliticiansPoliticians CorporationsCorporations

Evaluating news releasesEvaluating news releases

Does it have news value?Does it have news value?– Local, regional or nationalLocal, 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 photographStory and/or photograph Can it be trusted?Can it be trusted?

What is Public Relations?What is Public Relations?

Promoting an organization, Promoting an organization, institution or corporationinstitution or corporation

UMD Communicators CouncilUMD Communicators Council– University RelationsUniversity Relations– Natural Resources Research InstituteNatural Resources Research Institute– Minnesota Sea GrantMinnesota Sea Grant

Which releases will be used?Which releases will be used?

No set formulaNo set formula– Interests of reporters, editorsInterests of reporters, editors– How many people affectedHow many people affected

Usually rewrittenUsually rewritten– Eliminate “fluff:” self-serving, Eliminate “fluff:” self-serving,

promotional infopromotional info– Embarrassing if two media use exact Embarrassing if two media use exact

same wordingsame wording– Often raise additional questionsOften raise additional questions

Emailed releasesEmailed releases

www.pressrelease.netwww.pressrelease.net www.eReleases.comwww.eReleases.com

– How to write a press releaseHow to write a press release ConciseConcise Well-writtenWell-written FactualFactual HonestHonest TimelyTimely

Using news releasesUsing news releases

Boiling down a handoutBoiling down a handout– Determine 5Ws and HDetermine 5Ws and H– Find the leadFind the lead– Eliminate fluffEliminate fluff– Avoid free adsAvoid free ads– Determining local news valueDetermining local news value

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

Souve

nirs!

Souva

nirs

50%

50%

1.1. Souvenirs!Souvenirs!

2.2. SouvanirsSouvanirs

Chapter 15:Chapter 15:Speeches, news conferencesSpeeches, news conferences

Covering a speechCovering a speech

Preparation:Preparation:– Research subject, speakerResearch subject, speaker– Prepare questionsPrepare questions– Catch the speaker earlyCatch the speaker early– Advance textsAdvance texts

Research easier, but Research easier, but speakersspeakers

often wander from textoften wander from text

– Tape recorderTape recorder Use for backup of quotesUse for backup of quotes

Steps to follow during the Steps to follow during the speechspeech

Take copious notesTake copious notes– Quotations: mark notesQuotations: mark notes

Make observationsMake observations– Clothing, mannerismsClothing, mannerisms

Listen for newsListen for news– What makes this speech special?What makes this speech special?

Listen for summariesListen for summaries Follow-up questionsFollow-up questions

Writing the speech storyWriting the speech story

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

Organizing the informationOrganizing the information– Inverted-pyramid news storiesInverted-pyramid news stories

Summary lead:Summary lead:– 35 words, usually one sentence35 words, usually one sentence

Second paragraph:Second paragraph:– Back up lead with strong quote, paraphraseBack up lead with strong quote, paraphrase

Third paragraph:Third paragraph:– Continue developing lead, or write transitional Continue developing lead, or write transitional

paragraph (possibly bullets)paragraph (possibly bullets) Fourth paragraph or after the bullets:Fourth paragraph or after the bullets:

– Continue developing lead, or developing bulleted itemsContinue developing lead, or developing bulleted items Balance of the story:Balance of the story:

– Quotations, paraphrasesQuotations, paraphrases Final paragraph:Final paragraph:

– Try to end with direct quotationTry to end with direct quotation– Never: “he/she concluded”Never: “he/she concluded”

News ConferencesNews Conferences

Gang interviewGang interview– All reporters get same informationAll reporters get same information

Why call a news conference?Why call a news conference?– After a crisisAfter a crisis– Explain controversyExplain controversy– Make an announcementMake an announcement– Can control what’s given to reportersCan control what’s given to reporters

Covering a news conferenceCovering a news conference

Do your homework!Do your homework!– Read news releasesRead news releases– Research old storiesResearch old stories– Research speakerResearch speaker– Talk to editorsTalk to editors– Talk to other reportersTalk to other reporters

What will not be coveredWhat will not be covered

Advance storyAdvance story– Brief story announcing eventBrief story announcing event– Often only coverage of eventOften only coverage of event

Questions and answersQuestions and answers– Television reporters often have the edgeTelevision reporters often have the edge

Speakers wants to be seen as well as heardSpeakers wants to be seen as well as heard

– Arrive early for a good seatArrive early for a good seat

News conference as media News conference as media eventevent

Presidential news conferencePresidential news conference– Began with Theodore RooseveltBegan with Theodore Roosevelt– Today major news eventToday major news event

Reporters also want to be seen and heardReporters also want to be seen and heard Draws 300 reporters, usually lasts 30 Draws 300 reporters, usually lasts 30

minutesminutes

Online speech sourcesOnline speech sources

Great American Speeches: PBSGreat American Speeches: PBS– www.pbs.org/greatspeeches/www.pbs.org/greatspeeches/

The History ChannelThe History Channel– http://www.historychannel.com/speechehttp://www.historychannel.com/speeche

s/s/ infoUSAinfoUSA

– http://http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/speeches.htusinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/speeches.htmm

An awfully long day…An awfully long day…

Assignments due today Assignments due today (10/17)(10/17)

Out of Class Assignments:Out of Class Assignments:– Hard News AssignmentHard News Assignment– Sports Story Pitch; final article due Sports Story Pitch; final article due

10/3110/31 In Class Assignments:In Class Assignments:

– Questions for next week’s speakerQuestions for next week’s speaker– Sports Editing worksheetSports Editing worksheet

Speaker 10/24Speaker 10/24 Tom Wilkowske, reporter and editor of the Tom Wilkowske, reporter and editor of the

Wave at the Duluth News-TribuneWave at the Duluth News-Tribune– University of Minnesota Journalism GraduateUniversity of Minnesota Journalism Graduate– Editor of the Minnesota Daily, 1986-87Editor of the Minnesota Daily, 1986-87– Reporter for the Winona Daily NewsReporter for the Winona Daily News– Publications Editor, UMD University RelationsPublications Editor, UMD University Relations– Reporter at Duluth News-TribuneReporter at Duluth News-Tribune

Write three questions and email them to Write three questions and email them to Lucy Kragness at: Lucy Kragness at: lkragnes@d.umn.edulkragnes@d.umn.edu

Remember to bring questions to next Remember to bring questions to next week’s classweek’s class

Due 10/31: News Release/Public Due 10/31: News Release/Public Relations Assignment Story PitchRelations Assignment Story Pitch

Length of story pitch: three paragraphs, Length of story pitch: three paragraphs, about 200 wordsabout 200 words

Include the 5Ws and HInclude the 5Ws and H

Option 1: Select a news release from the Option 1: Select a news release from the UMD website to expand into storyUMD website to expand into story

Option 2: Prepare news release promoting Option 2: Prepare news release promoting an event/cause about an organization you an event/cause about an organization you are involved withare involved with

EgradebookEgradebook

Doublecheck assignments correct in Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook:egradebook:– http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebookhttp://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook

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