I was feeling a little dizzy right before noon today at the Republic and then this story broke about an earthquake in Mexicali. Wonder if they were connected. We have been working on getting reports from the public since noon from people who felt it in Arizona.
Click here to read the story.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Suicides? Suspects?
Azcentral.com published this story about the suicide of a man who was suspected of committing domestic violence against his girlfriend.
The first thing I wondered about is the Republic's unspoken code of ethics that designates that suicides are normally not covered because they are more of a private matter. I understand this was probably covered as the event was unfolding, but I wonder if the reporter and editor contemplated taking a hands-off approach once the suicide was made public information.
Also, it bothered me that the story used the word "suspect" which generally puts unclear blame on a person. Even if he was convicted, media outlets would cover themselves and say convicted instead of guilty.
The double-whammy about this case is that the man cannot be tried to establish if he was the attacker.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Nie Nie
I just finished reading the first installment of Climbing Back on azcentral.com. This feature is a story about Stephanie Nielson and her effort to recover from -3rd and -4th degree burns she suffered after she was involved in a single-engine plane crash with her husband and his flight instructor.Her story is breathtaking and beautiful. You can visit her blog and see the tales of her life and her children before, after and during the incident. The stories and the multimedia projects on azcentral.com are heartwrenching.
Sometimes it is impossible to comprehend what happens to people and why.
Nielson's story is an important one for everyone to read.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Student vs. Reporter
I was sent this to cover an especially rousing round of Must-see Monday this week and wrote this story about Sheriff Joe Arpaio's visit to ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication for azcentral.com.
Oddly enough, being an ASU student and a Republic reporter made me realize I needed to control my reactions, my facial features, and my urge to join in with my fellow students when protesters began singing.
When Dean Chris Callahan said, "Thank you, some of my students are here," I (without thinking) pumped my fist and had to stifle a cheer. My friend Leigh Zinsmeister immediately pushed my hand into my lap and whispered, "You're a reporter right now."
To be honest, I was glad I didn't see myself on the 9 p.m. news segments, but I did have a small conflict of interest when I reported on that story. I was embarrassed Leigh to tell me to pipe down, but I was glad she did.
As for the event, I was sad to think that some journalism students didn't want to see Arpaio questioned by our professors, but the singing protesters made for a tighter, easy-to-swallow story. I knew what Arpaio was going to do and how he was going to answer the questions, because I am lucky enough to sit next to the sheriff-beat reporter at work. I wasn't extremely impressed by the professors' questions and methods, but I really wanted to hear Arpaio's answer to Rick Rodruguez's last questions. Alas, we shall never know what "tape-recorded" response he would have given.
Oddly enough, being an ASU student and a Republic reporter made me realize I needed to control my reactions, my facial features, and my urge to join in with my fellow students when protesters began singing.
When Dean Chris Callahan said, "Thank you, some of my students are here," I (without thinking) pumped my fist and had to stifle a cheer. My friend Leigh Zinsmeister immediately pushed my hand into my lap and whispered, "You're a reporter right now."
To be honest, I was glad I didn't see myself on the 9 p.m. news segments, but I did have a small conflict of interest when I reported on that story. I was embarrassed Leigh to tell me to pipe down, but I was glad she did.
As for the event, I was sad to think that some journalism students didn't want to see Arpaio questioned by our professors, but the singing protesters made for a tighter, easy-to-swallow story. I knew what Arpaio was going to do and how he was going to answer the questions, because I am lucky enough to sit next to the sheriff-beat reporter at work. I wasn't extremely impressed by the professors' questions and methods, but I really wanted to hear Arpaio's answer to Rick Rodruguez's last questions. Alas, we shall never know what "tape-recorded" response he would have given.
Monday, November 23, 2009
A 9-year-old alleged rapist
How do you decide to run a story about a suspect in a rape if he is so young you can't, ethically, run his name. I'm sure it's not easy.
Azcentral.com ran this story about one of the suspected rapists in the case of an 8-year-old Liberian girl in an apartment complex in north Phoenix. The trials have been ongoing for all of the boys involved in the incident, but this particular story was about the youngest boy's ability to stand trial.
Technically, the story is easy to read and you don't really notice that his name is never mentioned. Similar stories, like that of the St. John's boy who killed his father, make it more
easy for the suspects to be labeled (Balloon boy).
As news develops, it seems like it continually gets harder to withhold pertinent information
from readers in the interest of minimizing harm, even to a rapist. I think my only query is if the story is even newsworthy at this point and if the story should even focus on a child or any person that would be unethical to name. The story could have been written about the 15-year-old who could be named in connection with this story, and a graf could have been dedicated to the 9-year-old who can't, but then the lead would not have been so compelling. I am torn about the story and its relevancy.
Azcentral.com ran this story about one of the suspected rapists in the case of an 8-year-old Liberian girl in an apartment complex in north Phoenix. The trials have been ongoing for all of the boys involved in the incident, but this particular story was about the youngest boy's ability to stand trial.
Technically, the story is easy to read and you don't really notice that his name is never mentioned. Similar stories, like that of the St. John's boy who killed his father, make it more
easy for the suspects to be labeled (Balloon boy).
As news develops, it seems like it continually gets harder to withhold pertinent information
from readers in the interest of minimizing harm, even to a rapist. I think my only query is if the story is even newsworthy at this point and if the story should even focus on a child or any person that would be unethical to name. The story could have been written about the 15-year-old who could be named in connection with this story, and a graf could have been dedicated to the 9-year-old who can't, but then the lead would not have been so compelling. I am torn about the story and its relevancy.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Miss Black Arizona
20 to vie for Arizona's Miss Black and Miss Black Teen honors (Jahna Berry/azcentral.com)
I think this story from azcentral.com about the Miss Black Arizona and the Miss Black Teen Arizona neglects a graf that points to exactly who is eligible to participate in the pageant. It may seem like a "duh," but I think it is important to say the Miss Black Arizona is a scholarship pageant for young Black women with high aspirations and goals, etc. It is important to mention a background about how the pageant came about and how it is similar and different to pageants that emphasize one race.
I understand the reason azcentral.com may have ignored these facts in there story is because they seem obvious or the reporter may have thought such words would come off as either racist or proud. However, I think there are still many people who might question the story without the portraying the pageant's participants clearly aside from just stating the name of the pageant itself.
I think this story from azcentral.com about the Miss Black Arizona and the Miss Black Teen Arizona neglects a graf that points to exactly who is eligible to participate in the pageant. It may seem like a "duh," but I think it is important to say the Miss Black Arizona is a scholarship pageant for young Black women with high aspirations and goals, etc. It is important to mention a background about how the pageant came about and how it is similar and different to pageants that emphasize one race.
I understand the reason azcentral.com may have ignored these facts in there story is because they seem obvious or the reporter may have thought such words would come off as either racist or proud. However, I think there are still many people who might question the story without the portraying the pageant's participants clearly aside from just stating the name of the pageant itself.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Reports about Crime Sweeps
In response to this report about Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 13th immigration and crime sweep, I am wondering what this type of report does to the credibility of azcentral.com.
The story divulges details from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office about the two-day crime suppression sweep that began at 5 p.m. on Monday.
If we post a story like this, does it look like we are eating out of the Sheriff's palm for story leads, or does it seem like we are warning employers and illegal immigrants to stay home during the operation?
Both views seem rather controversial and I wonder what this type of story looks like to readers who don't have an inside knowledge of the newsroom, or those who have never seen a press release.
I understand that the Republic and azcentral.com normally post this information for public viewing because it is newsworthy, and I probably would have written the story the same way the Associated Press reporter did if it had been assigned to me.
Does it seem less biased if it was a report from the Associated Press or the wires, instead of assigning it to our own reporter? Regardless, does it make the whole outlet seem like an advocate for illegal immigration?
I think it is important to seek a balance between running stories like this that risk having controversial consequences and ones that really inform the public and/or serve the greater good.
The story divulges details from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office about the two-day crime suppression sweep that began at 5 p.m. on Monday.
If we post a story like this, does it look like we are eating out of the Sheriff's palm for story leads, or does it seem like we are warning employers and illegal immigrants to stay home during the operation?
Both views seem rather controversial and I wonder what this type of story looks like to readers who don't have an inside knowledge of the newsroom, or those who have never seen a press release.
I understand that the Republic and azcentral.com normally post this information for public viewing because it is newsworthy, and I probably would have written the story the same way the Associated Press reporter did if it had been assigned to me.
Does it seem less biased if it was a report from the Associated Press or the wires, instead of assigning it to our own reporter? Regardless, does it make the whole outlet seem like an advocate for illegal immigration?
I think it is important to seek a balance between running stories like this that risk having controversial consequences and ones that really inform the public and/or serve the greater good.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Arizona bloggers are critics and comedians.
The comments left on this story written yesterday evening for azcentral.com should generate some chuckles.
A woman was sentenced to 15 years in prison for rolling her car window up on a police officer's arm and dragging him for approximately half-mile.
Being that the officer is OK and recovered from his injuries, the comments like "almost an 'armed' robbery" and "what a drag" are all in good fun.
That's not to say that the Republic and azcentral.com do not allow postings on stories that should not be allowed to be commented on. The Web site has a notorious tendency to allow postings on stories about the mentally retarded, missing people, and mentally retarded missing people. Here is an example.
It is one of the goals of the Gannett policy that guides the Republic and azcentral.com that says we should minimize harm to victims or subjects of their reports. I do not think it is in the best interest of minimizing harm to allow postings on stories like this and others that involve vulnerable victims or unconfirmed suspects.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Rose and Allyn PR
Our in-class discussion with Stacy Pearson of Rose and Allyn Public Relations lead to some interesting stories. Not the least of which was her tale about the stunt her firm pulled to reign in publicity for the opening of Tempe Marketplace last year.
I realized during that account of Pearson's story and other that her firm has been part to in the past, that the rules and the sense of ethics are obviously different between journalists and public relations partners and their cohorts.
With this particular incident, the consequences of the event were minor. In fact, the stunt most likely played to firm's strengths and to the benefit of their client. I think it was interesting that Pearson would be so direct in saying that job is basically to come up with creative ways to make news happen, and make it favorable for her clients. I did not agree with the way this incident was crafted, but only because it suggests a fundamental ethical issue with the way PR places run their businesses.
I believe I will have a personal problem trusting PR people for the reasons that Pearson talked about in our class. They are "nice" to journalists to get them to believe them, and journalists are often burned by the less-ethical members of public relations advocates.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Not to name names...
In response to the following statement posted on Oct. 25 to the Political Insider blog on azcentral.com:
"In a letter Arpaio sent to supporters last week, he painstakingly lays out the left-wing conspiracy working against him - name-dropping the Rev. Al Sharpton, President Barack Obama, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, ACORN and a few media outlets."
Sheriff Joe Arpaio was making threats about what would happen if the voters did not free up some of the money that was being saved for education and healthcare, among other things.
Which is fine because that's just what Arpaio does. It's in his nature to be unreasonable and attention-seeking.
What was important to note about this statement were the words highlighted in blue. The bloggers and contributers to this topic, some of whom are considered fairly insightful and transparent writers at the Arizona Republic, name-dropped all of the names that Arpaio was citing, except for the media outlets.
More likely than not, the Arizona Republic was one of the primary media outlets that Arpaio was calling out.
He has his own blog that is targeted at the Republic called "The Truth Behind the Headlines," which cites the majority of the writers who contributed to this blog.
I think that the journalists may have felt that naming those media outlets, specifically the Republic in their own story, would take away from their argument.
I understand their reasoning, but I think it is important to be transparent with the readers. If Arpaio is accusing the Republic and other local outlets of criticizing him, we have no reason not to own that accusation. One of the biggest responsibilities of the modern newspaper is to be accountable to the readers and to hold public officials to a high standard of skepticism.
I think most readers would have understood if we named the specific media outlets in these circumstances.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...
Hearing and seeing the lecture about the Cinco de Mayo photos got me to thinking...
So my Republic editor and I delved into the nightlife/club scene photo albums at azcentral.com.
Specifically in the nightlife section of the photos, it is difficult to find a representation of the entire community in the clubs of Phoenix Metro Valley. The majority of the pictures are of scantily clad women. That was not the part that bothered me. I was interested when I noticed that the main majority of the women are white. For example, see this picture from the Costumes at Jackrabbit Lounge album.
Also in the same album was this picture, which shows a 3 to 1 ratio of women to men. The general audience may get the perception that the club scene or any nightlife event is overrun with females, which is not generally the case.
The rest of the pictures are mainly of blondes with alcoholic beverages, like this one and this one.
I understand that photographs of woman who are attractive and carry a beer tend to draw in a lot of page views for a site like azcentral.com. This is probably why they handle those events the way they do. My only concern is that there should be a wider attempt to photograph everyone at parties, clubs or anywhere.
So my Republic editor and I delved into the nightlife/club scene photo albums at azcentral.com.
Specifically in the nightlife section of the photos, it is difficult to find a representation of the entire community in the clubs of Phoenix Metro Valley. The majority of the pictures are of scantily clad women. That was not the part that bothered me. I was interested when I noticed that the main majority of the women are white. For example, see this picture from the Costumes at Jackrabbit Lounge album.
Also in the same album was this picture, which shows a 3 to 1 ratio of women to men. The general audience may get the perception that the club scene or any nightlife event is overrun with females, which is not generally the case.
The rest of the pictures are mainly of blondes with alcoholic beverages, like this one and this one.
I understand that photographs of woman who are attractive and carry a beer tend to draw in a lot of page views for a site like azcentral.com. This is probably why they handle those events the way they do. My only concern is that there should be a wider attempt to photograph everyone at parties, clubs or anywhere.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Conducting our own investigations..
A story posted online at azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic on Monday can be found here.
The story alleges that Sheriff Joe Arpaio and MCSO used funds from a program called RICO to finance personal vehicles for themselves and their high-ranking officers.
Although I agree with the fact that the media and the Republic specifically should be expected to hold public officials like Sheriff Joe Arpaio up to scrutiny, I am not sure if these reporters handled the story correctly. I think they should have provided more transparent information about their investigation. I am not sure that the average reader perceives an investigation by The Arizona Republic to be credible without sufficient backup from other public officials.
Also, what constitutes a thorough "review" by the Republic's standards?
This is another story listed in the NEWS section that sounds more like an editorial, with headings expressing sure bias like "questionable spending" and "little oversight."
In that position, I would have provided more information about where we obtained the documents and data to put together the allegations.
The story alleges that Sheriff Joe Arpaio and MCSO used funds from a program called RICO to finance personal vehicles for themselves and their high-ranking officers.
Although I agree with the fact that the media and the Republic specifically should be expected to hold public officials like Sheriff Joe Arpaio up to scrutiny, I am not sure if these reporters handled the story correctly. I think they should have provided more transparent information about their investigation. I am not sure that the average reader perceives an investigation by The Arizona Republic to be credible without sufficient backup from other public officials.
Also, what constitutes a thorough "review" by the Republic's standards?
This is another story listed in the NEWS section that sounds more like an editorial, with headings expressing sure bias like "questionable spending" and "little oversight."
In that position, I would have provided more information about where we obtained the documents and data to put together the allegations.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Questions for Dan...
The article:
By Dan Nowicki｜Azcentral.com
The questions:
What are the most important questions and who decides what they are and why they are important? What are the merits of an important question? How are the voters "disenchanted" with their leaders and where are the quotes to back this up? Who was polled in this Gallup poll? What was the percentage of minority groups? How does the Gallup poll reach the major voting public if they primarily call land-line phones? Who are the individuals that make up this "random sample?" How does this poll reflect public opinion rather than seek to change public opinion? How does Nowicki come to the conclusion that Arizona is not viewed as a good place for young people? Why does this article sound more like an editorial than a news story?
I think that azcentral.com probably ran this story in response to the Gallup poll itself. I also think Dan Nowicki wrote it as more of an editorial than a news story because the topic of questions facing Arizona is so broad. I think this could have been a simple news brief with less bias and less unanswered questions. The Center for the Future of Arizona's "The Arizona We Want" could also have been run higher in the story to give it more context. In that case, I would still have moved the article to the opinion section of the site.
This story raises more questions than it answers.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Republic Dilemma
I was working my night shift yesterday at the Arizona Republic and I was sent to cover a police briefing about the defense attorney David De Costa, who smuggled drugs to one of his clients, a prisoner, during a court preceding.
After I wrote the story and it was posted on azcentral.com, I started browsing other media outlets' coverage of the story.
FOX10 and 3TV were reporting that De Costa had allegedly committed the crime in return for sexual favors from the prisoner's girlfriend, 19-year-old Emilee Keen, among other information that we did not know. 3TV posted the Form IV, which is a court document with the recommended charges from police against the accused.
The form also contains a narrative of how the story and crime came to light.
At this point, it was 8 p.m., and we were not going to be able to get our own copy of the Form IV from Maricopa County Sheriff's Office until the next morning.
Although my night editor and I decided against using the information from the Form IV on the azfamily.com Web site, my real question is would it have been ethically right or wrong to use it knowing that we would be able to get the same document the next morning to corroborate our story? Is it possible that we may have been misled by the documents in the case that 3TV had altered them in any way? Or was it best to wait until for our own copies of the documents to arrive in the morning and write the story later, since we were already late?
The story was eventually rewritten later the next day. This is the follow-up. You will notice that we added the needed information that other outlets were reporting the night before, and we corrected the misspelled name of Ms. Keen.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Suspected by who?
Shouldn't we say at some point who suspects him of the crime? The story does not mention background. Just that pictures have surfaced from Guantanamo Bay. Also, since he is being held there... can't they take all the pictures of him they want?
If you're more interested in the pictures themselves, which azcentral.com did not post, take a look:
(Nothing very exciting here. Check out the blog where they were originally posted: http://jarretbrachman.net/)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
AZCentral.com should...
really stop allowing comments to be posted on stories like this: Police seek help finding missing Phoenix man
The comments themselves explain why.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Connection between ASU and the alcohol bust at The Vue?
Well obviously, but I guess there is nothing to back up that connection.
Per the correction in The Arizona Republic on Saturday, the article "Alcohol Bust at Apartments" that ran on Friday was published with a headline that inferred the private apartment complex, where 85 minors/providers were arrested with mostly alcohol related charges, was associated with the university.
I don't see the need for the correction unless the administration complained, but no one really needed a headline to point out that the minors in The Vue across from the university's campus were from ASU...
Friday, June 26, 2009
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