Week 8: Journalism 2001Week 8: Journalism 2001March 20, 2006March 20, 2006

What’s misspelled?What’s misspelled?

1.1. snowmobilerssnowmobilers

2.2. designateddesignated

3.3. snowmoblingsnowmobling

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

– New York Times offering a four-week New York Times offering a four-week free trialfree trial 25 copies out each day in Cina 10425 copies out each day in Cina 104 Pick one up!Pick one up!

– WDIO-TV Tour: Tuesday, March 28WDIO-TV Tour: Tuesday, March 28 4:30 p.m., meet at station4:30 p.m., meet at station Watch 5 p.m. broadcastWatch 5 p.m. broadcast 5:30: Possible talk with anchor5:30: Possible talk with anchor 15 points Extra Credit15 points Extra Credit

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

Review of assignmentsReview of assignments

Overall excellent work!Overall excellent work! Tips for all stories:Tips for all stories:

– Watch wordinessWatch wordiness– Use AP Stylebook!Use AP Stylebook!– Put attribution after quotePut attribution after quote– Use comma, not period, at end quoteUse comma, not period, at end quote

Blah blah blah, she said.Blah blah blah, she said.

North Country storyNorth Country story

Excellent job!Excellent job! ““Real” interview good practiceReal” interview good practice Watch opinionsWatch opinions One sentence summary lead still One sentence summary lead still

strongeststrongest Names OK in lead – why?Names OK in lead – why?

The sheer strength of the women working in the The sheer strength of the women working in the mines and the beauty of a wintry iron range, mines and the beauty of a wintry iron range, brought actress Charlize Theron and director Niki brought actress Charlize Theron and director Niki Caro to the “North Country” Movie project.Caro to the “North Country” Movie project.

Although neither Niki Caro nor Charlize Theron Although neither Niki Caro nor Charlize Theron were from the Iron Range working in the mines were from the Iron Range working in the mines with men, the story, North Country, still hit home with men, the story, North Country, still hit home for both of them in different ways.for both of them in different ways.

Director Niki Caro (Whale Rider) and Academy Director Niki Caro (Whale Rider) and Academy Award winner Charlize Theron (Monster) don’t Award winner Charlize Theron (Monster) don’t want you to think that they hate men.want you to think that they hate men.

The struggle that women went through in the The struggle that women went through in the mines of Northern Minnesota is what drew actress mines of Northern Minnesota is what drew actress Charlize Theron and director Niki Caro the most to Charlize Theron and director Niki Caro the most to the film “North Country.”the film “North Country.”

ReviewReview News Release Rewrite News Release Rewrite

First name not important in leadFirst name not important in lead Put attribution after quotePut attribution after quote Style errors:Style errors:

– StatesStates– More than/overMore than/over– DatelineDateline– Military titlesMilitary titles– Academic degreesAcademic degrees– YearsYears– NumeralsNumerals– SenateSenate– PresidentPresident

A 1971 UMD graduate has been nominated to the A 1971 UMD graduate has been nominated to the rank of four-star general by President Bush, pending rank of four-star general by President Bush, pending approval by the U.S. Senate.approval by the U.S. Senate.

A 1971 UMD Air Force graduate was nominated by A 1971 UMD Air Force graduate was nominated by President Bush to the rank of a four-star general.President Bush to the rank of a four-star general.

A 1971 UMD graduate has been nominated to the A 1971 UMD graduate has been nominated to the rank of four-star general and selected to command rank of four-star general and selected to command the Air Force Material Command (AFMC) at Wright-the Air Force Material Command (AFMC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio after the Senate Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio after the Senate confirms his nomination.confirms his nomination.

The president recently nominated a 1971 UMD Air The president recently nominated a 1971 UMD Air Force ROTC graduate to the rank of Four Star Force ROTC graduate to the rank of Four Star General.General.

A UMD graduate has been nominated by President A UMD graduate has been nominated by President Bush to the rank of a four star general, the highest Bush to the rank of a four star general, the highest rank in the U.S. Army.rank in the U.S. Army.

Hard News Reporting Hard News Reporting StoriesStories

Interesting meetings!Interesting meetings! Many style errors – possible 25 pointsMany style errors – possible 25 points Many used quotes effectivelyMany used quotes effectively

– High up in story, direct and indirectHigh up in story, direct and indirect Need first names!Need first names! One sentence summary lead the One sentence summary lead the

strongeststrongest Need attribution or reads as Need attribution or reads as

fact/opinionfact/opinion

The Duluth City Council Planning The Duluth City Council Planning Commission voted Tuesday in favor of Commission voted Tuesday in favor of building a new hospice care unit near building a new hospice care unit near Marshall School.Marshall School.

Project plans will be resubmitted to the Project plans will be resubmitted to the planning committee after local Duluthian’s planning committee after local Duluthian’s tempers flared at the February 13tempers flared at the February 13thth Duluth Duluth City Council meeting as they pled with the City Council meeting as they pled with the councilors to reevaluate the Beacon Point councilors to reevaluate the Beacon Point Condominium project.Condominium project.

Due to the recent boom in Due to the recent boom in Methamphetamine busts in St. Louis County, Methamphetamine busts in St. Louis County, county officials have met with congressman county officials have met with congressman Oberstar to address this rising epidemic.Oberstar to address this rising epidemic.

Mayor David Ross made clear his intention Mayor David Ross made clear his intention at the Superior City Council meeting on at the Superior City Council meeting on Feb. 21 to do what he can to save the Feb. 21 to do what he can to save the Carnegie Library from the wrecking ball.Carnegie Library from the wrecking ball.

The Superior City Council was confronted The Superior City Council was confronted Tuesday evening by concerned citizens of Tuesday evening by concerned citizens of Superior who do not want to see the Superior who do not want to see the Carnegie Library demolished.Carnegie Library demolished.

Citizens planning to enjoy the wilderness, Citizens planning to enjoy the wilderness, either quietly or on their all terrain either quietly or on their all terrain vehicles will have to wait a little longer vehicles will have to wait a little longer before they know what trails will be before they know what trails will be accessible.accessible.

Let’s rewrite the hard news Let’s rewrite the hard news story!story!

Chapter 11: Computer-Assisted Chapter 11: Computer-Assisted Reporting and ResearchReporting and Research

Traditional journalism skills:Traditional journalism skills:– Good interviewingGood interviewing– Accurate note-takingAccurate note-taking– Organization and fast writingOrganization and fast writing

New journalism skills:New journalism skills:– Searching the InternetSearching the Internet– Using email, chat programs for collaboration, interviewsUsing email, chat programs for collaboration, interviews– Building computer spreadsheetsBuilding computer spreadsheets– Using online databasesUsing online databases– Laptop computersLaptop computers– Cell phonesCell phones– Wireless internetWireless internet– Digital camerasDigital cameras

Precision JournalismPrecision Journalism

Precision Journalism, book by Philip Precision Journalism, book by Philip MeyerMeyer– Among the first journalists to experiment Among the first journalists to experiment

with social science tools of public opinion with social science tools of public opinion surveys, statistical analysis to examine surveys, statistical analysis to examine social problems of the 1960ssocial problems of the 1960s

– Desktop computer revolution of 1980s led Desktop computer revolution of 1980s led to journalism specialtyto journalism specialty

– Today, evolved into computer-assisted Today, evolved into computer-assisted reporting, or CARreporting, or CAR

Stories by CAR specialistsStories by CAR specialists

Criminal justice sentencing patternsCriminal justice sentencing patterns Election campaign contributionsElection campaign contributions Election resultsElection results Tax roll studiesTax roll studies School test scoresSchool test scores Residential segregationResidential segregation

Local examples of CAR Local examples of CAR storiesstories

Hospital deaths in stateHospital deaths in state Housing values riseHousing values rise Nursing home abusesNursing home abuses Rip tide currentsRip tide currents State budget analysisState budget analysis

Online researchOnline research

Newspaper archives, commercial Newspaper archives, commercial databasesdatabases– Duluth News-TribuneDuluth News-Tribune

Using the InternetUsing the Internet– EmailEmail– ListservsListservs– NewsgroupsNewsgroups– Online forumsOnline forums– ChatChat– World Wide WebWorld Wide Web

E-mailE-mail What an email account meansWhat an email account means

– lkragnes@d.umn.edulkragnes@d.umn.edu Name: lucy kragnessName: lucy kragness @: at@: at Host computer: Duluth University of MinnesotaHost computer: Duluth University of Minnesota Type of host computer: educationType of host computer: education

Types of host computer:Types of host computer: edu: educational institutionedu: educational institution org: nonprofit organizationorg: nonprofit organization gov: governmentgov: government com: commercialcom: commercial net: networknet: network mil: militarymil: military

ListservsListservs

Virtual community of people linked Virtual community of people linked together by some common interesttogether by some common interest– NICAR-L list: National Institute of Computer-NICAR-L list: National Institute of Computer-

Assisted Reporting at the University of MissouriAssisted Reporting at the University of Missouri ““One to many” communicationOne to many” communication Emails sent to all members of the listservEmails sent to all members of the listserv Most open to anyone, some are moderatedMost open to anyone, some are moderated

– NAPANETNAPANET Typically, 15 percent actively post Typically, 15 percent actively post

messages, others are “lurkers”messages, others are “lurkers”

Where to find listservsWhere to find listservs

Tile.net: Tile.net: www.tile.netwww.tile.net Profnet: Profnet: www.profnet.comwww.profnet.com ‘‘zines: Use a search engine such as zines: Use a search engine such as

GoogleGoogle Save instruction email when sign on Save instruction email when sign on

to a listservto a listserv

NewsgroupsNewsgroups

Post messages to a newsgroup areaPost messages to a newsgroup area– An electronic bulletin boardAn electronic bulletin board

Messages posted publiclyMessages posted publicly Like listservs, good source of story Like listservs, good source of story

ideasideas Google Groups: groups.google.comGoogle Groups: groups.google.com Online ForumOnline Forum

– Similar to newsgroups, but open to Similar to newsgroups, but open to members of a specific servicemembers of a specific service

ChatChat

Online chat areas are real-time typed Online chat areas are real-time typed “conversations”“conversations”

Chat roomChat room– Can be waste of time unless active areaCan be waste of time unless active area– Major websites host chat sessions with Major websites host chat sessions with

prominent peopleprominent people Find chat rooms at:Find chat rooms at:

– ICQ (I seek you): ICQ (I seek you): www.icq.comwww.icq.com– Yahoo: chat.yahoo.comYahoo: chat.yahoo.com

World Wide WebWorld Wide Web

Began in late 1960s as U.S. military projectBegan in late 1960s as U.S. military project For 20 years, used by computer engineers, For 20 years, used by computer engineers,

research scientists, government contractorsresearch scientists, government contractors– Problem: Mastery of often cryptic Problem: Mastery of often cryptic

commandscommands Gopher: Early way to navigate the webGopher: Early way to navigate the web Hyper-text system developed in 1989 by Hyper-text system developed in 1989 by

Tim Berner-Lee, a Swiss physicistTim Berner-Lee, a Swiss physicist By 1994, WWW began to eclipse GopherBy 1994, WWW began to eclipse Gopher

Why did the Web grow?Why did the Web grow?

Hypertext markup language (HTML) Hypertext markup language (HTML) coding and web browser software coding and web browser software meant that Web pages could be meant that Web pages could be created that incorporate text, created that incorporate text, images, sound filesimages, sound files

Web pages designed to easily link to Web pages designed to easily link to other pagesother pages

Web pages could be interactiveWeb pages could be interactive

Useful informationUseful information

Government websitesGovernment websites– Securities and Exchange Commission: Securities and Exchange Commission:

www.sec.govwww.sec.gov Annual reports, etc., about publicly owned comptaniesAnnual reports, etc., about publicly owned comptanies

– U.S. Census Bureau: U.S. Census Bureau: www.census.govwww.census.gov Population statisticsPopulation statistics

– White House: White House: www.whitehouse.govwww.whitehouse.gov– Minnesota Legislature: www.leg.state.mn.us/Minnesota Legislature: www.leg.state.mn.us/

CompaniesCompanies– Often find a company: Often find a company: www.companyname.comwww.companyname.com

Duluth.comDuluth.com

AssociationsAssociations– Greenpeace: Greenpeace: www.greenpeace.orgwww.greenpeace.org– Amnesty International: Amnesty International: www.amnesty.orgwww.amnesty.org– World Health Organization: World Health Organization: www.who.orgwww.who.org

Reference WorksReference Works– UMD LibraryUMD Library– Information Please almanac: Information Please almanac:

www.infoplease.comwww.infoplease.com– Merriam-Webster dictionary, thesaurusMerriam-Webster dictionary, thesaurus

www.m-w.com/dictionary.htmwww.m-w.com/dictionary.htm

Search tool categoriesSearch tool categories

Directories: organized by subjectDirectories: organized by subject– Yahoo: www.yahoo.comYahoo: www.yahoo.com– Excite: www.excite.comExcite: www.excite.com– Health Finder: www.healthfinder.govHealth Finder: www.healthfinder.gov

Spiders/Robots: Roam the Web, index Spiders/Robots: Roam the Web, index wordswords– Google: www.google.comGoogle: www.google.com– AltaVista: www.altavista.comAltaVista: www.altavista.com– HotBot: www.hotbot.lycos.comHotBot: www.hotbot.lycos.com

““Shaft” search sites: Like spiders, but only Shaft” search sites: Like spiders, but only goes to certain selected Web sitesgoes to certain selected Web sites– TotalNews searches news sites: TotalNews searches news sites:

www.totalnews.comwww.totalnews.com– Medical World Search: www.mwsearch.comMedical World Search: www.mwsearch.com– Euroseek: www.euroseek.comEuroseek: www.euroseek.com

Metasearch databases: multiple search Metasearch databases: multiple search enginesengines– Dogpile: www.dogpile.comDogpile: www.dogpile.com– Metacrawler: www.metacrawlerMetacrawler: www.metacrawler

Scouting reports: Evaluated, annotated by Scouting reports: Evaluated, annotated by scoutsscouts– Poynter Institute for Media StudiesPoynter Institute for Media Studies– FindLaw: www.findlaw.orgFindLaw: www.findlaw.org

Web Rings: www.webring.comWeb Rings: www.webring.com

Checklist when looking at Checklist when looking at websiteswebsites

AuthorityAuthority– Who sponsors page? Link to goals?Who sponsors page? Link to goals?

AccuracyAccuracy– Sources listed so they can be verifiedSources listed so they can be verified– Free of grammatical, spelling errorsFree of grammatical, spelling errors

ObjectivityObjectivity– Check if biases clearly statesCheck if biases clearly states

TimelinessTimeliness– Look for dates showing when page was writtenLook for dates showing when page was written

CoverageCoverage– Is the page complete or under construction?Is the page complete or under construction?

Ways to use website Ways to use website informationinformation

Story ideas: identify trends, interest of Story ideas: identify trends, interest of readersreaders

Use as background informationUse as background information– When have new story assignment, search When have new story assignment, search

the web for similar stories, ideasthe web for similar stories, ideas– Find sources on a particular topicFind sources on a particular topic

Make sure the website is legitimateMake sure the website is legitimate Never attribute by writing “according Never attribute by writing “according

to the Internet”to the Internet”

Chapter 12: SurveysChapter 12: Surveys

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.com/stories/587/5711627.htmlhttp://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5711627.html

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

– Price of gasoline, price of beerPrice of gasoline, price of beer– http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/

duluthsuperior/news/13051565.htmduluthsuperior/news/13051565.htm 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

Avoiding distortionsAvoiding distortions

James Simon’s Top-10 FactorsJames Simon’s Top-10 Factors1.1. Reflection versus Prediction: Polls as Reflection versus Prediction: Polls as

snapshotssnapshots

2.2. Sponsors: Are they credible?Sponsors: Are they credible?

3.3. Samples: Who was polled?Samples: Who was polled?

4.4. Neutrality and Accuracy: How were the Neutrality and Accuracy: How were the questions phrased?questions phrased?

5.5. Context: In what order were the Context: In what order were the questions presented?questions presented?

6.6. Respondents’ answers: Giving the Respondents’ answers: Giving the “right” answer.“right” answer.

7.7. Attitudes and non-attitudes: Measuring Attitudes and non-attitudes: Measuring intensityintensity

8.8. Interpretations: Evaluating Pollsters’ Interpretations: Evaluating Pollsters’ conclusionsconclusions

9.9. Statistical Significance: Are the results Statistical Significance: Are the results meaningful?meaningful?

10.10.Consistency: Comparing results across Consistency: Comparing results across pollspolls

Out of Class Assignment: Due Out of Class Assignment: Due 3/273/27

News Release rewritesNews Release rewrites– 3 paragraph articles3 paragraph articles– Assume writing for StatesmanAssume writing for Statesman– Use summary lead, keep it brief!Use summary lead, keep it brief!

Upcoming storiesUpcoming stories

Sports Reporting AssignmentSports Reporting Assignment– Final article due: March 20Final article due: March 20

Speech/news conference/multicultural Speech/news conference/multicultural reporting assignmentreporting assignment– Final article due: April 3Final article due: April 3

Any challenges?Any challenges?

Feature Story AssignmentFeature Story Assignment– Story pitch due: April 3Story pitch due: April 3– First draft due: April 17First draft due: April 17– Final article due: May 1Final article due: May 1

Feature Story Reporting Feature Story Reporting AssignmentAssignment

Story Pitch Due: 4/3Story Pitch Due: 4/3– No more than three paragraphs, 200 No more than three paragraphs, 200

wordswords– Include 5Ws and HInclude 5Ws and H– Review Chapters 15, 18Review Chapters 15, 18– Email to: Email to: lkragnes@d.umn.edulkragnes@d.umn.edu

First draft due: 4/17First draft due: 4/17 Final story due: 5/1Final story due: 5/1

Dan Rather AssignmentDan Rather Assignment

Out of Class Assignment: Due 3/20Out of Class Assignment: Due 3/20

Next week’s assignmentNext week’s assignment

News Release rewritesNews Release rewrites Due: March 27Due: March 27

– Email: lkragnes@d.umn.eduEmail: lkragnes@d.umn.edu

Today’s assignmentToday’s assignment

Computer Assisted Reporting Computer Assisted Reporting AssignmentAssignment– Go to: http://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragnesGo to: http://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes

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