Why is Sarah Palin reading the news? September 20, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish.Tags: 2008 Presidential Race, Journalism, Sarah Palin, Tina Fey
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Will the real Sarah Palin please stand up?
A cnn.com video says that an anchor in Bangor, Maine (pictured right) has been receiving hate mail and nasty phone calls just because she resembles John McCain’s running mate.
Cindy Michaels of WVII says she doesn’t think she looks like Palin — “I think I look like me.”
And now, just because I have to, here’s the real Sarah Palin…
Reporter woes August 21, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism.Tags: Television, Journalism, CNN.com, Jeanne Moos
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The life of an on-air reporter can be tough. Most people think of broadcast journalists as the pretty faces on TV. But it’s harder than it looks, especially in particular conditions.
CNN feature reporter extraordinaire Jeanne Moos knows this and lets us know about it.
I did a report on Ms. Moos in sophomore year — a paper I’m very proud of titled Making the Moost of It. It was an analysis of her work — what makes it successful following the CRAP model (color, repetition, and two other words I’ll let others let me know through comments).
But here’s another video from Ms. Moos. It won’t be the last from me.
Britney’s comeback after her last comeback? August 15, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish.Tags: Associated Press, Britney Spears, Journalism
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Last year’s MTV VMAs was supposed to be Britney Spears’ big comeback. It wasn’t.
But apparently, she may be getting another chance, according to the Associated Press.
However, the AP might have been a little editorial in its lead…
After delivering one of the worst performances in the history
of the MTV Video Music Awards, Britney Spears has a chance to be crowned this year as the absolute best.
Granted, the performance couldn’t be defined as “excellent,” “good” or “FDA-approved,” but unless MTV has announced it as the “worst performance,” it’s not.
However, I’ve also learned in my journalism experience that usin
g the term “one of” is a godsend.
Therefore, I must be one of the best bloggers in the world, no?
The article does mention a few of her “rebounds” in recent months, however, including guest stints on How I Met Your Mother and promos for this year’s VMAs — as pictured above. She already looks like the old Britney, doesn’t she?
Let’s hope she won’t do it again…
A reporter’s true dedication August 14, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism.Tags: Journalism, Television
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She got shot while doing a report live on air. And she continues the report.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/08/14/vo.gerogia.journalist.shot.gerogiastatetv
The joys of Internet news July 15, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism.Tags: cbs3.com, Humor, Journalism
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The Internet is a confusing place, especially for news organizations. Attempting to find a clear-cut, concise way to present the news is a challenge. Many succeed. Some fail. Others just have mistakes.
I believe cbs3.com is one of those sites that succeeds. You know where to find information. Therefore, it’s easy to find a mistake.
The scenario is a Wisconsin who attempted to place a microwaved rat in her food at an upscale restaurant and blackmail the eatery for $500,000 in exchange for not going to the media. She failed.
And now, the accompanying photo. Cutlines/captions are fun, especially when misplaced…
If that’s Debbie Miller, then this makes for a cannibalistic rat, I suppose.
Not to be outdone by CBS3 July 10, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Philadelphia.Tags: Alycia Lane, CBS3, Journalism, Larry Mendte, NBC10, Vince DeMentri
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First, it was not to be outdone by Alycia. And now, it’s this.
Apparently, NBC10 anchor Vince DeMentri was jealous of the press CBS3’s talent has been getting. So he decided to get some of his own.
Eternal newser Dan Gross reports that DeMentri may have allegedly vandalized cohort (and possibly former companion?) Lori Delgado’s car in the NBC10 parking lot. The DA has called it a “non-issue.”
DeMentri wasn’t on the air last Thursday and Friday (after an apparent argument with the station manager) and has been off the air this week for a planned Jamaican vacation, though he apparently never left the country.
As I’ve said before, I don’t like to comment on these situations publicly. But I will say this. I want a job in the future. A job where I can be credible. But I’ve got a few more years. So please, while there’s still a little bit of time left, let’s maintain some sort of credibility in Philadelphia!? Please!?
Buy the AP an AP Stylebook July 10, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism.Tags: Associated Press, Journalism
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OK, so I’m sure it happens frequently, for we’re all human and everyone makes mistakes.
However, based on my experience as a copy editor, this mistake, for me, is one of the most unforgiveable under the Associated Press Stylebook. We all know how I love Wikipedia. In fact, Wikipedia is itself a new entry in the most recent stylebook.
The Associated Press lauds itself on its consistency, hence the need for such a book. One of my favorite books, actually. It just beats out Where’s Waldo? Only by a hair, though.
In an article by the AP about the inclusion of jalapeno peppers and cilantro to the tomato salmonella warning (which, by the way, I’m not happy about — no more salsa for me), this casual mistake occurs:
Tauxe said that makes the toll of the current salmonella outbreak far surpass recent large outbreaks of any foodborne disease: salmonella linked to peanut butter in 2006 and hepatitis A from green onions in 2003. It’s not quite as big as when cyclospora-tainted raspberries sickened well over 1,000 people in the mid-1990s.
As I’d stressed to The Temple News staff last year, this was one of the most common and most disturbing mistakes copy editors found in copy. I nearly cried every time I saw it.
OVER means physically above. The cow jumped OVER the moon. When discussing quantities, the term MORE THAN should be used. There are more than 100 people interested in the position.
Seems trivial. But it’s not. Let’s start incorporating this in our speech in addition to writing.
And by the way, same rule applies for UNDER and LESS THAN. In case you were wondering.
The makings of a dictionary addition: Phrustration July 9, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Philadelphia, Random Rubbish.Tags: Dictionary, Journalism, Philadelphia Phillies
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It’s been commonplace for me in the past few days to read an article from the Inquirer or Daily News criticizing the Phillies’ performance and suggesting the next step.
So, as I was reading this article from DN writer Paul Hagen, one particular word stuck out to me. As a copy editor, I probably wouldn’t have let this slide (assuming the inclusion was intentional). But hence, it made it to print.
The bottom of the second inning summed up the phrustration.
I googled the term “phrustration,” and from what I could find beyond the prompts of “Did you mean frustration?,” it’s a term reserved for clever (or cliched) headlines used either a) for a play on articles criticizing Philly sports teams or b) a way to emphasize (or create) the alliteration effect with another word that actually begins with “ph.”
Is this the DN’s way of trying to make a word commonplace? If so, I want some credit.
phrustration (frŭ-strā’shən) /noun/ - the feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety, anger, disappointment and/or depression, following the inevitable failure of one of Philadelphia’s major sports teams, especially after a period of extreme optimism based on performance.
You saw it here first.
An example of the “extreme optimism” would be Kevin Millwood’s 2003 no-hitter, the second and last no-hitter at Veterans Stadium, and the last to see the light of day in Philadelphia. It’s one of those times when you remember where you were.
Damon’s Restaurant. Dinner with the family, watching the game on the jumbo screen across from our table. They were out of salmon that day. My mother wasn’t happy, but that was covered only by her anxiousness and nauseousness during Millwood’s ninth inning.
At least we have the Philadelphia Soul. For now, at least. Because as we know, all good things come to phrustration.
Photo courtesy AP.
Pets prevail in election coverage July 8, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish, Temple University.Tags: 2008 Presidential Race, Barack Obama, John McCain, Journalism, Pets
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Deadline’s fast approaching. Your editor tells you to write a story on the election. There’s nothing new - Obama and McCain have bored you to tears ever since the Democratic Primary ended. The election is still a few months away. The conventions haven’t even happened.
What do you do?
Contact pet associations and get their take.
That’s what the AP did. The article actually ended up in CBS3’s “News of the Strange” section. The article, which says that people who own pets will most likely vote for Sen. McCain, is based on an AP-Yahoo! poll.
But, it’s written like the writer was scrambling for information, for facts, for substance. And that’s where it loses me.
It’s no use to predict who’s going to be president until election night. Polling is usually flawed. I don’t care what pet lovers think. I don’t care what ice cream scoopers think. If I cared what psychics think, then I don’t anymore.
(The world’s only psychic twins, who just happen to be Temple alumnae, predicted in March that Sen. Hillary Clinton would be the next president. While that’s not fully out of the picture yet, it does seem quite unlikely.)
And we all wonder why the media get criticized so much.
Buy a gun with your refund check July 7, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish.Tags: Daily News, gunshots, Jill Porter, Journalism
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Yet another late post. But I don’t think Jill Porter will mind.
On a college budget, it’s difficult to read a newspaper other than the Metro (which, by the way, scared me today by being delievered folded in half, perhaps to de-emphasize the half-page ad on the front page).
But maybe I should begin rethinking my frugal ways and pick up a copy of the Daily News every now and then, mostly for Jill Porter’s or Dan Gross’ column. Maybe the occasional Inquirer will do for either Michael Klein or Karen Heller.
But back to the meat of this entry: Jill Porter suggests purchasing a gun following the recent Supreme Court ruling upholding a civilian’s right to own one. After all, owning a gun will boost the economy for everyone from a hospital nurse treating the wounded to a funeral director burying the dead.
Regardless of your political affiliation, if you are living or have lived in the City of Philadelphia - particularly in the last two to three years - gun control should be on your mind, especially in light of the 5-4 decision. Lancaster folks don’t see the need for restrictions on guns. Nor do many people who primarily use guns (other than your typical handheld revolver) for hunting and gaming.
But, let’s follow Porter’s advice. It seems like a nice way to do business for the government.
