Best Headlines of the Year

This was great. It is difficult to discern whether or not the ambiguity of the headlines were intentional or not. One first read, several of the headlines were very humorous and I had a difficult time after rereading them to understand the 'intended' message. Some could argue that these are examples are headlines not well thought out. I think it is a genius approach. I would be more compelled to read an article that had an odd sounding headline. Despite my early disappointment in finding that the story is about what I originally thought, I would continue to read the story because, intentional or not, I appreciate the misconceived novelty.

favorites: Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
Drunks Get Nine Months in Violin Case

Astronaut Soars Across Headlines

Puns can get out of hand? Get out of town. I understand the concern of getting carried away, particularly in this astronaut love triangle story. I can understand if the articles written about the story were skewed, that is not legit. However, I feel that the headlines are the main areas of concern regarding this story. 'Lust in Space' is a damn good headline if you ask me. Theoretically, the great part of American journalism is that there are so many outlets (I disagree considering the conglomerate, however we can't forget the blogosphere). If people are concerned that this story got out of hand and eclipsed the other 'real' news stories of the week... I say your not looking hard enough to find the news that you want.

Comparing The Bailout Headlines

This link made me think about causation. I'm a conspiracy buff and always think there is some greater invisible entity dictating to us peons. The bailout headlines, particularly The New York Times, illustrates the power of suggestion, intentional or not. If the bailout is referred to as HUGE... and then the market goes down the shitter... should we be surprised? I'm not the best reference for enforcing the traditional notion of the objectivity and serving the public interest... however, I'll pretend. If The NY Times is the bastion of journalism and public interest... how can you be suggestive when describing a piece of legislation that has a global impact? The suggestion itself can create a reality otherwise inconceivable. The problem is the power a single publication has. These suggestive bailout headlines wouldn't hurt so badly if they did not have a global readership.

Blagojevich’s Home State Headlines

I enjoy the unattributed and unnecessarily quoted statements in these headlines. None of these front pages offer Blagojevich an inch of space to state his claims. The entire design of these fronts suggests that Blagojevich is guilty -- his tight lips, scrunched eyebrows. The Daily Herald does an interesting job of grabbing a dirty quote out of context. Considering that all of these fronts out of Illinois, I can understand the negative portrayal. I'd be pissed.

Ethical Journalism

Commandment 23
Relationship to source

My publication would not have such a narrow restriction on source relations. If my writer tees up at 10 am every other Sunday with the head of the police department that is ok. "It is essential that we preserve a professional detachment, free of any whiff of bias." Story selection is itself bias -- not an issue of public interest. In order to write a good story I feel it is often necessary to informally know your source/subject. All the writer has to do is say, 'while smoking a backwoods cigar on the rough of the 7th hole.... so and so said.' Don't underestimate the freedom of transparency.

Accepting Hospitality from Sources

I have a big problem with the whole gift receiving issue. The fact that some organization is willing to wine and dine a reporter is a story in itself. I don't believe in objectivity so free drinks and a meal will not be the unconscious motives fueling a 'bias'. My writers can take up any freebies offered as long as they report it to me and if it is questionable it will be printed with the article.... I believe I remember The Times saying that the real employers are the readers...

Sample Letters

The declining a gift/unsolicited award letters are pretty funny -- the air of insincerity reflects more poorly on The Times than accepting a gift or award. I would require my writers to send an acceptance thank you letter. I don't condone taking a gift without saying thank you.