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Thursday, May 29, 2008
Next: Horse chased by reporter with video camera
Reporters often struggle to deliver their quota of news updates -- those briefs filed daily to keep websites fresh under the Information Center model that Gannett pressed last year on newspapers (and, now, the 23 TV stations). Here's an example of what readers sometimes get; it's a screenshot of a brief filed yesterday at The Daily Advertiser in Lafayette, La.:
Got an update to share? Post a note in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, use this link from a non-work computer; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green sidebar, upper right.
Got an update to share? Post a note in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, use this link from a non-work computer; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green sidebar, upper right.
11 comments:
Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."
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That item will probably get plenty of page views. The online audience loves oddball news items. And page views are the name of the game.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhh ... An enterprise story.
ReplyDeleteIf you're going to make an example of a questionable update, pick something that's truly inane (because lord knows there are plenty to choose from). The horse update is actually PERFECT for the platform. Pardon the pun, but take your blinders off, Jim.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's bylined!
ReplyDeleteI hope the reporter meets the monthly quota.
As a brief it is not helpful.
ReplyDeleteFor one, it doesn't say where the area is. An exit number or mile marker would be helpful. Maybe even a neighborhood or town name. but we don't get any of that. It just says be careful if you're in the area.
We know it's westbound, but even that's not all that helpful because it could just as easily turn around.
Secondly, if you are driving, you can't make use of the information because, well, you're driving. And if you see a horse on an interstate, you will probably use caution anyway.
Well, what is the daily quota of updates at your Web site ? Does it vary from one information center to the next, based on the size of the staff or what ?
ReplyDeletei like this update about a guy high on dog meds, and this quote from it: "The story is more common than people might believe":
ReplyDeletehttp://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080529/NEWS/80529033
From what I understand, The Daily Advertiser used to be a decent paper. Lots of turnover in the newsroom these days -- which could explain the reporting (or lack thereof) of a horse on the loose somewhere.
ReplyDeleteNo feces on the floor though -- so whatever is going on there is off the radar.
Here's hoping new reporter Shay Randle can keep up with the Web update quota -- and single-handedly fill the shoes of the third of The Daily Advertiser's newsroom that's vanished since fall 2007.
ReplyDeleteNo lay-offs necessary in Lafayette, La.
Reminds me J-school in Cincinnati 20 years ago, when a tough young cop reporter from the Enquirer came to talk to our class -- wish I could remember his name -- he warned us that we'd have to pay our dues before a newspaper turned us loose to investigate corruption or to write lofty opinions.
ReplyDelete"You'll have to do a lot of cow-in-the-road stories," he said. And it was true, of course.
If you think thats bad.... look at S'port's site.... pit-e-ful
ReplyDelete