While reading USA Today's iPhone app (which, BTW, I really like), I was reminded of a convention many newspapers still use: the "special for/to" byline. In this case, it's Sarah Lynch, writing about the current meltdown in Egypt.
I'm in the news business, so I'm fairly certain this means she's a freelancer. But I often wonder: What do regular readers think that designation means? I've never seen a newspaper give an explanation on their website or in print.
I wonder, too, about how readers interpret datelines. Lynch's story indicates she filed her piece from Cairo. At the bottom, it says, "Contributing: John Bacon in McLean, Va.; the Associated Press."
A casual reader might wonder, who's Bacon, and why is he in Virginia?
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I'm in the news business, so I'm fairly certain this means she's a freelancer. But I often wonder: What do regular readers think that designation means? I've never seen a newspaper give an explanation on their website or in print.
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| Screenshot of app's version of the story. |
A casual reader might wonder, who's Bacon, and why is he in Virginia?
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.
And speaking of bylines (sort of), USAT published a story today about a ProPublica investigation of the internship industry -- especially those that aren't paid.
ReplyDeleteThe non-profit hired Casey McDermott, a recent Pennsylvania State University graduate, for the assignment. Casey was chosen partly because of her "unique mix of experience," according to ProPublica.
"That experience," the USAT story says, "comes in the form of three prior internships (including one with USA Today in 2011)."
But that begs an obvious question, which the story doesn't answer: Was her USAT internship paid or unpaid?
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DeleteYou're an idiot, Jim. Sarah Lynch is doing heroic work in Egypt and has been on the story for months. Like any other correspondent in a fast breaking story, other material was included to round out the picture .
ReplyDeleteAll kinds of stuff happening in the company and you troll around for nonsense like that. Sarah deserves applause, not crap like this.
In fact, 7:15, I agree with you.
DeleteAny discussion here should include a huge expression of gratitude to Lynch for risking her life to help get this story out. I can't imagine worse circumstances to be a reporter in a situation like this.
I wonder what they're paying Lynch? She's a legitimate freelancer based in Cairo.
ReplyDeleteShe's a brave soul. Remember what happened to Lara Logan in Egypt? Happened again last month to a Dutch reporter. In Tahrir Square. In front of many, many people.
ReplyDelete"The Year of Living Dangerously" came out over 30 years ago. This would seem the perfect time for a re-make.