May, 2010
Letting things go: Video
Letting things go. Perhaps someone at some time has gently advised you to “let it go.” Maybe you have told someone else — or yourself — this same thing. In interpersonal relationships in the workplace or when handling a story, you’ll be in situations in which you must know when to “let it go.” When [...]
Context essential in any story
As I was reading the latest news today about the conflict between North Korea and South Korea, I came upon a couple of paragraphs tucked in a New York Times story that added value to my understanding of the situation. The paragraphs provided: Context Background History They told me why this crisis is different from [...]
Saving a Story: Video
Saving a story requires good judgment and the ability to think clearly and objectively on deadline. The credibility of everyone — reporter, editor, news organization — is at risk when a problematic story is published. That’s why editors must recognize when a story needs attention, and they must know how to react. In our book, [...]
Going ‘on location’ makes a story ‘real’
As I read a story on the front page of a local newspaper this week, I kept looking for a “real person” in the piece, which discussed how health-care officials were working to lower the area’s infant mortality rate. The story needed to quote someone — presumably a young mother with an “at-risk” child — [...]
Put oil spill numbers in perspective
Numbers. They drive me — and most everyone — crazy. Case in point: The spill in the Gulf is variously described as dumping 5,000 barrels of oil into the Gulf every day, or 200,000 gallons. (Indeed, there are 42 gallons in a barrel, so the math works.) How much is this? What does it mean? [...]
You have to ‘do’ it to learn it
Those of you who don’t know me probably will laugh at me when you read this. Those of you who know me — and my father — will laugh with me. Last weekend began the yearly ritual of pruning the bushes around our house. My father comes over with his electric hedge trimmer and a [...]
