The Inlander/October 2010

A city dump truck collided with a motorcyclist, killing the cyclist immediately. A clearly distraught truck driver sat at the scene, consoled by passer-by. The local newspaper’s photographer happened to pass the scene, capturing the full emotions in a photo.

It’s a classic example where a picture indeed is worth a thousand words.

Publishers' Auxiliary/October 2010

A former mayor announces her candidacy for state lieutenant governor. Another local resident is running for Congress. Both are logical stories for a hometown newspaper.

On the other hand, numerous candidates seeking regional or statewide offices visit local newspapers, seeking, at minimum, a news story and/or photo to elevate their campaigns. An editorial endorsement by the local newspaper is a bonus.

The Inlander/September 2010

The challenging economy and its ripple effect on all budgets – from governments to businesses to households – demands that newspapers brainstorm how best to improve coverage of local public affairs. The decisions made by public bodies, especially as they affect taxpayer pocketbooks, warrant more attention than ever.

The Inlander/August 2010

Election season represents the best and worst of times for editorial pages. It’s an opportunity to welcome new authors during a lively debate on the pros and cons of candidates and issues. At the same time, editors face the grind of sorting through orchestrated letter-writing campaigns.

Publishers' Auxiliary/August 2010

It’s not too early to brainstorm ideas for timely and meaningful coverage of local government budgets. Shaping and adopting budgets is often a months-long process encompassing hours of meetings and hundreds of pages of documents. Yet most newsrooms likely observe and report only a snapshot of that process.

The Inlander/July 2010

An individual served six months in jail for first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Thirteen years later he filed for mayor.

Another individual was arrested and charged with shoplifting a $6 sewing kit – in her words, she had “forgotten” to pay during a stressful time in her life shortly after her father’s death. Twelve years later, she filed for statewide elective office.

Do you report these transgressions as part of their candidacies? What’s your rationale?

The Inlander/June 2010

Making the right decisions regarding sensitive stories is easier if you have policies in place. Elements of sound policies for reporting sensitive issues are similar to the elements of solid news stories. The same questions should be asked and the same avenues pursued:

The Inlander/May 2010

Editors and reporters must be prepared to confront situations where individuals ask to speak “off the record.” That’s especially the case when writing about sensitive and challenging subjects.

Consider a tip from an assistant in City Hall who just typed a letter ratifying a severance agreement for a department head who is resigning under fire. Or consider a person who alerts the newspaper to the fact that a neighbor is going to volunteer his property as a potential landfill site.

Publishers' Auxiliary/June 2010

Convene a discussion about press rights, and most people likely conjure up scenarios of editors and reporters at loggerheads with government officials over access to top-secret data. No doubt, that can be the case, especially on the national stage.

Publishers' Auxiliary/May 2010

A couple gets a divorce, but it is not recorded in the newspaper until four months later.

Someone appears in court for a domestic assault, but the sentence isn't reported in the newspaper until weeks after the fact.

Their publication likely raises two questions among many readers, especially the subjects of the reports: What constitutes these items as news? Why is there such a delay in the report?