Fires and accidents and court reporting, oh my.

Well the reoccuring theme that great stories are rooted in a foundation of good reporting surfaces again. Although the text offers a long chapter on fire/accident/court stories, I feel the only way to master such writing is from practice. Until you are on a 20 min deadline of a devastation fire at a senior citizen community, you won't truly know how to deal with the situation.

It is pretty straight forward, figure out the WWWWH, and if time permits delve deeper. As long as you have the facts together you have a story. The text seems to condradict itself regarding one source stories. I feel that if all you have time for is to consult a police report, then state that the information comes from the police report. I do not think journalists should be required to know more than the police during early unravelings of a story. Court reporting is something I am not really familiar with. The text recommondation to ask as many questions as you need to to get the facts straight is helpful.

The only thing that really intersted me in the chapter was the section on ethics. The story on negligance of releasing the home address and name of an intended assult victim is just stupid. I understand the public has a right to know whats going on, however I feel that the present state of the media just views people and devastation accidents as stories. What editor would allow a story to print the name of a victim who's attacker is still on the lose? The press is too caught up with printing a story that is breaking news rather than understanding the victim.

Controversy over the rights of the press during court proceedings is also pretty stupid to me. Again I understand the journalists function is to inform the public, but come on man, don't interfere with someones life. Victims of crimes are already going through a horrific time, stop sticking your nose too deep into places it doesn't belong. The press does have to stay on its toes and make sure the freedom of the press remains free. If the press is to remain free, I feel that such freedom is often at the expense of someone else.

Overall I wouldn't mind writing accident or fire stories. As long as you have the basic facts you are in good shape.

"How do you like it, how do you like it, M(g)ore M(g)ore M(g)ore"

Well Al Gore won the nobel peace prize. hm. And some group of democrat looneys are trying to get Gore to the presidency without his approval. I don't understand why these people are wasting their time money on pushing Gore '08. Why would the man who is gaining celebrity status jump back into the political race? With Gores political track history, I would be afraid of what this election embarressement of would. Gore has different interests now that aren't completely political. Let Gore have fun with his emmy and noble peace prize, but give the guy a break, he doesn't want to wear the many hats of Mr. President anymore. If Hillary won the democrat ticket and Gore ran as vice, well I would certainly call that entertainment... but I really hope to never see the day. Anyways why would Gore take second chair to not only Bill Clinton, but is wife too? ehh. Forget about Gore poltics people. Democracts have a smorgusboard of interesting candidates this year. Gore would just cause trouble... hmm but maybe Democrat trouble isn't such a bad thing.