"A journalists 'actual responsibility' "

In procrastinating the hours of work and baking I have ahead of me, I started poking around the New York Times Web site. Something I do when I would rather not do anything. I'll usually type a random phrase into the search engine and see what comes up. I'll read until I've had my fill and move on to something much less stimulating.

Today I came across a column, "A Journalists 'Actual Resposibility,' " by Roger Cohen. I wish it were required reading for the masses ... or at least journalism students. Although the entire column and his story of reporting from Iran even after his press pass had been revoked, is inspiring. I suggest you read it. To entice you, here are few of my favorite passages:

"To bear witness means being there — and that’s not free. No search engine gives you the smell of a crime, the tremor in the air, the eyes that smolder, or the cadence of a scream.

No news aggregator tells of the ravaged city exhaling in the dusk, nor summons the defiant cries that rise into the night. No miracle of technology renders the lip-drying taste of fear. No algorithm captures the hush of dignity, nor evokes the adrenalin rush of courage coalescing, nor traces the fresh raw line of a welt."

It's a reminder of how important a journalists work is and how it's more than simply putting words into print -- it's telling the story, depicting scenes and emotions of what is happening in the world.

Another passage that I admire:

"We journalists are supposed to move on. Most of the time, like insatiable voyeurs, we do. But once a decade or so, we get undone, as if in love, and our subject has its revenge, turning the tables and refusing to let us be."

I find this passage interesting, not just for its content, but because it speaks to how I see Anderson Cooper's actions in helping a young Haitian boy who had been hit in the head with a brick of concrete.

What are your thoughts on a journalists "actual responsibility"?

--Taylor

New SG members with Carly Tamborski

Carly Tamborski sat down this Saturday afternoon to chat with new Student Government members K. D. Miller and Rohan Hemani. Miller and Hemani are respectively the new student liaisons for the LGBTQ and international student demographics in SG. Read Carly's full story Monday, Feb. 1.

Carly Tamborski interviews Rohan Hemani, a new member of the SGA.

I beg to differ

I always appreciate when someone contributes an opinion piece to The News Record that I do not agree with. It happens pretty regularly, actually. Usually it's about politics or some fluff, pop-culture opinion story that shouldn't get any attention.

Increasingly, journalists want to write about journalism. And I love that. Who knows or understands the field better?

So Wednesday night when I was editing pages, I was looking forward to reading "Journalists aid disaster victims" by second-year journalism student Stephanie Kitchens. I had a general idea of its contents: Anderson Cooper saves injured boy during chaos. So, I edited, and then I read.

Kitchens' overall argument is this: Although it might seem unethical to help someone if you are covering a story related to their predicament, journalists are humans before they are journalists. But, networks should not air footage or display photographs of the journalists aiding the victims.

After reading, I feel compelled to offer a response.

With the former part of her argument, I agree. When disasters happen, I ask myself, What would I do if I were an on-the-scene journalist in this scenario?" Every time the answer is the same: Help. I think journalists are unfairly pegged with blanket reputations as insensitive lovers of misfortune and disaster. I don't think that's right. What makes the news is most often something that is unusual or unexpected -- disaster falls into both of those categories.

Just as there has been backlash from Anderson Cooper aiding the young boy who was struck with a block of concrete and bleeding profusely from the head, it might lead one to wonder what would the backlash be if Cooper's video team had simply turned the camera on and watched the young boy die. In this instance, I think Cooper made the right humanitarian decision.

Kitchens' wants to take CNN to task for airing the footage and for Cooper displaying the video and photos on his blog. She says it's not right and the network was using Cooper's heroic deed for self-promotion:

This video positively represents Cooper, thus the network that he works for, CNN, benefits from this by being affiliated with a hero. It is persuasive material that could change the public’s opinion of both the reporter and the network.

Cooper should not be playing a public relations role — he is a reporter. While no one should fault him for helping his fellow man, CNN shouldn’t air the footage even if it grabs ratings. After a catastrophe, the networks should run stories describing the aftermath, not the journalists’ involvement in the effort because it is not objective.

Consider the type of news being reported from Haiti at this point. Death. Destruction. Devastation. Looting. Everything is doom and gloom. I do not fault CNN for wanting to air something that showed a humanitarian effort -- they had done the same with other civilians who had survived the earthquake and were now helping to sort through the rubble. The videographer happened to be in the right place at the right time. Cooper had the right feeling at the right time. Together, it produced a short news package. I, for one, am always curious how journalists handle their work when they're thrust into disastrous situations. What are they doing? Who are they talking to? What are their 0ff-air interactions with the people like? Sure, CNN's motive could have been, "Hey, look at how helpful we are." But, I doubt it. To me, Cooper's assisting others is one of the first things I learned in journalism and is a part of the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics: Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.

Until this point, I still wasn't all that uncomfortable with Kitchens' arguments. That changed pretty quickly once I reached the last paragraph.

When a disaster like Haiti occurs, the lines of journalism ethics can become blurred. But reporting on something that involves the journalists is always unethical regardless of the situation.

So, what this says to me is, no news organization should report on any of the following:
- a journalist who dies for a story
- a journalist who goes to jail for a source
- a journalist who is kidnapped while reporting for a story
- a journalist who deceives the public

The last graph left me fired up, ranting to other editors who were in the office late Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. At least I know Kitchens' is doing what editorial writers are supposed to do: inspire conversations and debates.

-- Taylor

What In the World Makes You Feel Good?

When a kid who despises idolism meets his idol

So, it's been about two hours and 45 minutes since I talked with David Granger, editor-in-chief of (in my opinion) the best magazine in publication: Esquire.

I've e-mailed Esquire tons of times without getting a response, so getting Granger on the horn was, I thought, impossible.

I got the number for the editorial office off of the Esquire Web site and decided to give it a shot anyway because I think I was part delirious. In the past two days, I've had one hour of sleep. I went through all the "If you know your party's extension number, please press ___" hassle and eventually got through to Granger's office. I got the voicemail--which was no surprise really. At the end of the message, the voice ordered (their office is in NYC after all) me to leave a message or call Granger's assistant. I left a message.

Sitting in the office, I get even more nonsensical. I didn't write down Granger's assistant's number, so I called again to get it. This time, though, someone answered.

"David Granger's office," a woman said.

"Uh. Hi, this is Gin Ando. I left a message earlier...have you listened to it yet?"

"No."

"Well, I'm a student at the University of Cincinnati and I'm in this journalism class and I have to try to talk to an editor from my favorite magazine and I was just wondering if Mr. Granger had some time to talk to me."

"He travels a lot, but let me check."

I gave her the office number and was just sitting there, waiting to hear back another "No."

She eventually called back, though, and said, "How about 5 tonight?"

Uh, yes.

But don't make any mistake, Granger's not full of himself. He was a pretty nice guy, actually. Just a little strange.

I called back at 5 and heard the other end pick up and a man's voice, "Esquire."

"Uh... hi. This is Gin Ando. Is this Mr. Granger?"

"It is. How ya doin'?"

And just like that I felt like the smallest little grain of sand on the beach. He isn't patronizing. He isn't grandiose and magnificent. But that's what really made me trip up. I was expecting someone to answer to Mr. Granger.

So I ask Granger about all these little fluffy things and some things I wanted to know personally about the magazine and formally end the conversation.

"So what're you doing this weekend?" he asks me.

What?

Granger's like that, apparently. Someone who can talk to anyone. A non-assertive figure who talks with a slight monotone and asks, "How're you?" and when you respond, "Good. Thanks." he'll ask, "Why're you good?" So I give him the fanboy treatment talking about how I love Esquire and all the little tidbits inside of it and how I'm talking to someone I really just... idolize.

"No, no, no. I mean what in the world makes you feel good?"

So, yeah. I just talked with the editor-in-chief of a magazine with publications all over the world. A man who runs a magazine that practically serves as my Bible. And he interviewed me. That's one hell of a way to start this weekend.

-Gin

The full interview will be available at www.newsrecord.org

Top Chef UC stye

Last night, during production, I opened up an InDesign file for page two maybe page four of the issue we were working on. I saw this ad:


I called the staff over to check it out -- told people it would make a great story with a great opportunity for multimedia. They agreed. I thought to myself, "I wonder how they'll judge." By the time production ended around 1:30 a.m., I had forgotten all about the competition.

So it came as a pretty big surprise to me this evening when I opened my UC e-mail account with an invitation to be a judge for the competition. They needed an RSVP by Monday, but I didn't eve need to wait 30 seconds before I had already sent an e-mail saying "YES, YES, YES."

Who would be crazy enough to say no to a free 12-course meal? I don't know about you, but I'm excited to eat and report on the Top Chef competition.

-- Taylor

Sit Down, Stand Up, Walk Into the Jaws of Hell

Last night marked President Obama's first State of the Union address. Videographer/photographer Blake Hawk and I went downtown to the Main Street District to a little place called Mixx Ultra Lounge.

The event was hosted by the local Young Democrats and members from the democratic group Organizing for America. A little disappointing with the show up, but I heard that the season premier or finale of Lost was also on.

But what happened last night wasn't anything special. It was somewhat inspiring, but, if you go back and read the transcript, a lot of what he said were things he said during his speeches when he was on the campaign trail. Americans are "hopeful." But hopeful maybe for change in Washington -- maybe Obama has given American people the motivation to move faster than even he can.

Let's get something straight, though. Obama's been in office for just about one year. He's seen Kennedyesque approval and eventually ended up being lambasted by the extreme right- and left-wingers. But now, after his address, he called out everyone. Democrat, Republican and Supreme Court justices were all mentioned. But he also took some of the blame himself, regardless of the situation of the economy and the war when he was sworn in last year.

Analysts say he appealed to both parties. But, what remains to be seen is whether it's middle-of-the-road politics or if it's bipartisanism. Research on clean coal has shown that the only thing really "clean" about it is the way it's mined -- not the way it's burned. Offshore oil rigs, tax cuts, redistributing payback dollars from big banks and helping college students.

But this country isn't his. The entire "holding up" of legislation could potentially put a dent in his agenda or even force certain areas to crumble into a version that's "bipartisan" but not even close to what he said. It's reform, sure, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's what he said. Maybe that's why he called it "reform" in the first place.

He's got his work cut out for him. I heard someone on the radio call the State of the Address a "laundry list." It's a little more important than that, though, because, sir, this is actually a "how to make good on the impossible" list.

-Gin

No News is Bad News

As a news editor, I find it annoying when people talk down to news. We're not doomsayers. We're not carrion crows or vultures.

Firstly, it's our job. The journalist's job. Even if it's sports, we're all basically doing the same thing: providing a service. Think about it for a moment, if all our stories revolved around all the great things the University of Cincinnati or the city of Cincinnati itself was doing, it'd get old. It'd be a giant PR piece for the university or Cincy. And that's not news.

Secondly, people often forget the good things we do report. People won't remember my "UCPD ups security despite budget cuts" story but they'll remember something like "Financial aid program gets axed." Even before I became a student-journalist, I never told anyone about good things that happened. We remember the bad things because they stir up the most emotions. That's the thing. We don't really remember the good things because the benchmarks -- the pins in the timeline -- are disasters.

So, give us a break. I hate the term "no news is good news." Good news is news. Bad news is news. No news is... well there is no such thing. I swear I'll report on sidewalk cracks before I let reporting become an outdated practice.


-Gin

We're hiring!

You might have heard: The News Record is hiring a college living/spotlight editor.

Kareem Elgazzar, News Record managing editor, is moving on -- taking a full-time reporter position at The Morning Journal in Lorain, Ohio. He'll start his new role Feb. 16 -- we're so proud. To fill the vacant managing editor position, we've promoted Ariel Cheung, our college living/spotlight editor. Ariel's young, she'll be around TNR for at least two more years (we hope). She's proven to be a talented and dedicated staff member -- she's very well-deserving of this promotion.

But with Ariel's promotion, we find ourselves without a college living/spotlight editor. So, to anyone who said you can't get a job in journalism, they were wrong.

If you're a University of Cincinnati student and interested in the open editor position, here are some things you need to know:

1) Bring a resume, three clips and a 400-word statement on your goal(s) for the college living/spotlight pages to Room 509 Swift Hall by 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29. The appointment is only for the duration of the current production year (ends at the end of the academic year). There is the opportunity for reappointment for 2010-11; the application for next year's editorial staff will be available in Spring quarter. If you are hired now, you are welcome to reapply for the next year.
2) You must be available for production on Sunday and Tuesday. Sundays begin at 11 a.m.; Sunday and Tuesday end when your page is ready to be sent to the printer.
3) Being Web savvy helps, but we can teach you to use our CMS. It's easy.
4) You must be able to communicate with other editors and reporters of all skill levels. You have to constantly generate story ideas and be able to assign the stories to reporters. Because many of the reporters who write college living stories are very young, they tend to drop stories more frequently than other sections' reporters. Be ready to pick up their slack.
5) You do not have to be a journalism student to apply. We will, however, give preference to anyone who has taken copy editing and has a very strong understanding of AP style.

Do you have what it takes? Applications are due Friday, Jan. 29. If you have questions, e-mail me: chief.newsrecord@gmail.com.

-- Taylor

P.S.Want to know what it's like in the news room? Here's a video Ariel made:

Interviewing Tips

Last Friday The News Record hosted a writer's workshop for News Record journalists and those interested in becoming a part of our team. Our focus was interviewing and lede writing, two very important parts of the journalistic puzzle, and, yet, one of the aspects that I don't think gets enough attention.

I think the workshop went well, there were things I wish we would have done differently -- I wish we would have had more time to show examples of great ledes or express how it's best to 'dare to be dumb,' a phrase my aunt used in a presentation about science writing. Dare to be dumb. That says it all ... But not quite. If it did say it all, then what would be the point of the awesome video we created with some interviewing tips? Certainly we could have made a three-hour long video to express the billion different tips we have for interviewing, but that would take way too long to edit, and, lets be honest, nobody wants to look at our faces for that long.

So, enjoy. Please feel free to share your tips for a successful interview in the comments section.

-- Taylor

Off the [News] Record

News Record editors blogging about News Record stuff. Why? Because it's important that you know why and how we cover the news.