Final

In October of 2005, Tanh Tran and Brandi Smith worked for competing news stations in Boise, Idaho. Their two stations Channel 2 and Channel 6, respectively, were competing to be the number two stations as an NBC affiliate was dominating ratings. A viewer tip involving a sex offender working at a Boise ice rink would require Tran and Smith to make to difficult decision whether to break the controversial story in order to gain network ratings.

The viewer tip, which was given to both stations, simply mentioned a sex offender was working at a local ice rink, in an environment where there were plenty of children. Both reporters knew the consequences of running with the story, and reporting false information. However, in effort to gain the edge on their competition, channel 6 and Brandi Smith decided to report the story. In contrast, Than Tran of Channel 2, decided to delay breaking the story in order to gain more knowledge on the incident.

After looking through court records from the incident, Tran discovered information that agreed with her decision to not run the story. The sexual offender, James Kimbel, had been involved in a sexual incident with a 15-year-old girl, however the incident occurred 13 years prior and had been dismissed by a judge. Kimbel was now working as a contracted hockey referee, and was deemed safe for kids by a panel, prior to his referee employment. Brandi Smith at Channel 6, who made the decision to run live with their accusation of Kimbel as a sexual predator, was not covering this side of the story.

When Channel 6 broke the story on Kimbel, Smith was pressed on time and did not take the time to discover the information Tran did. However, After the story broke Smith realized what she had done to Kimbel. In a story done by NPR’s This is American Life several years later with the two reporters, Smith explained
" I felt the initial concern of a sex offender working with children was completely valid, but as the day progressed, we learned more about what the charge was how long it had been… By the time the live shot rolled around, I just remember voicing concern...I just kept commenting we’re ruining this guys life."
However, Smith and the rest of the Channel 6 news team would continue reporting on Kimbel, making it their stations exclusive story.
It would be pressure from their recently hired news director Scott Picken, who kept Channel 6 reporting on the Kimbel story.

Channel 6 news director Scott Picken was hired to increase competition at the news station and break such stories as Kimbel’s. Picken believed reporting controversial stories was all-apart of being a journalist saying
“In order to become a viable journalist organization in this market, we had to step up our game some. Sometimes people need to understand, just because you’re uncomfortable with something or because you’re being asked to do something that’s not in your realm, doesn't necessarily make it incorrect or wrong, it just means you have to go to the next level."
In contrast to Picken, Channel 2’s news director Mark Browning advised Than Tran to not report on the Kimbel story. Browning and Tran both recognized the stories potential to bring much needed ratings to their station, but they both understood the damages such a story would inflict on Kimbel and his family. Browning believed the circumstances involving Kimbels incident were just to complicated to be reported on. Saying, " (There is a) Big difference in my book between sexual predetor and sexual offender. Attach that word sexual in front of it and it changes the entire dynamic with people. It gives newsrooms license to hunt, when really there is no game there."


In the Associated Press Stylebook’s Briefing on Media Law Section, libel is described as an incorrectly reported statement, which damages a person’s reputation. Most cases of libel involve public officials like politicians or celebrities. The AP Stylebook also explains, in a libel suit, the plaintiff must prove the defamatory statement was false but presented as fact, and was published with “actual malice”. In Kimbel’s case, Channel 6 did not commit libel, but rather violated rules in journalism ethics.

In our textbook, Inside Reporting, The code of ethics by The Society of Professional Journalists is presented. It states journalists should: Seek truth and report it, act independently, be accountable, and minimize harm. Under minimize harm, the code of ethics explains journalists should, “recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials…only overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.”
Kimbel, who explains Channel 6 never contacted him for a comment or to inform him of their story, would most likely be able to sue Channel 6 for negligent reporting on his story.

According to the AP Stylebook, private individuals must be able to show fault by the reporting organization in a libel case. It goes on to explain California and Texas courthouses look at whether the reporter knew they were at fault, or knew about inaccuracies in their reporting. In a hypothetical case between Kimbel and Smith, Kimbel would argue Smith knew more about the incident involving his sexual predator case than she was really reporting. However, because Smith was reporting on a factual event, it is unlikely Kimbel could win a libel suit.

In this incident between Channel 6 and Channel 2, competition and pressure lead to impulsive reporting, without necessarily doing all the research required with such a sensitive subject. However, both reporters and their news director’s could justify their decision. Even though Channel 6’s reporting on Kimbel ruined his career and brought up a painful past, they did not commit any real acts of libel, because the information published was true, though damaging. In their eyes, reporting on Kimbel was not only a hard news story; it was a public service, letting parents know of the dangers at the ice rink. For Tran and Channel 2, doing the additional research prevented them from publishing damaging information and breaking journalism ethics, even though it lost them a story.

Extra Credit Blog

This past Monday, San Jose State University’s magazine club presented a slideshow and held a discussion with editors from McSweeney’s Publishing, about their utopian newspaper: the San Francisco Panorama. Editors Jesse Nathan, Chris Ying, and Brian McCullen of San Francisco based McSweeney’s introduced what they believed was an extravagant example of what can keep newspaper alive.

Ying, who was the primary speaker throughout the presentation, explained what went into making their one-time issue, as well as where they pulled ideas to create the perfect paper. Ying explained that when designing the Panorama they took ideas from where newspapers were thriving, using large paper with full color in your face pictures.
Editor Brian McCullen explained newsprints ability to present graphics and text together outshines computers saying” Newspapers can give big detail all at once, computers can’t do that.”
They also took ideas from papers of yesteryear, using full spreads to display information in one large graphic, a design that has been killed out by printing costs.

Ying explained that spending the extra money by adding full-page graphics and large color photos throughout the Panorama, they bring excitement to readers, saying, “no matter what size your computer screen is, it’s just different to have that big photo in your face.”

In addition to large graphics throughout the paper, the panorama sets itself apart by its sheer size. To fit all the articles, essays, book reviews, and other media, the Panorama is over 300 pages long! The paper is made up of 10 main sections including a main news section, sports, two art sections, a food section, and a separate book review insert.
The Panorama’s main article is focused on the financial disaster that has become of the Bay Bridge construction. Ying explained such coverage on the construction is a first, and it was important to look at the financial details of something occurring in our own backyard.


Reading the Panorama is a visual adventure. The writing is extensive, the topics are different, and the graphics jump out at your face. My favorite piece was an insert to the sport section written by renowned novelist Steven King. As a long time Red Sox fan, King provided game-by-game commentary on the 2009 World Series, in which his rival team, the New York Yankees won. In addition to Kings writing, the designers of the panorama gave the layout a vintage appeal, using old-school sports sketching rather than real game photos. Another cool use of Panorama’s graphics was a diagram in their music and arts section, which featured all the different musical groups from San Francisco, arranged by time-period and genre.

The editors of McSweeney’s explain that while their extensive paper represents all the abilities of a paper, the work it takes to create such a paper, disregards the time restrictions involved in creating newsprint. “We set out to do this as a one time exercise. At the end of the day, people who put out daily newspapers get full credit.”
Ying claims they are not trying to reinvent the wheel, but rather repeat what used to be successful in newsprint, and show it can still be done.

As someone who shares disappointment in a thinning newspaper, I could really appreciate what the Panorama shows journalist students. While some papers are slimming down, cutting out science and art sections.
Mcsweeney’s has proved the newspaper is not dead; people will pay more, for more.

Copy Edit The World

This Alert SJSU poster found in the hallways of DMH at San Jose State, has "email" written. However the correct AP style is spelled "e-mail".

Magazine Final Broadcast

VILLAGE BISTRO’S NEW MENU ITEMS
70 SECONDS

THE VILLAGE CALIFORNIA BISTRO AND WINE BAR…LOCATED IN SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA PRIDES ITSELF ON USING ONLY LOCALLY FARMED PRODUCE, AS WELL AS WILD CAUGHT AND NATURAL FED MEATS. THIS DAILY SHIPMENT OF FRESH PRODUCE AND MEATS ENABLES CHEF THOMAS AND HIS STAFF TO PRODUCE THE DELICIOUS SPRING MENU ITEMS.

AROUND 10 EACH MORNING…SHIPMENTS FROM LOCAL FARMERS ARRIVE. ONE OF THE BOXES YOU SEE HERE IS FROM SCARBOROUGH FARMS, WHO PROVIDES THE VILLAGE SWEET LETTUCES FOR THEIR SALADS.

THE RESTAURANT HAS A LARGE WALK-IN REFRIGERATOR TO STORE THE DAYS FRESH PRODUCE AND OTHER INGREDIENTS.

BEFORE DINNER BEGINS AT 5 EACH EVENING…THE PREP CHEFS PREPARE THE KITCHEN FOR THE NIGHT AHEAD. THEN CHEF THOMAS EXAMINES EACH OF HIS COOKS STATIONS BEFORE DINNER SERVICE BEGINS.

POPULAR DISHES ON THE NEW SPRING MENU INCLUDE A BONE IN PORK CHOP WITH RHUBARB GINGER COMPOTE AND ROASTED CARROT PUREE
GREEN GARLIC RISOTTO WITH SEARED SCALLOPS…PRAWNS…AND MUSSELS.
A BRAISED LAMB SHANK ON FRESH GARBANZO AND FAVA BEANS, WITH MINT PASTE…AND THE TARRAGON AND MUSTARD BRAISED RABBIT WITH GOAT CHEESE GNOCCHI…MOREL MUSHROOMS…ASPARAGUS TIPS…AND FRENCH CARROTS

***



HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=AHNMY5HR_YE

Final Broadcast Project

BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY
60 SECONDS

FREE TUNE UPS, BIKE LOCKS, AND BARBECUE REWARDED THOSE WHO RODE THEIR BIKES TO SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY THURSDAY, FOR BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY, AN EVENT SUPPORTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTER.

A MEMBER OF THE ENVIROMENTAL RESOURCE CENTER, CINDY MORENO,
SAID WITH EVENTS LIKE BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY, THEY HOPE TO SPREAD THE IMPORTANCE OF USING SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION, SUCH AS BIKING OR CARPOOLING, WHEN COMMUTING TO SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY.

THE ASSOCIATED STUDENT’S TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS PROGRAMS
WHICH MANAGES THE CAMPUS BIKE CAGES
ALSO PROVIDED RIDERS NEW KRYPTONITE BIKE LOCKS
IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR OLD ONES…AT NO COST.

BY THE END OF THE AFTERNOON, ALL THE HOT DOGS WERE GONE… AND LOCAL BIKE STORE…BICYCLE EXPRESS HAD SERVICED 26 BIKES. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE ENVIROMENTAL RESOURCE CENTER HAD PUT ON BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY… AND HOPE TO HAVE MORE EVENTS THAT SHARE IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY.

WITH EVENTS LIKE BIKE PARTY…WHICH IS ALSO HOSTED BY BICYCLE EXPRESS
AND SCHOOL CLUBS SUCH AS SJ FIXED
THERE SHOULD BE NO SHORTAGE OF BIKE CRAZY PARTICIPANTS FOR FUTURE EVENTS.

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Audio Link:
http://jeffcianci610.podomatic.com/entry/2010-05-11T20_45_00-07_00

Broadcast Style

NORTHQUEST CUTS FAIRS
30 SECONDS

NORTHQUEST AIRLINES ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT IS CUTTING ITS DOMESTIC FARES BY UP TO 40 PERCENT FOR HOLIDAY TRAVELERS. (4)

FRANK DEWITT, CEO OF NORTHQUEST AIRLINES, EXPLAINED:
"WE LIKE TO THINK OF IT AS A HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR CUSTOMERS," (3)

DISCOUNTS WILL VARY DEPENDING ON TRAVEL DATES. WITH THE DISCOUNTED, NON-REFUNDIBLE FAIRS, A PASSENGER CAN TRAVEL ROUND-TRIP BETWEEN BOSTON AND SAN FRANCISCO FOR AS LITTLE AS 349-DOLLARS. (3)

TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY JULY 1 FOR TRAVEL BETWEEN November 20TH AND January 5TH IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. (3)

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Squirrel Ruins Morning Commute Broadcast

Squirrel RUINS COMMUTE
30 seconds

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, HERE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES:

47-THOUSAND RIDERS OF THE METRO-NORTH COMMUTER TRAIN IN

MANHATTAN MAY BE A LITTLE UPSET TO LEARN A SQUIRREL MAY BE TO BLAME

FOR THE POWER LOSS THAT LEFT MANY STRANDED YESTERDAY.


A METRO-NORTH SPOKESWOMAN..DONNA EVANS..EXPLAINED THE POWER

SURGE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTROCUTED SQUIRREL, WHO HAD BEEN

SCAMPERING ATOP POWER LINES.

THIS POWER SURGE OVERHEATED A BRACKET, CAUSING AN ATTACHED WIRE TO

BECOME ENTANGLED UNDERNEATH THE TRAIN

PULLING DOWN EVEN MORE POWER LINES.

FORTUNATELY, CREWS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM OVER NIGHT,

AND THIS MORNING TRAINS HAVE RETURNED TO NORMAL SCHEDULE

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