Some examples of writing errors I warn against in the electronic news gathering class I teach:
No. The bill goes to The Governor for his consideration.
The Governor does not have to sign it.
That sentence didn't come from a news story, but from a news release from the Senate Majority Caucus. So perhaps, for them, it is correct. The lower case for the governor might be a symbol of the reported GOP rift, while the "for his signature" might symbolize the GOP dominance in the Legislature, with a super-majority in both houses and a Republican Governor too.
Tea leaves would be easier.
In addition to the adjective/adverb problem (it should be more easily), since journalists should always presume innocence, why would we suggest a feeling of relief just because a suspect has been arrested? Are all the people arrested by police guilty? Really? Guess we can skip that whole trial by a jury mess.
Great! Now I know to watch out for..er...a black man? Race is irrelevant in stories unless it is part of a larger description or the story has a racial angle.
...
Is being a journalist the worst or the best job in the world?
Probably in between, but a Forbes report about occupations ranks being a reporter as among the worst occupations...
......just after oil rig worker and above waiter.
I don't know how those oil rig workers or waiters feel, but I would rather be doing what I do than moving up or down a spot.
And one more note...al.com managed to stick its toe into the world of "if it's on the net, then it's fair game" with the following sentence tonight:
[The Monday Morning Media Memo is a regular feature of this website.]
- The bill now goes to the governor for his signature.
No. The bill goes to The Governor for his consideration.
The Governor does not have to sign it.
That sentence didn't come from a news story, but from a news release from the Senate Majority Caucus. So perhaps, for them, it is correct. The lower case for the governor might be a symbol of the reported GOP rift, while the "for his signature" might symbolize the GOP dominance in the Legislature, with a super-majority in both houses and a Republican Governor too.
Tea leaves would be easier.
- Residents of (whatever town) can breath easier today...(after an arrest)
In addition to the adjective/adverb problem (it should be more easily), since journalists should always presume innocence, why would we suggest a feeling of relief just because a suspect has been arrested? Are all the people arrested by police guilty? Really? Guess we can skip that whole trial by a jury mess.
- Police say a black man robbed a bank Downtown today.
Great! Now I know to watch out for..er...a black man? Race is irrelevant in stories unless it is part of a larger description or the story has a racial angle.
...
Is being a journalist the worst or the best job in the world?
Probably in between, but a Forbes report about occupations ranks being a reporter as among the worst occupations...
......just after oil rig worker and above waiter.
I don't know how those oil rig workers or waiters feel, but I would rather be doing what I do than moving up or down a spot.
And one more note...al.com managed to stick its toe into the world of "if it's on the net, then it's fair game" with the following sentence tonight:
As Politico notes, it is clear the Obama administration will capitalize on the anniversary in an effort to make political points with voters.If that's what al.com thinks, why latch it onto a political website? "As" is the critical word here. If you believe it and want to make it an al.com statement/editorial, then go ahead! Why lay it on Politico?
[The Monday Morning Media Memo is a regular feature of this website.]
"Residents of (whatever town) can breath easier today...(after an arrest"
ReplyDeleteBreathe. Breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Breathe.
Got it now?
"No. The bill goes to The Governor for his consideration.
ReplyDeleteThe Governor does not have to sign it."
He doesn't have to sign it, but if he already said he would sign the bill (cf. the infamous HB 56 et alii), he's going to sign it as fast as he can grab a pen.