Des Moines Register affected by Gannett cuts

We've talked many times in class this past term about the declining business of the printed newspaper. Between the troubling economy and the advances in technology (internet, MP3 players, BlackBerrys, etc.), it's no surprise that printed news is taking a hit. Gannett Co., the country's largest newspaper chain, announced Friday that 1000 jobs nationwide will be cut (approximately 3 percent of the workforce). The Des Moines Register is owned by Gannett and confirmed that 26 jobs will be cut from its staff.

One could only hope that this "recession" in the news industry will only be temporary, but unfortunately it is probably an on-going trend. Sinking advertising revenue and a dropping stock price were named as reasons for the cuts.

Don't be a "looser" - copy edit

Oh, the English language. You have to admit it's complicated. I whole-heartedly feel sorry for people learning English as a second language.

I found an article on CJR titled, When Loosing is Winning. I admit it, I read the article because the title made no sense to me. The article discusses how the word "loose" is becoming used more and more in place of "lose" (refer back to the title of the article), and other problem words like "it's" being used when "its" is meant. Isn't it funny how little things like this make my spine crawl? It's very similar to fingernails being scratched down a chalkboard. Where are all the copy editors when we need them?

We've learned in class that the AP Stylebook was created to ensure consistancy among the journalism and communication professions. Obviously, the severity of accuracy is not emphasized enough. I encourage everyone to use it, learn it and know it. I have two books, one on my desk and one at home.

Be sure to ask: is it worth it?

I read an article on Romensko about a mistrial that was declared in a Kansas courtroom because of a newspaper article unrelated to the trial. The Salina Journal reported that Jerry D Sellers Jr. had been sentenced in Harvey County to just under 11 years in prison for fondling a 13-year-old girl. The problem was that Sellers Jr. was currently on trial in Saline County for the rape of a 16-year-old girl. Saline County district Judge Jerome Hellmer declared a mistrial stating the defendent could not receive a fair trial [if jurors read the article].
As we've discussed in class previously, one issue to consider when printing an article is: is it worth it? Was the price of printing the article about proceedings in a different county worth a mistrial in Saline County? In my opinion, no. I can't help but wonder if the editor even considered this consequence. Was the homework done? Did the editor realize the rape trial in Saline County was taking place at the time of print? Saline County Attorney Ellen Mitchell said, "The responsible thing would be to report the information at the conclusion of the trial." I agree.

Journalism via video cam

American citizens are getting in the action! An article published in the Des Moines Sunday Register, Videos help fight police misdeeds, describes how New York police officers are being caught in the act. Civilians are arming themselves with video equipment to record police activities.
The article says in one week, three seperate videos show police officers using their batons in a violent manner, even knocking one protester off his bicycle in Times Square. Now remember everyone, we're innocent until proven guilty, so I hope this filming rage doesn't get too out of hand. I hope law enforcement officers don't get to the point where they are afraid to carry out their job, as necessary, for fear of someone seeing an act on film and portraying the officer in a negative way. On the other hand, if police officers were not doing anything wrong, they shouldn't have anything to worry about, right?
In our age of video altering programs such as photo shop, what's to stop someone from "doctoring" film and using it in a negative way against officers?
Norman Siegel, a former director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, tells protest groups that go out in public places to have someone in their group come armed with a video camera. This would aid the group, or single individuals, if problems occur and arrests and/or legal actions should take place.
This seems like pretty easy journalism to me. Just shoot events with your video camera and publish your film, whether it be on local or national news shows or as simple as YouTube.