ICY HEADLINES COOL STUDENT’S INTEREST

Diane Smith-MINNESOTA

“…the work of the journalist cannot be done without a commitment to the act of reporting, which means gathering information, talking to people who know, trying to verify and clarify what actually happened and to portray the range of views as they emerge from events.”[1]   

                                                                   
                                                                       —Jay Rosen, PressThink:

                                                                       Ghost of Democracy on the Media Machine

 

The Pioneer Press, a newspaper local to the St. Paul, Minnesota area, generally adheres to Rosen's criteria for sound reporting.  The staff's commitment to quality journalism and writing is clear.  That said, the January 27^th, 2014 front page falls short.  Five of the six headlines relate to winter.  An analysis follows.

Balcamino, Kristi.  “Latest icy blast tells us:  ‘Stay home.’”  Pioneer Press.  Front Page. Print. January 27, 2014.

“Latest Icy Blast…” is primarily a factual news story and does merit front page news.   This ‘blast’ blanketed the city, impacting everyone in Minnesota who drove cars, shoveled snow, attended classes or jobs, used public transportation—had children at home who needed care due to school closings. It engages an “involved public with a personal stake in the issue [Kovach and Rosenstiel. P. 24][2].”

The last sentence in the article is opinion.  “The cold is comparable to the polar vortex that gripped Minnesota Jan. 6-7.” It is a solid conclusion to the article. 

   

Brewer, John.  “Snow, meet Vulcans.”  Pioneer Press.  Front Page. Print. January 27, 2014.

Soft news, in this case, should also be on the front page.  The St. Paul Winter Carnival offers a reprieve from the bitter days of winter, adding ‘diversity' which is critical to readership according to Dave Burgin as referenced by Kovach and Rosenstiel [Kovach and Rosenstiel. P. 24.][3] Old favorites such as ice sculptures in the park, the winter slide, are saved due to the efforts of a few carnival participants known as Vulcans.  The Winter Carnival is an integral part of St. Paul’s history.

Anonymous Author, “Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt.” Pioneer Press.  Front Page. Print. January 27, 2014.

No, this does not belong on the front page. There is no opinion.  It is a clue that rhymes, helping to locate a hidden medallion as part of the Winter Carnival Treasure Hunt. It should be combined with older clues inside the newspaper.  This article holds no interest for this reader.  A purse is offered for the one who finds the medallion; it does appeal to those who participate.

Romell, Rick, Author, Zimmerman, Raya (Contributor.) “Propane Emergency declared in Wisconsin.”  Reprint from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in the Pioneer Press.  Front Page. Print. January 27, 2014.

Yes, this is front page news!  The propane emergency equates to no heat in dead winter for our neighbors in Wisconsin.  It is hard hitting.  It meets the standard of social obligation to citizens as Kovach and Rosensteil discussed. “A commitment to citizens is more than professional egoism.  It is the implied covenant with the public...”[4] [Kovach and Rosenstiel. P. 52.] 

Also, it appeals to “the interested public, with no direct role in the issue, yet, is affected and responds with some firsthand experience”[5]  [Kovach and Rosenstiel. P. 24.] Minnesotans have not lost heat due to the shortage, but many people have experienced a failed furnace in the winter.  Loss of heat can be life threatening.

Opinion is offered in a quote regarding the cause of the shortage.  “The shortage—attributed to a colder-than-normal winter, the shutdown of a key supply pipeline earlier in the season and heavy use of propone by farmers to dry grain last fall—…" [Romell, P. A4.]   The word attributed leaves room for speculation—were these valid reasons? Were there more reasons or different reasons for the shortage?  There was no professional cited for the cause of the shortage.

Takushi, Scott. “Snow Park.”  Pioneer Press.  Front Page. Print. January 27, 2014.

General snow themes?  Winning sculptures covering 40% of the front page?  The first place photo might have been sufficient. This is soft news. Three Winter Carnival articles should be combined into one for the front page or placed inside.

 

Kovach and Rosenstiel discussed various forces impacting journalism. One of them related to corporations and the global economy. “News was becoming a smaller conglomerate inside global conglomerates.”[6] [Kovach and Rosenstiel, P. 30.]  The front page coverage of the Winter Carnival may indirectly reflect larger benevolent activity by corporations as well as an indirect corporate marketing approach for the corporations involved in financing of the Carnival. The independence necessary for sound reporting may be impacted.  It is important to mention, the thrust of this issue of conglomerates relates to large corporations purchasing newspapers and presses.  That said, a conflict of interest could arise with the corporate sponsor wielding inappropriate influence.  The Pioneer Press supports the Winter Carnival as well as private corporations.

 

Peters, Jeremy W.  “State of the Union rebuttals could be free-wheeling.”  New York Times—Washington.  Reprinted in the Pioneer Press. Front Page. Print. January 27, 2014.

Front page headlines relate to winter with the exception of this lonely headline at the bottom of the page, given just two inches of press on the front page, and a thumbnail photo of President Obama.   

The New York Times title represents a prognostication and opinion.  As Peters states, “The protocol is staid and formulaic...”  [Peters, Front Page] Reference however, to “staid and formulaic” regarding an event, is possibly opinion.  Intervening variables could radically change the news.  

This is the only national news on the front page!  President Obama’s agenda for the New Year and responses may have impact on all citizens.  Yes, it belongs there! It's timely with the potential for a large impact!

Perhaps just a handful of Minnesotans read the Pioneer Press, given competing newspapers, declining subscriptions, and internet access.  The Pioneer Press almost folded a while back due to declining readership.   The Pew research study addresses one impact on the printed press. Andrew Beaujon said, "More Americans get news online than from radios or newspapers..."[7] 

The next headline we see in the printed Pioneer Press, could well announce its final issue. Let's hope not. Headlines; their meaning, priority placement, diversity, representation of the article, subliminal impact, and positioning within the page can make or break a story and seriously impact the news and newspapers in terms of readership.

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[1] Rosen, Jay.  “Objectivity as a Form of Persuasion: A Few Notes for Marcus Brauchli.”

     PRESSThink: Ghost of Democracy on the Media Machine.  July 7, 2010. Online.

[2] Kovach, Bill and Rosensteil, Tom.  Elements of Journalism.  “The Theory of the Interlocking Public.” p. 24. Print.

[3] Kovach, Bill and Rosensteil, Tom. Elements of Journalism. “The Theory of the Interlocking Public.” p. 24, Print.                   Crediting Dave Burgin, Editor, as recommending diversity in story development and presentation.  

[4] Kovach, Bill and Rosensteil, Tom.  Elements of Journalism. “Journalism’s first Loyalty is to Citizens.” p. 52, Print.     

[5] Kovach, Bill and Rosensteil, Tom.  Elements of Journalism. “The Theory of the Interlocking Public.” p. 24, Print.    

[6] Kovach, Bill and Rosensteil, Tom.  Elements of Journalism. “The New Challenge.” p. 30, Print.
[7] Beaujon, Andrew. “Pew: Half of Americans get news digitally, topping newspapers, radio.” Poynter.  September 27,              2012. Online.