The best news presentation of related stories, photos and graphics usually occurs when everyone works together on a project. Poor presentation can plague us when we fail to communicate from editor to editor, photographer to reporter, and on through the chain.
The latter happened to one of our stories Sunday, and the impact of the story was a far cry from what the reporter wrote. Reporter Maura Possley set out to update the condition of farmworker housing in Manatee County as this year’s harvest season begins.
In 2000, Herald reporters found deplorable conditions, and their stories helped bring better inspections, better cooperation and better accountability for workers. They also found business owners who were working just as hard to get it right. Bob Spencer was one of those employers, and he has worked at both the local and state level to strive for continued improvement in farmworker housing.
As Maura walked through Spencer’s West Coast Tomato and other properties with inspector Jeri Briggs, she saw respectable living conditions -– even “cushy,” as Briggs noted. That story, however, ended up being illustrated by a negative quote, a questioning headline and a photo of a gritty bathtub -– the only exception of that day’s tour.
Not fair. When Bob Spencer called on Monday, he had every right to be upset. We had rushed to get a section out on deadline, without thinking about the impact of all those pieces together. In his letter to the editor in tomorrow’s editions, Bob writes:
West Coast Tomato has invested millions of dollars in purchasing and maintaining migrant housing. Our goal is to provide a safe and sanitary living environment for the workers who leave their families to come and work for our company…
The Bradenton Herald chose to publish only the photographs that reflected our housing in a negative manner. This violated the journalistic ethics that require a story to be reported fairly.
Being in the business of communication, we sometimes forget to do that in-house. I apologized to Bob for the poor combination Sunday, and applaud him here for the work he does in our community.
Joan
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
My my, hey hey...
Good morning, it's Nov. 12 -- Neil Young made it to 62!
If you were reading our print edition today you noticed that 7-for-7, a regular 1A feature in the Monday Herald, was nowhere to be found. My bad. I'm normally responsible for the pithy content in that rail, and no excuses. I took the day off.
But thanks to our news desk for running Young's photo on 2A with the daily list of birthday celebrants. (They could have chosen Tonya Harding.)
Had the rail appeared, the Monday segment almost certainly would have been devoted to Young and his incredible catalog of music. Trying to think of just one meaningful phrase to share today isn't easy -- here are hundreds and hundreds of rich songs to mine. Guess I'll take the easy way out and go with one of his most recognizable rock anthems:
My my, hey hey
Rock and roll is here to stay
It's better to burn out
Than to fade away
My my, hey hey
Having a Neil Young song in your head is not a bad way to start the week.
Jim
If you were reading our print edition today you noticed that 7-for-7, a regular 1A feature in the Monday Herald, was nowhere to be found. My bad. I'm normally responsible for the pithy content in that rail, and no excuses. I took the day off.
But thanks to our news desk for running Young's photo on 2A with the daily list of birthday celebrants. (They could have chosen Tonya Harding.)
Had the rail appeared, the Monday segment almost certainly would have been devoted to Young and his incredible catalog of music. Trying to think of just one meaningful phrase to share today isn't easy -- here are hundreds and hundreds of rich songs to mine. Guess I'll take the easy way out and go with one of his most recognizable rock anthems:
My my, hey hey
Rock and roll is here to stay
It's better to burn out
Than to fade away
My my, hey hey
Having a Neil Young song in your head is not a bad way to start the week.
Jim
Sunday, November 11, 2007
A writer's best tool: listening
When I asked columnist/reporter Vin Mannix how he found Vietnam veteran Brad Smith, I knew there would be a story behind the story. He didn't disappoint.
Vin has been mulling how to share Smith’s story for months. He met the Bradenton resident on Good Friday last April, at a children’s parade in Palmetto. And, in Vin’s words: “I was immediately taken by his story-telling ability, his vivid recall and his willingness to discuss an experience that was traumatic in every aspect.”
So today, on Veterans Day, we have the honor of a window into the resilience of a Vietnam POW. Vin’s first official interview with Smith was on Memorial Day, and after two hours of coffee and listening, Vin had more than 100 inches of notes. How did he mold that into today’s story? Here’s a bit of insight into this writer:
Of all the things he told me, two things grabbed me:
One was how he overcame the hate for his captors.
The other was the brown sock and white sock he realized he was wearing before the fateful mission, his reaction, and that he still has a piece of that brown sock.
Vin knew he had his story’s lede-in, and the ending. And, he says, he simply let Brad Smith tell everything in-between.
Late last week, Vin and online editor Ed Scott captured the video here on Bradenton.com with Brad Smith. It’s a strong exclamation point to Vin's story and Grant Jefferies' photos today.
Here’s one more glimpse of Vin’s modest dedication: He thanked us for the opportunity to give this veteran’s story –- representative of so many thousands of other veterans today -- the time and space it deserves.
Joan
Vin has been mulling how to share Smith’s story for months. He met the Bradenton resident on Good Friday last April, at a children’s parade in Palmetto. And, in Vin’s words: “I was immediately taken by his story-telling ability, his vivid recall and his willingness to discuss an experience that was traumatic in every aspect.”
So today, on Veterans Day, we have the honor of a window into the resilience of a Vietnam POW. Vin’s first official interview with Smith was on Memorial Day, and after two hours of coffee and listening, Vin had more than 100 inches of notes. How did he mold that into today’s story? Here’s a bit of insight into this writer:
Of all the things he told me, two things grabbed me:
One was how he overcame the hate for his captors.
The other was the brown sock and white sock he realized he was wearing before the fateful mission, his reaction, and that he still has a piece of that brown sock.
Vin knew he had his story’s lede-in, and the ending. And, he says, he simply let Brad Smith tell everything in-between.
Late last week, Vin and online editor Ed Scott captured the video here on Bradenton.com with Brad Smith. It’s a strong exclamation point to Vin's story and Grant Jefferies' photos today.
Here’s one more glimpse of Vin’s modest dedication: He thanked us for the opportunity to give this veteran’s story –- representative of so many thousands of other veterans today -- the time and space it deserves.
Joan
Friday, November 9, 2007
Quit the mud-slinging. Please.
Tell us the truth, now: Which headline in the Herald troubled you the most this week:
"$4 per gallon in our future?'' or "It's a runoff''
Local gas prices are scary, for sure, but waiting until Nov. 27 to find out who'll be Bradenton's mayor is a tough one to swallow. Don't you wish they could Get 'R Done sooner?
We heard Friday that the incumbent, Wayne Poston, has promised to run a clean campaign the rest of the way, and let's hope that's the case for both him and former mayor Bill Evers — who said he'll respond to Poston's pledge in his own good time.
These guys just don't like each other. We've known that for a long time, since well before they ran against each other the first time in 1999 (another runoff), and neither guy did a very good job of staying above the mud-slinging that characterized this contest.
Our city faces some major challenges and we'd love to hear some positive dialogue framed in the form of concrete proposals from both men before we head back to the polls to decide this thing once again.
How about it, gentlemen?
Jim
"$4 per gallon in our future?'' or "It's a runoff''
Local gas prices are scary, for sure, but waiting until Nov. 27 to find out who'll be Bradenton's mayor is a tough one to swallow. Don't you wish they could Get 'R Done sooner?
We heard Friday that the incumbent, Wayne Poston, has promised to run a clean campaign the rest of the way, and let's hope that's the case for both him and former mayor Bill Evers — who said he'll respond to Poston's pledge in his own good time.
These guys just don't like each other. We've known that for a long time, since well before they ran against each other the first time in 1999 (another runoff), and neither guy did a very good job of staying above the mud-slinging that characterized this contest.
Our city faces some major challenges and we'd love to hear some positive dialogue framed in the form of concrete proposals from both men before we head back to the polls to decide this thing once again.
How about it, gentlemen?
Jim
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Now, for the rest of the story
Several readers called and e-mailed this morning, wondering what happened to “the rest of the story” in the Bradenton Herald. They were referring to the well-written saga about the 76-year-old Broward deputy killed on-duty.
Readers of our Bradenton edition were engrossed in that front-page story, turned to Page 6A where the story (written by Miami Herald reporters) was supposed to jump -– and found an Associated Press version of the same story. But no jump.
Oops. That was a victim of poor zoning between our two print editions. In the Lakewood Ranch Herald, the story was contained inside and only on Page 6A. That’s our first deadline, and the Miami Herald –- our sister McClatchy newspaper -- hadn’t sent their version to us yet. So the News Desk used the AP story.
For the next edition, we brought the story out on 1A, and we now had the Miami Herald’s version. The plan was to jump that to the same news hole on Page 6A -- but the new jump page never got on the press.
That shouldn’t happen, and we apologize. I am glad you’re reading us and holding us accountable. The good news is that the entire Miami story is here online, too.
Joan
Readers of our Bradenton edition were engrossed in that front-page story, turned to Page 6A where the story (written by Miami Herald reporters) was supposed to jump -– and found an Associated Press version of the same story. But no jump.
Oops. That was a victim of poor zoning between our two print editions. In the Lakewood Ranch Herald, the story was contained inside and only on Page 6A. That’s our first deadline, and the Miami Herald –- our sister McClatchy newspaper -- hadn’t sent their version to us yet. So the News Desk used the AP story.
For the next edition, we brought the story out on 1A, and we now had the Miami Herald’s version. The plan was to jump that to the same news hole on Page 6A -- but the new jump page never got on the press.
That shouldn’t happen, and we apologize. I am glad you’re reading us and holding us accountable. The good news is that the entire Miami story is here online, too.
Joan
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Anna Maria residents get results
Now that’s power of the people!
Within one month of learning that the Anna Maria Bridge was going to be shut down for 75 days during peak tourism season next year, the Florida Department of Transportation has recanted today.
Herald reporter Nick Azzara has been relentless in his coverage of the issue, with stories ranging from who would be most affected and what options should be considered, to how dangerous the bridge might be and what it really means to have PCBs in a bridge structure.
Nick sent an update for Bradenton.com within minutes of the announcement this morning that FDOT will close the bridge for 45 days in October and November 2008, instead of 75 days starting in April. Because the work needs to be done, this scenario won the most support from people who responded to FDOT’s survey.
We hope our coverage helped keep the pressure on government officials to pay attention. Hats off to residents and businesses for getting involved -– from the public forum last week where hundreds of you turned out, to Barry Gould’s web site that tracked all the stories and developments, and to all who took FDOT’s survey.
What a pleasant change of pace -– residents and businesses were actually heard by a government entity, and action was taken. We’ll continue to follow developments throughout the day, and give you a complete report in Wednesday’s Herald.
Joan
Within one month of learning that the Anna Maria Bridge was going to be shut down for 75 days during peak tourism season next year, the Florida Department of Transportation has recanted today.
Herald reporter Nick Azzara has been relentless in his coverage of the issue, with stories ranging from who would be most affected and what options should be considered, to how dangerous the bridge might be and what it really means to have PCBs in a bridge structure.
Nick sent an update for Bradenton.com within minutes of the announcement this morning that FDOT will close the bridge for 45 days in October and November 2008, instead of 75 days starting in April. Because the work needs to be done, this scenario won the most support from people who responded to FDOT’s survey.
We hope our coverage helped keep the pressure on government officials to pay attention. Hats off to residents and businesses for getting involved -– from the public forum last week where hundreds of you turned out, to Barry Gould’s web site that tracked all the stories and developments, and to all who took FDOT’s survey.
What a pleasant change of pace -– residents and businesses were actually heard by a government entity, and action was taken. We’ll continue to follow developments throughout the day, and give you a complete report in Wednesday’s Herald.
Joan
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Busting gang members, Mafia style
Don't forget to set your clocks back -- and get an extra hour to read this Sunday’s Bradenton Herald.
You’ll find an examination of the affordable housing market in Manatee, stories on festivities ranging from the Snooty gala to the Taste of Manatee (which continues Sunday), Parade magazine, arts coverage, a look at the interior design business, a near-final look at Bradenton’s mayoral race, and plenty of college football.
But the story I found the most intriguing is by reporter Natalie Neysa Alund, who explores how Manatee County law enforcement officials have opened a new arsenal against illegal gangs in our community. And they’re the first in the state of Florida to try this:
Gang members are being prosecuted through state racketeering laws — modeled after the federal Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act created in 1970. In the first months used in Manatee County, 23 members of two criminal street gangs have been arrested.
As Natalie reports:
For years, the government tried tackling illegal gangs by taking gang members to court one at a time. And, just like the classic mob cases, witnesses would disappear or refuse to testify against the gang members.
Case dismissed.
So prosecutors, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement decided to try using RICO laws. With racketeering charges, cases can be prosecuted without the testimony of witnesses and victims. That solves one of the biggest problems prosecutors have in attempting to convict gang members…
Why Manatee? Because the public has never been more aware of the growing threat of gangs since the Easter gang shootings on Coquina Beach and the shooting death last May of 9-year-old Stacy Williams III.
The RICO approach is not without its critics, and Natalie talks to them, as well. It’s a compelling report.
And, for the sleuths in you, one of the area’s top fugitives was caught in the past week, thanks to CrimeStoppers. There’s also a new suspect being sought on charges of attempted murder. See our report exclusively on Page 4C.
Joan
You’ll find an examination of the affordable housing market in Manatee, stories on festivities ranging from the Snooty gala to the Taste of Manatee (which continues Sunday), Parade magazine, arts coverage, a look at the interior design business, a near-final look at Bradenton’s mayoral race, and plenty of college football.
But the story I found the most intriguing is by reporter Natalie Neysa Alund, who explores how Manatee County law enforcement officials have opened a new arsenal against illegal gangs in our community. And they’re the first in the state of Florida to try this:
Gang members are being prosecuted through state racketeering laws — modeled after the federal Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act created in 1970. In the first months used in Manatee County, 23 members of two criminal street gangs have been arrested.
As Natalie reports:
For years, the government tried tackling illegal gangs by taking gang members to court one at a time. And, just like the classic mob cases, witnesses would disappear or refuse to testify against the gang members.
Case dismissed.
So prosecutors, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement decided to try using RICO laws. With racketeering charges, cases can be prosecuted without the testimony of witnesses and victims. That solves one of the biggest problems prosecutors have in attempting to convict gang members…
Why Manatee? Because the public has never been more aware of the growing threat of gangs since the Easter gang shootings on Coquina Beach and the shooting death last May of 9-year-old Stacy Williams III.
The RICO approach is not without its critics, and Natalie talks to them, as well. It’s a compelling report.
And, for the sleuths in you, one of the area’s top fugitives was caught in the past week, thanks to CrimeStoppers. There’s also a new suspect being sought on charges of attempted murder. See our report exclusively on Page 4C.
Joan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
