Douglas A. Anderson

Sports Coverage in Daily Newspapers.

The late Red Smith quoted a book reviewer from the old New York Herald Tribune, Lewis Gannett, who wrote: “[Mlost sports writers suffer from hyperthyroid congestion of adjectives and are dope fiends for forced similes. They have to be jitterbugs with words and have no change of pace.”’ David Shaw, media critic for the Los Angeles Times, in a 129-column-inch article about the evolution of sports coverage, said sportswriting in earlier eras consisted

How Newspaper Editors and Broadcast News Directors View Media Ethics

Newsroom concern about journalism ethics is no politically correct fad, say both editors and broadcast managers. And whos more ethical? Newspaper reporters, say editors, but three-quarters of broadcasters disagree. Neither print nor broadcaster people, however, think TV reporters are more concerned about ethics than are print reporters.

A Balance of Study and Teaching in Tenure and Promotion Cases.

The enhanced role of teaching at majorresearchuniversities suchas Harvard and Stanford has sparked renewed interest and debate, but most of the academy would speculate that research and publication will continue to be a significant, if not major, requirement for tenure and promotionat most institutions. Page Smith, former provost of the University of California, Santa Cruz, suggested that the “publish or perish canon that so distorts the educational mission of the great universities” is alive and well (1991, p. 19). Indeed, it is apparent that the emphasis on publication has increased in the recent history of higher education. Arizona State University President Lattie Coor, when proposing the establishment of a major commission to explore the role of teaching at his institution, stated: “There is no question that the scholarly activity of a faculty member has assumed a greater place in university life over the past 20 to 30 years” (1990, p. 1). Still, recent stirrings suggest that institutions may be placing more importance on teaching. Ernest L. Boyer, for example, has argued eloquently for an expanded definition of scholarship that would include not only the discovery of knowledge (original research), but also the integration and application of knowledge with teaching (Boyer, 1991). It is not easy for the average university faculty member to meet tenure and promotion requirements, but it can be particularly difficult and occasionally frustrating for those who are in professional units such as journalism and mass communication. Faculty members in these departments often are involved in “creative activities” such as producing radio and television programs, writing newspaper and magazine articles, publishing textbooks and popular books, and engaging in media consulting. When submitted to university committees as tenure criteria, these activities may be considered weak or lacking in scholarly virtues when compared to the more traditional demand for publication of refereed journal articles. As a result, journalism and mass communication fac-

Weather Coverage in Dailies

paign but on the political process well beyond 1984. They predicted that a particular woman, Geraldine Ferraro, would “energize” the Democratic campaign. Beyond the current campaign, they predicted that Mondale’s selection of women would alter “politics in America forever.” Although they judged Ferraro unfavorably in relation to her Republican counterpart, George Bush and the 1984 Democratic contenders for the second spot on the ticket, when compared with ex-vice presidents and others who had been nominated, her credentials are judged equal to theirs. An Italian-American woman from a blue collar neighborhood in Queens, Ferraro was seen as a bright, determined politician who reflected traditional values such as hard work. However, the editorials frequently neglected t o tell readers that she had served three terms in Congress and they frequently neglected to say anything of her committee service in the Congress. Moreover, they neglected to indicate her specific issue stands. Ferraro, thus, could well have been a total novice t o Congress without specific substantive stands on the issues of the campaign. Doors were opened, but not fully in these editorials.

Effects of Communication Law Decisions on Daily Newspaper Editors.

I See. c.g.. decisions of the Earl Warren Court such as New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. 376 US. 254 (1964); Garrison v. Louisiana. 379 U S . 64 (1964); Rosenblarl v. Iher. 383 U.S. 75 (1966); Memoirs Y . Arrorney General o/ Massarhuserr

Expectations and Experience in Conversion to VDTs

. 383 U.S. 413 (1966); Time. Inr. v. Hi// . 385 U.S. 374 (1967); Assoriared Press v. Walker. 388 U S . 130 (1967): SI. Amanr v. Thompson. 390 US. 727 (1968). * kanrburg v. Haws. 408 U.S. 655 (1972). J G e m Y . Roberr Wekh. Inc., 418 US. 323 (1974). ‘ Emf, Inr. v. Firtsronr. 424 U.S. 448 (1976). Pelf Y. Prorunier. 417 U.S. 817 (1974); Saxbr v. Washington Post Co.. 417 U S . 043 (1974): Hourhins v. KQED. h r . . 438 U.S. I (1978).

News Writing and Reporting for Today's Media

,Man has always feared the unknown. Socrates dreaded that writing would detract from the intellectual demands of dialogue. In the 19th century, the machines of the industrial age threatened to alter peoples jobs and lives. Newspaper editors and reporters, though, did not face a technological challenge of substantial magnitude until the 1970s. After decades when standard writing and editing tools were typewriters, pencils, paper, scissors and glue, journalists a t many newspapers were confronted with video display terminals and electronic copy-processing. I Though electronic copy-processing systems have spread rapidly to more than 400 daily and weekly newspapers.2 the newspaper electronics industry is still in its infancy: the first VDTs were diplayed in 1968; VDTs were first interfaced to a computer to write and transmit news stories in 1970; the first newspaper frontend system was installed in July of 1973.3 What have been the effects on editors and reporters? Among other things, studies have shown: general satisfaction with electronic systems; a preference by editors for VDT editing; fewer copy editing, spelling and punctuation errors with VDTs; a feeling of more editorial control over the finished product4 and relatively rapid assimilation of video skills.5 According to studies, there also are drawbacks: the process puts more pressure