What is the craziest thing you have ever done to cover a story?
How much do you incorporate computer aided reporting in the stories you cover? Do you?
From your perspective, how has journalism changed over the course of your career?
How has it changed for the better? For the worse?
Looking back what would you do differently? What should we as new journalists do differently?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Document Story Proposal
Using documents of the school's electric bill for eco-friendly buildings, I'll look at the costs and savings it incurrs by being LEED certified. I'll talk to Mike Dillon of Avista Utilities about the Utility Rebate Program, Louise Sweeny of Capital Planning and Development, and the students involved in the CUB design and construction. I want to look at the CUB, which is LEED certified, in comparison to the Rec Center, which is not. I will be focusing on the financial aspect of the implementation of bill that requires all state-funded buildings of 5,000 sf or more to be built to LEED certification. If WSU did not have to certify, what could it save long-term on utilities? Or, do the credits of certification make up for having less money to commit to actual green building costs?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Trend Story
A new Washington law requires most government-funded building and renovation plans to meet LEED certification, raising concerns about whether it is worth the average $10,000 to $50,000 price tag.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Investigative Journalism or a Witchhunt?
In Frontline's story about the expose series the Spokesman-Review ran on Mayor Jim West, Editor Steven Smith said, "If he's [Mayor Jim West] engaged in this activity … we need to know that. If he's not -- there's no story." I took this to mean that the difference between a legitimate and illegitimate news story about scandal involving political official depends on whether or not that official is engaged in illegal activities. If they are, then it is a matter of public concern, but if they are simply engaged in a legal alternative lifestyle, then publicizing it would be more of tabloid-like than real journalism.
Reporter Bill Morlin justified the use of a concealed identity on Gay.com as part of The Spokesman-Review's and the FBI's "sting operation" because he did not participate in it personally. Doing so would have involved him in the story- which would be a violation of his publication's ethics. However, using information obtained by an independent private investigator was not in violation of his ethics- personal or professional. However, I question how he defines his ethics. I suspect that when that policy was written, it had more to do with honesty than technicalities. If you hire an assassin because murder is illegal, you'll still go to jail for murder if you get caught. It doesn't matter who pulls the trigger.
I think that when the story first surfaced to the The Spokesman-Review (pre-published) the paper felt an obligation to investigate. Although bias is not supposed to be a participant, I think that the Mayor's lifestyle choices and age interest contributed to his guilty image. Even though the Mayor maintained his innocence, I think that the adrenaline the journalists experienced for exposing a scandal in the government created a snowball effect that ultimately evolved into a witch-hunt instead of an unbiased quest for truth. I hate to mention it, but newspaper sales were also a likely factor.
The Spokesman-Review benefited at first because it exposed a corrupt politician, but the witch-hunt that ensued damaged its credibility. The scandal hurt the gay and lesbian community because it reinforced a profile stereotype of homosexuality linked to pedophilia. Yet, it may have helped advance gay rights in politics at the same time.
Mayor West lost his career, his reputation was ruined, and one could argue that the stress hurt his battle with cancer. Even though some argue that at least West did not have to hide his sexuality anymore, it was no one's right but his to decide whether or not to stay in the closet. West's guilt would have been the only factor to warrant his outing, and he was not proven guilty. If the difference between a legitimate and illegitimate story is the legality of activity in question, then why did this series appear in the Spokesman-Review as it did?
I think there are ethical problems in the organization of this series. Although journalists are expected to assert an element of scrutiny over the actions of public officials, making connections where there are none proven leads the public- rather than informing it.
Reporter Bill Morlin justified the use of a concealed identity on Gay.com as part of The Spokesman-Review's and the FBI's "sting operation" because he did not participate in it personally. Doing so would have involved him in the story- which would be a violation of his publication's ethics. However, using information obtained by an independent private investigator was not in violation of his ethics- personal or professional. However, I question how he defines his ethics. I suspect that when that policy was written, it had more to do with honesty than technicalities. If you hire an assassin because murder is illegal, you'll still go to jail for murder if you get caught. It doesn't matter who pulls the trigger.
I think that when the story first surfaced to the The Spokesman-Review (pre-published) the paper felt an obligation to investigate. Although bias is not supposed to be a participant, I think that the Mayor's lifestyle choices and age interest contributed to his guilty image. Even though the Mayor maintained his innocence, I think that the adrenaline the journalists experienced for exposing a scandal in the government created a snowball effect that ultimately evolved into a witch-hunt instead of an unbiased quest for truth. I hate to mention it, but newspaper sales were also a likely factor.
The Spokesman-Review benefited at first because it exposed a corrupt politician, but the witch-hunt that ensued damaged its credibility. The scandal hurt the gay and lesbian community because it reinforced a profile stereotype of homosexuality linked to pedophilia. Yet, it may have helped advance gay rights in politics at the same time.
Mayor West lost his career, his reputation was ruined, and one could argue that the stress hurt his battle with cancer. Even though some argue that at least West did not have to hide his sexuality anymore, it was no one's right but his to decide whether or not to stay in the closet. West's guilt would have been the only factor to warrant his outing, and he was not proven guilty. If the difference between a legitimate and illegitimate story is the legality of activity in question, then why did this series appear in the Spokesman-Review as it did?
I think there are ethical problems in the organization of this series. Although journalists are expected to assert an element of scrutiny over the actions of public officials, making connections where there are none proven leads the public- rather than informing it.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Math Fun Times
As we look at trends and data sets that drive our reporting, we need to establish a baseline for dealing with … math. Let’s do a quick quiz of the basics.
1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year?
$7885
2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed?
82.9%
3. We have a company. We make crap. Some people get paid more than others. * The CEO earns $150,000 a year. She has a nice office and thinks big ideas. * Two top managers earn $100,000 a year for attending meetings, writing memos, etc. * The company has three security guards. They bust heads and carry Tasers. They earn $40,000 a year. * Finally, we have 2 designers/engineers. They do the actual work. We pay them $35,000 and put them in cubicles like zoo animals.
Mean salary? $67,500 Median salary? $40,000
Which is more accurate? The median since 5 people make 40K or less and 3 make more.
4. Desperate for revenue, the government decides to increase the tax on beer. The tax on food is 5 percent. But if you buy beer, you pay an extra percent, or a total of 6 percent. Supporters of the tax say this is only a 1 percentage increase; critics say this is a 20 percent increase. Who is right?
Both. Technically you are paying 1 extra percent. But a 1 percent increase from 5 percent is 20 percent; 1 percent is 20 percent of 5 percent.
5. a. The city’s budget was cut from $2 million to $1.5 million. What was the percent decrease?
25%
b. The city’s budget increased from $1.5 million to $2 million. What was the percent increase?
33.3%
6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase?
10.6%
7. We want to look at home sales in October.
* House 1 costs $225,000. * House 2 costs $207,000. * House 3 costs $129,000. * House 4 costs $192,000. * House 5 costs $3.2 million.
What’s the mean price? $790,600 What’s the median? $207K
8. You and your 4 roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get?
3 slices
9. Let’s say someone wants to establish a University District. To gain support, he/she needs to establish that safety is a problem in the area. Assume the following:
* Pullman had 183 assaults last year. Spokane had 502. * Spokane has 200,000 people. Pullman has 25,000. Is the average person more likely to be assaulted in Spokane or Pullman? More likely in Pullman.
What's the per capita assault rate in each city? Pullman 73.2/10K people, Spokane 25.1/10K people
10. House prices increased 40 percent this year to a median price of $210,000. What was the median house price last year?
$150,000
(Credit: Poynter Institute)
1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year?
$7885
2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed?
82.9%
3. We have a company. We make crap. Some people get paid more than others. * The CEO earns $150,000 a year. She has a nice office and thinks big ideas. * Two top managers earn $100,000 a year for attending meetings, writing memos, etc. * The company has three security guards. They bust heads and carry Tasers. They earn $40,000 a year. * Finally, we have 2 designers/engineers. They do the actual work. We pay them $35,000 and put them in cubicles like zoo animals.
Mean salary? $67,500 Median salary? $40,000
Which is more accurate? The median since 5 people make 40K or less and 3 make more.
4. Desperate for revenue, the government decides to increase the tax on beer. The tax on food is 5 percent. But if you buy beer, you pay an extra percent, or a total of 6 percent. Supporters of the tax say this is only a 1 percentage increase; critics say this is a 20 percent increase. Who is right?
Both. Technically you are paying 1 extra percent. But a 1 percent increase from 5 percent is 20 percent; 1 percent is 20 percent of 5 percent.
5. a. The city’s budget was cut from $2 million to $1.5 million. What was the percent decrease?
25%
b. The city’s budget increased from $1.5 million to $2 million. What was the percent increase?
33.3%
6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase?
10.6%
7. We want to look at home sales in October.
* House 1 costs $225,000. * House 2 costs $207,000. * House 3 costs $129,000. * House 4 costs $192,000. * House 5 costs $3.2 million.
What’s the mean price? $790,600 What’s the median? $207K
8. You and your 4 roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get?
3 slices
9. Let’s say someone wants to establish a University District. To gain support, he/she needs to establish that safety is a problem in the area. Assume the following:
* Pullman had 183 assaults last year. Spokane had 502. * Spokane has 200,000 people. Pullman has 25,000. Is the average person more likely to be assaulted in Spokane or Pullman? More likely in Pullman.
What's the per capita assault rate in each city? Pullman 73.2/10K people, Spokane 25.1/10K people
10. House prices increased 40 percent this year to a median price of $210,000. What was the median house price last year?
$150,000
(Credit: Poynter Institute)
Trend Story Ideas
1) I would like to do a trend follow-up to the last story I did about the green dorm, with a wider angle of building green at WSU as an investment in the future. Why did WSU build the cub and other buildings the way it did? This could reflect the larger state or nation-wide trend of green building on college campuses. Does it cost more to get LEED certified? Could certification money be spent on more "green" building options; meaning how does the certification cost dent the budget available for actual "green" amenities? Does WSU require all new buildings be built to LEED certification? Is it a trend or a requirement?
2) I could do a story on the trend of eco-friendly student habits: cycling for transportation, choosing eco-friendly products, etc. or of the Universities use of eco-friendly cleaning products in the janitorial dept. I ran across a bill that would require eco-friendly product use in all state buildings. How does that reflect the trend?
Are "green" products more expensive and taking away from the job budget? In a weak economy should people hold off on requiring "green" products to reduce costs?
2) I could do a story on the trend of eco-friendly student habits: cycling for transportation, choosing eco-friendly products, etc. or of the Universities use of eco-friendly cleaning products in the janitorial dept. I ran across a bill that would require eco-friendly product use in all state buildings. How does that reflect the trend?
Are "green" products more expensive and taking away from the job budget? In a weak economy should people hold off on requiring "green" products to reduce costs?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Edited Profile Story
Natural light from the large windows in the new environmentally friendly dorm save enough electricity in one year to light Martin Stadium for 233 hours straight. This “green” fact is one of several artfully displayed on the walls throughout the new Olympia Avenue dormitory at WSU. The dorm’s fresh, exposed interior atmosphere highlights the different energy-saving components it offers, including a geothermal heating and cooling system, water-saving toilets and showers, reused wood, a gas fireplace, indoor bicycle storage, and carpet and furniture made from renewable and recycled materials. The Olympia is the first of seven environmentally sustainable dorms that WSU will build over the next four years. The popular dorm received more than twice as many residence applications as its 229 beds could accommodate—before it even opened in August 2009. Junior Anthony Smith, 20, The Olympia hall president, applied for his room back in March 2009. “I got a double with a full bath,” Smith said. “I lived in Gannon-Golds for two years and then I switched over here—[this is a] huge difference,” Smith said emphatically. After he surveyed the on-campus living environment when he came to WSU in 2005, WSU President Floyd decided freshmen needed higher-quality residence, according to John Gardner, WSU’s vice president of economic development and global engagement. “President Floyd wanted to upgrade the quality of life for new students,” Gardner said. According to the WSU Sustainability Initiative, President Floyd appointed the Sustainability and Environment Committee, to provide leadership and guidance in “planning, development, organization, and implementation of the programs supporting the [Initiative]. “[WSU] Facilities and Operations will try to put in place a continued renovation of everything,” Gardner said. He said affordability and the kind of living a building will offer should be illustrated and exemplified in how each new building is constructed and operated. Sustainability means “leaving it there for the next generation,” Karl Englund, assistant research professor for the Composite Materials and Engineering Center said. “It’s about minimizing effect and utilizing materials correctly and wisely.” Englund said planners need to assess consumption and design when evaluating whether to revamp an old structure or build one from scratch. He said cost is not just financial—it includes the energy used to create new building materials and dispose of old ones. “There is a lot more to it than the bricks and the plywood and stuff,” Englund said. “The energy that goes into creating a zero energy house from scratch will take 18-20 years to balance out.” Reusing old materials and products is one way to save the energy costs of recycling. WSU Capital Planning and Development wanted to involve students in the dorm project, according to Robert Barnstone, associate professor at the School of Architecture and Construction Management. Barnstone’s specialty is in efficient and sustainable recycled materials development. “We wanted to be able to do something for the building that was unique and sustainable,” Barnstone said. Capital Planning held a student contest to design something sustainable for the new dorm, and his students won, he said. Students Josh Lafreniere and Dan Blohowiak designed and built a conference table out of reused materials for the dorm’s community room on the ground floor.
“They designed it fairly quickly,” Barnstone said. “But building it took almost a whole semester.”
The students used glue-lams (laminated support beams) for the table top, and scrap metal and a piece of electrical conduit (pipe) for the base. “It’s fair to say that any building that we build or renovate has these [sustainability] dimensions in mind,” Gardner said. The Compton Union buildin g which opened in fall 2008 is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, and Olympia Avenue is registered for a LEED certification. “The new dorm is likely to receive the silver rating,” Gardner said. “Everything we do has a consequence,” Englund said about sustainability methods, consumption, and ecological footprints. “We just have to be aware [of] the butterfly effect.” All buildings on campus have been generally built with the most sustainable technology available at the time, according to Gardner, and many of the buildings on campus have been retrofitted with energy-saving technologies. “How they are implemented and where, will depend on their use and economic sustainability,” Gardner said. “ Those decisions are made with every new structure and every new renovation.” Sources: Anthony Smith anthony.smith@email.wsu.edu Karl Englund englund@wsu.edu John Gardner gardnerj@wsu.edu Robert Barnstone 509-335-8196 WSU Sustainability Initiative Sustainability and Environment Committee
“They designed it fairly quickly,” Barnstone said. “But building it took almost a whole semester.”
The students used glue-lams (laminated support beams) for the table top, and scrap metal and a piece of electrical conduit (pipe) for the base. “It’s fair to say that any building that we build or renovate has these [sustainability] dimensions in mind,” Gardner said. The Compton Union buildin g which opened in fall 2008 is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, and Olympia Avenue is registered for a LEED certification. “The new dorm is likely to receive the silver rating,” Gardner said. “Everything we do has a consequence,” Englund said about sustainability methods, consumption, and ecological footprints. “We just have to be aware [of] the butterfly effect.” All buildings on campus have been generally built with the most sustainable technology available at the time, according to Gardner, and many of the buildings on campus have been retrofitted with energy-saving technologies. “How they are implemented and where, will depend on their use and economic sustainability,” Gardner said. “ Those decisions are made with every new structure and every new renovation.” Sources: Anthony Smith anthony.smith@email.wsu.edu Karl Englund englund@wsu.edu John Gardner gardnerj@wsu.edu Robert Barnstone 509-335-8196 WSU Sustainability Initiative Sustainability and Environment Committee
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