Questions You've Raised
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Questions You've Raised
Categorized under:We received a letter to the editor criticizing the high prices and poor service at a local food chain. The letter urges local action. Would you publish?
It’s a slippery slope to open your letters column to criticism of businesses. A couple of points on enforcing such a policy:
Jim Pumarlo leads a session on writing strategies for the Ohio Newspaper Association. “Jim delivers the essentials on reporting and writing for community newspapers,” said Frank Deaner, executive director of the Ohio Newspaper Association. “His presentation is packed with timely and practical examples. He also has detailed handouts that are valuable to the participants.”
Recent Writing
Don't wait! Start planning for your paper’s election endorsements
Categorized under:The Inlander/December 2009
Quiz a roomful of editors and reporters about their most memorable editorials. Ask them which have generated the greatest reaction.
The noteworthy commentaries invariably delivered messages targeted at specific decision-makers who were in position to advance specific policies.
Improving relations with city hall is a two-way street
Categorized under:Publishers' Auxiliary/December 2009
A fire chief is suspended without pay after he takes his nephew, and another firefighter off his working shift, for a joy ride on the city’s fire boat. Is this newsworthy?
Three local firms are vying to become airport manager in what has become a contentious process. A committee, on a 4-3 vote, recommends the existing vendor to the city council, even though the proposal exceeds the low bid by $100,000 over the life of the five-year contract. Should citizens know who voted for which vendor?
Prepare now for 2010 elections
Categorized under:Publishers' Auxiliary/November 2009
U.S. federal elections are a year away. Numerous other jurisdictions will conduct elections between now and then. It’s not too early to begin outlining your election coverage.
Election coverage is one of the most demanding and exhaustive tasks that newsrooms undertake. The process will be smoother for newsrooms – and the coverage more relevant to readers – if you take early steps.
A checklist for evaluating, advocating coverage of sensitive issues
Categorized under:The Inlander/November 2009
How many editors have faced reporting bad news – or, put another way – making an uncomfortable news decision? Pressed by a reader for the rationale, you’ve replied, “That’s our policy,” or “It doesn’t meet our guidelines.” Yet, in the calm and privacy of your office, you reflect, “We could have done a better job.”
Don’t bemoan your predicament: Localize the news
Categorized under:Publishers' Auxiliary/October 2009
Survey community newsrooms and two frustrations are likely to surface with some regularity. Staffs are searching for substantive content on a slow news day, and they’re chagrined that the “big” stories are in that day’s statewide press.
Editors need not despair. The answer to their predicament is certainly not novel: Localize your stories.
What They're Saying
Election coverage a must for all papers
Categorized under:Publishers Auxiliary/October 2007
Jim Pumarlo has it right when he says election coverage is “among the most demanding tasks in any newsroom.” That’s true no matter what size newsroom, so his practical guide to covering elections, “Votes and Quotes,” from Marion Street Press, should be a useful addition to most editors’ desks.
Pumarlo encourages consistency, endorsements
Categorized under:The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors Newsletter/September/October 2007
Whether you believe you’re doing it right or whether you fear you might be doing it wrong, Jim Pumarlo’s latest book “Votes and Quotes” is worth reading if you want to give your readers solid campaign and election news and opinion.
Book endorsements
Categorized under:
Anyone who has edited or published a community newspaper knows the most challenging and, often, agonizing part of the job is dealing with sensitive issues. I dealt with many issues like this during my career as an editor, and wished there was some type of guidance available, not only for the decision to go or not go with the story, but for developing and explaining the policy behind the decision when the inevitable wrath of a few or more readers loomed after the paper hit the newsstands. Now, there is a book that not only advises hometown newspaper editors about the process of handling sensitive stories, but also provides invaluable sample policies that cover everything from delicate subjects such as suicides, to more common content such as weddings and obituaries.
Ken Blum
Black Ink, e-mail Newsletter for Community Papers
Seminar endorsements
Categorized under:
Jim Pumarlo has a knack for bringing newspaper ethics out of the clouds and onto Main Street. He presents real-world ethical issues with great clarity and insight and helps editors and reporters make sound decisions that actually make sense to their readers.
Tom Linthicum
Seminar Associate
American Press Institute
Alexandria, VA
