User:Cernen/Testing sandbox

This is my sandbox. I don't rake it out that often, so feel free to leave me nastygrams or whatever. If you feel like venting about other users, feel free to do it here. Feel free also to vent about me, if you like. I don't mind. Rather you say it where I can see it, actually. (Which would be here.)

please do not remove this -- notes from class, thursday, 19 jan 2006 1104pst

• use safe wording to avoid libel cases -- instead of "arrested for" use "arrested on charges of" or "for suspicion of"
  • TNT says not to give suspect name until formally charged!
• qualified privlege - means you can report things that are defamatory as long as they were not used out of context of a news story
  • ...as long as this was done in a public forum or discussion
  • ...and not told to you in private by some whackjob on the street
• blind leads are best for crime stories
  • ...unless the person charged or suspected is famous!!

don't remove this either; class assignment from same day

Matthew Austin Journ 102 19 Jan 2006 P 168-69

Timely Yesterday, Today Local Local (Riverview Park) Important Somewhat (involves 8-yr-old being arrested) Relevant Police IAB investigation pending Dramatic Child was 8 years old Unusual Child arrested

Who 8-year-old boy, Audrey W. VanPelt, Officer Roger Temple What Arrested an 8-year-old boy Where Riverview Park When Today Why 8-yr-old slapped a girl who wanted to use the swings How Don't know

Police are conducting an internal investigation today after charges were dropped relating to the arrest of an eight year old boy yesterday at Riverview Park.

or this; notes from the day after yesterday

Everything relates back to the lead. It's lead, body topics items, then conclusion. Looks like an inverted pyramid.

ASSIGNMENT: Write an article. Write the whole story, double spaced, with the lead on a seperate page.

==or this==Matthew Austin January 25, 2006 Journalism 102 page 169 #8

New tax proposal to tone down deficit Mayor Datolli proposed a new fire tax on all properties at a press conference today as a way to eliminate the $6 million deficit. Under the new tax, all property, regardless of factors like ownership by schools and non-profit organizations, would be subject to taxation. All homeowners would pay a $124 fee for each year, regardless of the property’s value; apartment owners would pay $89 per unit. Churches, businesses, and schools would pay variable rates based on the property’s square footage. “It’s painful, but ultimately a good thing,” Datolli told reporters. “We have to solve our financial problems and provide essential services. I don’t want to cut back on them.” City council member Nyad called the idea “bizarre. We already pay for fire protection through our property taxes. This would tax the citizens twice.” There have been no tax rate increases in the city for seven years.

end

• So what - you make a statement. So what?
• Who cares
• Duh
• Stating the obvious