In 1976, I was a general-assignment reporter of limited experience and minimal accomplishment. So my editor kindly fired me, then said: “Now get your ass up on the copy desk where you […]
FCC: Move to digital hasn't improved local news reporting
From the “The Feds Are The Last To Know Department”: The Federal Communications Commission released a study today reporting that an “explosion of online news sources in recent years has not produced […]
Local Patch coverage of Dr. Kevorkian's passing
by Jane Briggs-Bunting Nice local coverage of the death of Dr. Jack Kevorikan (aka Dr. Death) by the local Patch.com site.
Dr. Death avoids suicide, chooses natural causes
by Jane Briggs-Bunting Jack Kevorkian (aka Dr. Death) died early Friday in a Michigan hospital from complication of pulmonary thrombosis, not suicide. He was 83. He was frail and failing, weighing around […]
If a news story claims knowlege of public opinion, test the claim
When a news story claims certainty in expressing public opinion — or uses sources that claim such — readers should be wary. Such is the case with a Friday NPR story that […]
Presidential polls: Much ado about nothing 17 months early
Egads! News flash from pollster Gallup Inc.: PRINCETON, NJ — Mitt Romney (17%) and Sarah Palin (15%) now lead a smaller field of potential Republican presidential candidates in rank-and-file Republicans’ preferences for […]
Real News terminated by Arnold coverage
by Jane Briggs-Bunting Who cares about Arnold?? I feel very sorry for Maria Shriver and most sorry for all the children involved in the mess, but it shouldn’t be dominating the national […]
Royal wedding an antidote for storms, wars, space launches and religious protests
by Jane Briggs-Bunting Local and national new outlets are going gaga over THE wedding. A prince and a commoner, was there ever a better fairy tale possibility all slated for worldwide viewing […]
GOP Madness 2012: Strother Martin and Barney Fife Brackets
My life is complete–I managed to work Strother Martin and Barney Fife into the title of a post. It doesn’t get much better than that. Strother Martin Bracket Gingrich is our winner. A […]
Trouble in Murdochland
Rupert Murdoch probably thought that, at 80, he could ride off into the sunset and leave News Corporation in good hands—those of his trusty assistant, Robert Thompson, and his son James, who […]
Progressive Culture | Scholars & Rogues 