Comments for Editing and Design F'08 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com Just another WordPress.com weblog Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:47:22 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Editorials and Opinion Pieces by jgatdula http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/editorials-and-opinion-pieces/#comment-83 jgatdula Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:47:22 +0000 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/?p=241#comment-83 As one of the three editors who oversee the content that goes in to Targum's Opinion section, I can tell you that there are two circumstances in which I edit the content. First of all, it's all about fact-checking. If a letter is referencing a certain article, whether it was run in the Targum or elsewhere, it is important to make sure the topic in which the person is placing their opinion exists/is true and is properly attributed. The second is making sure that anything run on the Opinion's page is not libelous/won't get the Targum sued. There have been some instances, most notably with a few columns, where I've had to raise a red flag and inform the Opinions editor and the editor-in-chief that I was not comfortable running a column as it was. In the case of columns, there are opportunities for the piece to be sent back to the columnist. As for letters to the editor, if you read the fine print, the Targum has the right to not publish a letter if we so choose, and those submitting are warned that their pieces are subject to editing for length and clarity purposes. Jessica Gatdula As one of the three editors who oversee the content that goes in to Targum’s Opinion section, I can tell you that there are two circumstances in which I edit the content. First of all, it’s all about fact-checking. If a letter is referencing a certain article, whether it was run in the Targum or elsewhere, it is important to make sure the topic in which the person is placing their opinion exists/is true and is properly attributed. The second is making sure that anything run on the Opinion’s page is not libelous/won’t get the Targum sued. There have been some instances, most notably with a few columns, where I’ve had to raise a red flag and inform the Opinions editor and the editor-in-chief that I was not comfortable running a column as it was. In the case of columns, there are opportunities for the piece to be sent back to the columnist. As for letters to the editor, if you read the fine print, the Targum has the right to not publish a letter if we so choose, and those submitting are warned that their pieces are subject to editing for length and clarity purposes.

Jessica Gatdula

]]> Comment on Boxing slideshow by lizettegesuden http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/boxing-slideshow/#comment-82 lizettegesuden Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:49:31 +0000 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/boxing-slideshow/#comment-82 The photographer/editor in charge of this slideshow should have stuck to the best of the action photos - the most dynamic, most focused images (personally, images 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 aren't working for me, they don't say much about how the fight is progressing, I don't see faces, etc). I agree that the "glamour" shots of celebrities should have been dispersed throughout, and I would have loved to see reaction shots of the audience and/or audiences worldwide. That would've created some excitement and diversity to the slideshow. I'm probably late in getting this last comment in, but I had to nonetheless. Pacquiao was epic. ;) The photographer/editor in charge of this slideshow should have stuck to the best of the action photos – the most dynamic, most focused images (personally, images 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 aren’t working for me, they don’t say much about how the fight is progressing, I don’t see faces, etc). I agree that the “glamour” shots of celebrities should have been dispersed throughout, and I would have loved to see reaction shots of the audience and/or audiences worldwide. That would’ve created some excitement and diversity to the slideshow.

I’m probably late in getting this last comment in, but I had to nonetheless. Pacquiao was epic. ;)

]]> Comment on And the award goes to…. by kmajew http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/and-the-award-goes-to/#comment-81 kmajew Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:32:37 +0000 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/?p=200#comment-81 I think at this point it is almost undeniable that a new form of journalism has emerged. I agree with Dane that a perfect example of this is blogs. Everyone from my boss to my 12-year-old cousin has a blog now. In fact, some of the most interesting content I come across on the web is the result of comments posted in response to a blog post. On a different note, is there anyone who, like me, is upset about the move to the Web? Personally, I don't think scrolling through a website will ever really be the same as flipping through a magazine or leisurely reading the newspaper on a Sunday morning. While I don't believe that these forms of media will ever be completely counted out, I am disappointed that there does not seem to be pleasure in consuming media. We are so focused on getting new and information now that we don't stop to think how we are doing or what we are overlooking in our mad dash to keep that American work ethic of not-stopping-till-your-dead. I hope in the future, once we are out of this awful economic mess, we will see a return to enjoying and find pleasure in the publications we will (hopefully!) be working hard to create. I think at this point it is almost undeniable that a new form of journalism has emerged. I agree with Dane that a perfect example of this is blogs. Everyone from my boss to my 12-year-old cousin has a blog now. In fact, some of the most interesting content I come across on the web is the result of comments posted in response to a blog post.

On a different note, is there anyone who, like me, is upset about the move to the Web? Personally, I don’t think scrolling through a website will ever really be the same as flipping through a magazine or leisurely reading the newspaper on a Sunday morning. While I don’t believe that these forms of media will ever be completely counted out, I am disappointed that there does not seem to be pleasure in consuming media. We are so focused on getting new and information now that we don’t stop to think how we are doing or what we are overlooking in our mad dash to keep that American work ethic of not-stopping-till-your-dead. I hope in the future, once we are out of this awful economic mess, we will see a return to enjoying and find pleasure in the publications we will (hopefully!) be working hard to create.

]]> Comment on Magazines of the future? by kmajew http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/magazines-of-the-future/#comment-80 kmajew Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:21:24 +0000 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/?p=218#comment-80 I completely agree with what you said. Like yourself, I am engrossed in the magazine industry, I'd rather buy magazines then dinner and can not understand why everyone else does not share my obsession. It truly is a dissapointment that we have people like Wenner in charge and being major influences in media. It seems like Rolling Stone really needs to get some new blood in there to reconcile their steadily declinging content and just general disregard for the audience that creates/ maintains its identity generation after generation. I completely agree with what you said. Like yourself, I am engrossed in the magazine industry, I’d rather buy magazines then dinner and can not understand why everyone else does not share my obsession. It truly is a dissapointment that we have people like Wenner in charge and being major influences in media. It seems like Rolling Stone really needs to get some new blood in there to reconcile their steadily declinging content and just general disregard for the audience that creates/ maintains its identity generation after generation.

]]> Comment on Graduation-prompted question… by eddieroaddogg http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/graduation-prompted-question/#comment-79 eddieroaddogg Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:05:08 +0000 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/?p=217#comment-79 Post done by Edward Figueroa. Whoops forgot to attribute again. Post done by Edward Figueroa. Whoops forgot to attribute again.

]]> Comment on Graduation-prompted question… by eddieroaddogg http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/graduation-prompted-question/#comment-78 eddieroaddogg Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:04:45 +0000 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/?p=217#comment-78 Being the other January graduate in the class, I do feel a lot of stress regarding graduation. My main problem is dealing with expectations of family regarding my career but that is another problem for another day. My plans deal with my passions, which is something that I recommend to all journalists. Make sure to go after your passion. I am looking to get into becoming a DJ at a radio station, primarily satellite or online radio because the boundaries of the FCC hurt me especially because of the amount of fun I have on my current show that I have on HNB Radio, the Dogg House (www.hearnewbrunswick.com). My second plan which I was able to find a contact for deals with possibly doing video game journalism. Video games are my passion and using my career to further establish that would be great. I have always wanted to avoid print after taking Writing and Editing for Print. My love of new technology as well leads me towards new media for journalism and further away from print. I do not want to get out of college and get a job in print just to lose it. Being the other January graduate in the class, I do feel a lot of stress regarding graduation. My main problem is dealing with expectations of family regarding my career but that is another problem for another day.

My plans deal with my passions, which is something that I recommend to all journalists. Make sure to go after your passion. I am looking to get into becoming a DJ at a radio station, primarily satellite or online radio because the boundaries of the FCC hurt me especially because of the amount of fun I have on my current show that I have on HNB Radio, the Dogg House (www.hearnewbrunswick.com). My second plan which I was able to find a contact for deals with possibly doing video game journalism. Video games are my passion and using my career to further establish that would be great.

I have always wanted to avoid print after taking Writing and Editing for Print. My love of new technology as well leads me towards new media for journalism and further away from print. I do not want to get out of college and get a job in print just to lose it.

]]> Comment on by kmajew http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/234/#comment-77 kmajew Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:04:16 +0000 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/?p=234#comment-77 I think this case will go where most libel cases end up, nowehere. I don't believe the ex-headmistress has a strong case and what's more I think Oprah's lawyers make the strong point of asking the case to be dismissed due to jurisdictional reasons because they do not do business in Pennsylvania where the plantiff is suing in. I think it is interesting,however, the way the article words the accusations: "According to the lawsuit, filed last month in Philadelphia, Winfrey falsely implied that Mzamane wasn’t trustworthy through comments about the need to clean house and remarks such as, 'I thought she cared about the girls of South Africa.'" I belive this sentence is a problem and would not have written it as such. The phrase "Winfrey fasely implied" implicates Oprah, although it is simply a reiteration of what was said. Would this be covered by qualified privilege? I think it is because it is a legal document, however, I am under the bleif that it would be safer to use the 'safe'phrase "in connection with". I think this case will go where most libel cases end up, nowehere. I don’t believe the ex-headmistress has a strong case and what’s more I think Oprah’s lawyers make the strong point of asking the case to be dismissed due to jurisdictional reasons because they do not do business in Pennsylvania where the plantiff is suing in.

I think it is interesting,however, the way the article words the accusations: “According to the lawsuit, filed last month in Philadelphia, Winfrey falsely implied that Mzamane wasn’t trustworthy through comments about the need to clean house and remarks such as, ‘I thought she cared about the girls of South Africa.’”
I belive this sentence is a problem and would not have written it as such. The phrase “Winfrey fasely implied” implicates Oprah, although it is simply a reiteration of what was said. Would this be covered by qualified privilege? I think it is because it is a legal document, however, I am under the bleif that it would be safer to use the ’safe’phrase “in connection with”.

]]> Comment on Breaking into a failing industry… by laurward72 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/breaking-into-a-failing-industry/#comment-76 laurward72 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:00:40 +0000 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/?p=231#comment-76 I'm in the exact same boat, while I am lucky enough to be interning at Cosmo, which everyone who works there insists will never lose money (and constantly emphasizes that its the "#1 selling woman's magazine", over the last three months I have seen multiple jobs cut, including low-paying assistant positions. I have this optimistic hope that magazines will never die, only because I rationalize that people use them as a form of escapism, reading them on planes, at the beach, and a few other random places where not every single person is constantly scrolling on their blackberry, but I think the reality is that everything in print is just moving more and more to internet. Call me old fashioned, but I still LOVE laying around flipping through magazines. But, I have to admit, there are certain magazines I used to buy religiously (mostly celebrity gossip, embarrassing but true) that I now rarely rarely purchase because I get the news a week before its published on websites like perezhilton.com, etc. I’m in the exact same boat, while I am lucky enough to be interning at Cosmo, which everyone who works there insists will never lose money (and constantly emphasizes that its the “#1 selling woman’s magazine”, over the last three months I have seen multiple jobs cut, including low-paying assistant positions.
I have this optimistic hope that magazines will never die, only because I rationalize that people use them as a form of escapism, reading them on planes, at the beach, and a few other random places where not every single person is constantly scrolling on their blackberry, but I think the reality is that everything in print is just moving more and more to internet.
Call me old fashioned, but I still LOVE laying around flipping through magazines. But, I have to admit, there are certain magazines I used to buy religiously (mostly celebrity gossip, embarrassing but true) that I now rarely rarely purchase because I get the news a week before its published on websites like perezhilton.com, etc.

]]> Comment on Everyone loves puppies by sarahkalka http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/everyone-loves-puppies/#comment-75 sarahkalka Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:41:44 +0000 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/?p=188#comment-75 I agree. Journalism is a business struggling to survive so it's understandable that the industry is trying everything to find/keep readership. In order to keep reader interest, newspapers are resorting to what they believe the public wants to hear about. Either that, or they are being reckless and lazy about what they are printing. I agree with the "cheap to cover" point that rpoloski makes as well. The newspapers don't have as many resources to cover everything. However, during a time when reporters had to basically do everything themselves, they still managed to give the public the news to best of their ability. I agree. Journalism is a business struggling to survive so it’s understandable that the industry is trying everything to find/keep readership. In order to keep reader interest, newspapers are resorting to what they believe the public wants to hear about. Either that, or they are being reckless and lazy about what they are printing. I agree with the “cheap to cover” point that rpoloski makes as well. The newspapers don’t have as many resources to cover everything. However, during a time when reporters had to basically do everything themselves, they still managed to give the public the news to best of their ability.

]]> Comment on Censored In the Paper But Not The TV by eddieroaddogg http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/censored-in-the-paper-but-not-the-tv/#comment-74 eddieroaddogg Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:41:32 +0000 http://editinganddesignfall08.wordpress.com/?p=186#comment-74 Post earlier done by Edward Figueroa. Forgot to add that in the end. Post earlier done by Edward Figueroa. Forgot to add that in the end.

]]>