Monthly Archives: July 2016

Here’s part two of a great column regarding broadcasters’ use of political jargon. Well worth the few minutes it takes to read it.

Posted by Tim Morrissey

Sort of a long, brainy analysis of media covering media, but there are some interesting nuggets in this piece in New York Magazine (NYT).

Posted by Tim Morrissey

You’ll need to read carefully to determine what “record size” really means, but the latest numbers for TV and radio newsroom staff size are here.

Posted by Tim Morrissey

Paul Greely of TV NewsCheck has a very interesting column about the Proof-of-Performance promo run by WEAU-TV after severe weather hit the state earlier this month. Read it here.

Posted by Tim Morrissey

The RTDNA is giving this year’s Paul White Award to Charlie Rose. Read about it here.

Posted by Tim Morrissey

North Carolina cops now have them. But to see any of what they record, you’ll need a court order. The RTDNA and other organizations are trying to let some sunshine in.

Posted by Tim Morrissey

It always seemed to me that reporters used jargon for one of two reasons – either they were too lazy to translate it to common English, or they were trying to impress their peers with their knowledge of the arcane jargon of the political class. An RTDNA contributor, veteran reporter, and news writing coach has some thoughts here.

Another reason, some writing coaches say, is that young reporters hear this stuff from newsroom veterans and think that’s the way they’re supposed to write.  That’s how we get ridiculous phrases like “transported to a local hospital” (it would be an important factoid only if the victim was taken to a far-away hospital) and “the suspect fled on foot”. And it’s why so many spot news stories are tagged with the same line you’ll find in the police report, “the incident remains under investigation”. It would be news if the cops said they really aren’t sure what happened or if a crime was committed but they’re just dropping the case.

Your thoughts, comments, and contributions are always welcome. We’re on Facebook at WBA Newsroom and on Twitter @WBANewsroom.

Posted by Tim Morrissey

The vaunted journalistic ethics organization today has re-purposed a piece from a couple years ago to help journalists understand what is and what isn’t plagiarism.

Posted by Tim Morrissey

The unhappiness stems from the rules regarding the Republican National Convention, and the city’s refusal to make accommodations to journalists covering the event.

Read the latest here.

Posted by Tim Morrissey