For our newspaper story...

More news about layoffs at the Hartford Courant. 

Many things to cover, in transistion from newscast to reporting

It's almost the end of February, and we're about ready to make the jump from newscast writing to the more fun world of reporting stories in the field. First things first:

Our newscast, begun last week, is "stacked" this way:

1. Obama Simulus
2. Burris & Blago
3. Oil Price Drop
4. Buffalo Crash Update
5. Power Plant Design
6. Clinton in Asia
7. Guatemalan President and Cuba

We'll read through these - and revise. Then we'll go through our "scripter" - based on the Q Poll press conference with Doug Schwartz. We'll read those - and revise...and we're ready to move on.

Next week, guest speaker Lucy Nalpathanchil will be here. She's WNPR's Assignment editor, and a reporter who works on a few "beats" for us, including immigration. She'll be going through what makes a good newscast, and will be sharing some of her stories with us. Here's one - a spot about legislation that's been kicked around the capitol for a few years.

She's also going to help us with the scripts for next week's assignment:

We're going to write a 1:30 spot about Connecticut's troubled newspaper industry. As early as tomorrow, you'll see news of another big chunk of layoffs at the The Hartford Courant, the state's largest - and most read - newspaper. This comes just days after the Journal Register Company sought bankruptcy protection - they run the New Haven Register.

The main point of this story? What does this mean for the future of newspapers in Connecticut? What does it mean for readers, who won't get as much news?

Tonight in class, we'll formulate some questions to ask our interview subjects for this story. Who do I want to hear from? At least one "expert" voice - someone with insight or specific knowledge of the newspaper industry. At least one "real person" voice - someone whose life will be affected.

The first of these is pretty easy. I'll serve up to you Rich Hanley - the guy who runs our program. Here's a link to one of the thousands of interviews he did when the Tribune news broke. Getting the other voices is harder - it's called "Man on the Street" or "Vox" and it's pretty simple. Approach people on the street, or in a public place, announce that you're a reporter working on a story, and ask your questions. You'll get turned down a lot...that's a good skill to learn.

Here's a story that employs both of these elements - although it's much longer. The reporter is a guy you'll recognize.

This will be your first real reporting assignment for class. We'll do a short, light piece following spring break (Please read this post about "profile" pieces for radio...), and then we'll start work on a final project.

Covering the Press Conference

Covering staged press conferences can be one of the most boring things in journalism...but they're one of the most common things we do, and most important. In this excercise, you're given two of the basic tools of the newscaster: A press release and the audio of a press conference, and your job is to write two different scripters. In case you forget what a "scripter" is, it's a simple script - read by the newscaster - that includes a soundbite in the middle. Remember, you want the soundbite to say something that you can't. No lists of information - no raw numbers. Listen for something that helps you tell the story to a listener. First, click here for the press release - from the Quinnipiac Polling Institute. And now, the audio of the press conference - with poll director Doug Schwartz.

Stories Written on a Snowy Night Part 3: Naval Base

The New London Day scrapped their online version of this story...but that doesn't mean we can't look and see what our radio writers came up with.

Navy Version 1:

Everyone wins if the Navy accepts Connecticut's offer of $7.65 million for construction projects in Groton. If they say yes, the Navy can fufil their hopes of improving their shore infrastructure while Connecticut helps to keep them afloat.

According to a Navy spokeswoman, Connecticut is the first state to provide the Navy with money for construction purposes. And if the Navy accepts, $4.65 million would be used to upgrade the base's facility for its divers. The remainder would go toward replacing the aging boilers at the base power plant.

In 2005, the Pentagon tried closing the base, but an independent comission overruled this possibility. But now, Gov. Jodi Rell is doing all she can to help the submarine base stay afloat stating that it has an annual economic impact that can be measured in billions of dollars.
Now it is up to the Navy to decide whether to accept the money for the state or not. But Justin Bernier, an executive director of the state's Office of Miliary Affairs, assures us that its just a matter of moving some paperwork back and forth. "These things just take time," he said. Hopefully we will see some improvements in the near future.

Navy Version 2:

The state of Connecticut today offered the Naval Submarine Base $7.65 million for construction projects. [Quote:] "This is really unique," Lt. Laura Stegherr said Monday. "We need to reinvest and recapitalize our shore infrastructure, and a grant such as this could provide a mutual benefit to the state and the installation."Of that $7.65 million, $4.65 million would be used to upgrade the base's facility for its divers and the remainder would go toward replacing the aging boilers at the base power plant.

The $7.65 million is “still under consideration by the Navy,” Stegherr said, because the state has not yet approached Navy officials with the offer. The Navy decides on a case-by-case basis whether to accept money from a state. [Quote:] "The submarine base has an annual economic impact that can be measured in billions of dollars, and we want to do all we can to keep it off of future closure lists," Governor Rell said in a statement.

Navy Version 3:

The Naval Submarine Base in Groton may get a face lift. The state of Connecticut has approved $7.65 million in grants for construction at the base. The grants are part of $40 million the state legislature approved for base improvements in 2007. Governor M. Jodi Rell decided to expend part of those funds for diving facility upgrades and to replace boilers at the base power plant.

In 2005 the Pentagon considered closing the base but was overruled by an independent commission. Rell hopes investing the base will help keep it open saying it has an annual impact on the state upwards of a billion dollars. The Navy decides on a case-by-case basis whether to accept money from a state.

Currently Connecticut’s offer is still being considered by the Navy. Justin Bernier of the State Office of Military Affairs said the state is finalizing a deal with the Navy that stipulates how the money can be spent. Bernier said that now it is “just a matter of paperwork” that he expects will be complete in a few weeks.

Stories Written on a Snowy Night Part 2: UConn

Here's the orignial UConn story. This one had fewer "quotes" to paraphrase - it was more a matter of re-organizing content.

UConn Version 1:


A proposed partnership between the University of Connecticut Health Center and Hartford Hospital could end the Health Center's practice of seeking state money to cover deficits. The Center would, however, still require ongoing state funding for bonding and labor costs.



This proposed partnership would include a new "University Hospital" with two campuses, a new 250 bed hospital to replace John Dempsey Hospital, and a plan to maintain Health Center employee's status as state employees. However, now the state would pay the difference between the employee's fringe benefits costs and those of other hospital employees.



Challenges facing this partnership include reuniting the unionized Health Center and nonunion Hartford Hospital, and dealing with the dire financial situation of the state, with the projected budget deficit in the billions. When asked about these issues, Representative Roberta Willis of the Higher Education Committee, took a deep breath and said, [Quote:] "Did you hear my deep breath?"



UConn Version 2:

UConn Health Center Hartford Hospital Merger May Require State FundingThe University of Connecticut Health Center could end to seek state money for covering its deficits by merging with Hartford Hospital. According to a report by the independent Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering issued this morning, the details of the proposed partnership includes:

• Creating a "University Hospital" with two campuses, UConn's John Dempsey Hospital and Hartford Hospital.

• Building a new, 250-bed hospital to replace John Dempsey Hospital. The state would pay the bonding costs for the project and the cost of any new equipment. In the past, the cost has been estimated at $475 million.

• Maintaining Health Center employees' status as state employees. However, the state will pay the difference between their fringe benefits costs and those of other hospital employees which amounts to millions of dollars a year.

• Collaborating with other area hospitals to increase their involvement with UConn's medical and dental schools, with access to students, interns and residents and research.

With the proposed partnership, the UConn Health Center would have financially stabilize, not have to rely on cash infusions from the state legislature to stay afloat in recent years. It could significantly change the healthcare landscape in the region and be transformed into part of a major academic medical center.

It would also replace the existing Dempsey Hospital without significantly adding to the number of hospital beds, and create a two-campus University Hospital. At present, the UConn Health Center is one of the nation's smallest academic hospitals, including the state's medical and dental schools, research laboratories and the 224-bed John Dempsey Hospital. Its hospital is very small and outdated, but has many commercial advantages due to located in the prosperous Farmington valley. Representative of both UConn and Hartford Hospital's parent company would lead this corporation. This is a result of many discussions of the state lawmakers about challenges of the potential partnership for last 2 years.

UConn Version 3:

A new report says a partnership with Hartford Hospital could keep the UConn Health Center from seeking state funds for it's deficits. But, the report by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering says the hospital would still require ongoing state funding for bonding and labor costs. The plan will be unveiled to state lawmakers today.

It includes the creation of a "University Hospital" with two campuses at UConn's John Dempsey Hospital and Hartford Hospital. It also proposes the construction of a new 250-bed hospital to replace Dempsey, paid for by state bonding. Under the plan, Health Center workers would remain state employees, but the state would pick of the differences in fringe benefits costs between them and Hartford Hospital employees.

The partnership is intended to stabilize the UConn Health Center, which has relied on cash infusions from the state legislature to stay afloat in recent years.

Stories Written on a Snowy Night Part 1: Daschle

Here's the original NY Times Story, followed by three re-writes for radio.

1. What works about these stories...and what doesn't?

2. What are the key things we need to change about the print story to make it right "for the ear?"

3. How do we choose to include or exclude information?

Daschle Withdraws Version 1:

Tom Daschle followed Nancy Killefer’s lead today. Daschle withdrew his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Although the media and certain members of congress have scrutinized Daschle’s income tax issues, as recently as yesterday, it looked as though his nomination was going to pass.

Yesterday Mr. Daschle discussed his remorse over failure to pay approximately $140,000 in taxes on time, but he assured the public he would continue to move forward with his nomination.

Mr. Daschle and President Obama jointly announced Daschle’s withdraw today. The move came just a day following a push for Daschle’s appointment from Massachusetts senator, Edward M. Kennedy, and Montana senator, Max Baucus, who happens to run the Senate Finance Committee. President Obama also voiced support for Mr. Daschle yesterday and today said he accepted the withdrawal “with sadness and regret.”

President Obama says it is now time to move forward. He appeared on ABC’s Nightly News to say he “screwed up.” Daschle’s withdrawal came only hours after chief White House performance officer nominee, Nancy Killefer, removed her name from the running. Like Daschel, Killefer had tax issues of her own surface after failure to pay unemployment taxes.White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said today, the White House did not influence either of their decisions to withdraw.

Version 2:

President Barack Obama has lost another cabinet nominee to unpaid taxes. Tom Daschle withdrew his name from nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services Tuesday after news of $140,000 in unpaid income taxes surfaced.

Obama initially said he would stand behind Daschle, but admitted he made a mistake in an interview with NBC’s “Nightly News.” He said it is not his mistakes that matter it is admitting them and not repeating them that counts.

Hours before Daschle gave up his nomination Nancy Killefer who was up for chief White House performance officer pulled out on the grounds of unpaid taxes as well. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner was also found to have $34,000 in unpaid taxes. All of the nominees have since paid off their tax debt. Geithner has already been confirmed, but a White House spokesperson said the administration has begun the process of replacing Daschle and Killefer.

Version 3:

Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to be secretary of health and human services. The former Senator has undergone scrutiny for failure to pay taxes. The move is a blow to the Obama administration, which has set a goal of higher "ethical standards" in government, only to encounter several scandals involving appointees.

President Obama gave several national TV interviews Tuesday, saying that he "screwed up" by pushing the appointment. Daschle is one of Obama's closest confidants, and worked to get him elected. He decided to withdraw, saying that he had become a "distraction" and that he could not lead White House efforts to reform the health care system.

Among those mentioned as possible candidates for the job of health secretary are Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, a former state insurance commissioner; former Governor and physician John Kitzhaber of Oregon, and Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan.

Only two hours before Daschle withdrew, Nancy Killifer, Obama's choice to be "Chief White House Performance Officer" pulled out of consideration for the job because of unpaid taxes on a household employee.

Republicans have criticized the nominees for not adhering to tax law, while the administration negotiates new economic policies.

Perennial problems: "I" and "Hello..."

I wanted to post now about two exciting ideas we'll be working on later this semester. The first, a manifesto by radio reporter Sean Cole tackles the always dicey subject of "first person" reporting. It's something I grew up in this business trying to avoid (for no good reason, mind you) only to find that it can be one of the best tools in the arsenal of any reporter.

Sean is unquestionably one of the most talented radio reporters in America, and has really great reasons for placing himself in stories. Once we hit the serious "feature" reporting part of our class, we'll be revisiting his ideas.

Another problem reporters often face is addressed in this perfectly titled piece by Jen Nathan: "Sticking Your Microphone Where it Doesn't Belong." Once we start getting out into the world with our digital recorders, you'll see what we're talking about. It can be difficult knowing how, and when to prompt people for information...and then when to prompt them for even more. Remember - you're a reporter...you're used to asking questions. Most of your interview subjects are rarely, if ever interviewed.

We'll be chatting about this in a few weeks as well.

Snowy night assignment

If you've joined me for tonight's "Writing for the Ear" - thanks...hope everyone is warm and safe.

Next week, we're going to start on the first real section of the class: Newscast writing.  It's where we learn to quickly write in a broadcast style...on deadline.  We'll be training on the AP/ENPS system, and begin writing assignments in class.  

Tonight, we're going to show an example of this kind of writing, and have you try to replicate it.  So, if you took notes last week, and you read the first few chapters in the book (especially #3 "Writing for Broadcast") you have a sense of what's different about radio writing from say, what you read in the newspaper.  

For one example, check out the opening to chapter 3, where we compare a paragraph in the Washington Post to the style used by NPR in the same story.  For a more current example, here's The Hartford Courant's version of a story about (our favorite) Mayor Eddie Perez in court today:

Mayor Eddie A. Perez pleaded not guilty to bribery charges in Superior Court in Hartford this morning and asked that his case go immediately to trial. Instead, his case was continued to March 3.

Also this morning, former city employee Edward Lazu pleaded not guilty to bribery and second-degree forgery charges.

Perez's mother, his wife Maria and his lawyer, Hubert J. Santos, accompanied him to court this morning. The mayor was arrested last Tuesday and charged with bribery, fabricating evidence and conspiracy to fabricate evidence in connection with allegedly deeply discounted work done at his home by city contractor Carlos Costa, owner of USA Contractors.

The case against Perez is connected to roughly $20,000 he paid Costa for a new kitchen counter and a renovated bathroom. Costa was arrested last Monday and charged with bribery, fabricating evidence and conspiracy to fabricate evidence. As Costa worked on the $7.3 million Park Street project, he also worked on the mayor's Bloomfield Avenue house beginning in 2005. He did so without proper permits, and some of the work was done by an unlicensed contractor. The work was completed in 2006, and Perez has said he did not pay Costa for the work — estimated to be worth $40,000 — until July 2007.

Echoing what he said after investigators executed a search warrant on his home in August 2007, Perez called his decision to hire Costa a "lapse in judgment."

"There is no excuse for it. I apologize for putting my family and my city under this situation," Perez said. But he added, "At the end of the day, a lapse in judgment is not a crime."

Lazu was also arrested last Tuesday and charged with one count of receiving a bribe and two counts of second-degree forgery. As a city contract compliance supervisor, Lazu was in charge of overseeing the employee who monitored Costa's work on Park Street. But state investigators also have asked questions about a driveway that Costa partially built for Lazu in 2004. Lazu paid Costa $1,100 to begin work on the driveway at Lazu's Broadview Terrace house, Brown has said. Costa did some work until a neighbor complained, and the work was never completed.

State criminal investigators have been looking into allegations of political corruption in the mayor's administration since early 2007, seeking documents and secret testimony and forming an investigatory grand jury in October 2007.

Now, here's the same story, written by WNPR's Anna Sale today:

Hartford mayor Eddie Perez pled not guilty to charges of bribery and fabricating evidence on Tuesday, and his attorney made clear he wants to move swiftly onto a trial. 

Perez did not speak during his 5-minute arraignment in Superior Court, but his lawyer Hubert Santos told Judge Julia Dewey that the mayor wants to get right to fighting the charges against him.

"We would ask for an immediate trial, your honor. We're prepared to go to trial today."

But state prosecutor Christopher Alexy told the judge that the state has amassed a dozen bankers boxes of evidence that he thinks the defense may want to review before trial.

Judge Dewey agreed, and asked both sides to work with a court scheduler to set a "realistic date" for trial. She scheduled a pretrial conference for March 3. 

Mayor Eddie Perez was arrested last week after a more than a year-long grand jury investigation. State prosecutors allege that Perez took a bribe when he had a city contractor renovate his home in 2005.

Perez did not pay for the work until two years later, after investigators questioned him about it. Prosecutors say that $20,000 payment only covered about half of the value of the kitchen and bathroom upgrades.

Perez has apologized for hiring the city contractor for work on his home, but denies that he broke any law. He says he has no plans to resign.

So, what's different about these two stories?  One's shorter, of course, one has more detail.  But what is it about the writing that's different?  If you've read far enough in the book, and listened to some broadcast news, you have a pretty good idea.  I have for you a few very simple re-writing excercises to do for next week.  I'm going to give you some links to print versions of stories, that I'd like for you to re-write in a more radio-friendly way.  That means:

1. Shorter sentences.

2. Paraphrase the quotes (or soundbites) into your own words.

3. Write the way you speak.

These stories should flow, and make sense as read.  Make sure that when you read these stories, they're no more than one minute long each.  If you have questions about how to do this, you'll find most of them in that marvelous chapter 3...and some of the "Basic Rules" we talked about last week.  Please post them to the comments section of this blog post.  I'll give you until tomorrow evening, since we're getting a late start.  Then, we'll go over next week.  Here are the selections...and have fun:

Daschle Withdraws

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/us/politics/04obama.html?_r=1&hp

Hospital Merger

http://www.courant.com/news/health/hc-webuconn0204feb04,0,1851156.story

State to help Sub Base

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=40c9f0a7-f5ed-4c5d-8727-a8b272c67dd0