Getting It First vs. Getting It Right

The pursuit of the Boston Marathon bombers has been a great opportunity for journalism professors like myself to explore the emphasis in today's media on being first with a story — regardless of whether it is right.When I was in journalism school, the emphasis was reversed. Getting it right was more important than reporting it first.I don't mean to suggest that being first wasn't important. It certainly was. Always has been. But the difference is...

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The Ashes of Waco

It was 20 years ago today that the Branch Davidians' compound in Waco, Texas, burned to the ground when federal agents stormed the compound after a seven–week standoff.In the aftermath of the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon this week, it was natural for people to wonder if there was some connection between the two. When one considers the events of the last few hours, though, it is natural to wonder if there is a connection.The focus...

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Blood in Boston

I used to work as a sports copy editor, and, in those days, you never saw an article from the Boston Marathon on the front page of the newspaper.Times have changed. I can guarantee that the Boston Marathon will be on the front page of every newspaper tomorrow, but that has nothing to do with the race.It has everything to do with the explosions that occurred near the finish line this afternoon.Initially, it was thought there had been three explosions,...

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A Matter of Semantics

Recently, the Associated Press handed down a new policy on the use of illegal immigrant in AP articles.The policy is as clear as mud.I teach journalism in the Dallas County community college system, and the AP's Stylebook is one of the texts we use. Other faculty members and I also use it when we advise the student newspaper staff.Personally, I have been using the Stylebook since I was in college. It's been in use in every newsroom in which I have...

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The Iron Lady Dies

"She was a tigress surrounded by hamsters."John BiffenThe Observer December 1990Margaret Thatcher, the first female prime minister of Great Britain, died earlier today after a stroke. She was 87.They called her "The Iron Lady." They called her a lot of things — "Attila the Hen," for example.The names reflected the fact that, as I said to my father only a few weeks ago, she was a tough old bird. And she found a philosophical soulmate in Ronald Reagan,...

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