Giving readers what they want... Or is it pandering?

2. Giving readers what they want...Or is it pandering?

3. Giving readers what they want...Or is it pandering? • Manynews hacks insist that only they know what’s best for readers/viewers:

4. Giving readers what they want...Or is it pandering? • Manynews hacks insist that only they know what’s best for readers/viewers: • “This business of giving people what they want is a dope pusher’s argument. News is something people don’t know they’re interested in until they hear about it...” Reuven Frank, former prez of NBC news

5. How’s that attitude working out?

7. How’s that attitude working out? • The combined viewership for the ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts dropped 2%, to 22.1 million in 2012, resuming the downward trajectory of nearly three decades. • Network news has lost nearlyone million viewers/year for 30years: Pew Research Center for Excellence in Journalism

11. So what do readers want?

12. So what do readers want? • They’re in a big hurry

13. So what do readers want? • They’re in a big hurry • They have short attention spans

14. So what do readers want? • They’re in a big hurry • They have short attention spans • They want stories that personally connect... craft stories that focus on the reader rather than on the newsmakers: what does it mean to ME?

15. So what do readers want? • They’re in a big hurry • They have short attention spans • They want stories that personally connect... craft stories that focus on the reader rather than on the newsmakers: what does it mean to ME? • But they also want stories: real narrative dramas starring real people

16. So what do readers want? • They’re in a big hurry • They have short attention spans • They want stories that personally connect... craft stories that focus on the reader rather than on the newsmakers: what does it mean to ME? • But they also want stories: real narrative dramas starring real people • “Innovate or die.” Richard Curtis, ex- USA Today

19. Sarasota Herald-Tribune • Owner: The Halifax Media Group • “The group consists of 36 newspapers and affiliated websites, published in five states in the Southeast. Halifax Media’s strategy is to invest long-term capital in quality companies positioned in strong markets that are closely connected to the community.”

20. Halifax Media Group

21. Sarasota Herald-Tribune • Formerly owned by the New York Times Company, a New York Stock Exchange listed public company. NYT bought the Sarasota paper in 1982 from the Lindsay family • Began in 1925 as the Sarasota Herald

22. Sarasota Herald-Tribune • Also owns a bunch of websites: Ticketsarasota, artssarasota, yoursarasota, htpreps, insiderealestate

23. Sarasota Herald-Tribune • Also owns a bunch of websites: Ticketsarasota, artssarasota, yoursarasota, htpreps, insiderealestate • Circulation: 74,000 daily 95,000 Sunday 96th largest newspaper in the U.S.

25. The hierarchy: Sarasota Herald-Tribune • Publisher: Pat Dorsey, el quesogrande • Executive editor: Bill Church, chief news executive • Assistant Managing Editors: Kyle Booth, Tony Elkin, Matt Sauer

26. The hierarchy: Sarasota Herald-Tribune • Also has editors for digital, sports, national/foreign news, community news, state/regional news, real estate, editorial page, business news, arts

27. The hierarchy: Sarasota Herald-Tribune • Also has editors for digital, sports, national/foreign news, community news, state/regional news, real estate, editorial page, business news, arts • In addition to news side, also has executives running circulation, advertising, but where’s production?

29. Jargon: news slang you gotta know • Broadsheet: Sarasota Herald-Tribune size newspaper

31. Jargon: news slang you gotta know • Broadsheet: Sarasota Herald-Tribune size newspaper • Tabloid: smaller newspaper, e.g., The Sarasota Observer and Pelican Press.

33. Jargon: news slang you gotta know • Broadsheet: Sarasota Herald-Tribune size newspaper • Tabloid: smaller newspaper, e.g., The Sarasota Observer and Pelican Press • Also a pejorative synonym for sleazy/yellow journalism

35. Terms, terms, terms • By-line: Reporter’s name and title

37. Terms, terms, terms • By-line: Reporter’s name and title • Headline: Big type, almost always written by copy editors

40. Terms, terms, terms • By-line: Reporter’s name and title • Headline: Big type, almost always written by copy editors • Dateline

41. Terms, terms, terms • By-line: Reporter’s name and title • Headline: Big type, almost always written by copy editors • Dateline • Pull quote/lift-out quote: a juicy quote from story that’s given special graphic emphasis

42. Terms, terms, terms • By-line: Reporter’s name and title • Headline: Big type, almost always written by copy editors • Dateline • Pull quote/lift-out quote: a juicy quote from story that’s given special graphic emphasis • Cutline: the copy underneath a photo that explains what’s going on

44. So, ya got what it takes? • Take aptitude test on p. 29… not graded

45. Assignment 12/3 • Remember no class on 11/26 • We tour the Herald-Tribune! • Meet at LAF at 12 noon • Carpool to H-T • Tour from 12:30-2:30 p.m. • I’ll have sammies for lunch

46. Assignment 12/3 • Our guide/source is Harold Bubil of H-T

47. Assignment 12/3 • Research Bubil • Come prepared with questions about himself and H-T in general • Bring your reporters’ notebooks • Dress appropriately