Article Analysis

The article can be found here: Ex-U.S. Official Cites Pakistani Training for India Attackers

The article is straightforward from the outset, essentially reflecting the points of the headline in a more detailed fashion. It informs the reader of the basics: a report citing a connection between the attackers in the recent assaults in Mumbai and the Pakistania armed forces and intelligence services.

The article swiftly fans out, giving background information such as a story about a defused bomb in Mombai, and accounts of the mass reactions of citizens to the attacks on their city. The article then offers input from U.S. sources, in the form of quotes from Condoleeza Rice, and responses from Pakistani officials. Background information is also given on the history and the nature of the Pakistan-based groups linked to the training and supply of the attackers in Mumbai.

The article ends with talk of the implications of these revelations with regards to the relationship between Pakistan and India. Talks of tensions between the two countries is fueling speculation about the future of the region, as is refleted in the content of this article.

Article Analysis

My article can be found here: Obama Aides Signal a Boost in Stimulus Spending.

The article begins with a standard, effective hard news lede. The reader learns the main points of what he needs to know about possible economic policy intentions for the coming presidential term.

The nut graf follows, in the third and fourth paragraphs, rather than the second. Here, the reader is given the important context that tells him why these hints from the Obama campaign are so important. Readers are told of the size of the possible stimulus plans in more specific detail. They are also treated to a strong quote from the Obama camp about their determination to pass the stimulus plan: "We're out with the dithering. We're in with a bang."

The article continues in a traditional, hard news fashion with information more distantly related to the lede coming later and later in the article. About halfway through the second page, information is given on the reaction from other lawmakers and politicians - both Democrats and Republicans. 

Later on, into the second page, even more extensive background information is given on the economic downturns of recent weeks, including information about the auto corporations and banks. This information provides context for the actions discussed in the lede and nut graf, but is somewhat less immediately relevant, so it is consigned to the latter paragraphs of the story.

The Elements of Journalism

I found the second half of The Elements of Journalism to be, on the whole, far more interesting and compelling than the first half. I particularly enjoyed the chapter "Monitor Power and Offer Voice to the Voiceless." 

The articles discussion of investigative reporting and the decline of the "watchdog role" in journalism particularly resonated with me. The distinction between what many television reporters call investigative reporting - exposing "risks to personal safety or one's pocketbook" - and its purpose as originally intended was an important point made here. As originally intended, the watchdog role of journalism was to investigate and expose injustices done by the ruling elite. Instead of being an instrument of social justice, many newsmagazines seem content to fulfill their duties as watchdogs by exposing product scams and deviant sexual practices.

Of course, there's a place for such reports, but it's not under the label of serious investigative journalism. This chapter made that clear, highlighting the effects of increasingly commercial demands for rating placed upon newsmagazine programs. This ties in with a question raised earlier in the book: "who do journalists work for?" Of course, the answer is, ideally, the public. However, in reality it seems the answer is whoever happens to be paying the bills. This makes the danger of serious investigations of the power elite falling to the wayside all too real. 

Press Release Link

Here is the link: 21 Internet Predators Arrested in Sting.

If I were covering this article, I would want to interview Attorney General Mike Cox and Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma. In an ideal world, I would like to interview one of those who were arrested, but I sincerely doubt that would be allowed.

Crime Story Analysis

The story can be found here, on the website for the Boston Herald.

This story is a classic crime story, in the tradition of American tabloids. The headline and sub-headline are bold and attention grabbing: "Quincy dad has kids in car for wild ride", and "Cops: Speedin', shootin', out-of-control". These catchy headers are paired with a large photo of the man involved, presumably his mugshot, with the words "FATHER OF THE YEAR" superimposed in block letters.

A large part of the reason this works as a crime story is that it's content is interesting; it excites readers. In the lede alone, it mentions a police chase, alcohol, gun battles, and marijuana. All these factors combined make for an unusual, and exciting story. Additionally, the involvement of the suspect's children adds a compelling human element to the story.

This story is fleshed out with plenty of direct quotations from the police, which gives the reader a sufficient picture of the events. Additional comments from lawyers and family members also contribute.

Article Analysis

The article can be found here: Obama highlights McCain scandal

The lede for this article is rather straight to the point, and essentially reiterates information divulged in the headline. It then proceeds to elaborate further, giving additional information about statements from Obama on the subject of McCain dodging talks about the current economic crisis.

From here, by the third paragraph, the article provides context for Obama's remarks. Sarah Palin's remarks linking Obama to the former Weatherman Bill Ayers -- and rather explicitly linking Obama to terrorism against the United States -- are detailed in the following series of paragraphs. 

The remainder of the article is divided by the subheading, "Judgement claim". This final portion, comprising about two thirds of the article's content, is devoted to elaboration of the Obama campaign's action against McCain. It describes in detail the advertisements and letters sent by the Obama campaign, detailing what they see as parallels between McCain's conduct in the past scandal with his handling of the current credit crisis.

The information continues in the standard news format, with the least relevant items of news (such as information about Jay Z and Bruce Springsteen) relegated to the lower paragraphs. Although no retorts from the McCain campaign are provided in the article, a sidebar on the left side of the page bears a link to the article, "Palin makes Obama terrorist claim".

No clear winner in vice-presidential debates

by Martin Goffeney KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin traded jabs over the economy and foreign affairs in last night's debates, although neither emerged as a clear victor.

Both candidates went into this debate amidst concerns over their performances. There was much speculation over whether Biden would make any of his infamous gaffes in the debate. On the other hand, Palin went into the debate amidst the fallout over her CBS interviews with Katie Couric, in which she struggled with questions on foreign policy and court decisions. Both candidates managed to dodge the worst expectations of observers in the debate.

Joe Biden stuck to the strategy of linking John McCain with the largely unpopular policies of President Bush, even to the point of not responding to attacks on him by Palin. Biden assailed the maverick image promoted by Palin, who referred to herself or McCain as such a total of five times throughout the debate. "[McCain] has been no maverick on the things that matter to people's lives", Biden said. Biden cited McCain's voting record on health care, the war, and energy as coinciding with the policies of President Bush.

Although Palin spent some time on the offensive against Obama and Biden, much effort was devoted to repairing her image, which has taken a beating in the polls in recent weeks. Palin was evasive on many policy questions, although she succeeded in avoiding any embarrassing verbal stumbles, such as during the Katie Couric interviews. 

Both candidates did their best to portray themselves as folksy, friends of the working class. Palin dropped numerous references to hockey, even referring to herself as a "hockey mom" on one occasion. "Oh gosh, it's so obvious I'm a Washington outsider", Palin said. Biden responded with equal enthusiasm, talking at length about his upbringing in working class neighborhoods in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Additionally, Biden could be seen to choke back tears when he mentioned his wife and daughter, who both died in a car crash.