The top stories of the year, according to you
The Associated Press wants to know what I think are the 10 biggest stories of the year for its year-end roundup. For the life of me, I don't know why, other than the possibility that what I think is important because I deal in big ideas.
Let's run down some of the advice the Readership Institute recommends that papers do to grow audience:
* Deliver exclusive, high impact, locally relevant content in optimal formats for each of our media.
* Connect with consumers through people-oriented stories that view the world through their eyes and provide rewarding experiences.
* Help consumers with the personally useful, "you-focused" information that enables them to navigate their daily lives.
* Differentiate ourselves through unique consumer values and vigorously promote the benefits of our content.
* Do more watchdog journalism, making sure it's clearly labeled, promoted and cross-promoted.
Oh. Well. Now I see. For a moment there I was thinking that a rehash of news that happened somewhere else some time ago might not add value to readers' lives.
That said, we'll probably run it later this month.
But why they want editors' opinions rather than, like, say, readers, I don't know. (Is there much doubt that we big-idea editors will select either the war or the U.S. elections as the No. 1 story?)
Let's cut to the chase: Vote here, early and often. I'll send in your choices. Suggested stories from the AP are below. You can add others. And don't stiff me as you did last year. (Belated thanks to David and Michele.)
* Iraq war: political disarray and mounting casualties among civilians, U.S. troops
* Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic dies while on trial for war crimes
* U.S. election: Democrats seize control of House and Senate
* Sago mine disaster: 12 West Virginia coal miners killed by underground blast
* Scandals bring down several in Congress including DeLay, Foley
* Iran, North Korean pursue nuclear programs despite international pressure
* Widespread Muslim protests, violence sparked by Danish cartoon and papal speech
* More than 900 killed in month of fighting between Israel, Hezbollah; Lebanon hit hardest
* South Dakota voters reject toughest-in-the-nation abortion ban
* Saddam Hussein convicted of mass killings, sentenced to hang
* Mideast politics: Israel's Ariel Sharon replaced after stroke, Hamas wins in Palestinian
* Darfur: deaths, devastation mount as outside world struggles for solution
* Donald Rumsfeld steps down as U.S. defense secretary
* Vice President Cheney accidentally shoots, wounds fellow hunter in Texas
* Afghanistan: NATO forces struggle to counter Taliban resurgence
* Katie Couric becomes first woman hired as solo anchor of network evening news show
* Former Enron, WorldCom chiefs Lay, Skilling, Ebbers convicted in corporate scandals
* Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, killed by U.S. airstrike
* Big Dig fiasco: woman's death sparks probe of troubled Boston highway project
* Tour de France winner Floyd Landis accused of drug violations
* Cuban President Fidel Castro temporarily cedes power after intestinal surgery
* Earthquake kills 5,800 people, wrecks 135,000 homes, in Java, Indonesia
* British police thwart plot to blow up jetliners; new carry-on rules imposed
* Astronomers remove Pluto from list of planets, classifying it as "dwarf planet"
* Comair flight crashes at Lexington, Ky., airport, killing 49 people
* Felipe Calderon elected president of Mexico; loser's backers stage huge protests
* Debate over detainees at Guantanamo and secret CIA-run prisons overseas
* Gunman attacks Amish school in Pennsylvania, kills five girls and himself
* U.S. economy: Dow Jones average hits new high; auto, housing industries struggle
* New Jersey Supreme Court orders equal rights for same-sex couples
* Concern mounts over global warming; world temperatures highest in 12,000 years
* South Africa becomes first African country to recognize same-sex marriage
* Bombs hit commuter trains in Mumbai, India, killing more than 200
* Illegal immigration: U.S. politicians and public divided over how to address it
* Evangelical leader Ted Haggard admits contacts with male prostitute
* Russian airliner crashes in stormy weather, killing 170, including 45 children
* Leftists win elections in Brazil, Chile and Nicaragua
* Katrina recovery: New Orleans stages Mardi Gras, re-elects mayor, re-opens Superdome
* Shinzo Abe succeeds Junichiro Koizumi as Japan's prime minister
* Female bishop becomes first woman to lead the Episcopal Church
* Furor prompts cancellation of O.J. Simpson's "If I Did It" book and TV interview
* John Mark Karr confesses, then is cleared in JonBenet Ramsey slaying
* U.N. estimates 39.5 million living with AIDS worldwide
* Three Duke lacrosse players charged with raping stripper at team party
Comments (2)
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Can I suggest one I think you left out? Republican-controlled Congress and White House detain American citizens and take away their constitutional rights to habeas corpus, right to counsel, etc.? (Short version: suspension of US Constitution)
Posted on December 5, 2006 6:08 PM
How about Dot makes 18 million dollar srew up on I40. Not counting 2-3 lives it will call.
Posted on December 7, 2006 8:23 AM