Linking out, MSM-style
I just heard a local television station refer to a story in the morning paper by saying, "as reported by a local newspaper."
We used to avoid naming competitors, too, to avoid giving credence to something they reported (and we didn't). Silly, really. It didn't help readers. We changed that several years ago, prefering precision to vagueness. And now that there are hundreds of "competitors" it makes even less sense. It's like refusing to link out.
Comments (8)
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The N&R links out? Is that policy?
Posted on December 14, 2008 12:15 PM
Sporatically, Sue. We do on the blogs and on some of the stories. But we're putting steps into place to do it more often throughout the site.
Posted on December 14, 2008 5:50 PM
I've heard radio reports say, "according to 'talk on blogs' to keep from attributing a specific source.
Posted on December 15, 2008 8:59 AM
I don't live down there every morning but it used to drive me nuts to hear a certain local radio morning show do their version of the news in the morning, since I could her the rustling of newspapers being folded over in the background. Then I just figured that everyone else heard it too and if they wanted the stories without the mispronunciations and gaffs they'd head out and buy the paper.
Posted on December 15, 2008 8:59 AM
It's very last century, this practice. I'm curious, though. Which tv station was the offender this time?
Posted on December 15, 2008 9:16 AM
Hi, Daniel. Thanks for visiting.
It was background noise, but I am pretty sure it was our CBS affiliate's morning show. Normally, it is pretty good about crediting the source.
Posted on December 15, 2008 9:26 AM
I'm not sure that all of your reporters follow that accreditation policy, John. Or perhaps not all of them are aware of it.
In the past two weeks, I've seen the News & Record refer to an article in another newspaper as "a local report." Also, in the past, I can't remember the number of times that the News & Record referred to competition as "a local newspaper."
How recently was this policy started?
Posted on December 15, 2008 11:11 AM
I'm not sure that all of your reporters follow that accreditation policy, John. Or perhaps not all of them are aware of it.
In the past two weeks, I've seen the News & Record refer to an article in another newspaper as "a local report." Also, in the past, I can't remember the number of times that the News & Record referred to competition as "a local newspaper."
How recently was this policy started?
Posted on December 15, 2008 11:12 AM