‘The Vehicle Was Seized,’ And Other DWI News

By Corey on July 28th, 2009

A Santa Fe County Sheriff’s report from last night ends with that line, suggesting authorities are finally getting serious about their long-planned impound program.

A deputy arrested Jaime Dominguez-Gonzales, 36, on his third DWI. The report says Dominguez-Gonzales had open containers in the car and was sharing with an 18-year-old woman. Read the full report after the cut.

Now: Can you see what’s different in these two headlines about the recent horrific crash?

Teen Driver Had Pot in Blood (Journal North)

Fatal DWI: Sheriff says teen wasn’t impaired (Santa Fe New Mexican)

The Journal headline implies that 16-year-old Avree Koffman (daughter of SFR employee Dan Koffman, and the only teen to survive) was stoned at the time of the crash. The New Mex headline contains the real news from the state toxicology report. (If the driver of the other car, Scott Owens, now charged with vehicular homicide, had traces of mind-altering substances in his blood, but “wasn’t impaired,” that would be much bigger news.)

This is why copy editors matter.

The impressions left by headlines are important, because most people don’t read articles all the way through.

Finally, a story out of Virginia reminds that it’s always possible to add insult to injury.
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Internet Already Obsolete

By Corey on April 10th, 2009

Here is perhaps the most surprising finding from a new survey of what teenagers want from online news: “BEWARE OF TOO MUCH SCROLLING AND CLICKING.”

“I don’t know if it is just me, but scrolling down a bunch of information is more overwhelming to me,” says William, 18.

I don’t really want to click on things,” says Maria, 14.

So much for the internet. Scrolling and clicking are out. That leaves…reading? No.

They fuzz out when confronted with long, uninterrupted blocks of text,” the survey says. “They don’t seem to be able to absorb information or become interested in it unless it’s broken up and illustrated.”

OK, got it: Pictures are good. Happy pictures.

“Teens can find the very subjects of the news stressful. News of crimes and wars makes them feel unsafe. News about the economy and the environment worries them.”

If “the news is too time-consuming, difficult or unpleasant, it’s not worth the effort.”

We feel that. Why bother trying to “get” anything? It’s a lot of work.

“Understanding the news is not always easy for them… [M]ost news stories and sites assume users possess a certain background of orienting knowledge about issues, players and history – knowledge many teens don’t have…

They don’t want to ‘follow the news.’ That would mean mastering daily ins and outs of a variety of news stories, which requires more background, time and interest than they have.”

The news site of the future? It’s already here. See it after the cut. (Sorry, you’ll have to click.)

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Rethinking careers

By Rani Molla on January 8th, 2009

Careercast.com has sorted through and ranked 200 jobs—you know, those things that many Americans either no longer have or have no chance of getting in the near future. The Web site compares core criteria such as environment, income, outlook, stress and physical demands to compile its list—and the future is bleak.

Newspaper reporter ranked 140th best job (or 61th worst, if you’re that kind of person), notably surpassing undertaker but beat out by telephone operator. Photojournalist ranked 167. These rankings probably have something to do with occupational hazards like ulcers, binge-drinking and cigarettes. Toxic newsprint could also be a culprit.

It’s not all bad on the media front, though. A special congratulations to Julia: Publication editor is the 31st best job. Blogger is apparently not a job at all.

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