International Issue story example

This New York Times story (click link) is a good model of what reporters can do to help increase public understanding of the difficult and heart-breaking issue of immigration. It tells the story of one boy, without sensationalism, including facts and figures to help us understand the scope of the issue. The simple accompanying  video--  that anyone could take -- adds a lot to it. Click on this link to the NYTimes story to see the video: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/world/asia/a-deported-afghan-boy-returns-to-a-land-nothing-like-home.html

Excerpt from Sunday's New York Times letter to readers

In a letter to readers on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, New York Times editors reaffirmed the paper's mission. Here's an excerpt:
"As we reflect on the momentous result, and the months of reporting and polling that preceded it, we aim to rededicate ourselves to the fundamental mission of Times journalism. That is to report America and the world honestly, without fear or favor, striving always to understand and reflect all political perspectives and life experiences in the stories that we bring to you. It is also to hold power to account, impartially and unflinchingly. You can rely on The New York Times to bring the same fairness, the same level of scrutiny, the same independence to our coverage of the new president and his team."

Some election night 2016 pics

Schedule updates

NOV 8 Meet at Precinct 4 and 5 polling place in downtown Amherst in front of the Bangs Community Center at 4:30 p.m. Each blog group will email to mary.carey@state.ma.us AND to apigeon@Umass.edu BY 7 P.M. one of the following:

• A total of at least 4 photos for each blog group with "cutline" that explains to readers who is in the photo, what he/she/they are doing and a good quote.
• A combination of 4 photos with cutlines as above and/or very short videos of 30 seconds-1 minute each of voter(s) commenting on some aspect of the election. Short videos should also include the name(s) of the persons or people in the video
• A short written piece, similar to previous deadline assignments with a minimum of 4 photos and direct quotes

NOV 10  Final FEATURE DUE (1,000 words,  15 percent of total grade)NOTE SCHEDULE CHANGE: Instead of peer editing the Issue pre-first drafts -- First drafts are still due Nov. 15; we'll skip the pre-first draft, this time --  we'll meet in the the Communication Hub to see Giovanna Dell'Orto, a visiting speaker from the University of Minnesota, who will talk about news coverage of immigration in the United States and Europe as part of the SBS "Social Science Matters" speaker series. Read about it HERE. Students who need to make-up the Speech assignment will write 650-word speech papers with a photo, due Tuesday Nov. 15. . Blog groups will produce 1 photo per blog group with solid cutline.

NOV 15  FIRST DRAFT ISSUE (1,000 words with 4 voices, 2 of whom are "experts") due.  Peer edit. Discuss chapters, Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. NEXT: Read and complete worksheets on Chaps. 26 on Taste in Journalism and 27 on Morality.

NOV 17 -  TOPIC: Ethical reporting Discuss Chapters 26 & 27; in-class work on issue paper, blogs

NOV 22  NO CLASS

NOV 24- NO CLASS/Thanksgiving

NOV 27  FINAL ISSUE PAPER DUE. (1,000 words 20  percent of total grade)Review for FINAL QUIZ.

DEC 1  END OF SEMESTER QUIZ  Discuss summary/analysis writing.

DEC 6  - In-class deadline assignment: Watch film and write SUMMARY/ANALYSIS (10 percent of final grade) on deadline, due at end of class.

DEC 8 -  Wrap-up

DEC 13 - LAST DAY OF CLASS/ recap/ Final  blogs presentations