One of the lessons that journalism pioneer John Quinn taught me a while back has stuck with me throughout the years: “Get it first,” he used to say, “but first get it right.” I was reminded of his words while watching conflicting media reports unfold shortly after the Gabrielle Giffords shooting. (See my related Poynter.orgContinue reading “In aftermath of Giffords shooting, news orgs look for ways to correct tweets”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Starting off 2011 with a fresh perspective, new goals
It’s been a while since my last post. For the month and a half leading up to Christmas, I felt as though life kept sprinting ahead of me and I couldn’t keep up. We had just redesigned the website I write for — Poynter.org — and we were short-staffed at the time. I needed toContinue reading “Starting off 2011 with a fresh perspective, new goals”
Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Providence College’s Student Newspaper, The Cowl
Last weekend I spoke at the 75th anniversary of my alma mater’s student newspaper, The Cowl. The coordinators of the event asked me to write about how my experience as editor-in-chief of the paper helped prepare me for my job as a journalist. I talked about this, but I also wanted to explain why it’sContinue reading “Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Providence College’s Student Newspaper, The Cowl”
Twain’s Advice for Writing an Autobiography? Wander.
When I think about the memoir that I want to write someday, I often wonder: How the heck am I going to start this? I have lots of essays that I’ve started to weave together, but no definitive beginning. A recent NPR story on Mark Twain gave me some inspiration. A century after his death,Continue reading “Twain’s Advice for Writing an Autobiography? Wander.”
Talking with Tom Brokaw about Social Media, Changing Role of News Anchors
Last week I got the chance to meet Tom Brokaw, who spoke at The Poynter Institute in celebration of its 35th anniversary. I interviewed him by phone a week prior to his visit and talked with him about the changing role of the news anchor, the need for more one-subject broadcasts, and the reason youContinue reading “Talking with Tom Brokaw about Social Media, Changing Role of News Anchors”
Helping Young Writers Find Their Voice
Today I got to coach two 9-year-old girls as part of a writing program for children at a library in south St. Pete. The goal is for each child to write a “book” by the end of the month-long program. There were about 20 students at today’s event — enough to make me feel inspiredContinue reading “Helping Young Writers Find Their Voice”
Takeaways from the 2010 Online News Association Conference
I just got back from the Online News Association conference and feel like I could sleep for days. The conference was tiring, between taking notes during the sessions, catching up with old friends, making new ones, and trying to fit in time to write about some takeaways. But I feel energized — by the optimismContinue reading “Takeaways from the 2010 Online News Association Conference”
‘I Love My Hair’ Video Important for Kids of All Races
Hoping to make his adopted Ethiopian daughter feel good about her hair, the head writer of Sesame Street wrote a song about a little black girl loving her afro and cornrows. “I really, really, really love my hair!” a muppet sings in the video. “Wear a clippy or in a bow. Or let it sitContinue reading “‘I Love My Hair’ Video Important for Kids of All Races”
Making Time to be the Big Sister I Never Got to Be
Today I met my Little Sister for the first time. She’s a 12-year-old at John Hopkins Middle School who likes cooking, watching TV and riding roller coasters. If today was any indication of what she’s like, then I have no doubt we’ll get along well. We played Mancala and another game that involved talking withContinue reading “Making Time to be the Big Sister I Never Got to Be”
Why the ‘Girl Effect’ Video is so Effective
Lately I’ve seen a lot of buzz about the newest “Girl Effect” video, which argues that the fight to end poverty starts with one girl. When a girl turns 12 and lives in poverty, she faces the risk of being married by 14 and getting pregnant by age 15. Chances are, she may become aContinue reading “Why the ‘Girl Effect’ Video is so Effective”
Word on the Street 