Poynter. » Al’s Morning Meeting

How Pulitzer contender ‘On Shaky Ground’ developed at California Watch

Al Tompkins — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:16:09 +0000

The California Watch project “On Shaky Ground” was supposed to be a “quick hit” assignment, not a massive 19-month award-winning, state policy-changing investigation that could be honored with a Pulitzer Prize this afternoon.

It was never imagined as a… Read more

Story ideas and resources for covering your local economy

Al Tompkins — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:39:57 +0000

Viewers and readers say they want more news about the economy. I suspect most journalists have no idea how much data they could mine that speaks directly to those readers/listeners/viewers. Look at this menu from the Labor Department’s Read more

ABC to air interview tonight with Gingrich’s ex-wife, but why?

Al Tompkins — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:16:58 +0000

There comes a time when withholding information is more damaging than releasing it. ABC News faced such a time Wednesday when word leaked out that Brian Ross had what the Drudge Report hinted was an explosive interview with Newt… Read more

As journalists file fewer lawsuits, citizens fight for open records

Al Tompkins — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:43:55 +0000

On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in what could be a pivotal First Amendment case: the FCC v. Fox. What the Court decides will affect what we see on TV and hear on radio for… Read more

Nashville TV station’s surveillance crash story shows how to write to video

Al Tompkins — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:30:35 +0000

WTVF reporter Nick Beres is a veteran reporter who knows how to work fast, but I think one of his best skills is writing to the video. The story that Nick produced Monday required his best work.

This remarkable story… Read more

Brian Williams stays cool as NBC fire alarm rings throughout ‘Nightly News’

Al Tompkins — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:32:32 +0000

In more than three decades of hanging around TV stations and studios, I have never seen anything like what happened on NBC Nightly News Tuesday night.

Brian Williams was just introducing the lead story of the newscast about the American… Read more

Local TV station tackles mortgage mess as investigative reporter discovers he’s a victim, too

Al Tompkins — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:19:43 +0000

It is so easy to find examples of local TV stations pulling ratings months stunts that make me wince. From a topless reporter in Cleveland to an Atlanta TV station using voice analysis to try to figure out… Read more

How NPR, CPI exposed hundreds of polluters, government inaction & you can too

Al Tompkins — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:51:44 +0000

NPR and The Center for Public Integrity have taken partnerships, interactive journalism and database reporting to new heights in their just released investigation, “Poisoned Places.” The project uncovers 464 industrial polluters nationwide that the EPA placed on Read more

How Seattle journalist got school censorship scoop

Al Tompkins — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:53:14 +0000

Seattle area public schools will allow free speech and free press thanks to an alert journalist who spotted a hidden pending policy change.

This is a story about the value of good old-fashioned beat reporting that included pawing through boring-looking… Read more

Facebook delivers tiny Minnesota TV station a big roadkill story

Al Tompkins — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:10:01 +0000

On a typical day, KSAX-TV in Alexandria, Minnesota attracts about 10,000 page views. Recently, the station set a record, 250,000 page views in a single day and a million views in four days. The secret weapon: a photograph of a… Read more