Editor’s Roundtable Week 35: the final edition

Dear News Directors,

The Transition 2008 feature page has been retired, and this is my final Editor’s Roundtable newsletter. It has been an honor working with you and selecting highlights from 35 weeks of outstanding election coverage.

During inauguration week, 141 stories were published to the Election 2008 RSS feed. In total, over the last eight months, 73 percent of news stations in the Public Interactive network produced original stories that ran in that feed. That’s a tremendous level of participation, particularly from our small stations with a news staff of one!

If I’ve learned anything as the National Editor, it’s that we can greatly improve the quality of our coverage by working together. While I’ve been at Public Interactive, several statewide networks have formed, as well as new relationships between newbies and veteran reporters. This kind of collaborative effort and mentoring is what we must do for public broadcasting to survive and thrive.

Here a few final top stories from inauguration week:

“Coloradans Mull Inauguration’s Civil Rights Significance” by Kirk Siegler, KUNC-CO

“Watching Obama, Kentuckian Remembers Days of Segregation” by Lisa Autry, WKYU-KY

“Voices From the Inauguration” by Mary Rose Madden, Fraser Smith, Sunni Khalid, WYPR-MD

“Students Reflect on Inauguration” by Emily McCord, WYSO-OH

Although the E08 feature page is closed, I will remain at Public Interactive until the end of February. If you would like advice or materials about staff training, particularly for online publishing and writing, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Many thanks and all the best,

Julie

—
Julie Schindall
National Editor
617.423.4499 x130
www.publicinteractive.com

Editor’s Roundtable Week 34

Dear News Directors,

One week until inauguration!

Now is the time to meet with people from your area who will be attending the inauguration in Washington, D.C. What are their hopes for the new president? Why are they attending the inauguration?

If you’re wondering how to frame your questions about the inauguration from a local angle, please give me a call or send me an email. These stories are enjoyable to produce and real audience-pleasers.

On Friday, January 23, the Transition 2008 page will close, and your stories will be archived in your Public NewsRoom. If you have questions about this process, please do not hesitate to contact me.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK (posted to the feed!)

“Freedom Riders” by Bente Birkeland, KUNC-CO
Feature with group attending Obama inauguration

“New Treausre Coast Congressman Tom Rooney Talks About His First Week in Office” by Jill Roberts, WQCS-FL
Interview with freshman U.S. Congressman as he settles into office

“ME-1: Chellie Pingree Prepares for Duty on Armed Services Committee” by Keith Shortall, MPBN-ME
U.S. House appointment for the freshman Representative from Maine

Many thanks and all the best,

Julie

—
Julie Schindall
National Editor
617.423.4499 x130
www.publicinteractive.com

Forgetting Change

Forget about the “change” election. In the race for U.S. Senate appointments, it’s back to pay-to-play politics.

In New York and Illinois, the state governors are given the task of appointing new U.S. Senators to replace Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton and President-elect Barack Obama. The process to replace two of the nation’s highest profile politicians has been anything but straightforward.

In Illinois, Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested in December on charges of political corruption. He allegedly ran a scheme to award the Senate appointment to the state’s highest bidder.

Blagojevich’s appointee Roland Burris arrived in Washington on January 6th to a swarm of criticism. He was actually spurned from the Senate chamber. He may yet be confirmed, if the Democrat-controlled Senate decides to be magnanimous.

But hey, what’s new? This is the state where “corruption seems to flow like water.”
Of course, President-elect Barack “Change” Obama hails from the land of Lincoln, and he says he’s transcended the Chicago political system. We shall see.

Over in New York, Governor Paterson gets to replace Hillary Clinton. A few weeks ago, the celebrity candidate was Caroline Kennedy. Visiting Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, whose name has also come up for the appointment, Kennedy offered up the following credentials:

“I’ve worked in New York City public schools, I’ve written books on the Constitution, I’ve raised my family. I think now is the time, with the problems we’ve had, to do more.”

She also expressed the need to put someone in Washington who can play in the old-boys network:

“I saw the need for people who are strong advocates, who have relationships in Washington.”

The New York race for the Senate seat now seems to center on celebrity and money. The well-known and well-funded candidate can win the seat when voters get to decide in 2010.

Recent polling shows Kennedy’s popularity dropping, however. Other top names include the state’s attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, and U.S. Representative Kirsten Gillibrand. Why these two? Because Cuomo has name recognition, and Gillibrand “is a proven fundraiser,” according to New York political journalist Brian Mann.

According to Martha Foley, a veteran New York journalist and news director at North Country Public Radio in upstate New York, the Senate appointment scandal in Illinois hasn’t tainted the process in New York.

“In New York State, the dysfunction is legendary,” she says.

It’s dysfunction all around, folks. Happy New Political Year 2009. I’m still hoping for change.

Editor’s Roundtable Week 33

Dear News Directors,

Inauguration season is upon us. Today our new U.S. Representatives and Senators are sworn in in Washington, and in two weeks we will see the historic beginning of the Obama presidency.

From all over the country, Americans are heading to Washington to watch the presidential inauguration. What are their hopes for the new administration? Why are they going to watch the ceremony? Are they schoolchildren? Veterans? Teachers? I will be reaching out to you throughout these final weeks of the transition period to discuss story ideas that fit your station’s resources.

On Friday, January 23, the Transition 2008 page will close, and your stories will be archived in your Public NewsRoom. If you have questions about this process, please do not hesitate to contact me.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK (posted to the feed!)

“Michigan Sends Two Newcomers to Congress” by Tracy Samilton, Michigan Radio

“Arizona Senator John McCain Refocuses on Arizona” by Gillian Ferris Kohl, KNAU-AZ

“Illinois House Could Hold Impeachment Vote This Week” by Sean Crawford, KWMU-IL

Many thanks and all the best,

Julie

—
Julie Schindall
National Editor
617.423.4499 x130
www.publicinteractive.com

Editor’s Roundtable Week 32

Dear News Directors,

In three weeks, our country will have a new president, and new legislators in Congress. This is a national event with major local implications.

To help you cover the inauguration and the period leading up to it, we have created the Transition 2008 feature page. The page is full of news and analysis from NPR, the BBC, PBS, and others. It also features your local station stories at the top of the page.

Some key stories to cover during this transition period include:

-    Interviews with people from your area who will be attending the inauguration
-    In-depth conversations with newly-elected legislators about their plans for Washington
-    Recommendations and hopes for the Obama administration, from local citizens as well as from regional experts

I hope you have had a restful holiday season. I’m looking forward to working with you in January!

Many thanks and all the best,

Julie

—
Julie Schindall
National Editor
617.423.4499 x130
www.publicinteractive.com

Editor’s Roundtable Week 31

Dear News Directors,

I’m pleased to announce that the Election 2008 feature page has undergone a transformation and is now the “Transition 2008″ feature page!

The Transition 2008 page in your NewsRoom is your home base for news and commentary about this special period when our newly elected leaders prepare to assume power in Washington.

In the beginning of January, I will be contacting you to discuss ideas about how to cover presidential and legislative swearing-ins with a local angle.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK (published to the feed!)

“How a New President Could Impact Great Lakes” by Jasmyn Belcher, WRVO-NY

“Interior Secretary Nominee Brings Western Experience” by Tom Banse, KPLU-WA

“Erie County Executive Weighs in on Kennedy” by Eileen Buckley, WBFO-NY

If you’re interested in covering Transition 2008 and wondering how to best make use of your station’s resources, please give me a call or drop me an email.

Have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Many thanks and all the best,

Julie

—
Julie Schindall
National Editor
617.423.4499 x130
www.publicinteractive.com

Editor’s Roundtable Week 30

Dear News Directors,

As many of us wind down for the holiday season, our recently elected officials are preparing for the upcoming legislative session and the new presidential administration. As we are all well aware, the road ahead will be fraught with challenges.

This week’s top stories explored a range of timely topics related to Transition 2008. Topics include Obama’s campaign promises in Oklahoma, changes for the Clinton Foundation due to Mrs. Clinton’s Secretary of State nomination, commentary on the historic election of America’s first black president, and a multi-part conversation with a first-time U.S. Representative in New York.

Stations KOSU, KUAR, KERA, and WRVO have shown that there remain many interesting stories to be told during this political transition period.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK (published to the feed!)

“Barack Obama and Oklahoma Energy” by Michael Cross, KOSU-OK
Assessment of Obama’s campaign promises that could affect Oklahoma energy policy

“Clinton Foundation to Release Donor Names” by Malcolm Glover, KUAR-AR
Examination of best practices in running a non-profit foundation

“Commentary: Firsts and Lasts” by William Lawrence, KERA-TX
Discussion of Obama as a famous first black president

“Congressman-Elect Dan Maffei Speaks With WRVO” by Jason Smith, WRVO-NY
First in a three-part series with the newly elected Congressman

If you’re interested in covering Transition 2008 and wondering how to best make use of your station’s resources, please give me a call or drop me an email.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

Many thanks and all the best,

Julie

—
Julie Schindall
National Editor
617.423.4499 x130
www.publicinteractive.com

Editor’s Roundtable Week 29

Dear News Directors,

As much of the news grows direr every day, many Americans have even higher hopes for the new Obama administration.

Will the new president and Congress be able to move the country out of the financial crisis? Can Obama and his Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton create peace in the Middle East? How will states’ leadership change when certain elected officials move to Washington as part of Obama’s cabinet?

These are some of the questions addressed in this week’s top stories. Additionally, special recognition goes to WSIU in Illinois for quick coverage of the Blagojevich arrest, including local leaders’ reactions.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK (published to the feed!)

“Local Leaders React to Blagojevich Arrest” by Jennifer Fuller, WSIU-IL

“Financial Reporter ‘Impressed’ With Obama Team” by Peter Iglinski, WXXI-NY

“Jerusalem Peacemakers Look to Obama” by Dave Lucas, WAMC-NY

“Richardson and Denish Prepare for Transition” by Evan Woodward, KRWG-NM

If you’re interested in covering Transition 2008 and wondering how to best make use of your station’s resources, please give me a call or drop me an email.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

Many thanks and all the best,

Julie

—
Julie Schindall
National Editor
617.423.4499 x130
www.publicinteractive.com

Military Superpower vs. Moral Superpower

“Hi. I’m America. Nice to meet you. Yep. Under new management.”

Welcome to Transition 2008: the new America. The America that both candidates for president promised would undergo “change”: a stronger economy, less power for lobbyists, healthcare reform, the end of Guantanamo Bay.

The new America is facing some seriously high expectations.

These expectations not only come from her own citizens, but from citizens of the other countries of the world. America hasn’t been very popular these last eight years, and now our allies — and enemies — have something to say about what America’s role could be in the world, post-George W. Bush.

Here’s an elegant statement that encapsulates much of the world’s new expectations for the U.S., from the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, speaking on Delmarva Public Radio in Maryland:

“The United States has already shown the world that it is a superpower in terms of its military strength. It now needs to show that world that it can be a superpower in terms of its moral strength, too,” Arun Gandhi said.

The morals of the United States, which have been an endemic part of our American culture since the statements of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights, have taken a hit in the eyes of the world during the past presidential administration. Yet for many non-Americans, it is precisely these morals that identify and set apart the United States.

Ulrike Guerot, director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, references “what the U.S. stood for” before Guantanamo Bay, in speaking recently with NPR.

“‘I think we all love the United States,” Guerot says. “Most Europeans, I guess, would agree with me that we admire it, we love it… But the last administration betrayed much of what the U.S. stood for, starting with Guantanamo. If now there is another dynamic and another person who brings the U.S. back to its own core values, I think Europeans are more than happy to restart fresh cooperation with the United States and to adore it again.”

American peace and social justice activist Martha Swan, speaking on NCPR public radio in New York, also wants the U.S. to send “a very different kind of message to the world.”

“One of the high points for me in the whole campaign season was the hear Obama say that he would sit down and talk with, and find a way to negotiate with, countries or entities that were on the outs with the United States without an preconditions, ad I thought that was a really great moment… for a fresh start, a great chance for sending a very different kind of message to the world, that the United States was not only going to emphasize its military might,” Swan said.

Yes, we have our own problems to be dealt with at home, particularly healthcare and education. January 20, 2009 is the big day. The day America reintroduces herself to the world.

Editor’s Roundtable Week 28

Dear News Directors,

Here come the Obama cabinet appointees!

Multiple members of President-elect Obama’s advisory team have already been named. Is one of them from your region? What’s the background story on the appointee? Do local people familiar with the appointee think he or she is right for the job in the Obama White House?

Special recognition goes to several New York stations for hopping on the Clinton appointment story right away with some great expert interviews and political insight about who Governor Paterson will pick to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate. Two of these stories are listed below.

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK (published to the feed!)

“Obama and the West” by Doug Fabrizio, RadioWest KUER-UT
Utahians comment on Obama’s potential impact on the environment in the West

“Paterson Mum on Clinton Replacement” by Karen DeWitt, WXXI-NY

“UB Political Science Professor Philip Arena Analyzes Clinton’s Appointment as Secretary of State” by Mark Scott, WBFO-NY

“Obama Stimulus Could Help Illinois Construction” WSIU-IL

If you’re interested in covering Transition 2008 and wondering how to best make use of your station’s resources, please give me a call or drop me an email.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

Many thanks and all the best,

Julie

—
Julie Schindall
National Editor
617.423.4499 x130
www.publicinteractive.com