Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues in a Small-Town Newspaper (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Bad News and Good Judgment helps small newspapers make decisions on sensitive issues. It helps community journalists answer questions such as: Should we print accident-scene photos? Do we report the suspensions of star student athletes? How do we cover suicides? The book also helps newspapers set their ethics policies, and shows how they can be effectively communicated. The book concludes with a set of sample ethics policies newspapers can adapt to their own needs.

About the Author

Jim Pumarlo was the editor of the Red Wing Republican Eagle in Minnesota from 1982 to 2003. He regularly lectures to journalism groups on community newspaper ethics, and in 2005 he was given the Al McIntosh Distinguished Service to Journalism Award by the Minnesota Newspaper Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: Marion Street Press, Inc. (January 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096651761X
• ISBN-13: 978-0966517613
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,805,317 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The nuts and bolts of community journalism, March 9, 2006

By	Phyllis E. Alsdurf "journalism professor" (St. Paul, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Don't be deceived by the small size of "Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues in a Small-Town Newspaper." This Strunk and White of community journalism concisely covers the gamut of ethical dilemmas faced by community journalists and offers concrete advice that will inspire practicing journalists and journalism students alike to live up to the highest standards of their craft. Guiding readers through the process of developing news policies in advance of problematic situations, Jim Pumarlo addresses the responsibility community journalists have to report the bad
news along with the good. The book is packed with real-life examples that illustrate how to deal in a fair and sensitive manner with everything from confidential sources to suspensions of student athletes in a community context where an editor rubs shoulders with his or her critics. Above all, it is written in a tight, straightforward style befitting an award-winning editor
with 28 years of community journalism experience.

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive editor/reporter guidebook., October 10, 2005

By	James L. Edlund (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Fact is, from a business point of view, sensitive issues light the fire that compels readership. Readership is the numerical denominator that determines advertising rates and subscription volumes. The media products that know financial success are the ones who tackle the tough issues with thoughtful, honest, trusted resolve. Pumarlo's book gets to the heart of it and delivers a simple and complete guideline.

~James L. Edlund, Daily Newspaper Advertising/Marketing Director, General Manager - Retired.