We had a problem online with a picture of Haley Reinhart this week. I’ll get to it in a moment, but first a relevant trip back to a small-town newsroom in 1978. It was a different time, but more in ambiance than objective. Mountains of newsprint and notepaper tumbled over the edges of ancient desks. Read More …
Category: Daily Herald Newspaper
Springfield’s confusing challenge – compromise
Read at Daily Herald website After watching the Illinois legislature these past few … what, months? years? … I’ve been thinking a lot about compromise and where it actually fits in the realm of political activity. As I write this, leaders have admitted that, for the third year in a row, they won’t make the Read More …
Spinner fad shows frivolity has its serious side
If Wednesday’s front-page headline “The fidget spinner: Tool or toy” had a familiar ring to you, this may be why: Aug. 31, 1997: Parents left holding the leash as schools ban cyber critters May 13, 1997: Fad turned learning tool Sept. 26, 1997: Leave the Pokemon cards at home, says area school May 6, 1998: Read More …
Publicity of police sketch more important than accuracy
Are we really helping police solve a crime when we publish a crude drawing of the face of a violent crime suspect as described by a distraught victim or momentary witness? Turns out, maybe so, but not for the reason you would think. For, it’s not that the rough drawing you often see in the Read More …
A reminder that best impulses show in all generations
It seems to be a routine function of the generations to disparage the young. I don’t share this inclination, or at least I try to resist it. One reason? Show choir. Not just show choir. Soccer, too. And speech contest and cross-country, These are the agents of my personal observations of youth, the particular gifts Read More …
Seeking human stories behind sensational headlines
One of a reporter’s most painful duties is to contact the grieving survivors of victims of crime or disaster. No matter how many times you have made that call, knocked on that door or approached a person at a disaster scene, starting the conversation is always difficult. You don’t want to intrude on someone’s most-private, Read More …
Zakaria, Williams add to rich blend of columnist voices
On the Daily Herald Opinion page, we aim to present a wide range of political and social thought. We believe our democracy and our communities are stronger when citizens see their own points of view reflected — and challenged — by articulate, knowledgeable writers of all stripes. Sometimes, too, routines just need to be shaken Read More …
Comparing protests is a misleading ‘litmus test’ for bias
For many people, the contrast of two Washington, D.C., demonstrations within a week of each other last month deserved intense scrutiny as a litmus test on press bias. I would not be one of them, but I would say that a discussion of the coverage afforded the national Women’s March on Saturday, Jan. 21, and Read More …
Objectivity, division and the challenge of trust in the media
Our Opinion page concluded 2016 with a series of editorials focusing on what we see as the state of the free press in America today and worrisome threats it faces. Criticism of the series has come from opposing camps, exemplifying some of the problems we wanted to describe and representing the polarized approaches to political Read More …
Making a direct connection with local election candidates
With their impact on your property taxes and leadership in your community, local elections can be the most direct opportunity for you to shape your schools and your quality of life. Yet, too often, we’re all distracted by the glare of state and national issues, so that when it comes time to select our town Read More …