Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with news

selling amateur photos to a local paper or tv station?

thermonuclear.jive.turkey — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:14:58 -0800

selling amateur photos to a local paper or tv station? (more) Hi there,

suppose I'm living in a medium-sized city, I'm walking along and a truck hauling livestock to a local processing plant flips over a block away from me. Live chickens are scattered all over the place. Pademonium ensues.

So suppose I run over, I grab my pocket camera and I snap a few pics, and record some video.

"Hey!" I say to myself. "Maybe the local paper or the local TV station would be interested in getting copies of these photos and video".

Now:

-who might I contact in the local newspaper/Tv station? Is there a specific department I ought to ask for?

-Would they offer cash for my media?

-what price, if any, might I expect?

[Or would they pay me anything, and maybe I ought to just post my photos on a blog and video on Youtube?]

Thanks

I haven't had the chicken truck situation happen to me, but something much like it did. A lot of times too I see strange things and I say, 'you know I wish I carried a camera around'. One new years' resolution will be to do just that, to carry a tiny point & shoot camera with me. I'm wondering if I find anything newsworthy, what to do with my media.

Happy new year

help me find this news site once more

isoman2kx — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:57:38 -0800

I've been looking for this one "all in one" news website again and I can't seem to remember the name and googling for keywords/pieces I remember of it has failed me. It's kinda sorta like a social news site (in terms of its setup) but it's a site that has an assortment of like 5 or so articles (that are expandable to more if you click "view more" for that particular site) from multiple newspapers/other web news sites. The site background is all black and that's about all I can remember, lol. Can anyone recall what site I'm talking about? I found it on stumbleupon a while back but I don't know how much that helps anyone in remembering what I'm talking about.

It's not a newspaper/web news site per say, but rather a outlet with articles that show up from 9-12 sites daily like the huffington post, ny times, yahoo buzz, technorati, reddit, and others I can't remember.

Why do online news sites post articles over multiple pages?

jonesor — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:59:59 -0800

Why do online magazines/news sites post articles over multiple pages? You find an interesting headline, you click through to read it and are allowed to read a couple of paragraphs, before being invited to click through to page 2 of 5.

A quick survey of my friends found that nobody likes this. They regard it as irritating and entirely unnecessary.

Why is it done? To increase the number of clicks? To ensure that you view more advertisements?

Help me find a Pointcast desktop news client replacement?

randomthoughts — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:17:49 -0800

Help me find a replacement for the great Pointcast desktop news client? Back in the day I used a free desktop news client that offered a scrolling taskbar on the desktop with news and weather reports as well as a screen saver that would display news headlines with pictures and weather forecasts. Best program ever.

I know the Mac as a RSS screensaver but it is nothing like Pointcast? Is it possible that in this day with our current technology in web, that a Pointcast replacement hasn't been created?

Anything like a headline news screensaver or desktop client out there that is worth checking out? Anything out there that will take my Google Reader feeds and put them into a screensaver?

Construction Accident at CUNY uptown campus yesterday?

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:12:09 -0800

Construction Accident at City University? Just the facts, please. (oh, such a strange explanation) Was there an accident yesterday (Nov 30) at The City College at CUNY where a construction worker who was repairing the facade of building fell to his death?

It seems like a weird and ghoulish question but I really want to know because the story was relayed to me by someone I've come to think of as less than reliable. I'd like to be proven wrong and crazy-ish because that just seems so much better than having been close to someone who lies about things like that.

I've googled the bejebus out of the various phrases and came up with nothing. I looked at the creepily fascinating gothamist news map and nothing. Some of you must attend/teach/work at CUNY. Didja see anything?

Argument against Bill O'Reilly?

grammalvsu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:18:15 -0800

My uncle loves "The O'Reilly Factor" and relies on it for much of his news consumption. He sees Bill O'Reilly as a "straight-shooter". I'm trying to convince him of the folly of his ways. What evidence can I point to? thank you!

Is Medicare going to hurt my Mom?

amanda — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:16:19 -0800

My mom is TERRIFIED about the recent Health Care Reform Bill. She is on Medicare and is certain that she will no longer have the access to health coverage that she feels she needs. It sounds like changes to Medicare could have consequences for her... what might those be? I tried searching around for real answers but, of course, some of those answers lay in what the market will do when faced with these changes. She watches a lot of Fox news and Fox news is absolutely drumming the beat that Obama is going to kill your grandma. But, sorry news orgs, having trouble finding an equally compelling (so hard to beat FEAR) news source who is explaining things in way that could reassure her.

What are your favorite blogs/news sources/analysis on Iraq?

torietorie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:08:20 -0800

I'm heading to Iraq in several months and I'm looking for great sources of information on the country. This could include: - Political, cultural, etc blogs - Blogs from servicemen/civilians working in Iraq - News analysis - Iraqi blogs (they can be English or Arabic - I read both!) - Backgrounders or historical analysis Be creative! What do YOU read to find out about Iraq? I'd love to hear about it. Thanks for your input in advance!

Print is dead; help me replace it

TochterAusElysium — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:16:34 -0800

What's the best platform for a local community news and events site? I've volunteered to set up a site which will serve as a news source, events calendar, and community hub for an area encompassing three or four small cities. I've done personal blogs, and a single-area blog in Blogger, but for this larger project I'd like to expand my options. Is Wordpress a better way to go?

Are there other platforms I should look at? I know Ning is dead or dying (or so I've heard) but it seemed to have the flexibility to do something like this. I don't mind learning a new system, but I'm not a programmer, so I don't feel ready to build a site from scratch. Ideally, there is a pre-existing community news platform that I can customize to be exactly what is wanted.

Also, do you know of any local blogs or community news sites that are well-designed and useful that I could look at as reference?

Many thanks in advance!

A replacement for TP?

bluefly — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:57:03 -0800

Can you recommend a good replacement for the "Today's Papers" feature on Slate.com? I liked that it surveyed a bunch of news/newspaper sites, and then they were conveniently summarized in one article. I've seen that USAToday has an online daily news summary, but it's only source is USAToday. Also, I've seen that Reuter's has a similar thing of their own news stories, which I may resort to, if no one has any suggestions here.

Stories of local and national shennanigans

reenum — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:07:17 -0800

I want to read investigative reports exposing corruption or scandal on a local or national level. Please provide me with links. Over the past few months, I've become obsessed with investigative and explanatory journalism. I'm currently plowing through the Pulitzer Prize winning stories I can find in each category.

I've read story after story dealing with corruption, shady dealings, abuses of power, etc. and I want more on an ongoing basis. Examples include the FPP post on the Blue I submitted yesterday, the Tampa Tribune's investigation into Scientology, the Seattle Times' look at improper sealing of court records, and the like,

I've been going around to different newspaper websites in an effort to try and build a collection of links to their investigations or special reports sections. Problem is, a lot of these papers have buried these stories deep in the website.

This is where you guys come in. I'd like links to as many magazine and newspaper investigations or special reports you can muster. Ideally, the link will be a repository of such stories (such as this). But, links to individual investigations, blogs that document these sorts of stories, anthologies, books, etc. are also appreciated.

I know we have a few librarians in here, and your expertise would be most appreciated as well.

Thanks to all!

Weekly News Podcasts

rossination — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:08:13 -0800

"Week in review" news podcasts? I am a busy student and find that I sometimes have a hard time staying on top of current events. While I do spend a few minutes each day reading NY Times headlines on Twitter, I find that radio is the best way for me to digest news.

I'm looking for the podcast equivalent to the NYT Week In Review page. I currently listen to the 7AM ET News Summary podcast but would like to listen to a slightly more detailed show that comes out every 4-7 days and is in the 20-45 minute range.

I just realized that Weekend Edition is available in podcast form, so I'll check that out. But if I recall correctly, it's a little bit more featury and slightly lighter. Ideally, I'd like something that's more news updates than features [On preview: maybe Weekend Edition Saturday is more what I'm looking for. Still, any other suggestions would be great].

I live in the US but am not opposed to a global news update program. I don't need sports updates of any kind.

[I was inspired to ask this question by this thread, which is great, but I'm not looking for an irreverant show].

Just the Facts, Maam

Funmonkey1 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:51:12 -0800

[JournalismFilter]: On the surface, televised news in the USA has evolved to a point where the average person is subjected to an endless point-counterpoint debate neglecting the timeless "just the facts" ageless news reporter oath. Is there scientific proof this has occurred and is there really a MSM? Bonus is finding websites that really do just report the facts surrounding news stories. As a voracious consumer of American news reporting across all outlets, it seems to me major networks and cable news networks are engaged in "yellow journalism".

What is the reason for this and where can one find factual news that allows me to make an informed decision without hyperbole, sensationalism and spin?

I look around the cable news networks these days and during key programming hours exists only an avalanche of paid presenters doing their best to invoke controversy rather than analysis.

Irreverent and informative news podcast

brighton — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:10:32 -0800

Looking for the news equivalent of the "Football Weekly" podcast. Is there an audio podcast which does for current affairs what Football Weekly does for football?

If you listen to Football Weekly I hope you'll know what I mean. If you don't the main requirements are that it discusses the news in a fairly irreverent way, but is well informed. Covers all the main stories, and the hosts are allowed opinions of their own. It isn't a "comedy" podcast as such, but the personalities of the presenters will mean it does raise a smile. If it had a political bias in any direction, that would be fine. It would be great if it was UK-centric, but world news would be ok (US-centric would not). Ideally it would last about an hour twice a week.

What I'm not after (if it helps): The News Quiz, Have I Got News For You, The Daily Show.

Is The Zoom H4n Recorder The Absolute Best?

DumbPoet — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:09:35 -0800

Is there a handheld audio recorder that tops the Zoom H4n in quality, features and price? I will be using the device for news gathering indoors and outside.
I'm willing to pay $350 (the H4n is $320 and includes add-ons).

I have done about 5 hours of research on this today, and this seems to be the bleeding edge of handheld audio recorders in this price range. I realize that for $700 I can get the equipment that NPR uses, but I'm just getting into audio gathering.

What was said in 2006 Bombing Trial ?

southof40 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:22:28 -0800

What was said in trials of '2006 transatlantic aircraft plot' to overcome objections to how practical manufacturing explosives in flight is ? I'm having trouble finding this information from the recent news reports which (perhaps understandably) don't get into great detail over what was said in the case.

When a number of people were arrested (in the UK) in association with '2006 transatlantic aircraft plot' a number of 'experts' / commentators (here and here) were quoted as saying that whilst it was physically possible to create the explosives in-flight the amount of time that it would take and the amount of fumes and heat associated with the process made it an impractical proposition.

During the recently finished re-trial and the original trial of 2008 did the defence attempt to question whether or not it was reasonable to suggest that explosives might have been manufactured inflight ? If they didn't is this because the 'experts' / commentators were ill informed ?

What should I be reading?

csjc — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:33:11 -0800

I ask you, educated and oh-so cultured MeFites, what should I be reading? Everything's in order, except for my RSS feeds. I'm in need of a good mix of wit, news, and good ol' amusement from the world over to serve as nothing less than my daily reading material. Help me stock that RSS reader. A little background on myself: I'm a 15 year old, suffice to say "linguistics junkie" from Vancouver, Canada.

As far as news goes, I like to have a variety of angles, political and geographical. Whatever you think would leave me with the most accurate and comprehensive knowledge of world news. Locally, if any Vancouverites could oblige, please do.

Otherwise, I'm open to anything. I haven't done well keeping up with all the news lately, but a couple places I enjoy visiting, are, for example: languagehat (of course), and The New York Times book review. I'm generally a big fan of book reviews, interesting short fiction, food, design, geography, history, travel, theoretical physics, photography and anything linguistics-related. I'd like to have a couple links under each of those headings, at least to peruse during the day.

I know there's a lot out there, but I'm only asking for the bare essentials, or at least your personal favourites.

Anything in French or German would be appreciated too, even Swedish/Danish/Norwegian... if you have anything in mind.

I'd like to cause newspapers to lose revenuve faster...

cgomez — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:45:17 -0800

Which quality newspapers and other news services provide full-text RSS feeds? I'm looking for a world, national, and also sources specific to California news and politics. Alternatively, what are some MacGyver-style ways to make a full-text RSS feed for my current favorites? Some exemplary source I've seen are the Sacramento Bee, NY Times, and of course - Metafilter. I've found a site called Feedcry which does offer some full-text feeds for Bloomberg and the WSJ which is great. But, I'm looking for more. Thanks much.

dogbert watches the news

griseus — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:19:22 -0800

I'm looking for an old Dilbert comic in which Dogbert is watching the evening news... I remember this Dilbert from a few years ago. The gist of it was that Dogbert was watching the news and the newscaster was giving all sorts of random statistics (along the lines of "Murders are up 16%"). Dogbert talks back to the TV, asking questions like "Up 16% Compared to what? Should I be worried, or are other crimes down?". The final panel is something along the lines of "This is why I never watch scary things before going to bed".

Anyway, the comic is a bit funnier than my description of it (surprising). Can anyone find it on the web? My goog-fu is weak this morning.

What Public Radio station doesn't interrupt Morning Edition & All Things Considered with local programming?

wuntu — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:09:49 -0800

What public radio stations, with an internet stream, broadcast NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered without local programming segments? I listen to Morning Edition and All Things Considered, but don't care for the locally generated content. (I get my local news elsewhere, and the quality of the local programming isn't that great/of interest.)

So I'm looking for an MP3 stream of a station that doesn't have any local parts that interrupt ME and ATC.

I found a small station that did this (at least with Morning Edition), but I can't remember what it was.

Podcasts aren't available for ME and ATC. I'm also interested in listening to this "live" so a podcast wouldn't suffice.

Adios AvantGo, now what?

omnidrew — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:39:03 -0800

Adios AvantGo... miss ya. Anything similar out there for a Palm OS smartphone without data service? AG now references Snacs as a solution... but that requires wireless (and they don't have a Palm client anyway).

I already pay too much each month for my phone as a phone, so I'm not willing to add wireless data service.

Suggestions?

Give me something new in the middle of the road.

Cool Papa Bell — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:27:36 -0800

I need new Web sites to replace my old ones. Here's a few things in my favorites:

CNN
MSNBC
Slate
The New York Times
Boing Boing
The L.A. Times
Salon

They all seem to take up a specific niche in my media window (general news, essays and articles).

I want to replace these sites listed above with something else. For example, is there a mainstream news site as good as CNN and MSNBC for general news? Is there a daily magazine site as good as Slate?

I'm not interested in scattershot aggregators like Digg, Reddit or Google News. Nor am I interested in axe-to-grind sites like Fox News.

Make with the suggestions.

Where do people go for B-roll?

bryanjbusch — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:56:44 -0800

I'm thinking of shooting and uploading some b-roll for sale to others who might need it, with locations and keywords and all. Is there a marketplace for this? When people are putting together news clips (or any kind of video, but mostly news), they usually shoot some extra footage that they can use to cover up jumpy edits, or for voiceovers. They call it B-roll.

Is there a marketplace for b-roll that you haven't shot yourself? Let's say you're doing even yet still another story about obesity in America and you need a shot of heavy people with no heads. If you're not sure you can go shoot some b-roll of this before the deadline, could you buy some online?

I don't work for the government, promise.

McBearclaw — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:32:32 -0800

I'm trying to map protests in the United States, but I'm grappling with data sources (and will eventually tangle with data management). Any ideas? I'd like to map out protests, riots, bombings, and other cheerful social outings - ideally in the United States, where I have the most contextual knowledge, but that's not a necessity.

My original plan was to scrape AP's US news RSS feed, store everything in some sort of XML database, and then query that for what I need. I just checked their RSS format, and it unfortunately doesn't include the full article. Nor does it include a separate tag for the location, which would make geocoding a bit/much nastier. NYT's feeds are basically the same story. I don't really know where to go from here.

There are basically five steps, and I would love advice on any:
1. Scrape database of news articles.
2. Store in a format that would allow querying by date or location. I'd like to keep all the articles, too, because... really, that would be an awesome dataset.
3. Tag protests (method: NLP, Mech Turk, or caffeinated McB).
4. Tag with date and location.
5. Make pretty maps.

Step 6 is going crazy with spatial stats, but I've got that part covered. I've been letting this project fester for too long, and it is now certifiably brain crack. Any advice on 1-5 would be greatly appreciated.

Aside: I really have thought about the ethical consequences of this. If you're concerned, MeFiMail me and I'll do my best to assuage your doubts.

The Truth about Honor Killings?

madmamasmith — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:03:48 -0800

I am looking for some truth about honor killings...and some insight or clarification rather on Obama's agenda concerning Islam. I am not that well read or educated. I don't have the patience for print and can't sit through a news program without feeling ill and switching it to a 30 Rock rerun. However, I am a googler and a stumbler by trade. I stumbled upon a website called atlas shrug

by blogger Pamela Geller today and read page after page about "Honor Killings" that are happening as we speak, right here in my home state of Texas. I was baffled and bewildered and outraged. As I read on I discovered that Ms. Geller is a conservative, right wing, "anti-feminist" in her own words). She goes on and on about Obama and his worldwide Muslim conversion etc. When I googled "honor killing" to find out more, all the sites were conservative, talking about how the leftists are letting the muslims get away with murder for fear of being called racist etc. So I am just a little confused as to why the conservative right has latched on to the "honor killing" tragedy and is there some truth to Obama's preoccupation with Islam?
Let me end with saying that regardless of her political affiliation Ms. Geller's blog about honor killing was an eye opener and whether she is using it as a ploy to push her conservative agenda or not, this is a horrible horrible epidemic and I am shocked I haven't heard more about it. I had not heard of the killing of those two texas teenagers until tonight. Lewisville is practically in my backyard. But wherever is it, It needs to be addressed as a serious and horrific issue