Name (required):

  Expression ^{(Optional mood/title along with your name) Examples: (happy, sad, The Joyful, etc.) help)}

  E-mail address (optional):

* Type your message here:
>What I mean is this: I have no desire to publicize >internal policies in a public forum especially for the >benefit of someone whose identity is shrouded. That >would be foolish. Whatever our policy is, it is for >newsroom employees to know and for top managers to >disseminate if they see fit. If it comes up in court, >then make sure you're there to hear it. If not, maybe >your other thread will bear fruit. But not from this >end. > > > >>I'm not sure what you mean Jon. Do you mean I've got >>to be kidding to even ask about PG policy regarding >>reporters' notes, or that I should know the policy, or >>that there isn't one, or that you can't talk about it, >>particularly since Dennis is in the middle of a >>lawsuit? >> >>Again, you raised the issue with this sentence: >>"Finally, before you start making assumptions or >>intimations--because that's how it appears to >>me--about Dennis's note-retention habits, why don't >>you find out what Post-Gazette policy is first?" >> >>I don't work at a newspaper, and I don't know exactly >>who to call about a PG newsroom policy question. I >>figure that since you're a veteran there, you'd be a >>good source about such things. >> >> >> >> >>>You've got to be kidding. >>> >>> >>> >>>>Thanks for the feedback Jon. As long as you raised >>it, >>>>and since you work there, what is the PG's policy on >>>>preserving reporters' notes and recorded interviews? >>>> >>>>>To the smart alecks and cowards who like to post >>>>>anonymously on this forum, my advice is to grow up >>>and >>>>>do your research. First off, gobsmacked -- meaning >>>>>astounded or flabbergasted -- appears to be >entirely >>>>>appropriate. Secondly, as reporters we all make >snap >>>>>judgments about people we interview, so I have no >>>>>problem with Dennis sharing his impressions with >the >>>>>court even if they run contrary to a doctor's >>report. >>>>>He was asked a question, and he answered it. So >>what, >>>>>he's not allowed to say his experience did not >>>comport >>>>>with that of a doctor? Dennis has to be wrong >>because >>>>>someone with an M.D. after his name has a different >>>>>opinion? Finally, before you start making >>assumptions >>>>>-- or intimations, because that's how it appears to >>>me >>>>>-- about Dennis's note-retention habits, why don't >>>you >>>>>find out what Post-Gazette policy is first? The >>>>>problem with so many posts on this forum for >>supposed >>>>>fact-checking, accuracy-minded journalists is that >>>>>things are often said with complete ignorance. I >>>can't >>>>>tell you how many times I've seen people post >>>theories >>>>>on how or why the PG did or didn't do something >that >>>>>are so completely off base and absurd it's >>laughable. >>>>>For what it's worth, I'm looking at Dennis's desk >>>>>right now, and it is pretty clean. But what does >>that >>>>>tell you? Dennis could have all his notes hidden in >>>an >>>>>underground bunker, right? Maybe that's fodder for >>>>>another "fact-based" thread here. And for the >>record, >>>>>I have had my differences with Dennis from time to >>>>>time, so I am not a blind apologist for him. But he >>>is >>>>>smart, tenacious and one hell of a reporter -- the >>>>>kind of guy you definitely want on your team. This >>>>>post struck me as nasty, obnoxious and ignorant >>>enough >>>>>that I thought he deserved having a colleague stick >>>up >>>>>for him. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>When in doubt, overreach for an inappropriate >word: >>>>>> >>>>>>"Mr. Roddy testified that Ms. Jordan was >>>>"gob-smacked" >>>>>>when he told her she gave $10,000 to judicial >>>>>>candidate Cheryl Allen." >>>>>> >>>>>>Paging Dr. Roddy, Dr. Roddy ... >>>>>> >>>>>>"Mr. Roddy said that his experience ran contrary >to >>>a >>>>>>doctor's report that Ms. Jordan was psychotic and >>>her >>>>>>memory was very impaired." >>>>>> >>>>>>2 + 2 = 5. Just take Dennis' word for it: >>>>>> >>>>>>"Under cross-examination from defense attorney >>>Thomas >>>>>>J. Farrell, Mr. Roddy said he threw away the notes >>>>and >>>>>>deleted the tape recording of the interview." >>>>>> >>>>>>Of course, the note destruction issue is crucial >to >>>>>>both the case and journalism in general. Here's a >>>>>>fairly brief story on different sides of the >debate >>>>>> >>>>>><a rel=nofollow target=_blank >>>>>>href="http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=1785">http >: >>/ >>>/ >>>>w >>>>>w >>>>>>w.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=1785</a> >>>>>> >>>>>>My practice and experience with other reporters is >>>>>>that we all keep stacks of full note books for a >>>long >>>>>>time. What do you do? And what have you seen of >>>>>>Dennis' desk and drawers? Full of papers and >>>>>>notebooks, or neat as a pin?

Note: This forum is moderated -- new posts are not visible until approved.

Notice: Copies of your message may remain on this and other systems on internet. Please be respectful.