Media

There are 262 posts filed in Media (this is page 12 of 27).

On anarchism, Moral Monday surveillance and The Color Run – Technician: Columns

My ever-popular post on the Color Run got a mention in a recent editorial in NCSU’s Technician student newspaper. While I appreciate the attention, I’m not sure what point the writer was trying to make. His column kind of rambles.

On Sept. 28, Raleigh hosted The Color Run, a for-profit 5K race in which the runners are doused in cornstarch dye through the race. But as The N&O reported, “Residents of the historic Oakwood neighborhood are fuming after a recent ‘color run’ left brightly colored powder on houses, and some people’s cars were towed from outside their homes.”

Mark Turner, a Raleigh resident and blogger who saw bleach mixture being used to wash the streets after the race and the “chemical-laden broth” allowed to drain into the Neuse River, said, “Raleigh Police posted ‘no parking’ notices with as little as 13 hours’ notice, leaving many residents unprepared. Tow trucks hauled off their cars and stuck them with bills upwards of $150 to get them back.”

via On anarchism, Moral Monday surveillance and The Color Run – Technician: Columns.

Why I poke the N&O

So why am I playing Ahab to the News and Observer’s Great White Whale? Because I love newspapers. I love good journalism. I appreciate the valued role the press plays in our society. Among the many things I wanted to be when I grow up was a journalist.

My blog, then, is my printing press, and here I try to call ’em like I see ’em. I offer not only criticism but praise when called for. In short, it’s my nature to hold the press to very high standards, to be the kind of force that serves the people. The kind of force that can bring down crooked Presidents (or crooked governors) when needed. I adore a press that’s fearless but fanatically committed to finding the truth. That isn’t always possible in an environment that overworks and underpays its reporters, sadly enough.

Don’t shirk your responsibility to find the truth, ladies and gentlemen of the press, and we’ll get along just fine. I still look up to you.

N&O doubles down on council criticism

The News and Observer often fires volleys at city leaders for being too secretive, as the city’s hunt for a new city manager clearly demonstrated. Yet the N&O itself often leaves me scratching my head. I should probably let it go, I know, but I’m still mystified the paper is sticking by its story that Randy Stagner’s parking email was somehow the impetus for firing former city manager Russell Allen.

Today’s editorial:

Randy Stagner was the one incumbent who lost, to Wayne Maiorano, a newcomer. Stagner was not a bad council member at all, but he got himself in a bad position when he appeared to be pushing for the ouster of former City Manager Russell Allen over a parking space.

Continue reading →

McFarlane tops in Raleigh; moderates rule again on the Wake school board

Bob Geary pins the blame on Randy Stagner’s loss on the News and Observer’s dumb decision not to endorse him. I wonder how long it will be before they have to acknowledge this mistake?

Maiorano can thank The News & Observer for his narrow victory. Somehow, the newspaper decided that firing Russell Allen was a terrible thing to do and that Stagner was responsible. The firing was debatable, perhaps. What wasn’t debatable was that Stagner, a council rookie, had little to do with it. Five other members, including McFarlane, made the call to get rid of Allen. Stagner’s vote made six.

Nonetheless, the N&O pinned the blame on Stagner in story after story, after which the paper endorsed Maiorano.

via McFarlane tops in Raleigh; moderates rule again on the Wake school board | Citizen | Indy Week.

Raleigh ‘Color Run’ race leads to dyed houses, towed cars

Looks like Colin Campbell at the N&O has picked up on the Color Run story.

By the way, I’m up to 16,045 page views now. Word has really gotten around.

Residents of the historic Oakwood neighborhood are fuming after a recent “color run” left brightly colored powder on houses, and some people’s cars were towed from outside their homes.

The Color Run is a for-profit 5k race where runners are doused with dyed starches along the route. They are held in dozens of cities across the country each year, billing themselves as “a race that celebrates healthiness, happiness and individuality.”

via RALEIGH: Raleigh 'Color Run' race leads to dyed houses, towed cars | Wake County | NewsObserver.com.

My Raleigh picture shows up on WTVD

WTVD_Raleigh_pic

I noticed in WTVD’s story on Raleigh’s new city manager that the station is using my public domain picture of downtown Raleigh for its graphics about the city of Raleigh. Also, during my city council appearance last month I was amused to see my picture now displayed on the city’s projector at the beginning of the council session.

It’s pretty awesome that I’ve got people seeing Raleigh the same way I do!

Residents seeing red after Raleigh ‘Color Run’ | abc11.com

Ed Crump with WTVD just ran a story on Raleigh’s Color Run fiasco (and nice headline, Ed. Sounds kinda familiar …)

RALEIGH (WTVD) — Some residents of historic Oakwood in downtown Raleigh say they are annoyed by the noise and mess left from last weekend’s “Color Run.”

Runners and volunteers played loud music and threw colored powder as part of the 5K event at Halifax Mall on Sept. 28.

However, some residents said they were really upset when their cars were towed off the street with less than 24-hours notice.

via Residents seeing red after Raleigh 'Color Run' | abc11.com.

PopSci decides Internet comments are “bad for science.” That’s lazy and wrong.

Slate’s Will Oremus has a nice counterpoint to Popular Science’s recent decision to disallow comments on its web stories.

Now, I get as annoyed as the next right-thinking person when Internet commenters misconstrue scientific research—let alone when they regale me with tales of their aunt’s third cousin who makes $73 an hour working from home. But I couldn’t help but notice an almost religious zeal in LaBarre’s framing of her magazine’s mission. Spreading the word of science? Undermining bedrock scientific doctrine? Substitute “Christianity” for “science” and “Christian” for “scientific” in those two phrases and perhaps you’ll see what makes me uncomfortable here. These aren’t the words of a scientist. They’re the words of an evangelist.

via Future Tense.

Why We’re Shutting Off Our Comments | Popular Science

Popular Science is disabling comments on their stories. The research they cite shows how influential reader comments can be, undermining PopSci’s mission to promote science.

From the time I’ve spent in the reader forums of local media sites, I wholeheartedly agree that comments often do more harm than good.

Comments can be bad for science. That’s why, here at PopularScience.com, we’re shutting them off.

It wasn’t a decision we made lightly. As the news arm of a 141-year-old science and technology magazine, we are as committed to fostering lively, intellectual debate as we are to spreading the word of science far and wide. The problem is when trolls and spambots overwhelm the former, diminishing our ability to do the latter.

via Why We're Shutting Off Our Comments | Popular Science.

N&O switches to Facebook comments

The News and Observer switched to Facebook comments for its online stories today. I suppose that’s a good thing, since the previous comment system was frequently the target of spammers.

It will be interesting to see if the N&O follows through on its belief that if it’s worth saying, one should sign one’s name to it. Can we expect the newspaper to start putting names on its editorials?

We’ve always wanted our story forums to be places for robust, but civil, exchanges of opinion on the issues of the day. But too often, they become pits of mudslinging and abuse that scare off folks who want a rational conversation.

The biggest reason: Our systems have allowed readers to use screen names that hide their identities.

We believe that if you have something to say, you should be willing to put your name on it.

via Why we’ve changed how you comment on our site | Local/State | NewsObserver.com.