Here's an interesting comment/suggestion from NN for reporters concerning the local government elections.
"I'm issuing a plea to an investigative or other journalists who like to have a leg up on national issues.
The Ministry of Local Government is having consultations in the marish and parish discussing serious issues about local governance. It would be nice to hear the conversations taking place during these consultations, and a look at who in the respective communities is actually participating. Can we have a few stories about local government - how it works and how it doesn't, what people expect as far as service delivery, and what they should expect?
"Maybe this will help when local government elections come around and media houses are frantically fishing for weak and pointless minutiae to tell us about. Such an initiative would help put your election coverage in perfect perspective on issues and, if stories air before the consultations are done, should add to and inform the public debate on the issues."
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
T&T TOO RICH 2
The 'Big Story' of the day turned out to be that front page report in the Express on President Bush's proclamation to remove T&T from the US' preferential trade listing.
If the Guardian editor had any idea the story would have had such an impact, maybe the front page headline would have been much bigger than the miniscule, almost by-the-way print we saw.
For the evening news, all the major stations ran with the report.
TV6's Sharmilla Persad had the angle of the press release from the TTMA, which "...warms of reprecussions" (that was the graphic on the screen). Now we can understand if that ran at seven pm as a mistake, but two hours later in your 10 pm newscast? Steups.
And what about an economist's perspective? Guess we have to wait for Andy Johnson to call up someone for the Morning Edition to get some more meat out of that story.
Then we had a story from Nathalie Chrysostom about consumers bracing for "dearer bread". While she outlined that the NFM has increased the price of flour, she spoke with just one person - the PRO of Xtra Foods supermarket. The last thing he said was that the prices at his supermarket would not be increased. Well he should send you a thank you note since you gave him some free advertising there.
What about speaking with the Bakers' Association or even the Supermarkets Association to get some perspective for all consumers, instead of a specific supermarket?
Anyway, Odeka O'Neil-Seaton hosted the Big Story on CNC 3 on Wednesday and her guest was Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Mariano Browne, the same man Juhel Browne quoted in his Express report on Wednesday.
The minister was quite well-versed in his answers, but we can't say the same thing about Odeka. She seemed out of her league. Maybe on another topic she may have shined, but even her voice betrayed the fact that she seemed ill-prepared for that interview. We noticed that Miss Dass was also absent for the 7pm news, so we are guessing that the task of hosting the talk show was unexpectedly thrust upon Odeka.
Unfortunate. Mr Browne kept saying "As I said before..." in response to some of her questions.
And while we are still on this topic, Juhel Browne has what we will call Part 2 of his front page story in the Thursday Express, but there's no mention of it on the front page.
So he must have heard Mr Browne speaking about the Bush issue in the Senate late on Tuesday and rushed to have it printed for Wednesday. But you gave us a half-picked duck for your lead story Wednesday and then turned around on Thursday to flesh it out, but the story doesn't even make the front page.
"United States Embassy economic section chief, John Ries, says despite President George Bush's decision to remove this country from the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), the local exporters who are affected can still apply for duty-free access for their exports under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI)."
"Ries spoke on the issue yesterday after the US Embassy contacted the Express to clarify what he said could have been any misconceptions about Bush's decision."
"Ries noted that Bush's determination that Trinidad and Tobago is now a "high income" country was done after the World Bank gave this nation the same designation last year."
So you as the reporter did not know this last piece of information to pass onto your readers in the original story in order to allay any fears your report may have generated? Steups!
That's what happens when you are too busy trying to get the story out first instead of trying to figure out how the information will affect your readers.
If the Guardian editor had any idea the story would have had such an impact, maybe the front page headline would have been much bigger than the miniscule, almost by-the-way print we saw.
For the evening news, all the major stations ran with the report.
TV6's Sharmilla Persad had the angle of the press release from the TTMA, which "...warms of reprecussions" (that was the graphic on the screen). Now we can understand if that ran at seven pm as a mistake, but two hours later in your 10 pm newscast? Steups.
And what about an economist's perspective? Guess we have to wait for Andy Johnson to call up someone for the Morning Edition to get some more meat out of that story.
Then we had a story from Nathalie Chrysostom about consumers bracing for "dearer bread". While she outlined that the NFM has increased the price of flour, she spoke with just one person - the PRO of Xtra Foods supermarket. The last thing he said was that the prices at his supermarket would not be increased. Well he should send you a thank you note since you gave him some free advertising there.
What about speaking with the Bakers' Association or even the Supermarkets Association to get some perspective for all consumers, instead of a specific supermarket?
Anyway, Odeka O'Neil-Seaton hosted the Big Story on CNC 3 on Wednesday and her guest was Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Mariano Browne, the same man Juhel Browne quoted in his Express report on Wednesday.
The minister was quite well-versed in his answers, but we can't say the same thing about Odeka. She seemed out of her league. Maybe on another topic she may have shined, but even her voice betrayed the fact that she seemed ill-prepared for that interview. We noticed that Miss Dass was also absent for the 7pm news, so we are guessing that the task of hosting the talk show was unexpectedly thrust upon Odeka.
Unfortunate. Mr Browne kept saying "As I said before..." in response to some of her questions.
And while we are still on this topic, Juhel Browne has what we will call Part 2 of his front page story in the Thursday Express, but there's no mention of it on the front page.
So he must have heard Mr Browne speaking about the Bush issue in the Senate late on Tuesday and rushed to have it printed for Wednesday. But you gave us a half-picked duck for your lead story Wednesday and then turned around on Thursday to flesh it out, but the story doesn't even make the front page.
"United States Embassy economic section chief, John Ries, says despite President George Bush's decision to remove this country from the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), the local exporters who are affected can still apply for duty-free access for their exports under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI)."
"Ries spoke on the issue yesterday after the US Embassy contacted the Express to clarify what he said could have been any misconceptions about Bush's decision."
"Ries noted that Bush's determination that Trinidad and Tobago is now a "high income" country was done after the World Bank gave this nation the same designation last year."
So you as the reporter did not know this last piece of information to pass onto your readers in the original story in order to allay any fears your report may have generated? Steups!
That's what happens when you are too busy trying to get the story out first instead of trying to figure out how the information will affect your readers.
T&T TOO RICH
Juhel Browne of the Express has the front page story titled 'T&T Too Rich', a proclamation by US President George Bush as he modifies duty-free treatment for several developing countries (see paragraphs 6 & 11).
In his article, Juhel has an interview with Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Mariano Browne who said it's not threatening to business, but government will not ignore it.
But Juhel, just recently you wrote a story about the fact that the government received a $60M no-interest loan from China. At that time we also questioned why the government was taking a loan, but you didn't. You just printed the facts.
You also had the opportunity yesterday to question the minister about the supposed riches that the US President is talking about, and to ask why then if we are so rich are we still borrowing money from China?
On the other hand, the Guardian's Sandra Chouthi has an interview with economist Jwala Rambarran on the same story, and he says "“We have a vibrant energy sector that people come and invest in. We have more or less moved away from aid flows. They are no longer as important to T&T as a form of financing.”"
In his article, Juhel has an interview with Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Mariano Browne who said it's not threatening to business, but government will not ignore it.
But Juhel, just recently you wrote a story about the fact that the government received a $60M no-interest loan from China. At that time we also questioned why the government was taking a loan, but you didn't. You just printed the facts.
You also had the opportunity yesterday to question the minister about the supposed riches that the US President is talking about, and to ask why then if we are so rich are we still borrowing money from China?
On the other hand, the Guardian's Sandra Chouthi has an interview with economist Jwala Rambarran on the same story, and he says "“We have a vibrant energy sector that people come and invest in. We have more or less moved away from aid flows. They are no longer as important to T&T as a form of financing.”"
EXPRESS LETTERS BOOBOO TOO
New type of competition perhaps?
"Martine,
"Well it seems as if the Express wants to prove that it could be three times as bad as the Guardian when it comes to booboos. To match the Guardian's online edition of posting obituaries in its letters section, the Express' online edition has responded with booboo for booboo by posting letters (and headlines) in triplicate on its website. Is it the Express' way of padding or making up for lack of content?"
"Criticus Maximus"
"Martine,
"Well it seems as if the Express wants to prove that it could be three times as bad as the Guardian when it comes to booboos. To match the Guardian's online edition of posting obituaries in its letters section, the Express' online edition has responded with booboo for booboo by posting letters (and headlines) in triplicate on its website. Is it the Express' way of padding or making up for lack of content?"
"Criticus Maximus"
LIVELY DEBATE
Very animated discussion/debate on the TV6 Morning Edition on the subject of Support for SEA low scorers.
Dr Morgan Job, Dr Lincoln Douglas and a female educator from Jamaica who is now living in Trinidad were the guests speaking with Andy Johnson. They made some really interesting points.
Andy perhaps you can have them come on with the Education Minister. We look forward to part 2.
Dr Morgan Job, Dr Lincoln Douglas and a female educator from Jamaica who is now living in Trinidad were the guests speaking with Andy Johnson. They made some really interesting points.
Andy perhaps you can have them come on with the Education Minister. We look forward to part 2.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
TUESDAY NEWS
IETV and CNC 3, you should have both put up on the screen the words 'Amateur Video' in your evening newscasts for the hand-held shots at the beginning of your stories on the fire at the Courts Megastore.
Even if your cameramen shot those images, they looked amateur, so you could have still saved some face.
And thank goodness that Courts story from Marcia Hope at TV6 was shortened for the 7pm newscast. At midday it was loooong. Well at least it seemed shorter. Ans she used a strange word at midday which we did not hear in the subsequent newscast, leading us to believe the story was re-edited. Thank you.
TV6 decided to lead their newscast with the story of the little boy who has a problem with his heart. OK. But that idea bombed when Samantha John called for the story and it probably was not ready as she had to go to another story then go back to the story with the little boy. She looked like she didn't know what to do with herself.
Strangely enough it was voiced by the young lady who does the short entertainment report on Friday nights. Hmmmm. And is the child's father's name pronounced as 'Ra-hal' by Samantha (it's spelt just like the former Health Minister's name), or is it pronounced as 'Ra-heel' by the young lady who voiced the story?
And why was the video only on one side of the screen? It was very distracting. Also there should have been subtitles over the telephone interview with the child's father as it was extremely difficult to understand anything he was saying. On the other hand, we heard his wife very clearly.
Satesh Mahabir of CNC 3, you gave us a long story about the Caribbean Airlines milestone of the 'c-check', 'seat check', 'sea check'? We couldn't figure what you or the chief engineer were saying, and you did not give a complete explanation, so at the end of the story we were still a bit lost as to what the big deal was. We know it was an engineering issue, but for those who don't know anything about it, the explanation should have been more detailed.
Why didn't you have someone draw a graphic so we could have a visual, instead of all that talking with the engineer on camera. We didn't even see a shot of anyone actually checking the engine, but we saw shots of people standing in front of the plane, and the plane moving. Could have been better.
Charlene Ramdhanie continues to improve in her presentation of the C News. A far cry from when she just started.
Even if your cameramen shot those images, they looked amateur, so you could have still saved some face.
And thank goodness that Courts story from Marcia Hope at TV6 was shortened for the 7pm newscast. At midday it was loooong. Well at least it seemed shorter. Ans she used a strange word at midday which we did not hear in the subsequent newscast, leading us to believe the story was re-edited. Thank you.
TV6 decided to lead their newscast with the story of the little boy who has a problem with his heart. OK. But that idea bombed when Samantha John called for the story and it probably was not ready as she had to go to another story then go back to the story with the little boy. She looked like she didn't know what to do with herself.
Strangely enough it was voiced by the young lady who does the short entertainment report on Friday nights. Hmmmm. And is the child's father's name pronounced as 'Ra-hal' by Samantha (it's spelt just like the former Health Minister's name), or is it pronounced as 'Ra-heel' by the young lady who voiced the story?
And why was the video only on one side of the screen? It was very distracting. Also there should have been subtitles over the telephone interview with the child's father as it was extremely difficult to understand anything he was saying. On the other hand, we heard his wife very clearly.
Satesh Mahabir of CNC 3, you gave us a long story about the Caribbean Airlines milestone of the 'c-check', 'seat check', 'sea check'? We couldn't figure what you or the chief engineer were saying, and you did not give a complete explanation, so at the end of the story we were still a bit lost as to what the big deal was. We know it was an engineering issue, but for those who don't know anything about it, the explanation should have been more detailed.
Why didn't you have someone draw a graphic so we could have a visual, instead of all that talking with the engineer on camera. We didn't even see a shot of anyone actually checking the engine, but we saw shots of people standing in front of the plane, and the plane moving. Could have been better.
Charlene Ramdhanie continues to improve in her presentation of the C News. A far cry from when she just started.
AND AGAIN! 3
Well we have been reliably informed that "Darin B. is Avita's uncle...and her last name is Bissoondatt..that is how she spelt it on facebook."
Thanks to R. for letting us know.
So reporters, now you know, please don't disappoint us again.
Thanks to R. for letting us know.
So reporters, now you know, please don't disappoint us again.
AND AGAIN! 2
This is getting really tedious.
So, there's a car crash in Arima and one person dies. But two newspapers confuse us because we are told in one account that the driver died, and we are told in the other account that the passenger died.
In the account in the Express (no byline), "...Akil Joel Walters, 24, died at the Arima Area Hospital following an accident on the he (sic) Eastern Main Road, in the vicinity of Wallerfield. Walters, of Carapo Village, Arima, lost control of his Nissan Almera as he headed west around 1 a.m. and ran into an electricity pole, police said.
The lone passenger in the car, Quasey Butcher, 25...".
But the Newsday's Ralph Banwarie tells us "Akeel Walter, 24, of Carapo died when the car driven by his friend Kwesi Butler ran off the road, crashed into an electricity pole and onto the banks of the Guanapo River. Butler reported that at about 1 am, he was driving his gold Nissan Almera B16 car west...".
And did you notice that the names of the victim and survivor are spelt differently in both accounts?
Hmmmmmmmm. Who got the accident report from the police? Who spoke with the survivor?
So, there's a car crash in Arima and one person dies. But two newspapers confuse us because we are told in one account that the driver died, and we are told in the other account that the passenger died.
In the account in the Express (no byline), "...Akil Joel Walters, 24, died at the Arima Area Hospital following an accident on the he (sic) Eastern Main Road, in the vicinity of Wallerfield. Walters, of Carapo Village, Arima, lost control of his Nissan Almera as he headed west around 1 a.m. and ran into an electricity pole, police said.
The lone passenger in the car, Quasey Butcher, 25...".
But the Newsday's Ralph Banwarie tells us "Akeel Walter, 24, of Carapo died when the car driven by his friend Kwesi Butler ran off the road, crashed into an electricity pole and onto the banks of the Guanapo River. Butler reported that at about 1 am, he was driving his gold Nissan Almera B16 car west...".
And did you notice that the names of the victim and survivor are spelt differently in both accounts?
Hmmmmmmmm. Who got the accident report from the police? Who spoke with the survivor?
GUARDIAN DIRGE-LIKE LETTERS
The new-look Guardian needs a guard, apparently. Who is watching whom?
"MD,
"The Guardian has pumped so much money into its new-look format in an effort to be competitive, (I prefer the old broad-sheet Guardian because it covers work-tables, the bottom of bird-cages and dog kennels better, however) yet its online edition leaves a lot to be desired.
Like the coffee isn't working; in the Guardian online 1 July edition, the letters section is filled with death notices instead (perhaps this is a subliminal message of the Guardian's slipping in ratings?) and the site is not maintained daily."
"Criticus Maximus"
Well CM, maybe you can forward this message to the email address on the letters page: letters@ttol.co.tt
Then again, they may be tempted to put it in the obituaries.
And we actually prefer the draft online page they posted some time ago. It was much better than this one.
"MD,
"The Guardian has pumped so much money into its new-look format in an effort to be competitive, (I prefer the old broad-sheet Guardian because it covers work-tables, the bottom of bird-cages and dog kennels better, however) yet its online edition leaves a lot to be desired.
Like the coffee isn't working; in the Guardian online 1 July edition, the letters section is filled with death notices instead (perhaps this is a subliminal message of the Guardian's slipping in ratings?) and the site is not maintained daily."
"Criticus Maximus"
Well CM, maybe you can forward this message to the email address on the letters page: letters@ttol.co.tt
Then again, they may be tempted to put it in the obituaries.
And we actually prefer the draft online page they posted some time ago. It was much better than this one.
AND AGAIN!
What is the last name of the young woman who was kidnapped?
Is it Bissoondatt as told to us by Gyasi Gonzales of the Express, or is it Bissoondath as told to us by Andre Bagoo of the Newsday?
And again, they both (we assume) went to the same court and listened to the same proceedings. So at any point did either one of them go to one of the lawyers to figure out how to correctly spell the young woman's name???
Steups!
Then relating to the charges, Mr Gonzales tells us "The first alleged "that on June 22, by way of negotiation", she demanded a ransom from Brian Bissoondatt (Avita's father) for the release of Avita.".
But Mr Bagoo tells us "They further allege that on the next day, June 22, Ramcharan “by way of negotiation” demanded a ransom from Brian Bissoondath, an uncle of Avita, for her safe release."
And the Guardian's David Thurton tells us
"Bissoondath is the daughter of attorney Darin Bissoondath,...".
If anyone can clearly tell us whether Brian B. or Darin B. is Avita's father or uncle, please email us at d.martine6@gmail.com
This is real nonsense!
Maybe your subs should start communicating with each other to make sure they all print the same version of the same stories!
Is it Bissoondatt as told to us by Gyasi Gonzales of the Express, or is it Bissoondath as told to us by Andre Bagoo of the Newsday?
And again, they both (we assume) went to the same court and listened to the same proceedings. So at any point did either one of them go to one of the lawyers to figure out how to correctly spell the young woman's name???
Steups!
Then relating to the charges, Mr Gonzales tells us "The first alleged "that on June 22, by way of negotiation", she demanded a ransom from Brian Bissoondatt (Avita's father) for the release of Avita.".
But Mr Bagoo tells us "They further allege that on the next day, June 22, Ramcharan “by way of negotiation” demanded a ransom from Brian Bissoondath, an uncle of Avita, for her safe release."
And the Guardian's David Thurton tells us
"Bissoondath is the daughter of attorney Darin Bissoondath,...".
If anyone can clearly tell us whether Brian B. or Darin B. is Avita's father or uncle, please email us at d.martine6@gmail.com
This is real nonsense!
Maybe your subs should start communicating with each other to make sure they all print the same version of the same stories!
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