The Anatomy of a Crime Story
News research plays a crucial role in adding an edge to journalism. Under deadline pressure, news researchers must be experts at developing research strategies and searching a variety of online and offline sources. Researchers work closely with reporters to add pertinent context to stories and to enable reporters to ask more informed questions when putting together stories. Below is an annotated version of a breaking news story at The Press Democrat that shows the origins and results of news research efforts in one afternoon.
The following paragraphs give biographical information about the other individuals who worked on this story.
Albert Sears was a
News Researcher at The Press Democrat from 1990 - 1996. He was on the
team that launched the paper's first web site, a research site for
working journalists. He is a recipient of the Society of Professional
Journalists' James Madison Award (1994), for investigative news research
on a gambling casino and its promoter. Albert is now enrolled in a Ph.D.
program in English at Lehigh University in
PA.
Vonnie Matthews
is a News Researcher who has worked at The Press Democrat for18 years.
Along with Albert, she is a recipient of the Society of Professional
Journalists' James Madison Award (1994), for investigative news
research on a gambling casino and its promoter.
Tom Chorneau is
a Staff Reporter covering breaking news and county government for the The
Press Democrat. He has worked at the paper since 1992. He is a
recipient of the New York Times Chairman's Award in 1996 for his
coverage of the Russian River floods.
Sonoma Suspect's 40 Years of Crime
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This page was created by Barbara P. Semonche, Sheila Denn and Joe Tetreault. It was last updated September 1997. If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact Barbara