July 22, 2008
Doing it right in Dallas
Taking on the role of change catalyst, the Dallas Morning News editorial board embarks on a crusade to tear down long-standing divides in their city.
“Bridging Dallas’ North-South Gap” stands out as an outstanding example of “best practices” at work in the editorial sections of on line newspapers. Described as a “crusade” by its editors, this ongoing project seeks to close the economic and social divides that have separated neighborhoods and peoples in this city for many years.
What is most impressive about this effort is it demonstrates how effective the use of multiple forms of information delivery can be. When used by editorial board that has determined it wants to play an active role as the catalyst for community change, maps, videos and interactive discussions give readers an opportunity to learn about the problems within their community and contribute to the solutions.
As a standing navigation link on the Dallasnews.com Opinion section - http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/northsouth/ - the project is a many-faceted look at how an editorial staff can be a catalyst for change. It uses tools unique to the web to complement the well-edited and appropriately succinct text.
The centerpiece of the project was an interactive map (example above) which allowed the reader to navigate to strategically chosen neighborhoods identified as problem areas. The editors believed if problems within these areas could be resolved, the process could be replicated in surrounding neighborhoods.
Using tightly edited videos, photo-audio slide shows, still photographs and interactive maps, the project’s display is a perfect example of using each media form to its potential.
Typical of the coverage, the neighborhood section “West Dallas Gateway” not only describes issues found within one of the problem areas but also highlights the efforts of its residents to make things better.
Featured in a slide show (still images with audio) attached to the West Dallas section, Gerardo Romero describes the increase in his business since a new street and bridge have been built and community organizer talks about how new houses in the neighborhood translates into increased pride for the existing residents. Lopez, who is described by the editors as “exactly the kind of person needed..” in reference to their partners in the community, is typical of those who have renewed enthusiasm for change as a result of the editorial project.
Beyond the use of multimedia, a strength of this project, and something to be high on any “best practices” list, is the follow up the staff undertakes to be sure the project doesn’t drift into obscurity. A perfect example in this project is the “10 Drops in the Bucket,” list.
Initiated last December the “Bucket List” was a way for residents to identify neighborhood problems, and for the editors to define issues that might seem small at the individual level, but when seen as part of a larger trend, were likely a city-wide concern.
Just last week, the “Bucket” was updated with the editorial “10 small improvements for southern Dallas” with descriptions and outcomes of each of the original problems. The “Bucket” will continue to fill and empty as the project continues.
As the summer progresses, this blog, will focus on a specific practice and present links to good examples you might find useful in your editorial situation.
The Knight Digital Media Center invites guest contributors to share their experiences with effective online editorials and commentary.
If you wish to share, please contact me at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Please put “best practice” in the email subject line.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Comments
The CHI Original Flat Iron is the latest in CHI designs and includes a Free Blue Camo Print Heatproof Travel Bag! Order Now,Time Limited Sale,No Tax! Save 70%,Fast Payment By Paypal.The chi hair tools are essential to gal’s comestics boxes,so Chi hair straightener ,GHD hair straightener are ready for to create sole charm for you. http://www.superflatiron.com/chi-original-flat-iron-p-188.html
By superflat, 10/18/10 at 4:32 pm
The newest style of high quality ugg ultra tall boots On Sale now.Rush to buy your favorite fur uggs online,free shipping and no sale tax” > http://www.ugg-boots-guide.com/ugg-ultra-tall-boots-c-14.html
By superflat, 10/18/10 at 4:32 pm
http://www.fakehandbags1.com/
http://www.fakehandbags1.com/armani-bags/11162-armani-black-full-cowhide-mens-bag.html
By fakehandbags, 10/22/10 at 3:05 pm
Just want to say what a great blog you got here!Replica Bags
By Replica Bags, 11/03/10 at 4:46 pm
In Replica Bags world, nothing beats Vuitton when it comes to quality. There are many other great designers out there who make great quality Replica Purse, but Vuitton is top of the range. And has been for decades. Replica Hermes Handbags are easy to recognize because of their unique shape. They have a solid appearance and have firm curves and tend to be able to stand by themselves. This partly comes from the Chole Hobo design and also from the tough material they are made of.
By Replica Bags, 11/03/10 at 4:51 pm
Tibetan Mysterious Jewelry shows an exotic blend of extra ordinary quality, values, and perfection in creation. Because of how cheap silver sells for in the Wholesale Jewelry market, artistic jewelers are able to produce more unique and creative pieces for people of any culture and taste.When it comes to elegant quality tibetan jewelry that have distinct attractiveness then the name of sterling Tibetan jewelries come on the top. This type of jewelry ranges from handmade silver jewelry to sterling silver charms and to handcrafted jewelry.
By Replica Bags, 11/03/10 at 4:55 pm
Right after looking through this particular article, I wondered exactly the same thing which I constantly wonder when checking out fresh Miu Miu handbags blogs. What particularly do I think about it? Precisely how does this influence me personally? I am rather thankful for the replica Mulberry handbags blog and just how it’s changed the web in to a enormous chanel replica handbags collection of shared thoughts. Amazingly, discount Gucci handbags brought me here while I had been doing weight loss and health related research. It’s always a pleasure reading through and I truly do hope you keep things up. All the best!
By Replica Bags, 11/03/10 at 6:58 pm
Owner Zygi Wilf’s face was red and his pace swift as he stormed out of the Vikings locker room and toward the service elevator in the bowels of Mall of America Field on Sunday following his team’s 31-3 drubbing against arch-rival Green Bay.
Wilf was embarrassed, angry and beyond disappointed after a defeat that defensive tackle Kevin Williams summed up thusly: “In all the Vikings games ever it ain’t ever got one-sided like that.”
The only question that remained—one Wilf wouldn’t answer before or afterward—was whether he had seen enough to go along with what many in the stadium chanted for during the fourth quarter: firing coach Brad Childress. Armani Jeans
“I can’t really talk about that because that’s not my decision going forward,” Childress said.
The defeat tied for eighth-worst home loss in the Vikings’ 50-year history and the worst since a 33-3 setback on Dec. 3, 2001, against Jacksonville. Then-coach Dennis Green was relieved of his duties shortly thereafter.
“We played atrocious, bad football in all phases,” tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said after Green Bay had completed a series sweep of the Vikings and tied Chicago for first place in the NFC North. “Special teams. Offense. Defense. Just couldn’t get anything going. ... No excuse for nothing. That’s embarrassing. It’s something that people just [have got to] get their extra work in. Period. End of discussion.”
It’s probably too late. Sunday’s loss dropped the Vikings to 3-7, and only a mathematician could argue this team still has a shot at making the playoffs.
But a disappointing season filled with tribulations turned into chaos before an announced crowd of 64,120 that included plenty of Green Bay fans who serenaded the visitors with chants of “Go, Pack, Go.”
A handful of Vikings threw their helmets as they entered the bench area, Brett Favre ignored offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s attempt to talk to him after throwing an interception in the second quarter, and defensive end Ray Edwards and rookie cornerback Chris Cook exchanged words in the third quarter after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw one of his four touchdown passes. Christian Audigier Jeans
Vikings players appeared on the verge of turning on each other. The defensive line clearly felt that it had gotten adequate pressure on Rodgers and that the secondary failed to hold up its end of the bargain. This was what led to the Edwards-Cook confrontation and came after Cook had been benched for poor play. Second-year corner Asher Allen didn’t hold up much better than Cook, and Rodgers was able to avoid pressure and create big plays with his arm. Greg Jennings caught seven passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns.
“There’s people challenging each other,” Childress said of the sideline confrontations. “It’s an emotional game. Whether it’s players challenging players, or players and coaches, you have to appropriately challenge each other. That’s the nature of our game.”
There are still six games remaining and, in back-to-back losses to Chicago and Green Bay, the Vikings’ resolve has disappeared after they took an early punch from their opponent. Last season, the Vikings seemed to be confident they would catch a break; the mantra this year seems to be, “When is something going to go wrong?” Versace Handbags
The answer to that question came in the second quarter Sunday with the Vikings leading 3-0 when Toby Gerhart caught a pass and went 10 yards for what would have been a first down. Gerhart was stripped of the ball by Charles Woodson and Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk recovered. Two series later, Green Bay tied the score on Mason Crosby’s 42-yard field goal.
Things turned sour late in the quarter when Favre was intercepted by cornerback Tramon Williams and Green Bay went 53 yards on six plays with Rodgers finding wide receiver James Jones on a 3-yard touchdown pass. That put the Packers up 17-3, and the Vikings were booed off the field. Many of those fans were so disgusted by midpoint of the fourth quarter that they stopped showing their disgust and headed for the exits.
More information on http://www.bizsuper.com
By www.bizsuper.com, 11/21/10 at 8:53 pm
Page 1 of 1 pages
Commenting is not available in this section entry.
As the newspaper world evolves, so do the roles of the opinion section and its writers. Blogger 
RSS Feed
