Correcting Factual Errors
In the Oct. Edition, the Cedar Post ran a story detailing some changes in custodial staff at the school. The writer misspelled three of the names in the story and incorrectly referred to one of the custodial positions, and the errors were missed in copy editing — partially because some of the names were misspelled on the District's employee directory, a resource we used.
When the mistakes were brought to light, we ran a correction to amend the errors. My adviser and I addressed the staff regarding the absolute importance of factual accuracy after the mistake. We tightened up our editing process and began to check spellings more thoroughly, and haven't had any factual mistakes since this discussion. |
Recognizing Bias: Mom Before Prom
Even though the writing isn't my best, "Mom Before Prom" is one of my favorite feature stories I've ever written. When I set out on the piece in February 2017, I wanted to illuminate the unique experiences of young mothers and force the reader to think empathetically. All of my subjects went on the record.
A problem arose in the final paragraph of the article when I used a very weighted word that revealed my personal bias. I wrote:
"Experts have directly correlated the declining rates of teen pregnancy with increased contraceptive technology and widespread availability, including the development of Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) and the emergency contraceptive. With impending threats of a limitation of access to these birth control options, the future of teen pregnancy rates are uncertain."
During critiques, my adviser pointed out the word and explained how it slanted the piece. I had been oblivious to my mistake, but once it was pointed out I was understanding and regretful. After making this mistake, I have been very cautious and contentious about accidentally slipping my opinions or perspective into stories. On most pieces, I have at least two other staffers read through a piece to check for bias.
Here is "Mom Before Prom" in its entirety.
A problem arose in the final paragraph of the article when I used a very weighted word that revealed my personal bias. I wrote:
"Experts have directly correlated the declining rates of teen pregnancy with increased contraceptive technology and widespread availability, including the development of Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) and the emergency contraceptive. With impending threats of a limitation of access to these birth control options, the future of teen pregnancy rates are uncertain."
During critiques, my adviser pointed out the word and explained how it slanted the piece. I had been oblivious to my mistake, but once it was pointed out I was understanding and regretful. After making this mistake, I have been very cautious and contentious about accidentally slipping my opinions or perspective into stories. On most pieces, I have at least two other staffers read through a piece to check for bias.
Here is "Mom Before Prom" in its entirety.
Teens mothers speak out about the realities of teen pregnancy
Teen pregnancies occur in every community and are well understood in the realm of statistical analysis. The factors that can cause them and their implications in society have been studied for years. However, young women who unexpectedly become teen mothers can assure you: the statistics are so much more than numbers. Carrying a child as a teenager is stressful on the body itself and is also incredibly taxing emotionally. In our society, teen pregnancy is looked down upon and criticized, making the experience all the more arduous. Brielle Cecil, who gave birth to her daughter Claire at age 17 last year, experienced this societal chastisement firsthand during her pregnancy. “I actually had a lady in Walmart look at me and say that me and my child were damned to hell because I was so young,” Cecil said. “Teen mothers are very much looked down upon…Everyone expects teen moms to be bad moms but not all of us are.” Cecil has earned her GED, and plans to attend NIC. Sophomore Shilah Cordero gave birth to her son at age 15, and took the route of open adoption. “I think that in the old days they didn’t really have open adoption, but nowadays it’s better because you can go and see your kid whenever you want, so I feel like that’s a better option for teens than to keep the kid, but that’s your choice,” Cordero said. Today, Cordero occasionally babysits her son. Chelsea Davidson had her daughter Véra at age 17 and graduated early. She is holding off on college until Véra is older. “My unplanned pregnancy [was] a roller coaster of emotions! And a sling shot into being an adult with a lot bigger responsibilities,” Davidson said. “You can never prepare yourself to have a child so you have so many emotions running through you at first.” Experts have directly correlated the declining rates of teen pregnancy with increased contraceptive technology and widespread availability, including the development of Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) and the emergency contraceptive. With impending threats of a limitation of access to these birth control options, the future of teen pregnancy rates are uncertain. Article posted here. |
Citing Important Sources
While at the Sandpoint Reader, I was assigned a news brief on an upcoming local cancer benefit helping a 16-year-old boy named Jared suffering from leukemia. After interviewing the individual organizing the event, I recognized that the article was lacking the most important perspective: the family's. I reached out to Jared's mother and interviewed her briefly on the phone — she couldn't talk long, as she was at the hospital as Jared began treatment. It was a heart-wrenching conversation, and afterwards, I had to use personal discretion as to how much information I should include to preserve the family's privacy yet simultaneously express their gratitude.
This article is just a news brief. In essence, however, it's much more to me.
This article is just a news brief. In essence, however, it's much more to me.
I’m very thankful, they’re really trying to make everything as easy as possible for us." |
When the Dover Bay Resort first contacted Autumn Dillon offering to host a benefit for her son Jared, she was elated. “I was very happy, and kind of surprised,” Dillon said. “It’s not the call you expect, but I was very happy to receive it.” Dillon’s son Jared Kluesner, a 16-year old Sandpoint High School student, was diagnosed with leukemia on December 5, and is currently undergoing treatment. So hearing the news from the resort was exciting, to say the least. Dover Bay Resort will host Block Party at the Barn to help out Jared and his family on Friday, July 14 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. The event is free to attend, and will feature a silent auction welcoming both cash and credit payment, as well as Dickey’s famous BBQ plates and a cash bar hosted by MickDuff’s Brewery. Plenty of activities such as face painting and a scavenger hunt will also be available for kids. And the cherry on top: Devon Wade and his band will rock the dance floor. Matt Meneghini, a chief planner of the event, said that the event has been long in the making. “Devon and I have been talking since October and we wanted to have an event with a cause,” Meneghini said. “We said, ‘we should find somebody that’s in need.’” Many businesses in town will be contributing to the benefit with auction items and the like. Dillon expressed immense gratitude for the Dover Bay Resort. “I’m kind of bummed that we can’t personally be there [due to treatment], but of course we’re still very happy about it. This is really going to help a lot with gas money and bills,” she said. “I’m very thankful, they’re really trying to make everything as easy as possible for us." |
Necessitating Publication
For the January Edition of the Cedar Post, the staff was enthusiastic about pursing a cover story inspecting the surge of popularity of E-Cigarette devices at SHS.
I was hesitant about the idea. We had ample enthusiasm about it on staff and among students, but I wasn't sure if the scale of the issue necessitated publication. To assess the gravity of the issue and gather concrete data, I created a poll and created a plan to obtain the most accurate and reflective information possible: by administering the poll in classrooms with students representing all of the school in regard of grade, gender, academic status and social group. The data was not what I was expecting. The population of students using E-Cigarette devices was dramatically lower than I anticipated — too low to write a cover story on. I made the decision to scrap the story for the time and go with a different cover. Reflecting on the poll, I recognize some error in my methods that may have led to biased responses. The survey was not anonymous, because I wanted to be able to note certain factors in stratifying my data if that would be pertinent to the story (ex: vaping rates were highest among senior boys.) Many staffers and students alike told me many people were deterred from answering honestly for fear of being punished. Whether there was more to the data or if the issue simply was not the magnitude I had thought, many expressed disappointment in my decision to go a different direction with the Jan. cover. But the data made the decision for me. If we approach this story again, I will be more keenly attuned to response bias in polling and how to prevent it, but also more unexpecting of the student body to comply with a certain impression that necessitates publication. |