Stupid Journalism Tricks #1
For untold eons, members of the older generation have moaned about the rampant inadequacies of younger folk.
So, in my dotage at 71, why should I be any different in viewing the current generation of newspaper folk as – if not dumber than a box of rocks – certainly journalistically challenged?
However, given the terminal state of most newsrooms, a bit of charity may be called for.
Which is the raison d'etre for a new feature on my blog.
Which I call Stupid Journalism Tricks. As in David Letterman's Stupid Pet Tricks.
Now, the mechanics of my Stupid Journalism Tricks are as easy as A.B,C:
A – My blog will provide a regular collection of anomaly-infested data designed to raise even the thickest of journalistic eyebrows .
B – Hopefully, these anomalies will generate enough curiosity to cause even the slowest reporter to (1) pick up the phone, (2) call an appropriate source and (3) ask a simple direct question like, “What in hell's up with this?”
C - Ideally, the source (or sources) should come up with enough interesting answers to provide (1) the reporter with a story and (2) the graphics people with a chart of the kind lusted after by the design people.
Anyhow....
Without any further whatever, I offer the first in my on-going series of Stupid Journalism Tricks.
1998 2008 % change
Florida 15,000,475 18,807,219 25.4%
Criminal Defendants:
Circuit Court 187,790 235,451 25.3%
County Court 501,985 515,552 2.7%
Prison Population 66,280 98,193 48.1%
Jail Population 51,215 61,500 20.1%
Probationers 158,079 115,079 (27.2%)
Broward 1,460,890 1,758,404 20.4%
Criminal Defendants:
Circuit Court 18,924 18,810 (0.6%)
County Court 40,682 36,576 (10.1%)
Prison 7,305 9,160 25.4%
Jail 4,493 5,360 19.3%
Probation 16,247 11,431 (29.6%)
Miami-Dade 2,090,314 2,377,289 13.7%
Criminal Defendants:
Circuit Court 25,867 29,720 14.9%
County Court 64,696 73,768 14.0%
Prison 9,213 8,633 (6.3%)
Jail 7,261 6,979 (3.4%)
Probation 14,751 12,259 (16.9%)
SOURCES: Florida Statistical Abstract
Florida Courts Summary Reporting System
Florida Department of Corrections
Okay.
On second thought, it's only fair that my first Stupid Journalism Trick include a few helpful hints for the today's average over-worked and under-talented reporter. (Note how all of the following can be accomplished on the phone, or by email without anyone having to leave their desk.)
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First, notice the difference in the numbers for Broward – then convince your editor how there could be a 1-A story (with sexy graphics) here.
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Next call (or email) the Court Administrator's Office in Broward and Miami-Dade and get the number of circuit and county court judges hearing criminal cases in 1998 and 2008 – which should be interesting since they're gonna be seriously up.
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Once you have the numbers for #2, call Broward's Chief Judge Victor Tobin and ask him to explain what's up with Broward's numbers – versus those in Miami-Dade and the State. (Expect a shitload of I'll have to get back to you.)
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Call a few local law enforcement mavens to ask them what's up with the static number of Bad Guys appearing in Broward's courts. (Expect more I'll have to get back to you.)
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Call Public Defender Howard Finkelstein to get a comment on the Broward numbers – including the fact that Broward's Number One in state prison inmates.
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Ask Broward State Attorney Mike Satz about the static number of criminal defendants in Broward. (Expect some Satzspin bullshit about how the flat crime numbers are the result of his office putting everyone* behind bars (*except local elected officials).
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Call a few criminal justice mavens in Miami-Dade to ask what's up with their numbers – especially their jail and prison populations which are amazingly down.
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Maybe you should ask a local Probation Office maven about their shrinking numbers.
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For further hints and hand-holding, dial
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