Team New Orleans, Got the Memo?
A few weeks ago, Chartreuse initiated a call for several bloggers to go down to the bayou to do some ground-level investigative reporting in New Orleans. Mishikea Brathwaite, Travis Campbell, Loren Feldman and Candice Quates are the folks.
Okay so first of all I’ll commend for Char and all the folks contributing funds to this adventure.
But here’s a memo for these bloggers.
Expect the unexpected.
Actually, more specifically, please go down with an open mind rather than preconcieved ideas.
Understand, I am no defender of FEMA, insurance agencies, etc. However, I expect that if real investigative reporting is going to take place that all sides of this story will be examined. Don’t look at FEMA alone. Look at New Orleans city government and the corruption in the political system. Look at the diverted funding that was sent from both federal and state levels to reinforce the levys levees long before Katrina devastated New Orleans. Make sure you completely understand the racial politics that played in both directions. And make sure that if you blame the Federal government exclusively, you can document it.
When you uncover Walgreens, Allstate and other corporate disasters that occurred after the hurricane, make sure to look into contributions from Google, Cisco, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and other companies that actually did dig deep into their corporate pockets to provide resources, both material and human, to restore jobs, homes and property in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Make sure you don’t pile on if a pile on is not warranted.
Memo to Team New Orleans: Play fair. Don’t make this a publicity stunt. Make sure that if a second team goes down and follows your footprints, holes are not found in your reasoning. If you want to make a mark on society, do it well and not on behalf of your own egos. This is not a game.
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Written by Aaron Brazell on August 14, 2006
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Aaron Brazell
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Again, thanks Martin. The Post isn’t knocking down my door though. ;)
Tangent though, it would be interesting to work for a major paper. I’ve often thought I’d like to do that someday if the opportunity presented itself. You gotta go through all the crap to be ‘qualified’ though. Journalism school. And not only journalism school but from a ‘respected’ school. Not sure I’m really the kind to make it to the top of a foodchain in a political new organization.
Hey it’s not as bad as it seems. I’m a fully trained journalist. You go through the ladder starting at the bottom but I can tell you it’s an experience. It’s a lifestyle.
Yes the foodchain can be gruesome at times. Lots of egos invovled, especially in a big paper. But if you love getting into the nitty gritty of research like I do then you’ll love it.
But then again, why bother. I got out because of the games and politics of it all and headed to blogging and my own business – and I’m never going back. :-)
Blogging is the new journalism in many respects and I can satisify my journo’s desires by doing what I want – the audience will judge if I’m above board.
Lets wait and see how the guys deal with it. From my background such an assignment I would take 2-3 weeks of solid full time research before I even ventured there. I’d do the basic google thing and get in touch with who’s there on the ground and make contacts. I’d set up interviews and make appointments with officials. I’d do more background work than anything that would appear in the presses (or on my blog).
But that’s just me.
Let’s give these guys a shot at it and hope that the rubbish over the last few days has been put to rest.
Aaron, don’t be modest, mate. I actually showed this post to a few seasoned journalist buddies of mine and they were mightly impressed by the way you put forth your arguements – of course, we were drinking at the time. :-)
Many laughed, because they get these memo’s such as yours when they are being sent on assignment from their editors. They kept asking me : “Is this guy an editor, a former investigative reporter … because he sure thinks like one.”
If I were the guys going out to N.O I’d print this post out as a guide on what to do, where to look, what to ask … and more importantly rid myself of any preconceived ideas.
I really hope they do a good job and cover it from all sides. Lots of credibility is at stake.
Aaron, don’t be modest, mate. I actually showed this post to a few seasoned journalist buddies of mine and they were mightly impressed by the way you put forth your arguements – of course, we were drinking at the time. :-)
Many laughed, because they get these memo’s such as yours when they are being sent on assignment from their editors. They kept asking me : “Is this guy an editor, a former investigative reporter … because he sure thinks like one.”
If I were the guys going out to N.O I’d print this post out as a guide on what to do, where to look, what to ask … and more importantly rid myself of any preconceived ideas.
I really hope they do a good job and cover it from all sides. Lots of credibility is at stake.
Aaron, don’t be modest, mate. I actually showed this post to a few seasoned journalist buddies of mine and they were mightly impressed by the way you put forth your arguements – of course, we were drinking at the time. :-)
Many laughed, because they get these memo’s such as yours when they are being sent on assignment from their editors. They kept asking me : “Is this guy an editor, a former investigative reporter … because he sure thinks like one.”
If I were the guys going out to N.O I’d print this post out as a guide on what to do, where to look, what to ask … and more importantly rid myself of any preconceived ideas.
I really hope they do a good job and cover it from all sides. Lots of credibility is at stake.
Aaron, don’t be modest, mate. I actually showed this post to a few seasoned journalist buddies of mine and they were mightly impressed by the way you put forth your arguements – of course, we were drinking at the time. :-)
Many laughed, because they get these memo’s such as yours when they are being sent on assignment from their editors. They kept asking me : “Is this guy an editor, a former investigative reporter … because he sure thinks like one.”
If I were the guys going out to N.O I’d print this post out as a guide on what to do, where to look, what to ask … and more importantly rid myself of any preconceived ideas.
I really hope they do a good job and cover it from all sides. Lots of credibility is at stake.
Aaron, don’t be modest, mate. I actually showed this post to a few seasoned journalist buddies of mine and they were mightly impressed by the way you put forth your arguements – of course, we were drinking at the time. :-)
Many laughed, because they get these memo’s such as yours when they are being sent on assignment from their editors. They kept asking me : “Is this guy an editor, a former investigative reporter … because he sure thinks like one.”
If I were the guys going out to N.O I’d print this post out as a guide on what to do, where to look, what to ask … and more importantly rid myself of any preconceived ideas.
I really hope they do a good job and cover it from all sides. Lots of credibility is at stake.
Aaron, don’t be modest, mate. I actually showed this post to a few seasoned journalist buddies of mine and they were mightly impressed by the way you put forth your arguements – of course, we were drinking at the time. :-)
Many laughed, because they get these memo’s such as yours when they are being sent on assignment from their editors. They kept asking me : “Is this guy an editor, a former investigative reporter … because he sure thinks like one.”
If I were the guys going out to N.O I’d print this post out as a guide on what to do, where to look, what to ask … and more importantly rid myself of any preconceived ideas.
I really hope they do a good job and cover it from all sides. Lots of credibility is at stake.
Again, thanks Martin. The Post isn’t knocking down my door though. ;)
Tangent though, it would be interesting to work for a major paper. I’ve often thought I’d like to do that someday if the opportunity presented itself. You gotta go through all the crap to be ‘qualified’ though. Journalism school. And not only journalism school but from a ‘respected’ school. Not sure I’m really the kind to make it to the top of a foodchain in a political new organization.
Again, thanks Martin. The Post isn’t knocking down my door though. ;)
Tangent though, it would be interesting to work for a major paper. I’ve often thought I’d like to do that someday if the opportunity presented itself. You gotta go through all the crap to be ‘qualified’ though. Journalism school. And not only journalism school but from a ‘respected’ school. Not sure I’m really the kind to make it to the top of a foodchain in a political new organization.
Again, thanks Martin. The Post isn’t knocking down my door though. ;)
Tangent though, it would be interesting to work for a major paper. I’ve often thought I’d like to do that someday if the opportunity presented itself. You gotta go through all the crap to be ‘qualified’ though. Journalism school. And not only journalism school but from a ‘respected’ school. Not sure I’m really the kind to make it to the top of a foodchain in a political new organization.
Again, thanks Martin. The Post isn’t knocking down my door though. ;)
Tangent though, it would be interesting to work for a major paper. I’ve often thought I’d like to do that someday if the opportunity presented itself. You gotta go through all the crap to be ‘qualified’ though. Journalism school. And not only journalism school but from a ‘respected’ school. Not sure I’m really the kind to make it to the top of a foodchain in a political new organization.
Again, thanks Martin. The Post isn’t knocking down my door though. ;)
Tangent though, it would be interesting to work for a major paper. I’ve often thought I’d like to do that someday if the opportunity presented itself. You gotta go through all the crap to be ‘qualified’ though. Journalism school. And not only journalism school but from a ‘respected’ school. Not sure I’m really the kind to make it to the top of a foodchain in a political new organization.
Again, thanks Martin. The Post isn’t knocking down my door though. ;)
Tangent though, it would be interesting to work for a major paper. I’ve often thought I’d like to do that someday if the opportunity presented itself. You gotta go through all the crap to be ‘qualified’ though. Journalism school. And not only journalism school but from a ‘respected’ school. Not sure I’m really the kind to make it to the top of a foodchain in a political new organization.
Hey it’s not as bad as it seems. I’m a fully trained journalist. You go through the ladder starting at the bottom but I can tell you it’s an experience. It’s a lifestyle.
Yes the foodchain can be gruesome at times. Lots of egos invovled, especially in a big paper. But if you love getting into the nitty gritty of research like I do then you’ll love it.
But then again, why bother. I got out because of the games and politics of it all and headed to blogging and my own business – and I’m never going back. :-)
Blogging is the new journalism in many respects and I can satisify my journo’s desires by doing what I want – the audience will judge if I’m above board.
Lets wait and see how the guys deal with it. From my background such an assignment I would take 2-3 weeks of solid full time research before I even ventured there. I’d do the basic google thing and get in touch with who’s there on the ground and make contacts. I’d set up interviews and make appointments with officials. I’d do more background work than anything that would appear in the presses (or on my blog).
But that’s just me.
Let’s give these guys a shot at it and hope that the rubbish over the last few days has been put to rest.
Hey it’s not as bad as it seems. I’m a fully trained journalist. You go through the ladder starting at the bottom but I can tell you it’s an experience. It’s a lifestyle.
Yes the foodchain can be gruesome at times. Lots of egos invovled, especially in a big paper. But if you love getting into the nitty gritty of research like I do then you’ll love it.
But then again, why bother. I got out because of the games and politics of it all and headed to blogging and my own business – and I’m never going back. :-)
Blogging is the new journalism in many respects and I can satisify my journo’s desires by doing what I want – the audience will judge if I’m above board.
Lets wait and see how the guys deal with it. From my background such an assignment I would take 2-3 weeks of solid full time research before I even ventured there. I’d do the basic google thing and get in touch with who’s there on the ground and make contacts. I’d set up interviews and make appointments with officials. I’d do more background work than anything that would appear in the presses (or on my blog).
But that’s just me.
Let’s give these guys a shot at it and hope that the rubbish over the last few days has been put to rest.
Hey it’s not as bad as it seems. I’m a fully trained journalist. You go through the ladder starting at the bottom but I can tell you it’s an experience. It’s a lifestyle.
Yes the foodchain can be gruesome at times. Lots of egos invovled, especially in a big paper. But if you love getting into the nitty gritty of research like I do then you’ll love it.
But then again, why bother. I got out because of the games and politics of it all and headed to blogging and my own business – and I’m never going back. :-)
Blogging is the new journalism in many respects and I can satisify my journo’s desires by doing what I want – the audience will judge if I’m above board.
Lets wait and see how the guys deal with it. From my background such an assignment I would take 2-3 weeks of solid full time research before I even ventured there. I’d do the basic google thing and get in touch with who’s there on the ground and make contacts. I’d set up interviews and make appointments with officials. I’d do more background work than anything that would appear in the presses (or on my blog).
But that’s just me.
Let’s give these guys a shot at it and hope that the rubbish over the last few days has been put to rest.
Hey it’s not as bad as it seems. I’m a fully trained journalist. You go through the ladder starting at the bottom but I can tell you it’s an experience. It’s a lifestyle.
Yes the foodchain can be gruesome at times. Lots of egos invovled, especially in a big paper. But if you love getting into the nitty gritty of research like I do then you’ll love it.
But then again, why bother. I got out because of the games and politics of it all and headed to blogging and my own business – and I’m never going back. :-)
Blogging is the new journalism in many respects and I can satisify my journo’s desires by doing what I want – the audience will judge if I’m above board.
Lets wait and see how the guys deal with it. From my background such an assignment I would take 2-3 weeks of solid full time research before I even ventured there. I’d do the basic google thing and get in touch with who’s there on the ground and make contacts. I’d set up interviews and make appointments with officials. I’d do more background work than anything that would appear in the presses (or on my blog).
But that’s just me.
Let’s give these guys a shot at it and hope that the rubbish over the last few days has been put to rest.
Hey it’s not as bad as it seems. I’m a fully trained journalist. You go through the ladder starting at the bottom but I can tell you it’s an experience. It’s a lifestyle.
Yes the foodchain can be gruesome at times. Lots of egos invovled, especially in a big paper. But if you love getting into the nitty gritty of research like I do then you’ll love it.
But then again, why bother. I got out because of the games and politics of it all and headed to blogging and my own business – and I’m never going back. :-)
Blogging is the new journalism in many respects and I can satisify my journo’s desires by doing what I want – the audience will judge if I’m above board.
Lets wait and see how the guys deal with it. From my background such an assignment I would take 2-3 weeks of solid full time research before I even ventured there. I’d do the basic google thing and get in touch with who’s there on the ground and make contacts. I’d set up interviews and make appointments with officials. I’d do more background work than anything that would appear in the presses (or on my blog).
But that’s just me.
Let’s give these guys a shot at it and hope that the rubbish over the last few days has been put to rest.
Hey it’s not as bad as it seems. I’m a fully trained journalist. You go through the ladder starting at the bottom but I can tell you it’s an experience. It’s a lifestyle.
Yes the foodchain can be gruesome at times. Lots of egos invovled, especially in a big paper. But if you love getting into the nitty gritty of research like I do then you’ll love it.
But then again, why bother. I got out because of the games and politics of it all and headed to blogging and my own business – and I’m never going back. :-)
Blogging is the new journalism in many respects and I can satisify my journo’s desires by doing what I want – the audience will judge if I’m above board.
Lets wait and see how the guys deal with it. From my background such an assignment I would take 2-3 weeks of solid full time research before I even ventured there. I’d do the basic google thing and get in touch with who’s there on the ground and make contacts. I’d set up interviews and make appointments with officials. I’d do more background work than anything that would appear in the presses (or on my blog).
But that’s just me.
Let’s give these guys a shot at it and hope that the rubbish over the last few days has been put to rest.