Craig, Richard D

Publications & Presentations

• Richard D. Craig. "Blogs as News? Let Readers Decide" Article. (April 2005).

  Abstract: In the debate over whether blogs constitute news, some journalism purists insist that bloggers shouldn't be taken seriously because they're self-appointed and not trained as reporters. However, in a country founded upon freedom of speech and information, it's hard to convincingly argue that the availability of more information is a bad thing. The article argues that readers will be the ultimate judges of blogs' news value - that they should recognize valid content and true reporting when they see it.

• Richard D. Craig. "Online Journalism: Reporting, Writing, and Editing for New Media" Wadsworth-Thomson Learning. Book. Wadsworth-Thomson Learning, (January 2005).

  Abstract: Online Journalism: Reporting, Writing, and Editing for New Media is the first truly comprehensive textbook available that can teach students how to report, write, and edit strictly for online media. Unlike other texts that simply "tweak" traditional writing and editing techniques, Online Journalism was created specifically with the Internet in mind. Written in a lively style, this book will appeal to students who want to explore writing opportunities with online media. It is also supplemented by an in-depth Web site that provides links to relevant current stories and sound clips of interviews with professionals.

• Richard D. Craig. "Case 23: Sports Stories on July 4" Addison Wesley Longman. Article. Addison Wesley Longman, (January 2001).

  Abstract: Case study of newspaper article that inadvertently contained false information due to interviewee's faulty memory and stretching of facts. Appeared in fourth, fifth and sixth editions of book.

• Richard D. Craig. "Expectations and Elections: How Television Defines Campaign News" Article. Vol. 17. Issue 1. (March 2000). pp.28.

  Abstract: This article argues that due to a variety of factors, media coverage of American presidential campaigns has degenerated into a day-to-day series of contests, with candidates portrayed as succeeding or failing each day to meet "expectations" -- unwritten notions of candidates ahead or behind in polls should do on the campaign trail. This study analyzed the content of transcripts of CBS Evening News broadcasts during presidential election campaigns from 1968-1996, looking specifically at stories that mention results from national public opinion polls about the given year's presidential election. The study reveals that the overall number of poll-related stories has risen dramatically in recent election years, and stories about polls have also been placed higher and higher in newscasts in recent campaigns. It also finds that stories mentioning expectations of candidates have become much more common, and that reporters more and more attribute these expectations to the candidates' respective poll standings.

• Richard D. Craig. "Don't Know Much About History" Article. (December 1997).

  Abstract: Discussion of how and why otherwise intelligent college students seem to know little or nothing about important historical events, milestones and people.