1.  What is a public editor?

2.  Read the excerpt below.  NY Times managing editor Dean Baquet stated to public editor Margaret Sullivan that the ideal front page would include three or four “strong news stories that nobody else has, an investigative story, and a couple of really good reads.”  Consider the fact that The New York Times is considered the newspaper of record.  (Newspaper of record is a term that typically refers to a major newspaper that has a large circulation and whose editorial and news-gathering functions are considered professional and typically authoritative.) Do you think Ms. Sullivan and Mr. Baquet's exchange shows that the Times is not living up to this reputation? Explain your answer.

3.  News stories are basically divided into two types: hard news and soft news. Hard news generally refers to up-to-the-minute news and events that are reported immediately, while soft news is background information or human-interest stories.  Politics, war, economics and crime used to be considered hard news, while arts, entertainment and lifestyles were considered soft news.

One difference between hard and soft news is the tone of presentation. A hard news story takes a factual approach: What happened? Who was involved? Where and when did it happen? Why?  A soft news story tries instead to entertain or advise the reader. You may have come across newspaper or TV stories that promise “news you can use.” Examples might be tips on how to stretch properly before exercising, or what to look for when buying a new computer.

Knowing the difference between hard and soft news helps you develop a sense of how news is covered, and what sorts of stories different news media tend to publish or broadcast. 

CHALLENGE:  for a week visit the homepage of 2-3 major news sources: CNN, The New York Times, your state's largest newspaper, one of the network news websites (ABC, CBS, NBC).  Also, wire service Reuters.com or YahooNews which uses mainly AP stories.  On any given day at the same time, how many of the featured, or breaking stories are hard news, how many are soft?  Record the news source, the types of stories/headlines, etc.