[meteorite-list] Fact Sheet - Possible Media Solution?
John.L.Cabassi
John at Cabassi.net
Fri Jul 10 10:18:43 EDT 2009
G'Day List
A lot of good suggestions, but you might want to look at taking some
lessons from the politicians, they are really good at balking at
questions =)
Cheers
John
-----Original Message-----
From: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
[mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] On Behalf Of Bob
King
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 6:30 AM
To: MeteorHntr at aol.com; Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Fact Sheet - Possible Media Solution?
Hi Steve,
Since I work at a newspaper as a photographer and understand your
frustration, I think a fact sheet is a great idea. Reporters would
really appreciate an FAQ-style, one sheet resource. Here are my
suggestions on what to include:
* Your name and phone number plus one or two other sources to reach and
their numbers
* Definition of meteor, meteorite, meteoroid, asteroid
* Average speed of meteor/meteorite as it enters our atmosphere and then
strikes the ground
* Average price of the most common type of meteorite (ordinary
chondrites) found in a typical fall plus the range as you mentioned
* Common misperceptions about meteorites: they're hot, they come down
flaming, they're all worth a million dollars.
* Where meteorites come from and why they're important to science
* Where to send a suspected meteorite to be tested
I hope this helps.
Bob
On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 8:06 AM, <MeteorHntr at aol.com> wrote:
> Hello List,
>
> I was greeted this morning with a front page story in the Baltimore
> Sun. While it could have been worse, it made me realize I need to do
> something to help writers focus on the facts and the real story and
> not to slide over and just use the more sensational answers or
> comments given in an interview.
>
> Also, some reports do actually attempt to do more research on their
> own before writing, and sometimes they interview amateurs that are
> even better at saying not-so-smart things like those of us with
> experience are also so good at doing.
>
> As Darryl mentioned the other day, reporters tend to resist writing
> from a Press Release and usually will work to manufacture their own
> story from the ground up based on what they uncover in their
> interviews.
>
> So maybe a solution might be a "Fact Sheet" I can have preprinted to
> give to the reporters at each interview.
>
> Of course, if I am not asked a certain question by a reporter, there
> is a greater chance I won't offer that fact in my interview. Or if I
> do, it can be out of the context of the interview and the reporter
> might not understand why what I said was important.
>
> Time is often a restraint, both in the interview and in the writing
> to meet a deadline, so it isn't always the reporters fault that they
> don't get around to asking the questions that would paint a clearer
> picture.
>
> Maybe a Fact Sheet could be in a F.A.Q. fashion? Or just stated as
> Facts, billet style?
>
> So, I would like some help from you guys.
>
> I would like some suggestions as to what should be included in a fact
> sheet, so that when handed to the reporter, they can refer to it
> during and/or after the interview as they might need.
>
> For starters, I can list my name and contact information, that would
> be good. (Nothing worse than one's name being spelled wrong in the
> paper.)
>
> I can list my correct age (which is 43 not 42 as erroneously stated
> in today's story). Which does make you pause, if a reporter can't
> get someone's age correct, is it any wonder that other aspects of the
> story might get skewed a little (or a lot) one way or another.
> However, in the case of Robert Haag in the Astronomy story a few
> years back, they listed him as 40 years old and not 50 years old. A
> "typo" I am sure! ;-) (Or as someone hinted, maybe a little slice of
> Zagami under the table might have helped that typo to not be spotted
> in time!)
>
> How about "Why are meteorites are valuable to science?" Q, with an
> appropriate and pithy answer. After all, if it wasn't for the
> science, we really wouldn't have much in the way of higher demand for
> many of our meteorites.
>
> Of course, there is a collectors market. And while the words
> "treasure" and "hunter" together can give a negative connotation,
> they can give an adventurous one as well. And we all have to admit,
> while it is not all just for the money, that does play at least a
> part in why those of us in the field do what they do. How can the
> fact that we are also hunting for the source of knowledge, not just
> cash be stated?
>
> I suppose I could go through all the media stories I have seen lately
> and pull out the errors and try to find out why the reporter might
> have got the reporting of it wrong. Then find a way to stress, in
> the Fact Sheet, what is the correct take should be on it.
>
> For example, after talking about how most meteorites are "common" and
> don't offer all that much valuable new information, others do. I
> went on that some are far more desirous to researchers than others,
> and to collectors as well. In that context I mentioned that
> "meteorites can be worth from 5 cents a gram up to over $1,000
> dollars a gram."
>
> There seemed to be some negative reaction from the York newspaper's
> story here on the M-List where that range was mentioned. Well, now
> the Baltimore reporter (who was in the same interview as the York
> reporter) decided to drop the range I had given and just somehow
> averaged it all out to: "hundreds of dollars per gram" instead.
> Probably shorter and easier that way for him. I am sure his editor
> appreciated it being shorter, in fact, maybe it was his editor that
> shortened it for him.
>
> Of course, factually both reporters are not incorrect as to the
> values, and doing a search on any dealer website and on ebay shows
> both of those statements to be factually correct. However, maybe I
> can state that a fact on my Fact Sheet that majority of all
> meteorites are worth from $0.20 to $2 per gram. And that certain
> factors determine why they might be worth more or less than that
> range.
>
> Any other suggestions?
>
> Oh, I would imagine Ruben might suggest that I add that "Fossils are
> not found in meteorites."
>
> Any others?
>
> Steve Arnold
> of "Meteorite Men"
>
> **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2
> easy steps!
> (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221323031x1201367232/aol?red
>
ir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&b
cd=
> JulystepsfooterNO62)
> ______________________________________________
> http://www.meteoritecentral.com
> Meteorite-list mailing list
> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>
______________________________________________
http://www.meteoritecentral.com
Meteorite-list mailing list
Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
More information about the Meteorite-list
mailing list