"Opportunity vs Assignment" was the topic for discussion on Tuesday in JOUR4953. Luckily, it really was an opportunity! ProPublica has made a call to journalism students across the country to help them "Free the Files" and
investigate how much super PACs (Political Action Committees) are spending in various markets. The idea sounded like a great chance to contribute to a journalistic endeavor.
In high school we had to use the FOIA in an assignment, while it took a very long time to get responses to our letters, we did get the materials requested. This was before email, so handwritten letters and ditto copies took time. Although no one had really thought of anything that wasn't actually available without the FOIA for backup, it was a great way to actively learn about our rights and how journalists can get information.
Thursday afternoon I started to feel like a spy. No joke. Luckily, when I met with Tessa Fox and Heather Ronaldson to go to the CBS affiliate station, they felt the same. We speculated about the accessibility of this "Public File" and where it would be kept. When we pulled into the crowded parking lot that the station shared with a Bally's Fitness, we confirmed the information we had on how to ask for the information and the protocol to avoid any problems. After we were buzzed in, the receptionist was quick to contact someone and happily told us it would just be a moment. Step one was pretty easy.
Once the young woman came up to us, she was pleasantly helpful and took us to a room with a pair of file cabinets. She quickly grabbed the files needed and went to make our copies. As we waited, we were tweeting our status and looking at the not quite life size Wheel of Fortune sign. Step two and three, even easier.
Upon her return, step four was done and we were able to chat about who comes to see the files and how often this happens. Apparently it's a very regular thing. Usually she deals with political groups, but was happy we had tolde her we were from Marquette. Especially because she was an alum. She did tell us that they are not allowed to ask where people are from. Because they can't ask, some ad agencies would send people in to get data. I've heard of people doing this, but it's a "sneaky" way of gathering pricing information. Many businesses want to find out what other organizations pay for ad time and will use the public file records to haggle over their ad campaigns. It's something that I've never participated in, but I can see some people willing to bend the rules for an advantage.
As we left, we were really impressed with the ease and readiness of the files at WJDT, a real credit to them for being ready and open to share the records. We were also excited to be participating in a report that would bring light to the political ad spending in the Metro-Milwaukee area. Tessa kindly offered to take the time to scan and send over the files - step five complete! I'm very glad Herb Lowe found a great way for us to experience something that we may need to apply in the future and are now aware of as an OPPORTUNITY!
investigate how much super PACs (Political Action Committees) are spending in various markets. The idea sounded like a great chance to contribute to a journalistic endeavor.
In high school we had to use the FOIA in an assignment, while it took a very long time to get responses to our letters, we did get the materials requested. This was before email, so handwritten letters and ditto copies took time. Although no one had really thought of anything that wasn't actually available without the FOIA for backup, it was a great way to actively learn about our rights and how journalists can get information.
Thursday afternoon I started to feel like a spy. No joke. Luckily, when I met with Tessa Fox and Heather Ronaldson to go to the CBS affiliate station, they felt the same. We speculated about the accessibility of this "Public File" and where it would be kept. When we pulled into the crowded parking lot that the station shared with a Bally's Fitness, we confirmed the information we had on how to ask for the information and the protocol to avoid any problems. After we were buzzed in, the receptionist was quick to contact someone and happily told us it would just be a moment. Step one was pretty easy.
Once the young woman came up to us, she was pleasantly helpful and took us to a room with a pair of file cabinets. She quickly grabbed the files needed and went to make our copies. As we waited, we were tweeting our status and looking at the not quite life size Wheel of Fortune sign. Step two and three, even easier.
Upon her return, step four was done and we were able to chat about who comes to see the files and how often this happens. Apparently it's a very regular thing. Usually she deals with political groups, but was happy we had tolde her we were from Marquette. Especially because she was an alum. She did tell us that they are not allowed to ask where people are from. Because they can't ask, some ad agencies would send people in to get data. I've heard of people doing this, but it's a "sneaky" way of gathering pricing information. Many businesses want to find out what other organizations pay for ad time and will use the public file records to haggle over their ad campaigns. It's something that I've never participated in, but I can see some people willing to bend the rules for an advantage.
As we left, we were really impressed with the ease and readiness of the files at WJDT, a real credit to them for being ready and open to share the records. We were also excited to be participating in a report that would bring light to the political ad spending in the Metro-Milwaukee area. Tessa kindly offered to take the time to scan and send over the files - step five complete! I'm very glad Herb Lowe found a great way for us to experience something that we may need to apply in the future and are now aware of as an OPPORTUNITY!
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