Thursday, April 10, 2014

Columbia Journalism Review article examines Joplin Globe court victory

A Columbia Journalism Review article praises the work done by the Joplin Globe in getting the complete Loraine Report released.

The Columbia Journalism Review is a magazine that covers issues in journalism.

The article, written by former Globe reporter Greg Grisolano, details the history of the dispute that led to the decision by Judge David Mouton to order the release of the documents:

 After obtaining the records—nine previously-withheld pages of the investigator’s report, plus hundreds of pages of testimony transcripts—on the Friday before the election, the paper turned out a series of stories based on the documents. Newsroom staffers also worked through the weekend to upload the entire packet of information to the paper’s website, so the local residents could access the information before the election. 

The documents were not altered or even reviewed prior to upload, said Carol Stark, the Globe’s editor in chief, because the paper has “a responsibility to deliver it to the public the same way it was delivered to us. “It gives them the ability to make their own informed decisions, which we think good government should be about,” she said.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Umm. Isn't that what they should do unless it is on the opinion page? No wonder nobody normally trusts them!!

Anonymous said...

Let the lawsuits begin. Some testimony and ALL personnel records are protected by law. But the taxpayers will bear the burden of the cost of the lawsuits and the globe will probably be exempt somehow.

Oh yes the final cost will make $85,000 look cheap.

Anonymous said...

If I remember correctly, a judge ordered the city to release the report. Just how will the city be held liable??

Anonymous said...

The city will NOT be held liable. This was at the cost of the Globe....so, a thank you would be warranted

Anonymous said...

I'm confused, did the CJR just feature the story for the sake that it was newsworthy or did they actual call them out for a job well done?
If it is the latter, is it a job well done for a job that they should be doing? A pat on the back for doing your job, seems like a novel concept.
I'm not being critical, just curious, because I do not have a journalism degree, but a business degree and the pat on the back my coworkers and I get is our paycheck each week.
I guess Globe employees can run next door with the CJR article and see how much of a meal they can procure at the Red Onion.

Anonymous said...

The real story: friend and former employee of Carol Stark writes a favorable story about her work, just like Carol Stark has her paper write favorable stories about her friends.

I'll believe in their commitment to truth and information when they stop cherry-picking exposure based upon personal interests.

Anonymous said...

to 6:27 and 8:22 If you do some research you will find:

The judge did not listen to arguments from either side- he just made his ruling. He is also part of the stark,joplin progress committee members and other like minded people. Had he listened to arguments he would have had to rule in favor of protecting personnel files as demanded by law. But by not listening to arguments he does not appear to be as "purchased" as he was.

The judge probably expected the city to appeal to protect employee personnel records and then release the report with redacted names.

Just because a judge ruled to release the report does not make releasing personnel records legal.

The only good thing that can happen now is that somehow it can be proved that the globe, judge, JPC collaboration illegally tainted an election process.

Anonymous said...

Seems to me the Globe is damned if they do and damned if they don't

Anonymous said...

to 7:09 The globe is dammed if they do and dammed if they don't? It looks like Randy has gotten under Carols skin because several posts look like a globe lackey trying to seem pensive and objective, sharing deep thoughts critical analysis. Please don't wait for me to send the globe a thank you.