State of newspapers reflected in film

I could never be a music or movie review guy because I can’t even remember lyrics of  a song or titles of a movie. Actors in those movies … forget about it.
So, in an effort to not appear as a movie critic, because I’m not, I’ll just simply say — you have to go see “State of Play.”
It stars Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Helen (should have spelled my name Marren) Mirren and Rachel McAdams. It is based on a six-part British television series of the same name, which follows a newspaper’s probe into the death of Congressman Ben Affleck’s mistress.
OK, I said I wouldn’t be reviewing the movie … so here’s why I liked it and you should go see it. If you are reading this column, and I won’t even split hairs whether you are reading online or paid for the hard copy, you’re supporting a newspaper.
I wouldn’t say it’s an undertone, because the film makes it pretty obvious, but the movie goes into the battle between blogs and news stories and even objectiveness and our struggling industry.
Really it’s a political murder mystery, but you can’t look past the obvious newspaper trends of today — at least I couldn’t. Maybe it’s because I’m in the business, albeit a community newspaper as compared to the fictional big town newspaper in Washington, but the movie nailed the same industry conversations and struggles that we have.
It may be subtle to those not in the newspaper business, but right from the beginning as the veteran Crowe is chasing a story, using his long list of contacts and sources, the film just screams old school reporting, old school journalism. From his coffee cup to his pen behind the ear and reporter’s notebook, Crowe was cast perfectly as the traditional newspaper reporter.
Enter the young, clean cut, cool McAdams, who was also cast perfectly, but not as the traditional journalist, but as the Washington Globe blogger. He writes for print on a 16-year-old computer at a desk buried in old newspapers, she writes for the fashionable Web with no deadline in sight. It’s something newspapers have embraced, with their own bloggers, but then also competed against when other news organizations use their bloggers to “report” the news.
Depending on which blog you’re reading, some can be seen as reliable, others are just as Crowe’s character described to McAdams: opinion and innuendo.
Early on McAdams comes calling for Crowe’s help, knowing that he used to room with the congressman who’s mistress was just thrown in front of a subway. Crowe writes her off, shunning the new wave of “journalism” and getting back to slinging ink.
It’s a fun movie to watch, regardless, but the battle between old journalism and new is fascinating. The screenwriters, directors, producer all did a great job in capturing the newspaper industry as it is today.
They injected the urgency to get the story, and to get it right and how that would keep the print copy viable. But you also see the need for the Web and getting stories posted there as well, since that’s what your newspaper audience demands.
Mix in the fact that Crowe and Affleck’s character’s have a prior relationship and you can see the battle journalists have when a source is too close and you have a movie. Keeping that objectivity is always difficult, especially when an investigation you are covering centers on an old roommate.
I don’t know, maybe I got too hyped up about it because newspapers played the lead role, but I really think it’s because the film did such a good job nailing the current flux newspapers are in.
One downside about the whole movie-going experience … at the end when the final story was published and the camera’s take you to the pressroom of the Washington Globe to watch the true newspaper production process, people started walking out. Sure, the credits were rolling, but watching the plates being created to the presses rolling to the delivery was a fun ending to a suspenseful movie. Only a few were interested.
Maybe the captivating scene of some go-getter typing away at their computer, posting a blog online would have kept people in their seats just a minute or two longer.
Tim Marren is the managing editor of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. Contact him at Tim.Marren@lockportjournal.com or 439-9222.

ugh…PR people

Some people just shouldn’t be allowed to use e-mail…

Don’t you think she would have noticed she didn’t input the state name and  such. Plus, it loses a lot of credibility when one implies this has affected all.

Dear Tim,

Last year, influenza or “the flu” hit (insert state name) especially hard. (State name) reported widespread influenza activity as late as April.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.

Please share the following matte article with your readers to let them know there’s still plenty of time to get the flu vaccine.

If you run this article, let us know! Please send me an e-mail at mdupre@aed.org.

**

Words: 398

Holidays are Over, but Flu Season Isn’t
It’s Not Too Late for the Flu Vaccine

The holiday season is over. You’ve eaten your turkey, exchanged gifts, made your New Year’s resolutions – and perhaps broken some. But have you gotten your flu vaccine?

Last year, influenza activity didn’t peak until mid-February. While flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, most flu seasons do not peak until January, February or later. So even if you were too busy to get vaccinated this fall, act now. There is still time to protect yourself from this contagious and serious disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.

“People who do not get the flu vaccine are taking two risks:  they are placing themselves at risk for the flu, including a potentially long and serious illness, and second, if they get sick, they are also placing their close contacts at risk for influenza,” says Dr. Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service and CDC’s Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “This can be especially serious for babies, young children, pregnant women, and people 65 and older, who are at high risk of serious flu-related complications or death. Influenza is not a disease to be taken lightly.”

On average, five to 20 percent of the United States population gets the flu each season. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from flu each year. With an all-time high supply of vaccine available this year, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t protect yourself and your loved ones against this unpleasant and sometimes fatal illness.

The flu vaccine is safe and effective, and cannot cause the flu. Since flu viruses change every year, the flu vaccine is updated annually, making it necessary to be vaccinated each year. It takes two weeks after getting the flu vaccine to develop antibody protection against the flu. People with a severe allergy to eggs should consult their physician before getting vaccinated.

The holiday season may be over, but the flu season is just beginning. Get vaccinated as soon as possible.

To find out where to get a vaccine, contact your doctor or local health department.  To learn more, call CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit .
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Hillary’s good-bye … from a staffer

Got this from a Clinton PR guy…I almost gagged.

(Hi – we want to share the note below with a few of you who have been with her over these wonderful years, and add to its sentiment with our own deep thanks from all of us in the press office to all of you for your help, your professionalism and most of all, your patience)

Through eight years, more than 730 press conferences and availabilities, and 4,600 events in all 62 counties, I have developed an even greater appreciation for the dedicated and professional men and women of the New York press corps.  I have not had the opportunity to say goodbye to each of you in person and wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your commitment to covering the issues that matter most to New Yorkers across our  great state and for the service you perform on their behalf.

I am going to miss seeing you on the other side of the podium, not to mention in the hallway, in every doorway, and once in a while hiding in the bushes.  Many of you were there when I first asked the people of New York to take a chance on me and grant me their trust and their votes.  Since then we’ve covered a lot of ground together and you always kept me on my toes.  It has been a wonderful journey.  And as I assume a new role as Secretary of State, New York, its spirit, and its people will always be part of me and of the work I do.  I look forward to seeing you back in New York, and around the world.

Hillary

Propping up Buffalo, or ‘Canuffalo’

Got the following press release from a guy looking to build the relationship and tourism, it seems, between Buffalo and Canada. He’s created canuffalo.com

We may not have a new, shiny Peace Bridge, but at least we have this guy fighting for us.

For whatever it’s worth, check out his site. It’s a little amatureish at this point, but at least he’s trying.

WHAT’S A CANUFFALO?
It’s the Name of a New Website that Supports and Promotes the Idea of Regionalism Between Western New York and Southern Ontario.

There are many business and civic leaders promoting the idea of economic regionalism between Western New York and Southern Ontario. Most prominent among them was the late Ted Rogers, owner of Rogers Communications and the Toronto Blue Jays. Canuffalo.com is helping to promote this concept by providing links to quality Western New York and Southern Ontario websites. There is also an interactive page called “Canuffalo Talks” which has a blog, forums, live chat and more for its members.

“It is a website whose time has come” said Rob Coffey, the administrator of the site recently stated. “Although you see the topic of regionalism popping up in the news as being something new”, it’s been a reality for residents of both areas for generations”.

Canadians and Americans, up until recently, traveled back and forth between the borders with hardly a thought. Since 911 restrictions have been tightening and this Summer you will need a passport or special identification to be allowed across the border. With longer border crossing delays, fluctuating gas prices and a rapidly changing economy, a lot of people are now taking time to plan their cross border trips.

“I started Canuffalo to put all of the resources that people need to visit, travel or vacation in the area in one place” he said. “There are some terrific websites out there providing quality content but they’re mostly limited to local geographical areas. Also a lot of good ones are buried in the search engines and are difficult to find. Most people don’t have the time or patience to seek them out”.

The website is easily navigable and areas are broken down by region, county and municipality. On these pages you’ll find quality pre-screened links to events, dining, entertainment, sports, lodging, tourism and more. Travel resources are located right on the main page with current information on customs, border delays, road construction, travel weather, public transportation among others. There’s even a link to finding the best gas prices in your local area. The unique thing about Canuffalo, besides its name, is that it has assembled the best of the best and put them all in one place.

“The other thing I wanted to do with this website was provide a social connection between the residents of our two countries” said Coffey. “I was looking to create a place where the residents of Western New York and Southern Ontario could express themselves, share ideas and argue differences”.

On ‘Canuffalo Talks’ there are forums, a blog, live chat and the ability to upload photos and video. If you like, you can even start your own group.

If that was not enough, the website also includes a free online classified ad section for its visitors.

The economic ties between businesses in Southern Ontario and Western New York continue to grow annually. Regionalism is an economic reality. By providing a platform where residents of the area can interact and discuss their similarities and differences, Canuffalo is helping this process along.

In closing Coffey said “The theme of the website is to promote prosperity and friendship for both of our countries”. He continued “The prosperity end of it is being done by others; I want to help with the friendship part”.

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If you’d like more information about the website call me at 716-631-0773 or email at admin@canuffalo.com.

What will be Obama’s first accomplishment

As I’m working I’m watching Tv coverage of Barack Obama as he makes his way around Washington.

At this time tomorrow he’ll be our president.

During the campaign there were a lot of promises from both sides. Obama’s are the ones we’ll get to see if he can keep and deliver upon.

It got me thinking: What will be the first tangible “change” we’ll see as everyday Americans. There may be some bailouts and relief packages for big business, but what change will you and I see.

It should be interesting.

On WLVL Friday

Friday marks my monthly appearance on WLVL’s “Dialog” just after the 11 a.m. news.

Scott Leffler was nice enough to invite reporter April Amadon to come along to discuss her upcoming trip to D.C. for Obama’s inauguration.

Should be a good show. Here’s hoping for some great calls!

US&J and Obama

Newsroom note:
Union-Sun reporter April Amadon has received a ticket to Barack Obama’s inauguration from Rep. Chris Lee’s office.
Amadon will arrive in Washington on Monday and leave Wednesday.
Look for first-person reports from Amadon, as well as her stories on residents attending, in the US&J and online at lockportjournal.com. Don’t forget to pick up an extra copy of Wednesday’s Union-Sun & Journal as a keepsake.

I’m a hypocrite

Well, that didn’t take long.

Yesterday I’m on here asking if we could please stop talking about the weather, only to now talk about the weather.

It’s damn cold out there and only expected to get colder. Layering up to stay warm isn’t a problem, but I encountered two instances where my frozen car window burned me on one trip two work.

When it’s this cold, and you have ice around your power windows, they won’t go down. This is on a car we parked in the garage, too.

Today, like a few times before, I had to open my door to get my drive thru large double-double from Tim Hortons. Two cars ahead of me had the same problem.

I managed OK, but it’s still kind of awkward to open your door and order, then open your door and contort your body to pay and grab the cup of coffee.

Then, I realized I forgot my check book on the way to work and had to take 20 bucks out of the ATM. Drive up ATMs are great, and I’m sure were created for convience, but when your windows are frozen — no dice.

Problem is, some banks have one option. It’s either the drive up ATM or the inside ATM. This time I wanted the walk in option, no matter how inconvienent it may be.

Without that option it’s back to opening the door and working the ATM. This morning I just got out and walked up to the outdoor ATM, as goofy as that may have looked.

I’m sure there are methods out there to un-freeze power windows, but that’s the last thing on my mind when it’s 10 below.

Can we stop talking about the weather?

Ok, it’s cold and it’s snowing…I get it.

I feel like I’ve said this before, maybe in a column last year or something.

Anyway, I’m sick of winter at this point with the holidays being over and all. Now we have to deal with the “winter weather advisories” every day.

Do we really need an advisory to remind us that it’s winter?

On again, off again relationship

Boy, who said this blogging stuff is easy? It couldn’t be further from the truth, well unless it’s all you do for a living, like some so-called journalists.

I’m back again, at least for now, as I’ve been “back again” before, only to fall off the wagon.

It’s tough.

If you read my column, I’m not even on Facebook, like the rest of you. In tough community newspapering times like these, it’s put out the daily and everything after that is secondary. It seems by our company deciding not to fill our Web Editor needs, the daily hard copy of the newspaper continues to be the focus.

With fewer people to do it, that’s where my focus is.

Still, for 2009, I’ll give it the old college try again and see if I can’t keep this up for the long-haul. It’s actually fun, when time permits, to blog. Just as I’m sure Facebook is fun too

As an FYI, we have a pretty neat story coming Saturday, Jan. 10, on the Ryan Warme case. It’s a conversation with Lockport Police Chief Larry Eggert, Sheriff James Voutour and more on how police corruption does not mean all cops are corrupt. They delve into how these types of allegations are handled, investigated and where people can go if they feel corruption in a department exists.

Check it out.