Zureick’s full platform
The Daily Tar Heel has a proud 114-year tradition of serving the University community. But to do this well, the DTH must constantly examine its practices and strive to be better. This platform is the culmination of almost three years of observation and active participation in the direction of the newspaper. As a result, all of these planks can be put into practice.
Under my leadership, the DTH will continue to push the envelope by revamping its Web site and reinvigorating its enterprising coverage. The newspaper also will shore up its teaching mission and ensure the DTH is accurate and accountable.
Information Central
The DTH’s physical product might have its limits, but the newspaper can serve readers by revamping its Web site, making the site a cutting-edge source of information.
– Individualized Web pages for news desks will be created. These pages will serve as information and resource centers and will include “know your University” and “know your community” sections.
*Information will be posted about University and community leaders and organizations through the compilation of online desk handbooks. Links also will be provided to helpful Web sites, so readers will know where to turn.
*News articles will be placed on these pages. Links to archived related articles will be provided when applicable.
*Special features such as podcasts and video segments will be increased and included on the appropriate Web pages.
– Online special sections will be increased. These sections should be put together for events such as municipal elections, tuition decisions and the NCAA Tournament.
-– The organization’s transparency will be improved. I will update the editor’s blog on a weekly basis, as well as when needed. This will give our readers insight into the newspaper’s daily operations.
*The use of other blogs more consistently will be encouraged to engage more readers.
*Corrections that appear in the paper edition of the DTH will make their way online. Corrections will appear online in their own section, as well as with articles. An accuracy report will be made available online each semester.
– An avenue will be created on the DTH’s Web site to give the University community and the extended community a place to share their own news. This site will be updated weekly, and users can submit announcements and news, such as impending retirements and marriages or the results of their club soccer team.
The product
-– The DTH will refocus to use more alternative story formats. Graphics and informational pullouts still will be used, but I will emphasize how bodies of text can be broken up to be made more accessible.
– I will re-examine where anchored stories run in the newspaper. In certain situations, news dictates that anchored stories run in a lower spot.
– The investigative team re-emerged this year and began to reinvigorate the DTH’s enterprising coverage, but more must be done.
*The investigative team editor will lead enterprising projects for all desks. Desk editors will have the option to send writers who are working on long-term stories to meet with the investigative team editor.
*The investigative team will follow through with its plan to conduct polls to assess community opinions.
*The team will bump up coverage of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Stories that dig deeper regarding the economies and education system of the community must increase.
*Business news and coverage of UNC Hospitals will be led by the investigative team.
– Feature stories about Chapel Hill and Carrboro will increase. We need to delve beyond Franklin Street and capture the spirit and achievements of the community.
– The State & National Desk will be smaller than the City Desk, and analysis will be the primary focus.
– Monthly multimedia profiles of community newsmakers will be introduced.
– More photo stories will be included, and the newspaper will work to be more innovative with inside pages and their design.
– More graphic illustrations and experimental design for the newspaper’s front page will be encouraged.
– The opinion page will continue to employ better reporting techniques. The editorial board is most effective when it does its own legwork, and this will be encouraged, especially for issues such as tuition, town planning and elections.
– I will review the DTH stylebook with copy editors.
Newsroom management
– The DTH demands that its sources and the community be accountable for their actions, and the newspaper must offer the same in return. To do so I will ensure a member of management meets with each desk on a monthly basis. That way, desk editors will keep their promises. The member of management who meets with each desk will rotate.
– Management will hold weekly meetings to ensure the newspaper is headed in the right direction. Meetings for editors of all desks will be held twice a semester.
– The managing editor and the editor will hold office hours, ensuring someone has time devoted to readers each day.
– The deputy managing editor will continue as the morning editor and will be responsible for tabs and Diversions. The DME, along with writing coaches, will lead newsroom recruitment efforts and assemble an internship notebook.
– As editor, I will review the pay levels of all employees to ensure that compensation equates with responsibility and effort.
– I will be unbiased and waive my right to vote on the editorial board.
Teaching focus
– As editor, I will ensure teaching and learning is emphasized in all corners of the newsroom. I will create a monthly photo training session during which writers will be trained to use photography equipment.
– Required enrichments will be reinstated. Staff writers will attend two enrichments, one of which must focus on writing and the other on visual elements of the newspaper.
– Staffers will be trained for the 21st century with the increased use of podcasts and blogs to engage readers.
– Members of the editorial board will undergo a training session similar to the orientation staff writers complete.
– I will establish monthly training sessions for editors. Learning doesn’t stop when staffers rise in the ranks. I will draw on journalism professors and other professionals to lead enrichments that focus on the editing process and leadership skills.
– Varied sources will be asked to critique the newspaper on a weekly basis.
Community connections
– As editor, I will serve as the public face of the DTH, but I will emphasize that I am not the only face, and that the newsroom is accountable from the top down.
– The public editor and I will assemble focus groups throughout the year to examine the DTH’s coverage in a number of areas, including minority affairs, higher education and the arts. I will be proactive in seeking opinions and suggestions from readers.
– The public editor’s role will be more transparent to the newsroom. Weekly e-mails will be sent out to staff reporting community opinions.
– Desks will emphasize beats and a certain degree of specialization when needed to ensure good source relations and consistent coverage.
– I will continue to partner with local radio stations to promote the DTH.
– The DTH will sponsor election forums and partner with Vote Carolina to create comprehensive voter guides.
– I will seek to invigorate a mentorship program with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools to provide feedback to these students.
– Relations with other campus media will be improved.