[Note: This was written as a submission for another blog.]

My list of pet peeves about journalists:

1. Lack of homework, or any attempt at doing homework, about the topic at hand. This is more true for television journalists. I quite often take calls at the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources where questions asked are easily answered with readily available information on our Web site. It’s usually clear the reporter hasn’t even bothered to begin to explore the information out there and instead want it to be spoon fed to them.
2. Creating illusory correlations (as in connect-the-dots journalism) and not understanding the difference between correlation and causation. Along with this, a lack of understanding about statistics in general. Too often, reporters turn one or two anecdotal sources of information into headline stories when, in reality, the “story” is one person’s often misguided opinion.
3. Drawing inappropriate conclusions based on given information. These conclusions tend to favor the “little guy”– and/or seek to heighten controversy — and tend to smear the larger entity, usually a corporation or government agency. This happens far too frequently (witness AP’s story about “drugs in the water,” which was fear-mongering journalism at its worst).

My list of great things journalists do that make life easier:

1. Calling well ahead of deadlines for information.
2. Being human. Seriously: A dose of humor or the sharing of information about one’s self goes a long way. I spoke with a reporter recently who overheard my background music and said, “I love that band!”
3. Approaching stories fairly and without an ax to grind. When a reporter is fair in his or her approach, and it shows in the end story, I consider this to be an honorable person to work with — whether or not my organization takes a hit in the piece.

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