April 8 reading

I sincerely hope I never have to write headlines again after I graduate.

But anyway, I found the commentary on the bad headlines we read really funny.

Some favorites: Iraqi head seeks arms. Someone HAD to have been chuckling at that in the newsroom. SOMEONE noticed the double meaning, I know they did.

Prostitutes appeal to pope. Eye drops off shelf.

But some of these seem really avoidable - they are just bad headlines in general. Kids make nutritious snacks. War dims hope for peace.

I think the article we read, "Astronaut soars across headlines," was interesting and definitely valid. The fact that this twisted love triangle became such a media spectacle was really ridiculous. From the Post and the Daily News, you sort of expect those sensational headlines, but for the CBS Evening News to take the story so seriously is just a joke itself.

It's interesting how different all of the financial bailout headlines were at papers across the country. My least favorite, by far, was 'No love for bailout.' Beside the fact that it's sort of making light of a serious situation, it doesn't really say anything! What does that mean?

I liked 'Markets convulse as House rejects bailout,' by the Wichita Eagle. It's concise, it's accurate and informative. Also, it emphasizes the effect the rejection will have on Main Street, which is what most readers care about.

First of all, I didn't know there were so many newspapers in Illinois. As for their coverage of the Blagojevich scandal - it was interesting to see how varied it was. I think the Daily Chronicle did the best job. The front page looks very appropriate. They haven't lessened the seriousness of the crime but haven't sensationalized it either. The photo is appropriate (in some photos on these fronts, it looks like Blagojevich might actually be about to crack a smile) and I like the quote in the headline - I think it really draws readers in.

Some of the other fronts were interesting as well. I actually really liked the Chicago-Sun Tribune. It was just nice to see someone try something different. I'm sure plenty of people picked that up to see how they were approaching the story with a front like that.