Covering the Govs speech

Who says newspapers are a meaningless medium.

Hands down, the dailies provided the best coverage of the Gov's State of the State address - - in ink and bytes.

Aside from NJN's live coverage and post-speech analysis, reporting by broadcast outlets amounted to little more than drive-by journalism. Case in point: Philly's ABC TV affiliate, WPVI, led their broadcast with the open house hosted by the city's newly - installed Philadelphia mayor (okay), followed by team coverage of the unseasonably warm spring-like weather. N J's stormy fiscal forecast - the worst in the nation - got less airtime than the local weather report.

No doubt, reporting on a complicated financial story under tight deadlines was challenging. And while the storyline was clearly no surprise (the State's out of bucks, the people get the bill) some news outlets were exemplary in providing their readers /viewers with comprehensive and gobbledy-gook free information.

In the category of...

Most Comprehensive Coverage: The Star Ledger devoted the most real estate to the topic, with three stories, three columns and an ala cart sidebar of reactions.

Best Analysis: The best analysis weighing the pros and cons of creating a Public Benefit Corporation (PBA) to sell bonds to pay down debt and finance future transportation projects goes to The Philadelphia Inquirer and The New York Times.

Least Politically-Infused Reporting: Before the public can debate the pros and cons of the Governor's proposal to restructure the state's debt, they first have to understand it - without politically charged rhetoric. There's plenty of time for spin and the counter spin. NJN did its part by offering airtime for a Republican response...every other outlet kept the political whining out of the story.

Best Online Content: Several news outlets provided full text of the Governor's speech online shortly after the address was delivered. A few went further and added explanatory sidebars to their daily filings including The Press of Atlantic City (AP byline).

Most Helpful Graphics: In the category of a "pictures worth a thousand words, " The Philadelphia Inquirer graphics visually portrayed where the toll money will go, by-the-mile rates of toll roads in the region for easy comparisons, and a timeline charting the graduated increases for each of the major toll roads. The Inky should also be credited for giving the story front page lead coverage, particularly for an out-of -state publication with a competing national presidential primary storyline and the incoming new mayor in its hometown.

Honorable Mentions: The Courier Post's MapQuest-like graphic contrasting longer commuting routes on non-toll roads . Oh yeah, and throw in the Asbury Park Press for not using any digitally - altered photos.

Debbie Holtz can be reached via email at debbie.holtz@politickernj.com.

Related topics: Jon Corzine, state of the state

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