Eric Starkman March 9, 2010 1:36 pm : Comments 000
Much has been written about the changing role and significance of mainstream media and the myriad factors that continue to erode its once-vaunted credibility. Chief among them is, of course, that the field is rife with unethical individuals who fabricate and plagiarize, a trend I wrote about last May when New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd was caught using prose previously published by a blogger (my take here). Since then, at least two other high-profile cases of journalism plagiarism have emerged, as outlined in this column by New York Times columnist Clark Hoyt. more…
Eric Starkman January 6, 2010 1:42 pm : Comments 000
When I first joined The Detroit News after working for several years as a business reporter at major Canadian newspapers, I was completely taken aback by the comparably low level of editorial concern and legal oversight given to any of my highly critical stories about private individuals. more…
Eric Starkman October 27, 2009 2:00 pm : Comments 001
Those who know me will attest that I’m something of a fitness buff. more…
Eric Starkman October 10, 2009 9:30 pm : Comments 002
I avoid one-actor plays as I typically require a developing plotline and the interaction of multiple characters to hold my rather limited attention span. more…
Eric Starkman September 11, 2009 11:42 am : Comments 001
The Internet is typically blamed as the primary reason for the accelerating decline of daily newspapers, but I don’t buy that argument. Quality neighborhood news cannot easily be found on the Internet and a newspaper that is staffed by journalists who understand and respect the communities they cover will always be in demand. Sadly, most daily newspapers don’t appreciate their readers’ interests and values, and accordingly, cannot establish, let alone maintain, a connection to their subscribers. Sometimes the disconnection is so egregious it leads to the publication of appallingly offensive articles. more…
Eric Starkman August 4, 2009 1:37 pm : Comments 000
I could never make it as a restaurant critic. Don’t get me wrong — I enjoy fine dining as much as the next person and would have no problem doling out the criticisms when warranted. It’s the delivery of high praise that would be more problematic for me. There are only so many original ways I can imagine to describe a perfectly prepared filet mignon. more…
Eric Starkman July 24, 2009 10:56 am : Comments 000
The well-worn cliché about the shoemaker’s children notwithstanding, logic clearly suggests that a publishing company whose major asset is the world’s most respected newspaper would know at least a little something about media relations.
Eric Starkman July 20, 2009 1:41 pm : Comments 001
Meet Lauren Olney, our Holy Cross intern this year. Although Ms. more…