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JournalStar Local stylebook and policy manual The basis of our government being the opinion of the‘‘ people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without government, I ‘‘should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. Thomas Jefferson Third Edition — 2002 Contents‘‘ Introduction 3 It is a newspaper’s duty Policy manual to print the news and 4 raise hell. Police reporting 9 ‘‘Chicago Sun Times, 1861 Obituaries 15 ‘‘ A-Z 20 Sports 64 Eschew Obfuscation. (Go ahead, look them both Appendices: 68 up!) Appendix A — Hyphenation: 68 ‘‘ Oscar Wilde Appendix B — Language and writing tips: 70 Appendix C — Neighborhood map: 72 Appendix D — Municipalities in Journal Star circulation area: 73 ‘‘ Appendix E — Notable Illinois municipalities: 75 Anyone nitpicking enough to write a letter Appendix F — Hospitals in central Illinois: 76 of correction to an editor Appendix G — Illinois’ congressional and doubtless deserves the legislative delegations: 77 ‘‘error that provoked it. Appendix H — Newsroom deadlines: 83 Alvin Toffler To inform without bias, to advise without rancor, and to ‘‘ intervene without malice, to be absolutely independent in religion and politics and blind to race,‘‘ creed or color, Good style favors short to account no victory won which brings distress to the words, short sentences, ‘‘people, and no battle lost which is waged in behalf of short paragraphs, short their just demands. To serve the larger public interest ‘‘stories. with vigilance, courage and justice — that is the spirit Early Associated Press and purpose of my newspapers. Stylebook Henry M. Pindell, July 1917 2 Introduction Welcome to the third edition of the Journal Star Local Stylebook and Policy Manual. This revision represents more than a year of work by a small core group of editors who form the current stylebook committee, as well as the efforts and thoughts of a number of the top managers in the newsroom. Without the tireless work and valu- able input of all these people, this stylebook couldn’t have been completed. Among our guiding principles in developing this update was a determination to simplify our usage and style wherever possible. We especially sought to reduce the number of exceptions to and inconsistencies with Associated Press style and the dictionary. It was impossible to eliminate them all, but we tried. If a topic is not covered in this guide, the Associated Press Stylebook and Webster’s New World Dictionary should be given precedence. This guide will be posted in electronic PDF format on the Insider, the company intranet site available to every computer in the newsroom. Future changes and updates will be reflected on those pages in the most timely manner possible. As we’ve seen since the first edition of the stylebook was published in 1991, updating printed copies will be of lower priority. Simply remember that the online stylebook accessible from your computer’s desktop will always be the most up-to-date version. Kelly VanLaningham, Chairman Changes in this edition Listed below are a few of the changes in our style. Grandstand show at the Heart of Illinois Fair Some are major, while others simply “legalize” current lowercase. practice. This short, alphabetical list highlights some of the changes; it is by no means meant to replace the High-tech is acceptable without spelling out its full stylebook. Read the entire stylebook carefully derivative form, high-technology. The policy manual and police reporting sections HIV is acceptable without spelling out its derivative also have been completely overhauled, as has the form, human immunodeficiency virus. Peoria city neighborhood map. An obituary section has home school (noun); home-schooled (verb); been added, as well as several appendices. home-schooled student; home-school ATM is acceptable in all references for automated HRA tax is acceptable on second reference for our teller machine. local hotel-restaurant-amusement tax. Bob Michel Bridge can be called just that. Restroom is one word. Capitalization. In keeping with our style on Semi is acceptable in all references to tractor-trailer School Board and other such specific entities, we now rigs. On second reference, use truck unless that term will retain capitalization on specific city departments would create confusion, as in describing a collision after giving the proper name, e.g. Fire Department, between a semi and another type of truck. Public Works, Police Department, Sheriff’s Department. Split verbs are no longer considered grammatically incorrect in most cases and sometimes may be clearer DCFS is acceptable on second reference to the to the readers or necessary to convey meaning. Department of Children and Family Services. Vs. is acceptable in all uses for the word versus. Fax is acceptable as a verb and noun without giving its derivative form, facsimile. VCR is acceptable in all uses for videocassette recorder. Stylebook committee members Mike Cecil — Night City Editor Michael Miller — TV/Religion Editor Jennifer Towery — Neighbors Editor Paul Gordon — Business Editor David Stone — Assistant News Editor Kelly VanLaningham — News Editor 3 Policy manual appear in the newspaper to protect them from preda- Serve the reader tors. If concerns arise, consult the ranking editor, The Journal Star must always be written and edit- preferably a manager. ed with our readers in mind, with a solid sense of their needs, values and sensitivities. We should not Births write or edit with the aim of pleasing a co-worker or source, stroking an ego, impressing the boss or set- Each Sunday, we publish birth announcements ting a journalistic benchmark. Strive only to make from any county within our circulation area. They the news important, interesting, understandable and run alphabetized by county and within each county. relevant to readers. Also accepted are births from parents formerly from Use common sense. We surely will con- the area or from grandparents currently in or former- front occasions when common sense dictates a devi- ly from the area. Those are listed under an ation from our general policies or when strict adher- “Elsewhere” heading. ence to our guidelines does not meet the prime direc- We will publish: baby’s last, first and middle tive: “Serve the reader.” Remain open to unusual sit- names; date of birth, including year; parents’ names uations. (including mother’s maiden name) and home town; Talk about it. If you have a question, ask it. and grandparents’ names and home towns. If you have a suggestion, share it. If something looks Parents are required to submit their information or feels wrong, point it out. And rather than just jaw- on the Journal Star’s form. Before a birth ing with a colleague at the next desk, bring up your announcement is published, BOTH par- ideas with someone in a position to act on them. ents must sign the form. If the father is not available to sign, the announce- ment will include ONLY the mother’s General policies name. The form, with original signatures (no photo- When significant concerns or questions arise copies or faxes are accepted), must be mailed or about Journal Star policies, management editors delivered to City Desk news assistants within 30 should be consulted. However, the policy statement days of the birth. No birth announcement is accepted listed below should guide editors, reporters, photog- after 30 days. raphers and news assistants on most questions that Forms are available at Peoria-area hospitals, some routinely surface. For other concerns, consult the county courthouses, the front desk of the Journal Journal Star’s Employee Online Handbook. Star, by calling City Desk news assistants at 686- 3115, or under “Services” on the Journal Star’s Web Addresses site, www.pjstar.com. The Journal Star’s policy is to fully identify — including by address — the subjects of our stories Confidential sources and photographs. However, there may be times when The Journal Star prefers to attribute all informa- safety and privacy concerns should be considered tion to named sources. We will use unnamed sources before printing addresses. Those who may express most grudgingly and sparingly and only if it is deter- concerns include people living alone, parents of chil- mined by a supervising editor that the unattributed dren featured in articles or photographs, old people information is essential to a story, from a credible and the sick. Be sensitive to their concerns, but source and unavailable by other means. When con- remember that addresses are a key element in identi- sidering using an unnamed source, follow these fying story subjects. guidelines: For those who have a legitimate reason not to ■ Reporters should make every effort to get com- have their addresses printed (as determined by the ments on the record or to find another source who highest ranking editor on the desk where the story will go on the record confirming what the unnamed originated), consider at least using the name of their source has said. neighborhood or hometown. ■ Doggedly seek to confirm highly controversial The Journal Star also may choose not to publish or inflammatory statements from unnamed sources the addresses of minor children whose pictures with at least one other source. 4 ■ Fully examine the unnamed source’s motives. Civil court ■ Avoid using unnamed sources on information that calls someone’s judgment into question or on The Journal Star does NOT publish, at the time information that is a matter of judgment or opinion. of filing, stories of civil lawsuits between private liti- In nearly all cases, someone wanting to take a shot at gants. someone else should be forced to speak publicly. However, we WILL CONSIDER publishing sto- Exceptions (e.g., governmental or political subordi- ries on civil cases that involve public bodies, public nates or others who may risk their jobs or face other officials or public disputes.

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