This is a good example of a typical hard-news lede. It also brought to my attention-description of the event by people who were present at that time. Here, there are two "ear-witnesses" who heard the shot first and then looked out of the window to be eye-witnesses later.
Although the story covered quotes from the mayor, investigating officials and members of the neighborhood, I think victims' families/relatives were not well-represented.
"Five people were gunned down in a Mattapan street early yesterday — including a woman and her 2-year-old son, cradled in her arms — in the worst rampage in Boston since 2005." This is very good example of direct lede! It answers all the essential questions immediately.
ReplyDeleteWho: "five people" (including a woman and 2 year old son, cradled in her arms)
What: "gunned down"
Where: Mattapan street, Boston
When: "early yesterday"
Why:"rampage"
The only question that is not directly answered is the "why," which is actually unknown. However, the word "rampage" gives an indication about it being senseless. Not only is this a direct lede, it has elements that make it a great hook. The journalist included the fact that this is the worst rampage since 2005 in Boston. In addition, the journalist includes two of the victims (a woman and a two year old son, cradled her arms) to entice the reader further.
Although such elements certainly are enticing and play with the emotion of a potential reader, I am not sure if painting such a sensational picture is good or bad journalism? Are good journalists supposed to refrain from creating such drama? Drama of this sort propagates bias, which can have tremendous implications. This is especially true about crime reporting because such acts of violence are followed by an alleged person on trial. The journalist only mentions two victims in his first line---a mother and child. He is certainly choosing such imagery purposefully to appeal to the reader. But what about the other victims?
I guess this is a very good example about how powerful journalists truly are. Even without writing opinion, they can mold it. The ability to choose what to include in a story and how a fact is represented has a profound impact on the way a reader interprets it.