Archive for March 14th, 2008
Obama’s lineage examined in a flattering light
I recently came across an editorial article on the NY-Times website that began using some of the techniques discussed in class.
“Obama’s Kenyan Roots,” began as an editorial explaining Obama’s connection to the Luo tribe of Kenya. Yet, the immediate question I thought of is whether or not this article is even newsworthy? Kristof tries to clarify Obama’s connection to Kenya yet, does not introduce a news value until the introduction of Obama in the second paragraph.
Perhaps Kristof purposely began his article with a delayed-identification lead in order to lure readers in. Instead, I was left feeling confused until later paragraphs when the true intent of Kristof’s article was revealed.
Kristof’s actual lead was in the 2nd paragraph when he explains the significance of an old Kenyan woman who is later identified as Obama’s recognized grandmother. The obvious news value that Kristof chose was prominence. However, Kristof ignored the obvious news, which was to explain Obama’s connection to the Islamic faith. This point was actually ignored until the second to last paragraph of the article.
Kristof also forgot to make an attribution to which of Obama’s “innumerable relatives…see him as a meal ticket.” Moreover, Kristof had several points which needed to be moved up such as the fact that Obama never really knew or barely visited his Kenyan relatives, and did not have connections to the Islamic religion.
Kristof could have paid a little more attention to the organization of his article as well as giving more detail on the significance of the people and tribes mentioned in the article.
