Task 4.1. The case (Part 2)

THE CASE: PART 2

You are checking information on the Green Park case. Your editor arrives one hour late. His car was blocked on his way to the office by angry protesters in Green Park.

On his arrival, the editor is furious because today's story about the hotel project does not give the full picture.

While in Green Park, the editor saw a handful of armed policemen who had been called to the area to protect two bulldozers parked near the designated construction site. When passing a parked fire engine, the editor's brand new Toyota Corolla was hit by several stones thrown by protesters.

The news meeting starts. The editor complains: “Look at today's papers: ‘Freedonia Tourism in for Major Boost,’ ‘Hotel Project Stalls as Minister Suzdal Drags Feet,’ ‘Five-Star Hotel for Green Park.’ Nobody got the real story! Why did you not stress that work starts on Monday? Everybody in Green Park knows that. It is a well-known fact. Activists are throwing stones out there!”

One of your colleagues replies: “We had planned to do the follow-up story today. We would focus on the decision to start work before formal approval of the project, as mentioned in the press release.”

Your editor states: “That will not do. We cannot leave the hard news to our competitors. I want the full story, and I want it now!”

Meanwhile, Thonka, Inc., has announced an executive press briefing on the new hotel project at 2 p.m. at the Grand Imperial Hotel. Extensive information on the project will be made available. Among those attending will be Mr. Leonard Singer, managing director of Thonka, Inc.; Mr. Paddington Rich, director of development, Amari Hotels; Mr. Jirnmy Wong, the hotel company's chief technical director; and a representative of the Ministry of Planning.

 

THE TASK

·         Discuss your journalistic approach to the Green Park case as it is now developing.

·         What is your main story? Draw a plan of action listing your main priorities and the most important questions you want answered.

·         Write a short news article including headline, subhead, and the lead paragraph.