John Temple

Question about what details belong in teacher-student sex story

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:54:24 -0700

An upset reader wrote an impassioned critique of our coverage of the verdict in the trial of a teacher convicted of having sex with a 16-year-old student, arguing that we shouldn't have included details of the crime. The end result of our e-mail exchange was what I thought was a good dialogue that made me reflect on how one of our core values, "compassion," should be applied in such cases.

Letter writer bashes Pridefest coverage

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:36:59 -0700

We published a letter in our Talk Back to the Media letters package Saturday that rebuked the Rocky for its coverage of Pridefest. The writer claimed he had to "dig" to find anything about the event. We give broad lattitude to letter writers to make their point, even when we know that an assertion may be a stretch. After all, it is what the writer feels. But in this case, before making their own judgment, readers should at least know the facts.

The environment and newspapers

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:10:31 -0700

Blogger Jill Zimon makes a good point in response to my column about "individuated newspapers." "It's my sense that one reason people don't subscribe to newspapers is in fact because of the use of paper, in the same way some vegetarians don't eat meat: it's a lifestyle choice."

Reaction to column on endorsements

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:56:50 -0700

In my most recent column, I asked readers for their thoughts about whether editorial endorsements go too far in confusing readers about newspapers' political independence. Here are some of the e-mails I received.

Blogger doesn't get it

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:41:34 -0700

Brad Jones of facethestate.com wrote a response to my column on how the Rocky handled the story of former State Rep. Michael Garcia. It's clear from what he wrote that he doesn't get it.

Mind readers at Media Matters

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:02:37 -0700

Colorado Media Matters has taken to mind reading.

Correspondence re delivery issues

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:02:48 -0700

Here are some examples of reader e-mails and my response.

Apology for late delivery

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:58:16 -0700

As many of you know, we have struggled to deliver the Rocky on time during the World Series.

Great example of how the quality of journalism is getting better

Wed, 30 May 2007 19:42:08 -0700

This Web site produced by students at Ohio University is an example of how new technology (cheaper and more widely available) and good teaching is expanding the number of sources for quality visual journalism.

Standards for letters vs. web postings

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:45:19 -0700

A reader raised a thoughtful question about why we have different standards for letters to the editor and web comments, some of which are printed in the paper.

Question about coverage of death of U.S. soldiers in Iraq

Tue, 29 May 2007 09:15:22 -0700

A reader sent in a good question about how we cover the deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

An important column on Memorial Day

Mon, 28 May 2007 13:13:06 -0700

David Carr, media columnist for the New York Times, wrote an important column today about limits on photojournalists embedded with U.S. troops. He raises important issues about how the military in the name of privacy is restricting what Americans see of the war.

Reaction to new flag

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:15:22 -0700

An Aurora reader wrote raising questions about why we didn't try green or blue in the new flag, instead of red.

Error examples

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 08:57:52 -0700

Every year when Managing Editor Deb Goeken produces our report on corrections, she also produces a report with some of the most egregious examples. It's hard to believe some of these made the newspaper.

A carrier story

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:58:23 -0700

Here's a story of commitment.