PAULINE'S PICKS: 'The Northwest Herald' Covers NIU Shooting

By: Pauline Millard Last week a shooting at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Ill. killed six students. The Northwest Herald is covering the story and its aftermath with much fervor, and they created a special web site to post stories, photos, videos and other related content.

The videos are the most compelling parts of the project. The Northwest Herald Team was on campus almost instantly after the shooting and got some great interviews with students who were actually in the lecture hall where the shooting took place. One student, Desiree Smith, still had blood on her jeans, and she wasn't sure where it came from.

One rather disturbing aspect of the video is the way the journalists are shoving tape recorders and even a cell phone in Smith's face as she speaks. I realize that in a breaking news story every detail and quote counts, but sensitivity does as well. One criticism that comes up whenever one of these shootings occurs is that after a while students complain about the invasiveness of the press. I've heard it from Virginia Tech students and, judging from what I've seen from Northern Illinois University, I wouldn't be surprised it we start to hear it from them as well.


Here are some of my past Picks:

DenverPost.com Examines Lawlessness On Indian Reservations

The Allentown 'Morning Call' Gets To Know Earl

'The Seattle Times' Takes A Look At Where A Winning Team Is Now.