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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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Finally, graduations are behind us, providing blessed relief from the parade of pain that the Fort Worth Star-Telegram trots out each year at this time. Story upon story of young people dealing with tragedies, diseases, and disasters — happy graduation! No reflection on the young folks who are the subjects of the stories, but haven’t you ever wondered why the daily newspaper’s graduation articles are such a series of woe? It’s because reporters hate covering them, and editors, desperate to inspire their scribes, offer cash prizes for the best stories. Cash-hungry reporters are determined to write the most eye-watering yarn ever told. Before a ceremony begins, reporters scramble around looking for kids in wheelchairs, on crutches, or hooked to IVs — whatever it takes. A reporter can only pray for the Holy Grail — an orphaned valedictorian with a terminal disease who’s raising a younger sibling and grieving for a pet schnauzer that was run over and killed just that morning. Ka-ching!
WorldCom, Where Is Thy Sting?
Here at Fort Worth Weekly, meanwhile, it’s tough to get lunch money, much less cash bonuses, out of management. Failing that, hardware — i.e., an occasional objet d’award — is a nice substitute, especially when the tale that’s bringing in the kudos so richly deserved to be told. Editor Gayle Reaves’ story on the trials that rained down on MCI WorldCom whistleblower Kim Emigh won another award over the weekend, this a first in business writing from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. Emigh, a Rowlett budget analyst, insisted on doing business ethically, which won him only a layoff and financial retribution from WorldCom. His lawsuit against the company came to naught. His story, however, helped bring the telecom giant to account for its wrongdoing and was eventually picked up by national news media. (More details on the vicious actions of WorldCom bosses emerged just this week.) Vindication was sweet, but not as sweet as a good job close to home, which Emigh now has. His values have always been in the right place: “I’ve still got the best family in the world,” he said. Much better than plaques and trophies or ill-gotten millions.
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