A little help for Winston-Salem Journal readers

Frequently asked questions

I either didn’t get my paper, or it was late. Who do I contact?
You can reach the circulation department at 336-727-7462 or 800-642-0925, ext. 7462. You can also send an e-mail to homedelivery@wsjournal.com.
The customer service center is open:

Monday – Friday: 5:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 6:30 – 11 a.m.
Sunday: 7:30 – 11 a.m.

The circulation department can also set up new subscriptions and schedule temporary halts in delivery.

How can I get a story in the Winston-Salem Journal?
If you have an idea for a story that, the easiest way to get it into the newspaper is to call a reporter or editor. Their names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses are listed at the end of locally written stories.
A list is available online, as well.
You will need to explain what the story is about and why you believe it’s important. News stories also need to be told by real people, so if you know of someone who would be good to talk to and who wouldn’t mind talking with a reporter, please provide that information, as well.

Who can I talk to about an error in a local story?
You can report the mistake by filling out this form
If the story was written by a local reporter, the best step is to call the reporter and point out the mistake.
If that doesn’t work or you can’t reach the reporter, call one of the editors.
If you’re still unsure about who to call, please send an e-mail to the newsroom clerk, Melissa Hall. or call her at 336-727-7308. She can get you in contact with the right person.

Who should I call if the mistake was in an article from a news wire?
It’s a little tougher to track down the sources for mistakes in wire stories, but Journal staff can relay information to the wire service.
The Journal uses several national and international wire services. The source for a story is usually listed at the top of the story or as part of the dateline.

How do I get an obituary in the newspaper?
Obituaries are generally submitted as part of the funeral arrangements made by a funeral home. The cost for the obituary is included as part of the fee for the funeral.
Individuals can submit an obituary, but it must be accompanied by a death certificate or other verifiable proof of death.
Obituaries can be submitted by e-mail at obituaries@wsjournal.com. or by fax at 336-727-7300. The obituary clerk’s phone number is 336-727-7398.

How much does an obituary cost?
The rate depends on how the length of the obituary and how many days it’s going to run. The obituary clerk can provide an estimate once the obituary is submitted.
The Journal does publish death notices without charge if they are no longer than six lines.

How do I submit a letter to the editor?
Letters to the editor can be submitted online. They can also be sent by e-mail to letters@wsjournal.com. or by mail to:

Letters to the Journal
P.O. Box 3159
Winston-Salem, NC 27102.

Letters are limited to no more than 250 words in length and will be edited for clarity and length.
The Journal does not publish poetry, open letters or letters sent to multiple addresses.
Submissions must include a phone number and complete mailing address to verify the letter was written by the person who submitted it.

I have something to say about an article I read on the Journal’s Web site.
The Journal encourages readers to submit opinions and reactions about news stories.
Links are listed at the end of articles allowing readers to submit comments online.
The reader comments generally are not monitored by newspaper staff, so the comments can sometimes be a little strong. Offensive comments can be removed if a complaint is submitted.
More details about reader comments and use of the Web site can be found in the Journal’s Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
Generally speaking, the Journal asks comments to be civil with each other, keep comments clean and to keep in mind that your mother just read what you write.

Can I buy reprints of photos from the Journal?
Photos taken by local photographers can be purchased by filling out this form.
Some older photos are available if they were taken after the mid 1990s. If they’re older than that, it’s likely cannot be reprinted.

How can I find copies of old articles?
You can trying searching the electronic archive to purchase copies of older articles.
If you cannot find the article online, the news-library staff might be able to track down articles. They can be reached by e-mail at library@wsjournal.com or by phone at 336-727-7275.

Assessing risk

Libel complaint falls short

The libel complaint filed against MyFacebookSpaceNews.com by David Simmons, 19, of Queens, N.Y., can be defended against.

Simmons claims that he was libeled because a news story about a fatal automobile collision portrayed him as drunk and “stupid.” The complaint from Simmons seeks $5 million in damages.

Simmons’ anger about the article is understandable, given the tragedy and severity of the collision. Simmons is also the vice president of the campus chapter of SADD, Students Against Drunk Driving at Brooklyn College.

Simmons filed his complaint arguing that he was libeled per se. The article indicates that investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor in the collision involving Simmons.

Libel per interpretation is also a factor in the story, as well, because Simmons’ complaint about being portrayed as “stupid” apparently stems from a remark by a passerby, Robin Hubier. The inference of the comment could be interpreted as indicating Simmons is stupid, though the remark was not directed specifically at Simmons.

Hubier presumably had no knowledge that Simmons was the driver of the van at the time when she made the remark, “I think people like that guy are just too stupid to know when it’s unsafe to drive,” was intended as a general statement about drivers involved in crashes. It would be difficult for Simmons to show that Hubier was speaking specifically about him.

In regard to the threshold of libel, Simmons’ complaint would appear to meet four of the six general standards for a successful complaint.

Defamation: The article indicates that investigators believe Simmons may be drinking alcohol before his van collided with the Explorer and Prius.

Identification: The article is a little vague, but Simmons appears to be the drive of the Chevy van involved in the collision. He also is identified as a student at Brooklyn College, where he is the vice president of a specific and notable group on campus. No charges had been filed at the time the story was written, which is problematic should no charges be pursued by authorities, but the story was accurate at the time of publication.

Publication: The story was published by MyFacebookSpaceNews.com. There is no indication that the article was republished, but it’s a likely assumption that the story was read and presumably redistributed by readers.

Injury: Simmons reputation would apparently be damaged if he was found to be accused of drunken driving, given his position as an executive with the SADD group, though his claim of $5 million is blatantly excessive.

However, Simmons libel claim fails to meet two crucial standards.

There is no evidence of malice to support a claim of fault.

The story is based information from an official police source, New York Police Sgt. Rocco T. Ruggiero. It’s likely that the reporter had never met Simmons before, and the reporter has presumably obtained the accident report and possibly viewed warrants that include the specific allegations against the drivers involved.

Also, Simmons is a public figure in the vortex of a legitimate news story because of his involvement in the series of collisions, eroding any protection as a private citizen.

Simmons’ also falls short of showing that the story was false.

If the sequence of events changes as the investigation proceeds, and Simmons is cleared of wrongdoing, then a subsequent story would be warranted, rather than a correction. A correction could imply an admission by the media outlet that its reporting was inaccurate, but that wasn’t the case at the time the first story ran.

In summary, Simmons complaint is unlikely to proceed far in the court system. However, MyFacebookSpaceNews.com needs to continue monitoring developments in the story and publish subsequent stories as newsworthy developments occur.

Statements of claim

Journalnow’s legal statements too legal

The legal statement for the Winston-Salem Journal’s Web site, www.journalnow.com, is intended to protect the company from liability and advise readers about what information the company gathers about their visits. The statement combines the legal restrictions on using information posted on the Web site and the company’s privacy policy.

The language of the agreement is fairly standard, written in legal jargon, but it has some quirks. The use of upper-case text warning readers that there is no “warranty” from the Web site and the following section claiming that the newspaper and its parent company, Media General, cannot be held liable for any “damages or expenses” because of information posted on the site is a bit much. The statements basically say that the company has no responsibility for any of the information posted on its Web site. The statement, albeit it a legal one, raises the question about just what the company may be willing to stand behind.

For example, this statement is included: “NOTE TO USERS. MEDIA GENERAL does not

Journalnow's statement on use and privacy.

represent or guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy or reliability of any User Content or endorse any opinions expressed by such users. ANY RELIANCE UPON USER CONTENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.”

The tone continues into the section about the company’s policy on internal links to other Web sites. The company is again trying to protect itself against damages, but why go so far in the section titled “Featured Links and Advertisements” as to say that the links “are provided for your reference and convenience only.” The links from advertisements in particular are purely intended to direct readers to companies that want to sell them a good or service. Why camouflage the intent of the links. It would be better to add a clause saying that “advertising links are tools to more easily connect with companies that advertise on the Journal’s Web site.”

We get it

The point is made, but the legal language and use of  upper-case text comes off as overbearing, especially because the sections denying liability follow a statement titled “Personal and Noncommercial Use” that goes on to say that “The Web site is for your personal and noncommercial use.” It’s a newspaper Web site. Readers understand that advertisers are using the Web site for a commercial purpose. The statement comes off as disingenuous, perhaps even deceptive.

The section dealing with copyright is also a little strong. It warns readers that “transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, translated into any language or computer language, retransmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photo reproduction, recordation or otherwise), resold or redistributed without the prior written consent of MEDIA GENERAL. Violation of this provision may result in severe civil and criminal penalties.”

This was likely written by someone who was thinking of the print newspaper. The electronic version is too easily redistributed by users. The company even encourages people to e-mail articles to others, and it has a handy tool on the Web site to allow readers to do this quickly and easily. This legal statement is dated.

Privacy protection standards are vague

The company’s statement on its privacy policy is, again, standard legalese. It lays out what information the company gathers in a general sense, and claims that information it gathers does not include personal information, though it cautions that information provided by users is being collected.

The statement does not say how that information is protected, or whether it’s protected at all.

Also, this statement is problematic: “No personally identifiable information about you is shared with such advertisers or merchants. You may choose to opt-out by contacting us in accordance with the information set forth at the bottom of this policy.”

What are users opting out from? And why is so cumbersome to “opt out.” Anyone who wishes to opt out of electronic information-gathering must write, call or e-mail the company’s legal counsel. Why not create a button that makes it easier for readers to “opt out” if the company is serious about allowing personal information to be better protected.

Again, the statement appears dated.

Overall, the company’s policy is intended to protect the company’s interest, but it is a one-sided agreement. There is no provision in the statement to let people easily ask questions or seek further clarification. Because the agreement is written with such a legal tone, it is difficult to wade through the language to understand what the company is saying.

Other media chains, such as the New York Times or The News & Record of Greensboro, do a better job of posting easily understandable legal statements to protect the company.