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J Kaufman	Post subject: Today's stupid advice Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:47 am
Joined: Mon Nov 14, 2005 3:47 pm Posts: 4655 Location: New York City	Quote: Effective immediately, do not identify crime victims unless there is a compelling reason to do so. There often is a compelling reason, as in a homicide or highly visible or gruesome crime. More often, there is not, especially in three- and four-paragraph crime briefs that we dash off by rewriting press releases. If we’ve deemed a crime story worthy of only three paragraphs, then by definition the facts don’t merit identifying the victims. In place of a name, use gender, age and town of residence, as in a 20-year-old Greensboro woman or a 48-year-old High Point man. [Greensboro News & Record via Jim Romenesko] That way, you can guarantee grief when another 20-year-old Greensboro woman or 48-year-old High Point man who wasn't mugged, groped or the victim of a vandal reads the story.
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