1. No, I would not include the comment. It is the job of a journalist to present the news are accurately as possible. You would have to insist to the source that you were unable to run the comment. Anything that is printed holds a great deal of responsibility. Running something that is untrue could come back to haunt you and damage your credibility.
2. I think then I would contact somebody, such as a supervisor, and discuss where to go from there. "Justification is sometimes offered by publishing the other side of the story the next day" (Conley & Lamble, p. 135), so maybe the newspaper could adopt a similar situation to offer balance.
If another newspaper was running a similar article, perhaps the story could be looked at from a different angle. I think that I would still want the story to run, as it is definitely relevant if another newspaper is publishing something similar. Newspapers are always crossing over on their stories in some way.
3. First of all, I would survey the scene, taking time to look for dangers and threats, and to get a "clear overview of the situation" (Conley & Lamble, p. 129). I would ten question some people at the scene of nearby who say they saw or heard the situation when it was reported to police. However, everything must be confirmed later. The five W's and the H are natural elements to include. It would be silly to try and get answers from emergency personnel who are trying to control the situation or treating someone.
I would start by writing a summary introduction that, "highlights the most dramatic element" (Conely & Lamble, p. 130). It would show how the first began and how the injuries occured. The best quotations would be placed high in the story to support the opening paragraph.
4. Yes, the inverted pyramid is the effective method of structuring material. Even though some people may quit reading the story half way along because they know the material becomes less and less important, however readers, "want to be told the most important facts immediately" (Conley & Lamble, p. 125). By only reading these first few paragraphs, readers can become reasonably well informed. It is the most, "efficient structure yet devised for communicating news quickly and clearly" (Conley & Lamble, p. 125).
Australia ranks low in world gun ownership: survey
By Leigh Sales and wires
Posted Wed Aug 29, 2007 6:50am AEST
Australia has one of the lowest rates of gun ownership in the world, according to the annual Small Arms Survey, released in
Europe overnight.
The independent research project, based at the Graduate School of International Studies in Geneva, catalogues weapons production, stockpiles and illicit arms transfers.
In recent decades the Government has tried to reduce civilian gun ownership, notably through a weapons buyback scheme after the Port Arthur Massacre in 1996.
It has worked, with figures estimating there are only about 15 guns per 100 Australians.
In comparison, the United States has an estimated 90 guns for every 100 civilians - the highest rate of gun ownership in the world.
India has the world's second-largest civilian gun arsenal, with an estimated 46 million firearms outside law enforcement and the military, though this represents just four guns per 100 people there.
China, ranked third with 40 million privately held guns, has three firearms per 100 people.
Germany, France, Pakistan, Mexico, Brazil and Russia are next in the ranking of country's overall civilian gun arsenals.
On a per-capita basis, Yemen has the second most heavily armed citizenry behind the US, with 61 guns per 100 people, followed by Finland with 56, Switzerland with 46, Iraq with 39 and Serbia with 38.
The survey uses published reports, gun registrations and other means to formulate its figures.
It does not make any findings regarding the possible link between gun ownership and violence, a highly controversial topic.
The study also shows three quarters of the world's small arms are held by civilians, with rapid and unchecked urbanisation a key driver behind their proliferation.
Of the 875 million small arms in circulation, some 650 million or 75 per cent are held by civilians.
There are 270 million small arms in the US.
The survey also shows civilians are acquiring greater numbers of increasingly powerful guns, and that this trend is likely to continue for the forseeable future.
"The connection between per capita wealth and gun ownership is strong enough to suggest that as long as gun ownership laws are not changed, greater national wealth leads to greater gun ownership," the report said.
Brazil's firearm homicide rate is greater than some war-torn countries, with the number of victims tripling to 21 per 100,000 from seven in the period 1982-2002.
Post-conflict societies also remain at risk from gun violence as many weapons still remain in circulation among the civilian population and societies often lack a robust regulatory and security framework, the report noted.
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Discussion
Australia has one of the lowest rates of gun ownership in the world - and thank goodness for that. I am proud of Australia for its gun laws, in stark contrast to that of America and their present situation.
The stats on America, "estimated 90 guns for every 100 civilians", and that it has the highest rate of gun ownership in the world (270 million small arms), is completely outrageous. I know some people think it is a constitutional right, but surely they can see these laws are causing more harm than good. Especially in the rate of high school shootings and fatalities.
This article holds a certain amount of currency, especially highlighted by the Port Arthur Massacre in 1996. I was fairly young when this occurred, but can still remember the huge implications it caused.
I recently talked to someone who was upset about the weapons buyback scheme, and who thought it unnecessary. This really opened up my eyes to the opinions of some people, even though I completely disagreed with him.
It is a sad world where greater national growth leads to greater gun ownership. I am just glad that Australia has had enough sense to do something about the situation, rather than add fuel to the fire.
Interesting Link:
Gun Control
A opposing view-point to gun control laws in Australia:
Opinion Piece
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