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What are we doing here; what’s this thing all about?

We’re looking for “the best and the brightest” students to work collaboratively with thePulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting in Washington, DC.

What’s the Pulitzer Center about?

“..The Pulitzer Center's mission is to promote in-depth coverage of international affairs,focusing on topics that have been under-reported, mis-reported - or not reported at all.”

To get a better understanding of what the Pulitzer Center does and why we think that it isimportant, let’s review how some news stories were presented to us this past summer

a. As of June 30, 2007, The Washington Post reports that Democratic candidates forpresident1 had raised a combined total of $160,253,355, while the Republicancandidates2 have collectively raised $104,844,975. At the head of the pack for theDemocrats are Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton with $58,495,873 and $52,532,868respectively. The top fundraisers on the Republican side are Mitt Romney with$34,530,300 and Rudy Giuliani with a total of $33,305,747. The amount of funding acandidate receives plays a huge role in their ability to market themselves and winover voters. As a result, there is often a direct correlation between the amount ofmoney a candidate has and their rankings in the polls. (What kind of funding rules (ifany) exist in your high school? If they are allowed to fundraise or use their ownpersonal money to campaign, do the students with the most money usually win?)

b. On August 20, 2007, star quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, Michael Vick, pleadguilty to charges of dogfighting. The New York Times reports that he made his pleain “a deal with federal prosecutors that will probably land him in prison while he is in

1 Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich, Chris Dodd, and

Mike Gravel2 Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Ron Paul, Tom Tancredo, Sam Brownback, Duncan Hunter, Mike

Huckabee, Tommy Thompson, and Jim Gilmore

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the prime of his N.F.L. career.”

c. On Monday, August 28, 2007, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announcedhis resignation after a stormy period of accusations alleging that he allowed hisintense personal loyalties to President Bush to impede his ability to carry out the law.Several Democrats who were among the most ardent of his critics suspected that hehad “fudged the truth” under oath in hearings about his involvement in the firings ofseveral U.S. attorneys. Considerable evidence indicates that he had dismissed theattorneys because of his own partisan motives.

d. On Sunday, September 9, 2007, pop singer Britney Spears appeared on the MTVVideo Music Awards in what was regarded by many to be one of the worstperformances in VMA history. The singer, who has had a string of bad press inrecent months, lip-synched incorrectly, forgot many of her dance moves, and at timesseemed disoriented.

Now we have a few questions for you about these stories. If you try to be honest, we’ll do thesame.

1. Take the three stories above. In your opinion, rank them in order of importance. Before youdo, let’s get something clear. An exercise like this is clearly value-laden. That means thatwe’re asking for opinions. There is no right or wrong answer. However, the fact that there isno right or wrong answer does not mean that the consequences of one’s thoughts are all thesame. For example, if you were asked to rank a cheeseburger, spinach, and chocolate chipcookie dough ice cream in the order in which you liked them, there would be no rightanswer, but there would be consequences because your choices would effect a number ofthings including your health, your weight, the profitability of the “manufacturers” and

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distributors of these items, and the likelihood that these items would continue to be on themarket a available to buy in the future.

So, in order of importance, how would you rank the three stories above:

First: __________________(Just say campaign finance, attorney general, dogfighting, or Britney Spears)

Second: ________________(Just say campaign finance, attorney general, dogfighting, or Britney Spears)

Third: _________________(Just say campaign finance, attorney general, dogfighting, or Britney Spears)

Fourth: ________________ (Just say campaign finance, attorney general, dogfighting, or Britney Spears)

2. Now, here’s where it may get tougher for us. Let’s take it away from one judgmental field(which story you think is most important) to another judgmental field (if you were the news

editor for a newspaper, radio station, or TV station, in what order would you report the

stories?)

First: __________________(Just say campaign finance, attorney general, dogfighting, or Britney Spears)

Second: ________________(Just say campaign finance, attorney general, dogfighting, or Britney Spears)

Third: __________________(Just say campaign finance, attorney general, dogfighting, or Britney Spears)

Fourth: ________________ (Just say campaign finance, attorney general, dogfighting, or Britney Spears)

3. Okay, how does this relate to the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting? (Note: keep in mindthat this reporting to Soldan H.S. students and teachers is coming from Civitas Associates,so it would be presumptuous and judgmental for us to say what Pulitzer would think.) Butjust to make things fun, that’s what we’re going to do. When Jon and David from thePulitzer Center come to Soldan on Thursday, October 4, they might have to bop me upsidethe head because I have so distorted their thinking with this presentation. If I come inwearing a helmet, you’ll know why.

Anyway, to get back to the point, the way in which the mainstream press dealt with the fourabove-mentioned stories reveals a great deal about why the Pulitzer Center exists, what itsmandate is, why they are covering the story of the refugee crisis created by the U.S. invasionon Iraq and the ensuing civil war, and why they are coming to Soldan on October 4th.

For the most part, here’s the way that the “mainstream press” chose to cover these stories inJune-September. You can decide for yourself if you think they “got it right” in determining“what was most important” and/or what was of most interest to readers, listeners, andviewers.

a. The Washington Post coverage of campaign finances has been ongoing since theinception of each candidate’s decision to run for president. However, this informationonly makes it into major news stories periodically when major contributions are made

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or when controversy over current campaign finance reform surfaces. Additionally,these funds

b. On August 20th, Michael Vick made headlines by pleading guilty to running an illicitdogfighting ring, blowing much conventional news off the airwaves. The quarterback,who was just entering his peak within the NFL, had been hosting and gambling onbrutal canine battles at his property in Surrey, Virginia. As a result, Mr. Vick wasbarred from summer training camp and has shamed the face of the NFL.

c. A week later on August 28th, Alberto Gonzales resigned, taking some of the spotlightoff of Vick, but news on him is carried primarily on political shows and networks.Gonzales, the first Hispanic to serve as attorney general in the U.S., is thought to havebeen ousted by the Bush’s inner circle in order to prevent further controversy over hisdecision to fire several US attorneys.

d. Then, on September 9th, Britney Spears gave yet another embarrassing performance.While she has made a significant contribution to pop culture over the past decade, thepublic seems to be more interested in the series of public faux pas she has madewithin the last couple of years, and this incident was no exception. Major newscarriers from CNN to The New York Times covered the story as front-page,primetime news.

So here in simplified terms is the way that the news went:

a. Campaign finances were reported largely on “straight” news days.b. On August 20th, Michael Vick drove “straight news” off the front page.c. On August 28th, Alberto Gonzales, shared the spotlight for a few days with Vick.d. On September 9th, Britney Spears drove Michael Vick and Alberto Gonzales off

the front page.

As the image below demonstrates, this is how most, not all, but most of the press – particularlythe mainstream press - played several recent news stories.

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Just as you as students did in the beginning of this class, they made value-laden choices.However, their choices are not made in isolation. They affect others.

If we take the three stories from the past few months, we might ask, which of these is going to bemost important to us in five years, in ten years, in twenty years, in fifty years? Again, we’rebeing judgmental, but most informed people would say that they story on climate change hasthe greatest significance. Yet on a day-to-day basis, it has very little “staying power.” Storieslike Michael Vick and Britney Spears may be of interest to us, but they don’t do much to helpus be “informed citizens.”

Some feel that the role of the media is to reflect the interests of the people. Others woulddescribe that more blatantly; the media should (a value-laden word) pander to the people towhatever extent is necessary to increase circulation or ratings. If you ever watch CNN, tune into Larry King at 8:00 PM or Anderson Cooper at 9:00 PM (Central time). Yep, sometimesthey look at “serious” issues. Larry King likes to interview presidential historians; Anderson

Cooper is committed to keeping the public aware of the plight of New Orleans post-Katrina.But we have yet to see how low can they go when it comes to groveling for ratings (clearly I’mbeing judgmental here).

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The Ratings Pyramid

Now, let’s remember that we stated previously that the mission of the Pulitzer Center is to “…promote in-depth coverage of international affairs, focusing on topics that have been under-reported, mis-reported - or not reported at all.” Clearly the staff of the Pulitzer Center, andeven before them, the founders of the Pulitzer Center made a decision – a value-laden decision– that certain news is under-reported and it is important for the public to hear that news. That’swhy we’re here today!

A story that the Pulitzer Center is currently covering is the refugee crisis created by the U.S.invasion on Iraq and the ensuing civil war. Let’s take a look at where this is and then why thiscan be such an important story.

Iraq is the pink, shaded area on the map!

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And here’s a more detailed map of Iraq!

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Global Gateway: Iraq- Death of a Nation?

Since the war in Iraq began in 2003, more than 16% of Iraqis have losttheir homes and been displaced. As of June 21, 2007, the United Nations HighCommissioner for Refugees estimated that 2.2 million Iraqis had beendisplaced to neighboring countries, and 2 million were displaced internally,with nearly 100,000 Iraqis fleeing to Syria and Jordan each month.

To put this in perspective, imagine that the entire population of the metropolitan area of

St. Louis was unable to return to their homes and had to flee to neighboring countries or movesomewhere else within the U.S. – twice over.

The reasons behind the growing numbers of refugees and displaced Iraqi

citizens are complex. The occupation of Iraq has led to the destruction of manyhomes and villages. Additionally, the anarchy that followed the fall of SaddamHussein’s regime has led to sectarian violence between the various ethnic andreligious groups in Iraq, the Kurds, the Shi’as, and the Sunnis. In fact, thissectarian violence has gotten so bad, that the country is falling into a Civil War.

Reporters David Enders and Richard Rowley, who were sponsored by the PulitzerCenter, traveled across Iraq and the region to document all of this factional fighting and thegrowing refugee crisis, as well as how the conflict is destabilizing Iraq's neighbors. They areproducing a number or articles, interviews, and videos about what they saw.

Fortunately for you, you have the unique opportunity to talk personally withDavid Enders, who is coming on October 4 to speak and answer our questions abouthis experiences in Iraq. When David is not reporting in Iraq, Syria or other countriesin the Middle East, he is a teacher in Harlem, so he is very excited to speak with all ofyou and share his insight on the issues.

You might be asking yourself, “What could I possibly ask?” We can suggest a few areasof exploration.

1. Discrimination against immigrant groups. Many Iraqi refugees are experiencingxenophobia (in other words, a fear or discrimination of outsiders) in the countries inwhich they have fled to. The Washington Post recently reported that Syrian PresidentBashar Assad will soon sign an order barring Iraqi immigrants from purchasing property,and many relocated Iraqis have been unable to find work or open businesses in their newhomes. Imagine if one hundred years ago the city of St. Louis had barred all Italians fromowning land or starting business in the area. How would this have affected the characterof the city? In what ways do discrimination against immigrants impact an area? Is therestill discrimination here in St. Louis?

2. The impact of a large influx of refugees on an area. The countries surrounding Iraq areseeing hundreds and even thousands of refugees crossing their borders on a daily basis.

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How does this impact a country? What kinds of stressors does this create? From theopposite angle, how does the steady stream of citizens leaving impact Iraq?

3. The right to remain in a particular area. In Iraq, many families are being forced toleave their homes for many reasons. Some leave because their homes have beendestroyed in strategic military strikes, some are kicked out by other ethnic groups, andstill others are unable to continue to support themselves in the flailing economy. Here inSt. Louis there are 187 families that are moving out of the Hadley Township in RichmondHeights because developers have come in and are buying out every property owned in thearea, even if they don’t want to sell. What rights do these people have to remain in thearea? How do they differ from the Iraqi citizens being forced to leave their homes? Whatdo they have in common?

To put the situation of Hadley Township into context, let’s look at a similar case in the city

of Maplewood, which is adjacent to Richmond Heights.

First, let’s go back to the turn of this century. The city of Maplewood was hurting financially,and in particular the school district was nearly broke. The “powers” that be decided to take acourse that most other municipalities and school districts in St. Louis County had: theyannounced that they would take RFPs (Requests for Proposals) to develop new commercialareas within the city and district. This would raise badly needed tax revenue. However, it wouldalso mean that in all likelihood one or more residential areas would have to be torn down tomake room for such a development.

Between 2000 and 2003, the city of Maplewood negotiated with several developers who wantedto put “box stores” within the city limits. The targeted area was known as Highland Park,bordered by Hanley on the west, Bruno on the north, Laclede Station Road on the east, and Folkon the south. Most of the discussions revolved around what would be the buyout price on thehomes.

By late 2003, the city reached agreement with the developer THF (which stands for ‘To HaveFun). THF planned to put in a Wal-Mart, SAM’s, and a host of other stores in the area. Theoffered buy-out prices far in excess of most other developers; in some cases 250% of thepreviously assessed value of the homes. Homeowners whose houses had been valued at less than$100,000 were offered as much as $200,000. While there was some grumbling, most of theresidents in the 180 or so households felt the buyout was fair and they did not object to the deal.By 2004 the deal was done, the bulldozers came in and construction on Wal-Mart and its“cousins” began. Badly needed additional tax revenue began to flow into Maplewood and theMaplewood-Richmond Heights school district.

An independent researcher is now studying how former residents have adjusted to the buyout inretrospect. Early indications are that most feel that they were dealt with fairly and they arehappy to be where they are currently living. However, some also feel a sense of loss. Onewoman who moved into the area in the 1950s and lived there for thirty years was so heartbrokenby having her home and neighborhood cleared for the development that during the demolitionperiod she frequently went back and cried in the driveway of her former home. She bonded with

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the most recent owner of the home, shared memories of the neighborhood, and took a brick as asouvenir.

One of the reasons why Wal-Mart wanted to locate in the Highland Park area was because it wastold that this was “as close as it could get to Highway 40.” Well now we learn that anotherdevelopment – this time in the neighborhood known as Hadley Township – is even closer toHighway 40; it is adjacent to the highway (see maps below). This area is also adjacent to theWal-Mart buyout area and is similar demographically. Now a new developer, Michelson, hasplans for mixed-use development in the area (see plans below).

If things go as planned, within two years or so, another 187 homes in the area (this time inHadley Township in Richmond Heights) will be bulldozed and new homes, condos, stores,possibly even a hotel will replace them (a few of the existing dwellings will remain in this case).

Our question here is, “Is this a displaced person issue?” While the residents of HadleyTownship are not being ousted from their homes for the same reasons that Iraqis are, thesefamilies will still have to leave the area. Does this make them, in at least some sense, refugees?Displaced persons? What new challenges will they face in their new communities? What impactwill it have on Richmond Heights? What impact will it have on the school district? Finally, whatresponsibility do we have as citizens to residents of Hadley Township? What responsibility doesthe government have to the residents of Hadley? Do we/they have any responsibility to them atall?

Hopefully these questions will give you something to think about when you prepare for themeeting with David and Jon on October 4.

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Wal Mart,

HadleyTownshi

The Next Area Scheduled to Go

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Richmond

“TheHeights

Hadley Township Go-Team Maps

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Richmond

“TheHeights

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So, as we go home tonight, some of us will seek a source of news (newspaper, radio [NPR],television [PBS – Channel 9], internet, etc. Interest in “news” has been sliding in recent years;maybe you can be part of the reversal of that trend!

As much as I care about the world, or purport to care about the world, when I check out thenewspaper in the morning the first place I go is the sports section. And I’m not above headingfor the sleaze; if Tony LaRussa is picked up for DUI, I want to know all about it. But I try tokeep in mind that Albert going three for four or Tony having one too many is of littleconsequence on the future of the world. Similarly, the multitude of crime or so-called humaninterest stories that are often on the front pages of our newspapers (“if it bleeds, it leads.”) areessentially “here today, gone tomorrow” stories. That’s why, when I’m on my game (i.e. beingthe way I want to be), I go for stories about the environment, about international conflict, abouthuman rights, about social disparities (both within our countries and in other countries), abouthypocrisy among our leaders, about people and corporations buying their way into power, aboutdecent people not having access to the levers of power. These are the stories that will have long-lasting effect. These are the stories on an international level that the Pulitzer Center iscovering. We hope that you will take interest in them when the Pulitzer gang comes to yourschool in October!

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Iraq: Death of a Nation?

"Iraq: death of a nation," a project sponsoredby the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting andcarried out by David Enders and RichardRowley, will examine how the US invasionand occupation created a multi-faceted civilwar in which the US is now actively armingmultiple factions. It will also examine therefugee crisis created by the invasion and thefighting that has followed. The political,sectarian and ethnic nature of the civil war

and resistance to the occupation will be examined from the standpoint of Iraqis who aredirectly involved.

The project will also look at the profound effect the war hashad on Iraq's neighbors. Jordan, which initially acceptedrefugees without conditions, has all but closed its borders,and Syria, which has absorbed more than 1 million refugeesalready, is appealing to the international community forassistance. United Nations officials have warned of thepotential for a massive refugee flow to Europe if something isnot done soon.

Reporting from Iraq's Kurdish north, Enders and Rowley will also examine the possibilityof Turkey being dragged into Iraq as a combatant in an effort to destroy Kurdish rebelgroups that use Iraq as a base to attack Turkey.

David Enders is a New York-based freelance journalist who has spentmore than 18 months in Iraq over the past four years.

Richard Rowley has made four award winning feature documentaries with internationaltheatrical distribution and dozens of short films and television pieces.