Is Including E-Mail Addresses in Reporters’ Bylines a Good Idea?
More than a year after The Miami Herald added the individual e-mail addresses of its reporters to their bylines, the verdict is decidedly mixed on whether e-mail contact with the public is useful or disruptive. There are the testimonials: Investigative reporter Manny Garcia calls email “invaluable,” and cites a number of tips that helped him flesh out stories on government corruption. So does Joe Tanfani, also a member of the Iteam, who says many useful follow-up ideas come in after one of his stories is published. Reporter Luisa Yanez is another enthusiast: “On several occasions, I’ve gotten an e-mail that has helped me follow a big story. I did a story on a state senator’s funny business and someone e-mailed me more examples of his shenanigans. And I did a story on an embalmer and someone who was suing him e-mailed me as well.” But even the fans acknowledge that the useful tip is the exception. The bulk of e-mails tend toward the opinionated, not the factual, and a depressingly high
