2015 Atlantic Journalism Awards Finalists
Attachments
| Slug/Label | Doors Close on People's Court |
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| Date Aired or Published | Sept. 29, 2015 |
| Media outlet where first aired or published: | Kings County Record |
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| Location: | Sussex |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: The closing of the community court in Sussex, N.B., in itself is not so fascinating. What is, however, are the opportunities that present themselves when reporters in small towns are able to build relationships that are more challenging in larger regions. When resources in small market papers are limited and there is not the same level of pomp and circumstance within institutions like court and town council, it is often the same people sitting in the same room. The mayor, the judge, the reporter…all just cogs in the wheel, so to speak. The beauty of a more casual setting where you rarely have to worry about other press scooping you because there’s not another one around for miles, is that some unique situations can arise when you ask the right person. Because the judge is accessible, I was able to slip into his court chambers on that last day before the community lost its court to ask if he could offer some closing words, which he did from the stand, and perhaps he would even allow me to shoot inside the court while it was in session. I fully expected a "no." I got a "yes." This story offers a look inside a court that is rarely possible. |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: |
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