This is obviously not mine but I think we as young journalists of the future need to take a moment to look at this outstanding paper. Not only is there a lot of emotion and respect in this page but there is a better grasp of how journalists interact with their readers in this page than in most other professional newspapers (see newsdesigner.com for more covers). Most important is this paper's ability to look forward and provide a better, newer perspective on the events while other papers are still displaying the news as if it just happened and they got it first. If you look at their web site, you'll see even more proof that they get it - pure and simple. They understand what journalism is for and how it works. What do you all think? How would you have handled this event had it been on your campus? In contrast, what do you think of how the other papers handled, most especially the two covers from The Virginian Pilot from the day of and the day after? I think they are damn powerful.

Visit newsdesigner.com to see the three pages I'm talking about.

Oh, sassy about CFP.

I thought V. Tech did an extrodinary job of displaying the news. It was clean, simple, right on the mark. We stood around the newsroom (The Daily Evergreen, Washington St.) the other day looking at it almost in awe. One of our other editors said almost the exact same this you did, "This is, by far, the best designed paper of the day."

Our paper is running a candlelight vigil photo with a "how prepared are we" type story. It's unfortunate that we must wait until Tuesday, that's a real hinderance of our coverage in general

You are absolutely right about things being rehashed. But I can't tell you why. But I can tell you that broadcast does it far more than newspapers and that's why I can't stand them.

The guy in "MASSACRE" paper was alive. He had been shot in the leg and severed an artery but he saved himself with a turnikit (SP all wrong). He is expected to make a full recovery. Part of choosing that picture was that he is not recognizable but his family knew it was him, so that idea failed. They were disturbed but backed the use of the photo for the reason it was used (to show truth and evoke an emotional response from readers rather than sugar coat reality).

Journalism stops talking once the entire truth is told. Running those photos such as in the NYT or most other newspapers (Especially at the abominable 4-column size) is lying to the readers, making it look distant (figuratively and literally). When you put that student in the readers' faces, you make them realize the truth and gravity of what happened - especially for readers that are so far away.

PS. I love your cover, that is excellent and smart and respectful. Thank you for that. I also more or less agree with your decision. To take that stance is difficult but also, you must wonder how many of your readers want to know if they are safe. I can bet you A LOT of them want some sort of reassurance story. We are a scared people in these days, the least you could do is write a quick story with a "btw, the police say we'd be fine" or "the police think we're fucked if that happens."  So think about that before you decide to rebel. You are the only newspaper capable of reassuring your readers - isn't it your perogative to provide that as the journalists who have access to those answers?

We decided at our budget meeting today that the story would be...on second thought this has all been deleted, because we haven't done it yet, so I'll let you know what we did...

Here is the biggest problem with the 'recognizeable defense" the family will ALWAYS know it is them. ALWAYS. You show me a picture of my daughters right toe and I will know it is hers. I know the need to portray the truth of what happened and to get the news to everyone, the problem is continued coverage. Over and over. We know it is real, I don't think that any of us think it isn't at this point, but at some point it goes from being informative to being mind-numbing.

I think the bigger papers have covered the fact that the campuses around Denver have safety plans and they have contingencies and have worked everything out so the campuses are as safe as they can be. Around here, as I am sure you are all aware, that stuff was done 8 years ago tomorrow.

I guess my campus is very different from the majority of them because it is an open campus and has no dorms. There are apartments within walking distance but realistically the campus is three very large schools with no real delineated boundaries and a small campus police force.

I feel as safe as I did last week. I don't think there is anything anyone can do to keep someone from snapping like this. Maybe I am numb living here in Colorado, dealing with the Columbine aftershock for so long and then Bailey last year, I just don't think there is anything that can be done.

The campus police issued some saftey tips, but other than that nothing has changed. I saw a picture in the Rocky where they asked a CU campus officer what they were doing differently and he said 'nothing.'

So where does that leave us? The same place we were this time last week. unfortunately waiting for the next tragedy to occur. 

 BTW Mike, that cover was all my idea. I said big photo, no refers and my design guy ran with it and did an awesome job. We had to convince the EiC. And then yesterday the Rockys cover was just like it, no refers, just the flag and a candlelight vigil. Of course inside was probably 30 pages of why, how, when, where etc etc. 

We are only a weekly as well, so we have to consider that by the time we publish again in a week the Post and the Rcoky will have done the story to the gills, not to mention the TV news.

That is why we are going to the ins on our specific campus. e don't see any way that this can be prevented once someone decides to do it do you? I just don't see how i could have been prevented without restricting the rights and freedoms of the majority of the college students on campus. So then we try to fix the problem, the isolation of individuals. Something seemingly unfixable.

Oh well. I ramble, but at least I ramble WITH PARAGRAPHS now! (cheers Brian)