AP Writer Visits UGA

Journalism is in the midst of drastic change, according to a national writer for the Associated Press, speaking at the University of Georgia Monday morning.
Erin McClam, who is an alumnus of the school, gave advice to students on how to write and report effectively, and spoke of the evolution the field has experienced in the past several years.
He referred to what he called the “explosion of the internet,” and the increasing demand from internet users for immediate news in the midst of the daytime.
“There is much more appetite for news during the work day,” he said.
In many cases, he noted, reporters must dictate story notes over the phone just moments after an event they are covering has occurred, in order for it to quickly be posted on the internet. Many web users have come to expect such immediacy, and bloggers sometimes respond just as quickly.
McClam also stressed the importance of observation, clarity, and flexibility. He encouraged the group of students to document their surroundings, and try to break out of their own writing methods. “You have to say to yourself, why not try this little snappy four-word lead?” he said.

Hayes: it's an "exciting time"

Georgia local government authority Harry Hayes called this an "exciting time" in county government when he addressed a class of young journalism students at the University of Georgia Monday.
Hayes, project director of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, spoke of the recent creation of new cities in the state. He cited four cities which have been created in the last three years alone: Sandy Springs, John’s Creek, Milton, and Chatahoochee Hills, all of which are located in Fulton County.

Harry Hayes Visits UGA

Today, local government authority Harry Hayes addressed a young group of journalism students at the University of Georgia concerning the ever-growing consolidation of county governments in the state.
Four new cities have been incorporated within the last three years: Sandy Springs, John’s Creek, Milton, and Chatahoochee Hills, all of which are located in Fulton County. Even more are expressing desire to consolidate.
Much of the motivation for the creation of these cities stems from issues concerning the distribution of services throughout the county, which is basically split into two sections by the city of Atlanta. In many other parts of the state, though, desire for consolidation arises from concerns that different parts of a county might have issues unique to their location, such as barrier island communities.
These consolidations can cause problems for their respective counties, though. New cities are created using county money, and these funds will continue to by utilized by the cities. Thus, county governments are often reluctant to consolidate. Such is the case of Dunwoody, another Fulton County community whose recent vote for consolidation was denied.
Hayes also discussed the basic differences between county and city governments. While cities are a product of the General Assembly and are granted authority to provide urban services, Georgia’s 159 counties were formed by the state constitution and originally served as a state service provider. Hayes maintains that the differences are now minimal, though.
“City and county governments in Georgia are really very similar,” he said.