Online Story Analyzation - Class Assignment

After going to several sites searching for an internally written story – as opposed to stories channeled from such large news organizations as the Associated Press and Reuters, I finally stumbled across “Report: Rockets hit Israel after Gaza cease-fire deadline,” at cnn.com.

It was obvious that the organization has fashioned their website toward the online dabbler - in other words, the online news reader that skims the page only long enough to get the gist of the story and then, quickly jumps to the next page. I say this after noticing the “Story Highlights” box at the top of the article, which gives the reader a few important points that ultimately sum up the story.

I will say though, immediately after my delight for the fickle reader, I was unimpressed with the way the lead was worded.

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Palestinian militants in Gaza fired two rockets into Israel Sunday, according to Israeli Army Radio, hours after a total cease-fire in Gaza was agreed upon by the Israeli government and Palestinian factions.

In my opinion, it was very vague and somewhat misleading. For example, the phrase “Palestinian factions,” though I know which factions they are speaking of – Hamas and Fatah, I think the writer, Elaine Quijano, should not assume that this is common knowledge. I deem it misleading by the way Quijano groups the party’s involved. It makes it seem that the truce lies between Fatah and Hamas, as one entity working toward the same goal, and the Israeli government, when in fact, Fatah and Hamas are arch-rivals participating in two months of internal Palestinian bloodshed.

As I continued reading, I notice that the paragraphs are quite short and to the point, an essential part of online news writing. Also sticking true online journalistic guidelines is the link to a video interview from Miri Eisin, a government spokeswoman for Israel.

As far as objectivity, as I have found with many American reports on Palestine and Israel, biasness toward Israel resonates, whether it be through tone, selection of words, or sources included.

Over all, I think the piece covers the fundamentals of the story and also maintains the statutes of most online journalism guidelines.also maintains the statutes of most online journalism guidelines.