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Larry Altman of the Daily Breeze in Torrance, Calif., told me in an email how he worked a recent breaking story. It’s a great example of live-tweeting the unfolding story, with some good crowdsourcing and a correction supplied by the community. And it all starts with some excellent fundamental reporting.
“I received a tip from a parent that Bishop Montgomery
High School, a top area private school, was shut down for the day
because of a threat posted on YouTube. I called police who confirmed it,
but provided few details. Reporting began with a couple tweets.” -
“Officials at Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance cancelled classes today because of a threat that appeared on YouTube, police said.
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Altman continues his narrative: “I then filed a three-paragragh item to the web editor
to post on the website and waited for more info. and kept tweeting and
calling police, Archdiocese, and court because of another story I
originally had been scheduled to cover.” -
“If anyone has the link to the YouTube video please email it to me @ larry.altman@dailybreeze.com. And the original 1, you know what I mean.
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“Closure at Bishop Montgomery was not scheduled. Looks like rest of the week has shortened days. Is it midterms week?
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“Threatening video for Bishop Montgomery reportedly removed from YouTube. I know I can’t find it.
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“Waiting on calls from archdiocese and police to explain BMHS threat. I have unconfirmed info, but won’t report yet. I’m old school.
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Altman again: “Police then call me and provide more info. Tweeting begins while still online with officer.”
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“16-year-old boy allegedly made video threatening BMHS. No specific threats, but used a disguised voice on video, police said.
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“Cops: “It wasn’t a specific (threat) that it was going to be a bomb or something, but something very bad was going to happen.” #BMHS
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Again from Altman’s email: “Begin writing new story. Archdiocese spokesman calls. More tweeting.”
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“Church spokesman on Bishop closure: “They erred on the side of having an abundance of caution.”
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“Bishop student was taken to juvenile hall. Not sure if he’s still there. Name obviously not released.
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Altman: “Reader tweets question asking if I know kid’s name.”
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More from Altman: “Finish writing story and send to online editor for posting. He also posts my Twitter feed on website. Cops agree to let me see threatening video. I drive to police station to view it.”
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“Any students with insight on the Bishop threat or student, please contact me at 310-543-6655. Leave a message as I’m in the field.
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Altman: “After copying video, head back to office. Tweeting starts up again.”
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“I have heard the recorded threat against Bishop that led to student’s arrest. Here it is in several parts:
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“Here it goes: “Dear brothers and sisters of Bishop Montgomery. Recently our beloved friend (inaudible) was expelled….
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“(contd) and so we are taking action. We are the resistance. It will be in three days of time. Bishop Montgomery shall fall….
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“(cont’d) It shall decline. It shall never be the same. It will bounce, bounce, bounce to motherf—— hell and beyond, and so on and so on.
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“(cont’d) Witchcraft and wizardry, our wands cut deep. We are your (inaudible). Catholics are our sheep and so on….
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“(cont’d) We are anonymous. We are legion. We do not forgive. Expect us.”
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I suspect a bad auto-correct here. I’m thinking the writer meant “updates,” not “opiates”:
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“@LarryAltman great job and thx for the opiates Larry.
You rock, so does Ashley Curtin – My two favorites!
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“UPDATED: 16-year-old allegedly threatened to send Bishop Montgomery campus ‘to hell’ – The Daily Breeze: bit.ly/tOQSF0
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16-year-old allegedly threatened to send Bishop Montgomery ‘to hell’ – The Daily Breeze
A Bishop Montgomery High School student’s alleged online video threatening to send his Torrance campus to “hell and beyond” prompted admi… -
“@LarryAltman ironically, the character is based on Guy Fawkes, a 17th century English Catholic that plotted to blow up parliament.
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“Readers have let me know the face in the threatening Bishop video was the character in “V for Vendetta,” not an evil wizard. I’ll rent it.
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Revolutionary V For Vendetta Mask of Guy Fawkes
A somebody from those everybody out there hates their government for one or the other reasons – even if the government tries its level ha… -
Altman: “I keep reporting and tweeting. Cops send me the actual video. We post it.
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“Here’s the video that caused Bishop Montgomery officials to close the campus today The Daily Breeze: bit.ly/vNkemu
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Video: Threatening video allegedly made by Bishop Montgomery student – The Daily Breeze
Click for the video allegedly made by a student at Bishop Montgomery High School that threatens to send the campus “to hell.” -
“Parents say Bishop Montgomery threat followed expulsion of three students last week for making rap video including marijuana use, profanity
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Altman: “Finished final version for web and print.”
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“Updated updated update: Teen wanted to send Bishop Montogomery to hell — bit.ly/rPnBvh
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“@LarryAltman the likeness of Guy Fawkes was a common sight at the occupy WS/ LA/DC protests. Good job on the coverage today. Scary stuff.
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“@rpmcardle Yes, I have read up on this today. I plan to rent V for Vendetta soon….Used to always see it in the video store and passed.
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“Hey, what do you know? V for Vendetta is on Thursday night at 9 on BBCHD. I’ll record it. #obsessedwithscrewingthatuptoday
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“Thanks to help from community yesterday on Bishop story. Picked up 38 Twitter followers for 790. Hit 481 on facebook.com/southbaycrime.
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“Readers supplied me with background on teens involved, videos, Facebook, etc. That’s how story got told.
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“Prosecutors to file one felony count of making a criminal threat against teen in Bishop Montgomery case. Arraignment Wed in Ing Juvie Court.
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“16-year-old suspected of posting Bishop Montgomery threat charged – The Daily Breeze bit.ly/ucPArk
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16-year-old suspected of posting Bishop Montgomery threat charged – The Daily Breeze
A 16-year-old boy who allegedly posted a threatening video that prompted the closure of Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance was cha…
Archive for December 18th, 2011
Larry Altman’s account of live-tweeting a breaking news story
Posted in Digital First Media on December 18, 2011| 14 Comments »
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