This was my assignment:
Pick one major story published in the past 2 weeks in this area, and analyze it deeply. For example, discuss whether it is based on numerous sources or just one or two, and how that has affected the quality. If it’s on the web, how well does it use links and other web-based tools. What questions did the reporter fail to ask (or not address in the piece)? Grade the story as if you were teaching media literacy to the journalist.
This was my report:
In recent fashion news, Fashionista.com, along with other media sources, have reported that there are rumors going around that the clothing brand, Chloé, might be up for sale. The online article, “Is Richemont Looking to Sell Chloé”, written by Alyssa Vingan, sheds further light onto the situation. As of now the fashion brand is owned by Richemont, a Switzerland based luxury brand holding company. It is reported that Richemont is in the process of eliminating some of its fashion brands from its hold, to focus on luxury watches and accessories. The article includes two sources that have been published in the last month regarding the rumors. Both sources are credible, however both lean towards the accusations that Richemont is indeed selling the brand. One source, Reuters.com, is a news agency that suggests that in the past when rumors were going around about Lancel (luxury leather brand) being sold, it was true. Therefore, the article suggests that Chloé may have the same fate. The other source, Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) implies that Richemont is selling Chloé but is not rushing the transaction. In my opinion I feel that the article published by Fashionista.com is a “so-so” article. The author included credible links, but there should have more links throughout the piece. The sources that were used only showed one side of the story and I wish there would have been more information about how this rumor could be false. I still have so many questions about the rumors going around. Both links never really answered the question, “Is Chloé being sold?” At the end of the article the author wrote, “On Oct. 10, Richemont was forced to come forward and dispel the rumor that the retail group was up for sale in a public statement — an uncharacteristic move for the company.” This is the only definite information I got from the entire article, but there was no source or link to prove it. If I were writing the article I would have included a link to the Chloé website. I would have included the two links that she posted because it does give reliable information about the rumors. Then if I found that the rumors were true, I would have posted the link to a video of the public statement or an article addressing it. All in all I think the article was good but it could have been better. I would give it a grade of C+.
Source:
http://fashionista.com/2013/11/is-richemont-looking-to-sell-chloe/
The Rag Trade 