Source Notes 30

High-speed rail suddenly on fast track for Cleveland (WKYC News, 02/22/2009)

Summary:

WKYC News in Cleveland, Ohio made a short video documentary about how the state’s high-speed rail plans are gaining momentum after Obama’s stimulus plan.  This source documents why Ohio, one of the most populated high-speed rail corridors, is ready for high-speed rail development.

Topic:

High-Speed Rail Policy

Category:

journalistic

What is it?

a video

Publication Information:

The name of the publication is WKYC News.  The video was uploaded on February 22, 2009 from Cleveland, Ohio

Author:

no author listed

Location:

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/focus-high-speed-rail-suddenly-on-fast-track-for-cleveland/1918001594

Accessed:

March 7, 2009

Support:

Eric Czetli, a representative of the Ohio Department of Transportation

Frank Jackson, mayor of Cleveland

Tom Sawyer, a Senator from Ohio

Sarah Evans, a Ohio rail passenger

Amy Deangelis, an Ohio rail passenger

Don Plusquellic, mayor of Akron

Sharrod Brown, a Senator from Ohio

Ken Prendergast, the leader of “All Aboard Ohio”

Eric Czetli said that high-speed rail is feasible in Ohio.  Frank Jackson is also supportive of high-speed rail.  Tom Sawyer said that after thirty years there is still contention on the issue of high-speed rail in the state legislature.  Sarah Evans said high-speed rail would be a good way to save money and not have to travel in the harsh weather.  Amy Deangelis said that offering more environmentally friendly trains would be great.  Don Plusquellic said that America needs to have the wisdom to provide mass transit like the rest of its competitors (other countries).  Sharron Brod said Ohio companies know how to build the supplies for high-speed rail, and that new projects would create jobs.  Ken Prendergast says the purpose of high-speed rail is to develop a low-mileage lifestyle in Ohio.

Audience and Agenda:

WKYC News’ website had approximately 197,000 visitors by the end of February.  The majority of visitors to WKYC are state residents looking for general information about Cleveland and Ohio in general.  They use WKYC for general interest stories, pictures, video, and audio.  They expect professional journalistic articles that provide general information to someone without much background knowledge.

WKYC is funded by the Gannett Company.  a national media holding company.  It addresses a general Ohioan audience.  It tries to provide professional stories that will entertain people and provide them with general information.

Usefulness:

This story is in a regional context, focusing on Ohio.  It was created by a news staff to inform people about recent developments in high-speed rail research.  Ohio is just one of the many U.S. regions that is signaling its readiness for high-speed rail.  The federal government will start paying more attention the more regions join the chorus.  Although it focuses on Ohioans, it is addressing a national audience about its readiness for high-speed rail.

It is making the argument that Ohio is populated enough to need another alternate form of mass transportation that moves people faster.  This is the same message coming form many different U.S. regions, all of which need federal funding.

The video leaves out any information that would dissuade investment into Ohio, like the fact that it’s not the most populated high-speed rail corridor.  Chicago might need it a bit more, but this is a video to support high-speed rail in Ohio.

Focusing on the midwest, this source relates to Source Notes 23 and Source Notes 19.  Being a video, this source relates to Source Notes 5, Source Notes 18, Source Notes 28, and Source Notes 22.

Works Cited:

“High-speed rail suddenly on fast track for Cleveland.”  AOL Video.  <http://video.aol.com/video-detail/focus-high-speed-rail-suddenly-on-fast-track-for-cleveland/1918001594>

“wkyc.com.”  Quantcast.  <http://www.quantcast.com/wkyc.com>

“WKYC-TV.”  Wikipedia.  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WKYC>

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