Ripping off story ideas from other newspapers is a service to readers, not a disservice to the institution of journalism. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer argues the point after being called out for lifting a Wall Street Journal topic (violence at black funeral parlors). Reporters get ideas for articles from TV, radio, personal experience … why not the competition? But maybe if they started acknowledging where they got the idea, some of those feeling cheated would have their concerns eased. "We don't know, and really don't care, whether the idea originated with the Journal, or somewhere else. And I'm guessing you care more about our giving you a good local story than about where the idea came from. But there would have been nothing wrong with acknowledging the presence of the Journal story ('A Wall Street Journal story last week told of a Cincinnati funeral director who carries a revolver in his hearse …'), or the radio report." Huh. Maybe newspapers will start doing that with blogs.

"[Cleveland] Plain Dealer Editor Susan Goldberg apologized Thursday to the parents of 12-year-old shooting victim Asteve' "Cookie" Thomas because they considered a cartoon offensive and insensitive." [Cleveland Plain Dealer]