Gifford, Claude W. (author / Director, Office of Information, U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Format:
Commentary
Publication Date:
Circa 1973
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 68 Document Number: D10748
Notes:
2 pages., Claude W. Gifford Collection. Beyond his materials in the ACDC collection, the Claude W. Gifford Papers, 1919-2004, are deposited in the University of Illinois Archives. Serial Number 8/3/81. Locate finding aid at https://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/, Claude W. Gifford Collection., Emphasis on writing public information that is readable and understandable. Cites an example of a proposed news release from the deputy of one USDA agency. It contained a 68-word sentence found not understandable.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 144 Document Number: C22544
Notes:
Published in "The Final Word" column of Food Routes Network, Millheim, Pennsylvania. Issue 44. 2 pages., Author expresses concern that farm magazines and newspapers in the U.S. are "as bland and featureless as a sun-scorched pasture: there's nothing there to chew on; no water, no food, no new ideas." Suggests they need to challenge the status quo and publicly discuss and debate new ideas.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 144 Document Number: C22545
Notes:
Published in a column, "The Final Word," from Food Routes Network, Millheim, Pennsylvania. Issue 45. 2 pages., Author reports on consolidation of farm periodicals, with resulting cutbacks in editorial staffing and in local coverage. Describes financial pressures that lead to more use of free-lance writers that often write for ag publications and ag public relations agencies simultaneously. "But the divided loyalties often yield stories that resemble corporate press releases more than journalism." Cites an example from his experience as a free-lance writer.
