I really liked all of the pointers and facts that were put into Best Practices. While reading this text it helped me to see things from the public's point of view. They don't know everything that it takes to put together a good story, make the deadline, and still get around to do all the research for the next story. Then again, an up and up journalist probably wouldn't understand some of the public's job either. However, this text allows everyone in any type of media to see things through the eyes of the common man.
Most everyone wants to know how others look at them. This booklet lets the voice of the average person be heard, yet offers ideas of how to better the sore points listed by the public. It's encouraging to read what steps are being taken by various newspapers in order to ease the publi'c mind on several issues.
Although this booklet wasn't my favorite read, I agree with you that it highlighted the public's point of view - maybe better than anything else we've read thus far. Also, I like how you pointed out that not only does the public usually not understand the journalist's perspective, but that journalists often don't understand the public's perception. With this reciprocal misunderstanding in mind, the Best Practices booklet seems more important in opening up the lines of communication between journalists and the public.
Aren't journalists a part of the public? They wouold know what's going on.