Not long ago, journalism majors were taught the basics of coverage. This included answering the questions, "who, what, when, where, why, and how." The best available facts or estimates were to be used to answer those questions. Basic coverage also included putting the most important information in the first sentence, the next most important in the next sentence, and on down the line. Look in the newspaper or pay attention to TV or radio news. How often are the basic questions answered in the first paragraph or two in print, or in the first 30 seconds on tv or radio? How often are the best available facts used to answer the questions? How often are people's names spelled or pronounced correctly? Professional media coverage today is lazy, sloppy, and rushed. Junk food, junk food for thought.