Tuesday, February 23, 2010

What Makes It News?

The story I have chosen to write about is the mass Toyota recall. I have been following this story on the BBC, which is my primary news source. I usually access it on my laptop or on my cell phone. I have been aware of this story ever since it was first revealed. Toyota is arguably one of the most trusted automobile companies that exists. It is known for manufacturing fuel efficient, reliable and luxurious automobiles for reasonable prices. Problems with the gas pedals and the brakes in certain car models led to the mass recall. There were complaints about gas medals getting stuck, and also problems with the braking systems on the hybrid models. These problems have undoubtedly tarnished Toyota's image.
Having lived in the Bay Area for over two years, I have noticed that Toyota cars are quite common. My idea for a story is the shift in attitudes of Toyota consumers in the Bay Area. People have the right to have concerns for their safety whether they drive a Toyota or not. The article can speculate on whether consumers will continue to buy Toyota's vehicles despite this incident. A source of information for the writer could be local car dealerships. He or she could gather information, from salesmen, on consumer's behavior in regard to Toyota cars.

1 comment:

  1. Good local angle for this story, but I'd like to see you be more specific about the news values involved in this story. For example, I see: impact, conflict and prominence (Toyota is well known).

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