So far, batting .500

In my last post I wrote that four reporters said they would call La Salle faculty members to use as sources in their stories. Well, so far, one called and one didn't, so I'm batting .500. Even though some media members seek sources nationwide, they'll often use "hometown" sources, such as a reporter in Cleveland quoting a Case Western professor or a Wilmington (DE) News-Journal quoting someone from the University of Delaware. But, reporters will also like to use out-of-area sources to add new insights or seek a roundup of ideas from around the country.

So why would a reporter tell me they'll call a La Salle professor and then not follow up? If I knew the answer to that, I'd keep it to myself and get La Salle mentions around the world. Just kidding. Sometimes another source comes along that bumps the La Salle prof, or they try to reach the prof, can't, and because of deadline pressures will use someone else. Like all human endeavors this is a subjective process, but if a professor isn't called today, the media beast needs constant feeding and opportunities happen every day.