As per usual, all local media got the same City Hall email: “Fitch Upgrades Rating for Tampa Water, Sewer Bonds.” Also included: an appropriately upbeat sound bite by Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Then it’s a journalistic decision whether to use it and, if so, how to use it–as is or with added context. Here’s how the two dailies headlined it:
*”City Utilities Get Stellar Credit Rating.” Sub-head: “It means money can be borrowed at lower cost.”–Tampa Tribune.
*”Tampa Has Good And Iffy Fiscal News.” Sub-head: “Fitch boosts bond ratings, but the city faces a general revenue shortfall of about $8 million.”–Tampa Bay Times.