New Journalism

[legion]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070604/cm_csm/yames

Over the decades, I've watched journalists expropriate the traditional conventions of the novelist and screenwriter, and my main question is why? The cross between jackal and wolf at least produced the domestic dog; the cross between news and fiction has produced only paperback journalism with its "gas-blue skies" and "pink and gold sunsets." Not much of an accomplishment when you consider that most novels today could be plotted out on the back of an envelope with room left over for a grocery list.

Journalists used to envision their typical readers as busy commuters on trains or subways, one hand holding a strap, the other a folded newspaper. The snappy lead (who, what, when, where, and sometimes why or how) was essential so that key elements of the story could be grasped quickly if reading was interrupted. Likewise, the "inverted pyramid" ensured that less essential information was always toward the end of the article.

I can't tell you how many times I've read a headline, proceeded to read the article, the bit on Page 1 tells me nothing so I flip to the page the article is continued on, only to find out it has little to nothing to do with the headline.

[cairns]

I totally agree. And it's not just the political stories.

My latest example: The headline in the WP Metro section says "Search for Biker Continues". The story reveals that a PG county cop smashed into the back of pickup truck in rush hour while engaging in a high speed chase of the biker. The pickup was pushed in the opposite lane and killed two people. It goes on to chronicle how upset the victim's relatives are.

No description of the biker or why he was being chased. No words describing how and why the cop was authorized to chase the biker at high speed on a crowded beltway. No description of alternative methods used to catch the biker (or if there even were any). No follow up (been three days now).

Not only is the headline misleading (how about "Two Die in Freeway Chase" instead?) the reporting sucks.

Could it have been possible the biker was just speeding? Or maybe he just gave the cop the finger? Or is he a serial killer? A wanted terrorist?? Did the cop break the rules? What are the rules? How fast was he going? What did the witnessess say? Why not radio ahead? Or did he radio ahead?

No wonder newspaper circulation is declining. It's just not worth paying for this *****.

[daepp]

For the TRUE New Journalism, see Wolfe, Tom.

[azasadny]

MICHAEL ROSENBERG
Journalism rules: Here are the secrets

June 4, 2007

BY MICHAEL ROSENBERG

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

After reading my last Break Room column, some people concluded that I think we should kill pilots who talk too much over the loudspeaker. I honestly don't know what gave them that idea. But it might have been the part where I said we should kill pilots who talk too much over the loudspeaker.

I was kidding, of course, but it was still a remarkably dumb thing to write. I know what you're thinking: "What a moron. Threatening to kill the readers -- that must violate the first rule of journalism." Shows what you know. "Don't threaten to kill the readers" is actually the ninth rule of journalism.

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The rules, in order:

1. Afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted; then, after the afflicted become comfortable, afflict them again. This should provide an endless supply of news stories.

2. Be balanced. No matter what anybody says, find somebody to say the opposite. If a scientist claims to have a cure for cancer, find somebody who says cancer does not exist. If a man says "My name is Fred," make sure you find somebody who says "No, your name is Diane." Etc.

3. When deciding which tragedies deserve the most prominent coverage, use this simple math: 10,000 foreigners = one cute white American chick.

4. If the President of the United States is accused of violating the law on the same day that an African country erupts into civil war and an especially gloomy economic report is released, and you must decide which one is your lead story, ask yourself this: Did the local sports team just win a big game?

5. Internet, Schminternet. It will be gone in five years. People will always love reading a newspaper -- and so will you, our intrepid reporter, once you accept our buyout offer.

6. When working at the New York Post, make sure your story includes all six W's: Who, What, When, Where, Why and With What Kind of Lubricant.

7. When appearing on television, insinuate that all newspaper reporters are biased. When writing for a newspaper, imply that all television people are boobs with no credibility. When at the bar afterward, complain that nobody trusts journalists anymore.

8. Keep each of the following on speed dial: a wacko religious leader who believes that God loves all his children, except the ones who skip church once in awhile; a gun nut who put semiautomatic weapons on his baby registry; an anti-weapons nut who thinks there should be a 10-day waiting period before buying steak knives; a legendary, highly quotable politician who has not been sober past noon since 1991, and a self-designated leader of each of the following minority groups: African Americans, Asians, Latinos, American Indians, homosexuals, transsexuals, fat people, skinny people, people with absolutely no distinguishing physical attributes, and foot fetishists.

9. When threatening to kill other human beings, make sure they do not live in your coverage area. I knew I should have read to the end.

Contact MICHAEL ROSENBERG at thebreakroom@freepress.com.

[daepp]

How about the essays The New Journalism or The Me Decade?