Journalethix

I actually loved this article that is hostile toward journalists.  Why?  Because the author is right.  Just last night I had to cover a photography gallery event.  I know nothing about photography.  I know nothing about art.  All I knew was that this gallery event was to be a fundraiser to help the DC Arts Collaborative raise money for arts education in DC public schools.  One thing every journalist knows is the importance of gathering background information or ‘B-matter’ before heading out on a story.  You don’t just show up with a pen and pad and dive in (unless, of course, it’s breaking news).  Whoever this journalist was who failed to read the press release for this media event clearly was, to quote the blogger, a “moron”._David R. Norton

theeditorhatesstyle:

So I am going to write this and I know I’m going to get lambasted by several journalists who spend (for god knows why) time reading my words.

Journalists are just terrible people.

Often times, I hear from my journalists friend all the time that public relations folk are sleazy and slimy, and yes, that can be true. If we are sleazy and slimy, journalists are complete morons.

Last night I was at an event handling media relations for a non-profit in New York City. The event was at the swanky New York Plaza Hotel. Right there on Central Park South. President Clinton was scheduled to make an appearance and John Corzine showed up.

So I arrived, was briefed by my contact, and was asked to handle logistics. Meaning, I stood by a table and made sure the press people got their table assignments and answered any questions they may have.

Oh, and did they have some. One can’t express the inanity of the questions, but here’s one that I found absurd: What is this even all about?

Seriously, why would you, as someone schooled in the arts of investigation, ask that question of me? We PR people, who often journalists look down upon, make your job easy. It’s called a press release, read the damn thing. And if that’s not enough, there is something called the Internet. And if you don’t like talking to journalists or using the internet, do it the old fashioned way: pick up the damn phone.

I’m happy to answer that question, because you know, it’s no skin off my back. But as a former print-journalism major myself, I don’t understand why you wouldn’t brief yourself on an event before you attend.

I think the fix for all the woe in the print journalism world is easy: require journalists to take a license exam every five year. This will surely rattle those people that say, journalism shouldn’t be governed and shouldn’t require a license.

The problem, as I see it though, is that there are way too many untrained, incompetent journalists taking a paycheck.

So why not introduce a governing body (it doesn’t have to be government owned) that monitors journalism? The greatest minds of journalism could create the test and act as judges.

If a journalist passes, at first graduation and then every few years, the test they remain a highly-skilled employee. The test would take into account the ever-changing and updating world of today.

The institute that employed them would be sure of their knowledge and confident in their expertise. It would also weed out the idiots and job market would open up.

Just a thought.