I know I bang-on about poor Journalism and it's links to the bourgeois middle-class importance that everything
that happens must be centred on themselves and here's an ideal example of it.
After the recent Vegas massacre, some media outlets have commentary where gun-control is discussed in
the United States and after the condolences to effected families are given, they push on to the topic of finding
someone to blame. The usual explanation that removing the rights of gun-owners is 'problematic' and it ends
there.
Next up, sports and the traditional upbeat man-bites-dog story.
But only after hours of a recent shooting in Texas, where a mentally-unstable man killed 26 in and around a
small-town church, a Sky US Corresponent felt the need to explain to readers how such incidents effects the
poor Journalist who has to report the story.
Can we bury the dead first, please?
The macabre choreography of US mass shootings.
(Or 'How A Seagull Gets To The Landfill On Time)
Nightmare.
How do you cope?
Maybe it's turbulence?
And remember, the first to get the killer's name, an interview with a sobbing mother (ideally coloured)... and use a tone of
patronising acumen, will enhance a Journalist's career. The real reason you are there.
And then spin it to blame a section of society that negatively trending at the moment. Whilst nodding into the camera
and waiting for the anchor-person to ask you an inane question about the tragedy, you gather your words to set-up a
selection of phrases that implies your media company's ideology.
The tears, the free-falling feeling of loss and the hopelessness of those effected are behind you now as the cameraman
counts down to your piece and your curtain rises. Straight-faced and all grown-up.
Yep, life is like that. The only difference is the lifeless bodies in the morgue and those who've lost their dear-ones,
weren't getting paid for going through it. I know this irks Journalists because of it's implication that they're no different
from the guy who drives the snow-plough, but it's it's your job... just your job.
You're no different from the men and women who have to get on with their lives -even when terrible incidents like
the Vegas and Texas killings invade those lives. You have the luxury of walking away from it.
It's not about you.
Going to work day-after-day is what regular folk do. Killing people for no reason is insanity.
Stop self-grooming one's falsely-injured ego and do your job. Not everything is about you.
that happens must be centred on themselves and here's an ideal example of it.
After the recent Vegas massacre, some media outlets have commentary where gun-control is discussed in
the United States and after the condolences to effected families are given, they push on to the topic of finding
someone to blame. The usual explanation that removing the rights of gun-owners is 'problematic' and it ends
there.
Next up, sports and the traditional upbeat man-bites-dog story.
But only after hours of a recent shooting in Texas, where a mentally-unstable man killed 26 in and around a
small-town church, a Sky US Corresponent felt the need to explain to readers how such incidents effects the
poor Journalist who has to report the story.
Can we bury the dead first, please?
The macabre choreography of US mass shootings.
(Or 'How A Seagull Gets To The Landfill On Time)
Quote:'There is a familiar pattern that plays out for journalists tasked with covering the latest utterly senseless killings.
At this stage in the grotesque history of mass shootings in this country, there is a familiar, macabre choreography
that plays out for journalists tasked with covering such things.
A notification on your phone.
Stomach lurches.
A phone call from work.
Can you get on a plane?
A scramble to the airport, fighting for the last seat, trying to secure hotel rooms for the team as close to the awful incident
as possible...'
Nightmare.
Quote:'...Everyone else is doing the same, you see - the country's journalists pouring in to the city, town, village, church, concert
where innocents have been mown down...'
How do you cope?
Quote:'...We will all feel a bit queasy about it, because we know what will happen...'
Maybe it's turbulence?
Quote:'...Shock. Grief. Outrage. Who was the gunman? Where did he get the weapon? Why did he do it? A beautiful impromptu
memorial. A vigil. Stirring words from politicians. "Surely we cannot pay this price for freedom?"
And then, for reasons I and many others have detailed before, sure as anything, there will be a collective failure to act...'
And remember, the first to get the killer's name, an interview with a sobbing mother (ideally coloured)... and use a tone of
patronising acumen, will enhance a Journalist's career. The real reason you are there.
Quote:'...While all of this is going on, we know that communities in the grip of indescribable grief will be so incredibly kind and
patient with us as we try to tell their stories, try to piece together what happened, try to honour their loved ones...'
And then spin it to blame a section of society that negatively trending at the moment. Whilst nodding into the camera
and waiting for the anchor-person to ask you an inane question about the tragedy, you gather your words to set-up a
selection of phrases that implies your media company's ideology.
The tears, the free-falling feeling of loss and the hopelessness of those effected are behind you now as the cameraman
counts down to your piece and your curtain rises. Straight-faced and all grown-up.
Quote:'...And then, we will leave them to cope with shattered bodies and lives. Probably in a few days' time.
Back to our homes, to wait for the next one.
Because there will be one.
It is so infuriatingly, utterly senseless...'
Yep, life is like that. The only difference is the lifeless bodies in the morgue and those who've lost their dear-ones,
weren't getting paid for going through it. I know this irks Journalists because of it's implication that they're no different
from the guy who drives the snow-plough, but it's it's your job... just your job.
You're no different from the men and women who have to get on with their lives -even when terrible incidents like
the Vegas and Texas killings invade those lives. You have the luxury of walking away from it.
It's not about you.
Quote:'...Doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. That's the definition of insanity, isn't it?...'SOURCE:
Going to work day-after-day is what regular folk do. Killing people for no reason is insanity.
Stop self-grooming one's falsely-injured ego and do your job. Not everything is about you.
Edith Head Gives Good Wardrobe.