Re: [Leica] Well... many more of you will hate me now. (off topic,long)

["Neil Miller" <plus_4@hotmail.com>]

Date: Sat, 27 Feb 1999 08:52:59 +0100
From: Alan Ball <AlanBall@csi.com>
Subject: Re: [Leica] Well... many more of you will hate me now. (off 
topic,
long)

Ted and Jim,



>But means or no means, I work with all sorts of reporters, and,
obviously meet quite a few others. i read loads of newspapers and
magazines and watch local news as well as TV national news from various
countries.(Belgium, France, Britain, the Netherlands, Morocco and the
unavoidable USA). My field of work is the IT specialised press, but i'm
near enough my colleagues of more 'noble' fieds of journalism to be able
to observe them.

>So, i basically disagree with you judgement, Ted, and am scandalised by
Jim's. The image of the -unscrupulous/biased/yellow diatribe supplier-
reporter, lacking the integrity of past days (of course) is perfectly
false. 90 pct of those I know, read or watch, work their butts off to be
honest, documented and informative. And at the end of the day they are. 

>Of course they are subject to manipulative operations, of course they
sometimes fail to detect the manipulation, of course they are human
beings with their own religious or social values, of course they
sometimes have productivity requirements similar to those of a factory
chain workers (just like the photo pro or many, many, pros in other
fiels of work). May I add that those productivity requirements might
today be the worst ennemy of the free press.

>I nevertheless find that reporting today is often of great quality. 
That
is if you try to find quality. As it was before as well. You'll find
very rich documentary work just as likely as you risk finding low
quality 'fast food' medias, which have always existed BTW. That is the
case here in Europe anyway, but I suppose the knowledgeable viewer and
reader have these options in the USA and Canada as well.

>I do not like the domination of the CNNs of this world, because I like
pluralism of media ownership, but I must admit they do get the
interviews, the contradictory reactions and the analysis power at a
speed that never ceases to amaze me (I work for monthlies). I have a
great admiration for the precision and objectivity of most reports I see
on the world news section of that channel.

>I reject the abusive generalisation Jim made of a corporation and which
you surprisingly seem to approve of, Ted. It is just as ridiculous as
stating that doctors, dentists, lawyers, photo pros and IT engineers are
worthless crooks. That type of judgement reflects a sour and onanist
view of the world and and of fellow humans. Which does not fit with your
real life work and attitudes, Ted, by the way.

>It 'does not take a rocket scientist' to realise that you cannot hide
from the world and that the newspapers and news channels are one the
most efficient windows allowing a glimpse of that world. The viewer and
the reader must of course exert their own scepticism and remain critical
at what is proposed. The free press needs an active, informed and
critical public.

>I pity the people who satisfy themselves in such short sighted 
attitudes
as QUOTE "I do see the local evening news which covers mostly local
happenings and a smattering of national stuff. And the weather. Then on
Friday night, when I can stay up, I watch Leno. Always great to have a
chuckle before going to bed. On Saturday night, my wife of 31 years, and
I usually rent a video. Either a musical, comedy, or love story."
UNQUOTE. Sad.

>Alan



>Alan



Ted Grant wrote:
> 
>> >The News Media.
> >
>> >It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see, hear, and know, how 
biased our
> >news reporting establishment is. Anyone who cannot see that they 
constantly
> >take one side of issues, refuse to report issues that are clearly 
news and
> >important, and generally speak in a manner that is ambiguous, is 
either
> >still in his/her mothers womb, or dead.
> 
> Not me Jim,  gotta tell you here's one who still loves ya! :)
> 
> Your post is right on the mark and this from someone with many years
> experience in the news media.
> 
> At one time I was proud to be a news photographer simply because I was 
very
> proud of being one.  But these days, does anyone really want to be
> associated with the media?
> 
> Sure we have lads working for newspapers and wire service on the LUG, 
but I
> know even they would have to agree the news delivery today isn't the 
class
> act it once was.  At least in the "good old days" it was integrity and
> reporting the news as it truthfully happened. Not the constant flow of
> yellow diatribe we see so often these days.
> 
> However, I must say I lay the greater blame for the down fall of 
journalism
> and lousy reporting directly on Television! As today it's a far 
greater
> medium of "infomercial crap and image making" than honest down to 
earth
> reporting the truth.
> 
> ted
> 
> Ted Grant
> This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
> http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant

Ted Jim& Alan,

As a television photojournalist for almost 30 yrs, my view is that most 
of the problems that exist today are less related to the journalist in 
the field and more a problem with who is directing news coverage.

First of all the reporter in the field is just pawn in the hands of the 
producers putting the newscast together. In many ways the reporter is 
being told by the producer what angle is to be taken. The producer has 
expectations from his office that may not exist out in the field. And 
this is a constant tug of war. Things do get on the air that are over 
dramatized but seldom is this due to the journalist.  Almost all the 
reporters I work with are very concerned about accuracy and fairness.

Second, the viewers help determine the trends in television news.  If 
the viewership decreased the station would revamp its content.  If 
ratings are increasing the chances are things won't change much.

Third, government deregulation took away most of the community service 
obligations of a TV station. There was a time when we really did follow 
the forces that affected peoples lives.  We did news stories and 
documentaries to help people understand problems in the community. This 
type of work doesn't pay its way now.  There is a tendency to look for 
the easy story (one stop shopping). Most reporters would love to have 
the opportunity to do some in depth work. This rarely happens now.

There is a fourth concern that has affected television journalism.  The 
people who are running the show don't really know what journalism was 
like. The majority of our staff nowadays are fairly young. This is 
partly due to low salaries. Most are bright and very dedicated. But 
there is an obvious lack of experience. And this brings me back to my 
first point.

In all fairness, I should say that a lot of good basic information does 
come across in our newscasts. Its just not to the extent it was in the 
past.

My experience is from a top 20 TV market in the US. Given the current 
trends, I don't see things changing much.

Neil



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