To: The mainstream news media
From: A former newspaper reporter
Re: Good job lately
It is not often lately that the news media does something that makes me proud to have been, for most of my adult life, a member of that profession.
So before the news media does anything embarrassing - like screwing up the printing of a Sudoku puzzle - I want to note a few positive actions by members of the news media:
1) In a field known for ruthless behavior, where too often the Judith Millers and Bob Woodwards grab the headlines, it is refreshing to read about the work habits and ethics of former New York Times reporter David Rosenbaum.
Rosenbaum was killed in a mugging over the weekend.
While that crime, of course, is terrible it is wonderful to read about the success of a guy who was so sharing and helpful. There was a very moving piece in the Washington Post Tuesday in which reporter Glenn Kessler talks not only about what a great guy Rosenbaum was but how he would go out of his way to help others. David Shribman of St. Petersburg Times also wrote, in his own appreciation, about Rosenbaum's generosity in aiding colleagues and others.
2) The online magazine Slate has an irregular column which does something many news organizations could do better: it explains complicated issues.
While many viewers and readers are aware of privacy laws in this country I think few are aware about how that relates to what we get from the news. The result is frustration and confusion about why the news is not more detailed, or faster sometimes, in providing medical updates about patients.
In a new "explainer" piece, Slate explains how reporters are hamstrung by the federal privacy law in what information they can get from the hospitals.
I would love to see newspapers and television news do more explaining and less guessing and opining, especially when they do not actually know what is going on.
And while navel-gazing can get old, some reflecting provides fresh light on what happened, as Derek Rose does here with his thoughts on what went wrong with the miners story.
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Article comments
1 - Scott Butki
Jack Shafer has an intriguing piece today on the decision to withhold information on the kidnapping.
I'd be curious about what people think of the situation.
2 - Elvira Black
Scott:
Intriguing piece. You mentioned the NY Times, and being a xenophobic New Yorker, I must admit that I adore the fact that the Times so thoroughly covers every genre--in addition to national and international news, of course, there is always insightful coverage on the arts, books, the local scene, the week in review--not to mention real estate, a constant New York obsession--and their excellent Sunday magazine. Truly something for everyone.
The Grey Lady has loosened up quite a bit in the last few decades, I think, Though it's definitely funkier and trendier than it used to be, I still consider it the paper of record above all else.
Well, enough of that tangent before you get the impression that I sell Times subscriptions as a sideline. I think all your points are well-taken. I won't go into the obvious implications--mostly positive--of the alternative electronic media, but I think that goes without saying. Though there may be inaccuracies in this more "rogue" genre, I think the plethora of sources, viewpoints, and slants for any given story leads to a self-correcting and self-monitoring effect--as well as a well-rounded analysis. I love the fact that CNN, for example, puts so much credence in what the blog pundits have to say.
It is (pleasantly) astonishing, also, in this day and age to read that the major news sources voluntarily delayed coverage of such a sensational and volatile breaking story as the kidnapping of Jill Carroll. As you say, maybe reporters are not quite the blood thirsty vultures they are so often portrayed as being.
3 - Scott Butki
Hi Elvira. Thanks a lot for the comments.