Sensationalizing the news
A couple of weeks ago, I got a compliment from a friend on how we handle news stories. In the same breath, he took a shot at WRAL-TV on their tendency to play up the negative aspects of their stories.
I didn’t say a lot at the time. I think we in the media sometimes take some unfair hits for what we do. I don’t personally support every person we cover. Yes, we do try to lift up people whom we believe make a positive difference in our communities, We also try to stand up for the little guy, and give him (or her) a chance to make their case in the community, even if we don’t agree with them.
The frequent complaint is “you are only printing that story to sell papers.”
Yes, selling newspapers is what we do. If we don’t sell papers, we don’t eat. If we don’t cover stories that people want to read, we don’t sell papers.
Yes, sometimes the news is hurtful. I don’t like covering some of the stories that come up. I don’t like hearing from people who say they were hurt by a story that was in the paper. I want to say I was just doing my job.
A fellow came in the office the other day to renew his subscription and he complimented my editorials. He thanked me for some of the stands I have taken. He said he agreed with me, at least most of the time, and he felt most people did.
The comment struck me. As of late, I have taken some pretty bold stands on some issues. I was quite certain that not everyone agreed with what I said. That’s all right.
Another friend (I swear I didn’t pay any of these people to say these things) made a positive comment a week or so ago. It resounded with me as well. It’s one of those quotes I kind of wish I could claim to have written, for it’s what I hope most people would say about us: “You write the news with a caring about the community.”
To be sure, school news makes up a lot of what we do every week. We try to maintain good relations with schools. We try to be a booster, a supporter.
There are times when the news media is seen rightly with the image of the old knock at the door and the “I’m Mike Wallace with 60 Minutes,” with the aggressive reporter and cameraman pushing their way in the door. Not surprisingly schools sometimes react with a siege mentality.
There have been allegations of misconduct by teachers in times past that schools have tried to handle internally. Certainly with the potential to end someone’s career, you want to handle things in a caring way.
The problem, like many others, is you get a rap for protecting your own and not taking proper action against someone. Schools I hope have learned that you’re better off dealing with things in an open manner. In trying to protect staff, they have at times not taken the proper actions on behalf of the students and parents. The liabilities are too great.
Still, it’s not too surprising when a principal won’t comment on allegations against one of his staff.
There is a public trust. It says that we in the media and the schools have to take it seriously when there are complaints. We have to respond. We can’t afford to dismiss complaints, saying they have no merit.
To do so violates that trust. That’s something we can’t afford.
I didn’t say a lot at the time. I think we in the media sometimes take some unfair hits for what we do. I don’t personally support every person we cover. Yes, we do try to lift up people whom we believe make a positive difference in our communities, We also try to stand up for the little guy, and give him (or her) a chance to make their case in the community, even if we don’t agree with them.
The frequent complaint is “you are only printing that story to sell papers.”
Yes, selling newspapers is what we do. If we don’t sell papers, we don’t eat. If we don’t cover stories that people want to read, we don’t sell papers.
Yes, sometimes the news is hurtful. I don’t like covering some of the stories that come up. I don’t like hearing from people who say they were hurt by a story that was in the paper. I want to say I was just doing my job.
A fellow came in the office the other day to renew his subscription and he complimented my editorials. He thanked me for some of the stands I have taken. He said he agreed with me, at least most of the time, and he felt most people did.
The comment struck me. As of late, I have taken some pretty bold stands on some issues. I was quite certain that not everyone agreed with what I said. That’s all right.
Another friend (I swear I didn’t pay any of these people to say these things) made a positive comment a week or so ago. It resounded with me as well. It’s one of those quotes I kind of wish I could claim to have written, for it’s what I hope most people would say about us: “You write the news with a caring about the community.”
To be sure, school news makes up a lot of what we do every week. We try to maintain good relations with schools. We try to be a booster, a supporter.
There are times when the news media is seen rightly with the image of the old knock at the door and the “I’m Mike Wallace with 60 Minutes,” with the aggressive reporter and cameraman pushing their way in the door. Not surprisingly schools sometimes react with a siege mentality.
There have been allegations of misconduct by teachers in times past that schools have tried to handle internally. Certainly with the potential to end someone’s career, you want to handle things in a caring way.
The problem, like many others, is you get a rap for protecting your own and not taking proper action against someone. Schools I hope have learned that you’re better off dealing with things in an open manner. In trying to protect staff, they have at times not taken the proper actions on behalf of the students and parents. The liabilities are too great.
Still, it’s not too surprising when a principal won’t comment on allegations against one of his staff.
There is a public trust. It says that we in the media and the schools have to take it seriously when there are complaints. We have to respond. We can’t afford to dismiss complaints, saying they have no merit.
To do so violates that trust. That’s something we can’t afford.
posted by Barry | 1:43 PM
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