New Media Scores One Against Established Journalism
Bre Pettis | 05.10.2005 15:44 | Analysis | Indymedia
Steve, who is one of the writers here at We Are The Media, recently wrote of an encounter he had with an established media journalist. Steve’s report of the event reads like a boxing match between New-Media Steve and Established-Media-Journalist.
Round one began on the steets of Nantucket when an Established-Media-Journalist for The Inquirer and Mirror asked New-Media Steve for a quote about the Red Sox. New-Media-Steve gave her a great quote. Round one breaks as a tie when the Established-Media-Journalist write his quote down. Steve’s quote is worthy, and the E.M.J. is writing it down.
The bell for round two rang when New-Media-Steve whipped out his little camera in movie mode and asked her to read his quote back. As if Steve had just connected with a right hook, the journalist squirmed, reaching to cover up the camera as she said, “No, it doesn’t work that way.” Steve scored an uppercut when he asked for her name and she dodged the question, finally relenting to read it back… incomplete! She had to have him restate his quote in order to get it right. The power of the new media runs strong in Steve’s veins as he held the Established-Media-Journalist to her word to maintain journalistic integrity. New-Media-Steve wins round two hands down. Steve reflects in his blog and responds with, “Now it does (work that way). We are the media, not just you.”
Round three opens the next day when New-Media-Steve opens up the paper, expecting to find his quote in its entirety. Instead, Steve finds that even though he has documented proof of what he said and what she wrote down, the Established-Media-Journalist has published an incomplete quote proving that the Established-Media-Journalist does not know that when you put something in quotes, you are actually quoting what someone actually said, not what you think they should have said. She didn’t even bother to state her name and so continues to remain anonymous, earning the title, “Anonymous-Misquoting- Established-Journalist.” Round three went to New-Media-Steve!
The title of “Journalist” stated as Steve’s job is truly the only thing besides his stately photograph worth an ounce of journalistic merit in this smackdown match. Wearing the victory belt, New-Media-Steve stands strong against the forces of half truths and lies in the Established Media.
The bell for round two rang when New-Media-Steve whipped out his little camera in movie mode and asked her to read his quote back. As if Steve had just connected with a right hook, the journalist squirmed, reaching to cover up the camera as she said, “No, it doesn’t work that way.” Steve scored an uppercut when he asked for her name and she dodged the question, finally relenting to read it back… incomplete! She had to have him restate his quote in order to get it right. The power of the new media runs strong in Steve’s veins as he held the Established-Media-Journalist to her word to maintain journalistic integrity. New-Media-Steve wins round two hands down. Steve reflects in his blog and responds with, “Now it does (work that way). We are the media, not just you.”
Round three opens the next day when New-Media-Steve opens up the paper, expecting to find his quote in its entirety. Instead, Steve finds that even though he has documented proof of what he said and what she wrote down, the Established-Media-Journalist has published an incomplete quote proving that the Established-Media-Journalist does not know that when you put something in quotes, you are actually quoting what someone actually said, not what you think they should have said. She didn’t even bother to state her name and so continues to remain anonymous, earning the title, “Anonymous-Misquoting- Established-Journalist.” Round three went to New-Media-Steve!
The title of “Journalist” stated as Steve’s job is truly the only thing besides his stately photograph worth an ounce of journalistic merit in this smackdown match. Wearing the victory belt, New-Media-Steve stands strong against the forces of half truths and lies in the Established Media.
Bre Pettis
