Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Fame and journalism
About a year ago, a local newscaster was killed in her home. A horrific crime and as expected, the investigation and subsequent trial has been reported on extensively by the local media. I keep wondering one thing: would this event have gotten the press coverage it has if she'd been a face in the crowd type person and not a beautiful young famous-in-our-area young woman? The ones covering the crime and trial are journalists. People who are supposed to be objective in their coverage. Yet, stories frequently mention "our colleague ".
While I understand that this was a shock, that the local media scene is tight-knit and that the individuals involved are human beings who did care for her, I question the breathless reporting of every.single.bit of the story. I wonder how many other stories, stories of the non-famous and the perhaps not beautiful, equally deserving of ink (or pixels) have gone uncovered or have been skimmed over in the rush to cover this story.
While I understand that this was a shock, that the local media scene is tight-knit and that the individuals involved are human beings who did care for her, I question the breathless reporting of every.single.bit of the story. I wonder how many other stories, stories of the non-famous and the perhaps not beautiful, equally deserving of ink (or pixels) have gone uncovered or have been skimmed over in the rush to cover this story.
