quality journalism

[Ken Gargett]

Yes, I realise that is pretty much an oxymoron these days but some may have seen that we lost Jim Lehrer recently. He was one of the founders of the PBS Newshour in DC many years ago (when he retired, I thought that would be the end of the quality of program that he offered, but his successors also do a great job). He was a former marine, novelist and I think as good a newsman as we have ever seen. Obviously being American-based, a lot is not relevant for me but for several decades, I have taped every episode and will flick through to see if anything worth watching. There always is. This is where I would get most of my news analysis. They do try and cover both sides.

Anyway, sadly Lehrer passed away recently. I thought it worth looking at his rules for journalism. If every journalist aspired to these, the world would be an infinitely better place. sadly, we seem to see less of it each day than more. And it is very hard to think of anyone in Australia to whom you could point as someone achieving these lofty goals.

 

·     Do nothing I cannot defend.

·     Cover, write and present every story with the care I would want if the story were about me.

·     Assume there is at least one other side or version to every story.

·     Assume the viewer is as smart and as caring and as good a person as I am. Assume the same about all people on whom I report.

·     Assume personal lives are a private matter until a legitimate turn in the story absolutely mandates otherwise.

·     Carefully separate opinion and analysis from straight news stories, and clearly label everything.

·     Do not use anonymous sources or blind quotes except on rare and monumental occasions. No one should be able to attack another anonymously.

·     Finally, I am not in the entertainment business.

 

[Ken Gargett]

worth adding that they have two guys who appear on a segment once a week. one from each side of politics to discuss the goings-on. been using the same two guys for about two decades, if they are available.

on thanksgiving, they were asked what they had to be thankful for.

one said that in the 19 years he had been doing this, his opponent had never tried to take advantage of any situation, never taken a cheap shot, never shown him anything but courtesy, never tried for a gotcha moment or abused him about anything, despite all their disagreements. 

i thought that they should show the clip of that on the first day of school for kids and the first day of journalism school. 

so tired of journos convinced that they are the story, that they are cleverer than everyone else (granted, those that spend their time interviewing politicians would have a hard time thinking otherwise), basically giving their view and then cutting off the interviewee. thinking that every question has to bring about the next watergate, talking over the person they are interviewing. 

[Chibearsv]

I've mostly given up on TV or radio for news for many of the negative reasons you mention.  I much prefer reading my daily newspaper for both reporting and opinion since differing viewpoints are represented (and we get the NY Times crossword).  Based on your comments, I'll have to give the PBS newshour a try again.  Thanks

[Bri Fi]

This was a good read. I have also given up on journalism. my favorite reporting growing up was also pbs’s Frontline. Years later, I have a one year old and now my main source of entertainment is Sesame Street. 

[captaincaveman]

Quite a rarity nowadays.

[helix]

Nailed it as usual Ken. Sadly reporting of the news today on major networks has become an exercise in expressing/imposing opinion that suits. Fake news indeed.