Journalism 101

Big headline in today's local paper: Metrolink Kills Pedestrian.

Perhaps that actually is what occurred, but I'm thinking that a Metrolink train or bus probably did the deed, unless, of course, the pedestrian pissed off a government entity that what? Dropped an exterior brick wall on the victim? Hired a hit man?

Our local paper features in-depth news articles regularly, most of which consist of "A shooting occurred last night at (location). Police are looking for a suspect." Often details are included to help the local citizenry find the doer, such as "Police are looking for a Hispanic male." One article became the epitome of going after a story when the reporter proclaimed that "Police are looking for a male Hispanic with a tattoo."

It's the detail that really sells the story.

I'm not sure why someone's time is wasted to type the two lines of copy, much less proofread/edit/print such earthshaking pronouncements, but the quality of the reporting has totally been enhanced by the inclusion of an inter-active blog response. Thus, in addition to the inane news stories, we now can read inane blogs, inflammatory racism, libel aimed at public officials, as well as other bloggers, and personal birdwalks that fill space but add nothing to the news.

When newspapers were being printed, someone had to take responsibility for the content as it was there, in black and white, for the world to judge. Now that it's instant news, instant blog reaction, instant leap to judgment, no one has to accept responsibility because it's our "right" to express ourselves however we want, wherever we want to do so.

And that's good -- unless/until it passes for reporting. Hasn't anyone working at the local paper ever taken a journalism course?