eek

[textualdeviance]

I got back some more graded work. I got full points on both of my last pieces, which is great.

I also, however, got a little note back mentioning that it seems to him that I avoid doing stories with live sources, and that I prefer doing stories with numbers and other hard copy research.

Well, he's right. I do. There are two reasons for that:

1. I'm a research geek. I actually considered majoring in Library Science. I love digging up data and analyzing it, and then translating that into something laypeople can read. I know, that sounds weird for a flaky Gemini like myself, but it works for me.

2. People suck.

Well, there's more to it than that. People do suck. But...

I very much enjoy communicating with friends and people I like, socially. I also have no problem whatsoever dealing with strangers in structured contexts. Under the right circumstances, I can seem like the life of the party, or a big loudmouth. So this isn't about being shy, though I am sometimes. I don't have some disorder that can be fixed with a pill.

The problem is in reporting itself. If I'm digging up a big story about something important, I'm fine with talking to people who know about it, and getting the full info I need. Likewise, I can talk to people who are already at the scene of some event, or people who have a story they want to tell. I can cover speeches, meetings, conferences, rallies... whatever.

What I hate, though, is pestering people who really don't want or need to be pestered. This is one of the things that gives journalists a bad name. We go to people's houses. We call them during dinner. We talk to them when they're trying to work. And all so we can get some lame quote because that's what's expected of us. When a person isn't a centerpiece of the story, or isn't already volunteering hir time to be involved with something, being pestered by reporters is annoying as fuck. I can call someone to make a doctor's appointment. That's their job. But I don't like the idea of calling someone who makes appointments to get their comments about making appointments.

Did you know that there are actually big databases of sources out there? People to call to get quotes and commentary about various things. The reason these databases exist is because average people would rather do their job than be interrupted in the middle of it by some idiot with a notepad. So what we're left with is attention whores who will say anything if it means their names get in the paper.

I hate, hate, hate the image of the persistent reporter. If I wanted to bother people while they're trying to have a life, I'd have gone into sales. Being pushy is fine when you're trying to get a big story that the people really need to see. But if all you're doing is calling someone six dozen times to get them to comment on the latest research about microbes, wtf?

Okay, rant over. And I'm not really that upset. Just trying to maintain my dignity and sense of propriety while doing my job, and not allowing myself to be turned into one of those ambulance-chasing helmet-haired freaks who think that being a pest is the sign of a good reporter.

Comments

[pixxelpuss.livejournal.com]

I think journalists are considered a lot less pest-y if they can ask insightful questions- which I really don't think that most journalists do. If you ask a question that is interesting you're more likely to get a good, interesting answer and less likely to get hung up on.

As a psych major I'm learning to really value insightful questions. "How did that make you feel?" is beginning to infuriate me.

[digitallux.livejournal.com]

...and not allowing myself to be turned into one of those ambulance-chasing helmet-haired freaks who think that being a pest is the sign of a good reporter.

You are NOT going to turn into Rita Skeeter. No way. We are facing similar challenges. You do not like talking to the average joe, although it is part of your future job and probably will eventually be required for your coursework. I have no interest in designing airports or doctor's offices, although that is where the $$ is and is definately required for my coursework. My approach is this: think outside the box of scholastic expectations and try to do it differently, but still follow the rules. As Frank Sinatra said "...I'll do it my way ...". At least I think he said that.