Week 4 Forum

Topic 1
When Edna was first starting off her reporting career, there were a string of incidences where she fudged the reality of the situation in order to get a better picture.  This impeded on the principle of the code of ethics of Seeking the Truth and Reporting It because she was primarily motivated on getting a good picture that would attract more viewers.  When Edna shot a story about the mayor getting robbed and his car window being shot out, she wanted to create a scene that hasn't been done before.

"'Let's see,' I worried aloud, 'what can we do that's different?  The eyes of the silver fox me mine- two minds as one.  Without a word spoken, he sighed and loosened his expensive silk tie.  Next day we front-paged the mayor, his handsome face framed by the jagged edges as he obligingly stuck his head through the broken window."

I do not think Edna did the right thing because fabricating the photographs makes it seem more dire than the incident really was.  Especially in instances with photography because that alludes to more proof of reality than anything that could be written about the incident.

Topic 2
The first tip I learned from Edna about being a good journalist is always being on the look out for stories before they are assigned to you.  There is a situation that is outlined very clearly with a 'what you should' and 'should not do' response.

"A reporter sauntered into the newsroom, mentioned that he had just passed a Volkswagen in flames on the expressway, and suggested that someone check to see if there were casualties."

The news reporter did not jump at the opportunity and most likely, already missed his chance to interview all the important bystanders and figure out who the first responders were in order to make a good story.

"During the tongue-lashing that followed, I heard him bellow[the editor] that had Edna Buchanan seen the flaming Volkswagen, 'she would be talking to Germany on that phone right now, interviewing the assembly-line worker who put it together.'"

The second thing I have learned from Edna is about being a good interviewer.  She showed through her story that if you treat people like you are genuinely interested in hearing their side of the story then they will open up to you.

"I often found the guilty parties eager to talk- for a variety of reasons.  Some try to build alibis or protest too much out of nervousness.  Others believe they are misunderstood; if you show a real interest in the call girls, the cat burglars, or the serial killers, they invariably will want to tell you all about it."

It is half reporting and half simple psychology of showing respect to the sources you are talking to.  Most people don't have a problem talking but you have to show that you are willing to listen and that they are worth being heard.