explosive journalism

explosive journalism
Category: News and Politics

I turn on the TV this morning to see what the temperature will be and I find that there's been a massive explosion in Danvers. No deaths or major injuries, though many people displaced from their homes, lots and lots of damage and a home for the deaf and blind evacuated.

During the press conference the fire chief conveyed the information calmly, with a thick Boston accent and lots of ahs and uhs - as is expected for someone who doesn't speak in public every day. That, I can deal with.

Then came the questions. The stupidest, most leading, loaded, sniffing for a sensation type questions reporters could ask:

Sir, we've heard that there is broken glass in quite a wide area, including the shopping district, has there been any signs of MAJOR UNCONTROLLED LOOTING?

Excue me, but isn't this a RACE AGAINST TIME, because, I mean, we've got a big Nor'easter coming in a few days. What are you going to do about that?

Chief, really, how MIRACULOUS is it that nobody is dead. Would you call it a miracle or what?

Gah! What ever happened to asking relevant news-worthy questions and then letting the man get on with his job? They're all such hacks - only asking questions that will garner a quotable headline-grabbing answer. If I were the chief, I would have told them, yeah, there's terrible widespread looting in DANVERS and then let them trample each other on their way to their vans. Assholes.