John Fiocco - College Editors Slam MSM

The editorial board of The Signal, The College of New Jersey's campus newspaper, slammed the MSM today for its sensationalist coverage of the disappearance of student John Fiocco.

This is the end of journalism

And as we covered it - elbowing around the camera crews, news vans and reporters camped out on campus like harping crows starting last Tuesday - we realized that, in terms of professional role models, we had few.

Our staff is comprised mostly of journalism students; we have been taught to believe in the nobler merits of the profession, the unflagging pursuit of truth. For the reporters who have haunted this campus since the investigation began last week, truth gave way to sensationalism and scandal.

There's a great deal to be said and discussed in response to this editorial from the alma mater of two reasonably well-known bloggers and published writers, Ed Driscoll and yours truly.   Ed's blog bio is here. Update: Also, see his post here.

As for me, I'll keep it short.

One needn't cover popular stories which aren't hard news and be sensationalistic. There is nothing wrong in writing about a popular story. How you write about it is up to you.

And you might want to stay clear of the Nancy Grace's and the late evening Fox News broadcasts. That ain't news.

Oh, and get a blog. Good luck.

Comments

[Sigmund, Carl and Alfred]

Your just pissed off because Katie Couric isn't on the job yet.

[Dan]

Katie Couric isn't on the job yet

LOL funny you mention it. I wanted to post on that. Talk about trying to keep the "start" anchor meme alive. Geesh! WHo cares who "reads" the news.

[Sigmund, Carl and Alfred]

Yeah, I read the Post story and had a good laugh. It was like they weren't even aware of what they writing- and not writing. I had to post on it.

[Hermione]

Yeah, I read the Post story and had a good laugh.
Posted by: Sigmund, Carl and Alfred | Tuesday, April 04, 2006 at 10:07 PM

I think you're just pissed off cuz Katie won't come lie on your couch. ;}