Kelruss t1_j7w9vse wrote on February 9, 2023 at 9:18 PM

Reply to comment by kbd77 in Providence shootings dropped by nearly half in 2022 by PM_ME_ASS_SALAD

I just don’t know how to read situations where journalists write up these fake “studies” like the HonestTea PR stunt where they evaluated the “most honest” cities by leaving a barrel of their product out and asking for people to use the honor system. Or having press releases I’ve sent out personally run word-for-word without a call to me or any other sources (and then I know enough to know when I’m reading a release). Or heck, just a couple of days after BLM RI held a Tyre Nichols vigil, every mainstream local news outlet ran a winking PR stunt story where the Cumberland Police claimed to have arrested Santa Claus and presented “evidence” of his existence.

Every single journalist I’ve ever talked to has said what you wrote about how they’re supposed to do their jobs. And then I see them do these things over and over again. It’s disheartening.

kbd77 t1_j7wg8dk wrote on February 9, 2023 at 9:58 PM

At the end of the day, they're beholden to their corporate overlords. There's a whole ecosystem of middle management that cuts stories in the blink of an eye that will fly in the face of corporate spin. So to that end, it's not the journalists' fault that the narratives are being forced on them. But by choosing to be part of that system, you're perpetuating it. It's frustrating that so many well-intentioned, talented people end up in that situation and choose the easy path that directly causes harm because they don't have the gumption to stand up for what's right.

And I'm not saying I'd be any better in their shoes – I didn't go into the field for a reason. But I also don't think they should get a pass.