Journalism
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Journalism
Yet another week where aviation/pilots suffer at the hands of journalists with imaginations that extend beyond their integrity. How much longer will we allow them to exercise such a lack of professionalism at our expense? If we operated by their standards we would have short careers indeed. It must be such a luxury to be accountable to no-one.. .. .It's all jealousy if you ask me!. .. .A PPRuNe fund against liablous accounts?
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The easy answer is to stop buying (and reading) their cra**y papers and encourage your colleagues and friends to do the same. The days of many national papers are numbered anyway - so why prolong the agony? Their perspective of responsible and accurate writing may seem a little different when viewed from the dole queue.
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One day a very respectable journalist (one the few left) said: "The journalist's job is to explain something he doesn't understand to people who won't understand either.". .. .What sometimes pisses me off is that they do damage just for profit and sometimes (even worse) for nothing, but also in the name of the people. "The people have the right to know". Yeah, sure. How many times those dumb journalists have made a situation worse by interfering in it ?. .. .I don't have a PhD in psychology (which means I probably miss something in the whole picture), but still I find quite pathetic to see men and women so eager to be at the heart of any event. Supposedly to bring the news to the rest of us. Ha, what a joke ! I believe that what they really want is to be able to say "I was part of it, I made History". . .. .Yes my friend, you were part of it. You made a difference. You played a role. You were not invisible to the rest of us. You helped us reach enlightenment. Now get a psychotherapy !. .. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
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Mmm... yes I have to agree. ITN's top political correspondant, John Sergeant was asked what the highlight of his career was. Apparantly it was when Mgt Thatcher lost the initial vote of confidence in Parliament, and he happended to be the hack who first spoke to her (by a stroke of luck) after this becoming public.. .This was the highlight of his journalistic career - he got a two second quote!. .What a load of old cobblers!
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I agree wholeheartedly. There has been some abysmal reporting masquerading as good journalism about aviation in recent weeks.. .. .But I'm a little troubled by some of the comments here, which strike me as unwarranted.. .. .A journalist myself, I have risked my life in places such as Kosovo and the West Bank to bring people (yes, 'the' people) facts about the things that matter in the world. Governments and their agencies don't hand out information like sweets. You wouldn't know 10 per cent of what you do know about world affairs if it were not for journalists on the ground.. .. .Perhaps you could explain to the family of Sander Thoenes, the British journalist killed in East Timor, why his imagination extended beyond his integrity or why his contribution to 'cr*ppy' newspapers was so worthless.. .. .Before I fall off my high moral perch, I would add that there has been some very unprofessional reporting about aviation in recent weeks. I make it my business to educate reporters away from stereotypes and inaccuracies, particularly when writing about pilots and planes. The aviation industry, including airline PR people, has a role to play in this effort.. .. .P.S. Chocksaway. John Sergeant asked the question which prompted Margaret Thatcher to effectively commit political suicide on live television. Her answer marked one of the biggest turning points in British history in the past 50 years. If that was the high point of my career, I'd be very happy. Oh, and he wasn't there by luck; he was there because he had the good professional judgement to be where the real story would break. Aviation is not the only industry where skill and quick thinking are crucial.
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I, for one, think you're right APBJ. I can understand professional aviators' frustrations at the all-too-common failings of certain sectors of the press to ensure accuracy and cut out the sensationalism.. .. .But I also think that, too often, journalists are tarred with the same brush and that many people are inclined to forget that reporting is a skilled profession in itself, requiring dedication, training and intelligence.. .. .The problem is that, unlike the commercial aviation profession, there are no strict standards which must be followed from day one, no regular checks to "keep current" and too many wannabes and amateurs clouding the admirable work of others - those unsung members of the press who quietly risk their lives to bring out the whole truth, not just the bit which is acceptable to those controlling the flow of information.. .. .My apologies to those members of the aviation community who (thankfully) have the maturity to recognise and respect the work of certain journalists. It is much appreciated and I can assure you the feeling is mutual.
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Excuse me, but this is Rumours & News ! Would you care to reread the blurb that appears before you are let into R&N? If you have a hard news item, then by all means fire away, but if you want a general discusion, there are other places. Frequently when I am abroad I am on an expensive connection or paying in an internet cafe I monitor here for hard news, not time wasting stuff that should be elsewhere! At least try and follow the rules
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ABPJ: With all due respect (very little) I would submit that the accuracy of journalists' reporting of world affairs is on a par with the accuracy of their reporting on aviation. Whether on the West Bank, in Kosovo or at the scene of a plane crash, you are reliant on your skills to convey the truth - skills which you prove time and time again are grossly lacking. The aftermath of September 11th is the best illustration we have ever had of the complete inadequacy of journalists. The newspapers, radio and TV were filled week after week with dire prognostications of the dreadful things that were about to happen, none of which ever came to pass. I commend your zeal to bring me what you believe to be the truth, but please don't put yourself in harm's way on my account, or claim to be doing so.
There is one subject which I can claim to know something about. Aviation in general and aircraft maintenance in particular, not a lot, but enough to pay the rent! This is because I have been interested in aeroplanes since I could talk and because I have had over 20 years in the business.. .So, when I read an article in a newspaper or listen to some unresearched load of twoddle on the wireless/TV. I KNOW it is innaccurate!!. .. .I can therefore conclude that every other piece of "journalism" is at least as inaccurate because I have very little detailed experience in any other subject.. .. .The only time I ever read a piece of accurate aviation journalism in the British press was after the Lauda Air 767 crash in Thailand which was attributed to uncommanded thrust reverser operation. This was a piece in The Independent which virtually explained in plain English how the T/R system works. No speculation as to whether it was sabotage/suicide death plunge or other nonsense.. .It is now the only newspaper I can even remotly trust. . .. .In summary then, if this is what they write on a subject about which we are knowledgable, what the hell are they scribbling the rest of the time?? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" />
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APBJ; nice post. Skiddy, I have been at the wrong end of the press myself but have much respect for what bj has to say. I also think this is a very relevant thread given the utter tosh promulgated earlier in the week by some regional nobody masquerading as journalism in the hope that her cruddy little career might get a small boost. Without freedom of the press, however ill-informed, we might as well be in Zim, or any other such place. As for cr''py papers, the story leading to this was in all the papers in almost the same format, Torygraph and all points downward!
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apbj. .If your ambition in life is to make someone commit professional or political suicide in a public medium you have confirmed my worst fears about journalists.Does it give you great pleasure to destroy another person?Why do journalists and newspapers take great delight in building people up to almost Godlike status only to take even more pleasure in destroying them.. .This happened to a colleague of mine who was unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident.Initially he was the hero pilot wrestling with the controls against all odds etc.only to be derided by the press shortly after when they formed their own conclusions before all the facts were available.. .Why is it that if one paper gets a scoop that all the rest have to dig for dirt to try to spoil it?. .Doesn`t this just confirm that it`s nothing to do with keeping the public informed but more to do with getting one over on your competitors?. . . . <small>[ 27 March 2002, 07:44: Message edited by: Tyrannosaurus ]</small>
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>>One day a very respectable journalist (one the few left) said: "The journalist's job is to explain something he doesn't understand to people who won't understand either."<<. .. ."Rock journalism is people who can’t write interviewing people who can’t talk for people who can’t read.". .. .Frank Zappa 1940-1993 . .American rock musician and songwriter. .. .__________________________________. .. .I can see where this thread is more meaningful and relevant than the one on the trivial matter of aviation security which was closed twice <g>...
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I agree that it's outrageous that people who work hard in a difficult and stressful profession should be undermined by those who assume they know everything about their job, and criticise them in public through broad, non-distinguishing generalities without checking whether their words are valid or even remotely accurate.. .. .Trouble is, having read the regular journalist/pilot slanging matches on PPRuNe, I can't decide which side the above statement applies to more... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Danny, can I second the guy above and request a padlock or transfer of this thread (preferably to a forum marked 'Tiresome old drivel being raked up again') before I lose my sense of humour.
