Stupid Journo Quotes
Author
Discussion

elster

Original Poster:

17,517 posts

239 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
When reporters and journalists are reading the news, why do they insist on having stupid quotes.


eg. The Prime minister has today made an official statement explaining his "Shock" and "Horror" at the situation.

They al seem to do this. Is there some sort or school they go to to make them look dumb?

tank slapper

7,949 posts

312 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
This has been the case since news became just another ratings contest. Most news programmes are pretty facile these days, as they seem to assume the average person doesn't have more than 2 brain cells. I am sure that Newsround with John Craven was more intellectual than the current main news.

anonymous-user

83 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
I think possibly the best thing I have ever read in a news report was:

"The car is described as blue, with a taxi firm number painted on the side. It had a roof sign and light fitted."

Very conclusive.


Eric Mc

125,618 posts

294 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
elster said:
When reporters and journalists are reading the news, why do they insist on having stupid quotes.


eg. The Prime minister has today made an official statement explaining his "Shock" and "Horror" at the situation.

They al seem to do this. Is there some sort or school they go to to make them look dumb?
If the Prime Minister has indeed made such a statment, how else would they report this news?

elster

Original Poster:

17,517 posts

239 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
elster said:
When reporters and journalists are reading the news, why do they insist on having stupid quotes.


eg. The Prime minister has today made an official statement explaining his "Shock" and "Horror" at the situation.

They al seem to do this. Is there some sort or school they go to to make them look dumb?
If the Prime Minister has indeed made such a statment, how else would they report this news?
Well it is the point they are quoting the "shock" and "horror" not a statement. Just two blatantly obvious words.

Big Rumbly

973 posts

313 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
Steve Ryder on the Histon game yesterday.

something like

"all part timers here , Plumbers, Postmen, Underground workers"

Underground workers ??? I dont see any Underground trains or mines round these ere parts.

Skipppy

1,136 posts

239 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
Big Rumbly said:
Steve Ryder on the Histon game yesterday.

something like

"all part timers here , Plumbers, Postmen, Underground workers"

Underground workers ??? I dont see any Underground trains or mines round these ere parts.
I noticed that too. Last time i checked the Northern line stopped a long way short of Cambridge biggrin

Matt Harper

7,033 posts

230 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
I still think TV journalism standards in UK are hugely superior to the USA, where objectivity and neutrality are non-existant in my local news reporting (Fox Network in particular).
Example: "Now here's a truly sickening story", "These scumbags were all arrested last night...."
Additionally, the concept of 'innocent until proven guilty' is absent in US news media.
Cops arrest some miscreant (remember these people are often not even formally charged, let alone convicted, at this point). Fox News broadcasts the suspects name, address (not street number) and photo/mug-shot if they have it - and read out any prior arrests/convictions.
As it usually turns-out, the perps are all bds who should have the key thrown at them anyway, but the chances of a fair, unbiased trial are compromised, to say the least.
Don't be too hard on the UK broadcast media, it's a shining light compare to here.

Bradders23

81 posts

217 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
Big Rumbly said:
Steve Ryder on the Histon game yesterday.

something like

"all part timers here , Plumbers, Postmen, Underground workers"

Underground workers ??? I dont see any Underground trains or mines round these ere parts.
One of them works on the London Underground.

rude-boy

22,227 posts

262 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
Matt Harper said:
Don't be too hard on the UK broadcast media, it's a shining light compare to here.
More like which is worse, Ebola or AIDS really....

Big Rumbly

973 posts

313 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
Bradders23 said:
Big Rumbly said:
Steve Ryder on the Histon game yesterday.

something like

"all part timers here , Plumbers, Postmen, Underground workers"

Underground workers ??? I dont see any Underground trains or mines round these ere parts.
One of them works on the London Underground.
Then I apologise unreservedly to Steve Ryder, I always thought he was one of the better ones.

audidoody

8,598 posts

285 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
rude-boy said:
Matt Harper said:
Don't be too hard on the UK broadcast media, it's a shining light compare to here.
More like which is worse, Ebola or AIDS really....
It will become clearer when you understand the media is a business driven by circulation/viewing figures.

We get the media we deserve.