FormulaStory

There's a pattern, rather an unfortunate one, which my wife (PD) has noted in far too many recent feature "news" items:

• begin with something commonly accepted
• introduce doubts about it
• quote from spokespersons on both sides
• end with a wishy-washy "Could it be that...?" question The template works for almost any topic; we've heard it applied to antibiotics, national defense policy, homeschooling, television violence, day care centers, etc., etc. No need for critical thought or judgment on the part of the reporter --- just apply The Formula and you've got your story. It works equally well for radio, TV, or print.

Of course, in some ways this approach is a waste of time: nobody in the audience ends up knowing much more than when you started. But maybe increasing public uncertainty is appropriate, especially on issues where there is no one right answer. Some experts say Yes, and some say No. Could it be that content-free reportage is actually a good thing for Society?

TopicWriting - TopicSociety - TopicHumor

Datetag20010815

Comment

It's at least certain that a definitive answer to that question cannot be excluded.

News is an ephemeral "product", today with advertiser-paid minutes or column space that must be filled. So of course this kind of FUD-stirring is one way of creating content to fill the time slot, and follow-up controversy for later reports. -- BoLeuf

To be newsworthy, something must be new and interesting. Most people consider a potential upset of conventional wisdom interesting, whether or not they are interested in the subject at hand. For example, the recent controversy about endangered zebras sprouting wings and flying off to never-never land has sparked much interest. A newsperson should compare and contrast the views of the experts in the field and fairly summarize them in an easily understandable form. If they must supply conclusions to aid the lazy-minded, they should be clearly labeled as the reporter's own. I think the Formula is a good thing, though I admit it can get a bit tiresome when the manufactured controversy obscures the facts involved.

(correlates: TheNewTwenty, UnimaginableTimelessness, CorporalIncentivization, ...)