self-promotion in the media

*The_Blur* · 06-15-2008, 12:41 PM

Every professional field has great leaders that deserve respect for what they have accomplished, but it seems that most fields get recognition in few cases. Since Newton and Einstein, there have been no physicists that have become household names. Ali was a great boxer, but few who don't really follow the sport know of De La Hoya's talent. The truth is that few leaders in industries, including journalism, get recognition during their lives. The ones responsible for reporting already have more than enough to report, so following every single industry's greats would be a waste of news space in the papers. In their lives, great people do a lot of great things. In their deaths, few are remembered by anyone outside of their field.

And then there's the media. Tim Russert was a great journalist. He contributed his life to a field of cutthroat competition for the best story; of building relationships that would give his company, CBS, the inside scoop. Russert was great at what he did.

However, at the same time as we read about his story in the news, we miss other potential front-page stories about people who need our attention in the Sudan, a failing democracy in Zimbabwe, the Irish blow to EU unity, and Afghan threats to invade Pakistan to pursue terrorists. While important issues of the day get ignored on Fox and CNN, we read about Russert. Does anyone else think that meda's self-promotion of their own heroes hurt journalism as a whole? Aren't journalists supposed the thankless heroes who go into the field and report? Knowing that Russert is such a great journalist, I'm sure he would appreciate the news companies reporting the news.

chadrcr · 06-15-2008, 12:53 PM

I thought it was good that they wanted to honor Tim Russert. Even FOXnews spent hours on his story.
The over doing it part is typical of todays 24hr news 'networks'.
They have a lot of airtime to fill, and they have to 'do' the hot story.
unfortunately they all do it...and redo it...and redo it, now I am doing it .

I think it may have been appropriate to give Russert 'too much' coverage,
but I bet he would agree with agree with the Blur move on to the real news.

*CamaroSpike23* · 06-15-2008, 01:47 PM

i made the same comment about that at work the day it happened. i figured they would have done a Tim Russert special or something, but no, jus hours of reiterating how great he was and that he was dead.

*The_Blur* · 06-15-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

i made the same comment about that at work the day it happened. i figured they would have done a Tim Russert special or something, but no, jus hours of reiterating how great he was and that he was dead.

That's what I'm saying. He definitely deserves a special. He deserves all of our thanks for his contributions to journalism. I just think he would also want us to continuing covering the important news that he would be discussing on his show.

06-15-2008, 12:41 PM	#1
The_Blur Moderator Drives: 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Bob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 14,768	self-promotion in the media Every professional field has great leaders that deserve respect for what they have accomplished, but it seems that most fields get recognition in few cases. Since Newton and Einstein, there have been no physicists that have become household names. Ali was a great boxer, but few who don't really follow the sport know of De La Hoya's talent. The truth is that few leaders in industries, including journalism, get recognition during their lives. The ones responsible for reporting already have more than enough to report, so following every single industry's greats would be a waste of news space in the papers. In their lives, great people do a lot of great things. In their deaths, few are remembered by anyone outside of their field. And then there's the media. Tim Russert was a great journalist. He contributed his life to a field of cutthroat competition for the best story; of building relationships that would give his company, CBS, the inside scoop. Russert was great at what he did. However, at the same time as we read about his story in the news, we miss other potential front-page stories about people who need our attention in the Sudan, a failing democracy in Zimbabwe, the Irish blow to EU unity, and Afghan threats to invade Pakistan to pursue terrorists. While important issues of the day get ignored on Fox and CNN, we read about Russert. Does anyone else think that meda's self-promotion of their own heroes hurt journalism as a whole? Aren't journalists supposed the thankless heroes who go into the field and report? Knowing that Russert is such a great journalist, I'm sure he would appreciate the news companies reporting the news. __________________ RDP Motorsport//GEN5DIY//Cultrag Performance//JPSS//Rodgets Chevrolet// Operation Demon//Buy at Invoice//RACECARWEAR RESPECT ALL CARS. LOVE YOUR OWN. warn 145:159 ban

06-15-2008, 12:53 PM	#2
chadrcr to Z or not to Z Drives: 99 S10 ZR2 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fallon NV Posts: 722 View My Garage	I thought it was good that they wanted to honor Tim Russert. Even FOXnews spent hours on his story. The over doing it part is typical of todays 24hr news 'networks'. They have a lot of airtime to fill, and they have to 'do' the hot story. unfortunately they all do it...and redo it...and redo it, now I am doing it . I think it may have been appropriate to give Russert 'too much' coverage, but I bet he would agree with agree with the Blur move on to the real news. __________________ 99 S-10 ZR2 06 GMC Z71 - - - sold... getting ready for my Camaro 02 Z28 - - - sold :( miss it!