Comparing Journalism and "Journalism"

[NDtexKeymaster]

Deadspin has utterly loved trashing the “old media” for crappy journalism in the Te’o case. HLS as well as many other outlets have pretty much taken them to task on that assumption in the coverage of that case.

Today showed yet another example that’s just too hilarious not to highlight.

Here’s one story, entitled “Here’s Everything Ronaiah Tuiasosopo Told Dr. Phil In Day One Of His Exclusive Interview”: http://deadspin.com/5980594/heres-everything-ronaiah-tuiasosopo-told-dr-phil-in-day-one-of-his-exclusive-interview

Quick, concise, catchy headline, still tries to put Te’o in a light that fits their original narrative (just check the comments to confirm that the bait was taken), and beat everyone to the punch.

Here’s another story, entitled “Analysis: Dr. Phil attempts to unravel Tuiasosopo’s role in Te’o saga”: http://www.southbendtribune.com/sports/notredame/sbt-analysis-dr-phil-attempts-to-unravel-tuiasosopos-role-in-teo-saga-20130131,0,4486738,full.story

Detailed, gives context, inserts no personal bias or opinion into the piece, and came out when it was finished. Hilariously enough, includes more quotes from Ronaiah than the “everything that he said” column.

The two stories couldn’t be farther apart. If Deadspin really thinks they are trendsetting a new type of “journalism”, God help us all.

[DillParticipant]

Just because Deadspin THINKS they are doing something doesn’t mean they actually are. Putting aside my perceptions of Deadspin’s rather dubious powers of thought, I would like to point out that real journalists are out there & are continuing to pursue all the questions. Real investigation & reporting isn’t dead yet.

Deadspin’s tendency to deal in gossip & speculation in order to publish fastest & get readers isn’t anything new, either. It’s part of the same debate that’s been apart of the media world since the earliest days of Yellow Journalism. The internet, and social media specifically, just make the whole process faster.

People who care are going to read all of the more detailed pieces even with Deadspin continuing to blather. People who don’t care or don’t like ND would probably decide to have a negative view of Teo even without Deadspin driving the narrative.

Doesn’t make Deadspin any less sucky,or me any less angry at them, but let’s not give them any more power than they actually have. There’s still hope for the future.

[Author]

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