Reporters were yesterdays heroes, but theyve ceded credibility for expedience By HAWKE FRACASSA Editor of the Detroit Sports Observer The schtick with the Lions --- todays 4 p.m. press conference to introduce the new coach of the Lions --- reminds me of when I registered for classes at Wayne State using those computer punch cards. Wayne took something simple and made it unnecessarily complicated. Just like the Lions are doing today. Same old Lions. The team issued this e-mailed edict today: Editors and news directors should provide all names of reporters, producers, photographers and technicians who need access to today’s press conference. Same old Lions. Media should enter Ford Field Gate G and proceed to the media check-in table. Same old Lions. Media will be required to present either their pre-distributed Allen Park Season Media credentials or two forms of identification that include both company and government identification. Same old Lions. Check-in will begin at 3 p.m. and close at approximately 4 p.m. Same old Lions. For any further questions regarding logistics, please follow up via e-mail ... Same old Lions. Following approval (same old Lions), media (lackeys) can park in the Ford Field Parking Deck located off St. Antoine and should proceed to enter Gate G on street level. Parking for media will be validated at the media check-in table. Hmmmm. Same old Lions. Question: Where would reporters be parking prior to approval? On the street, illegally, or having a buddy drive the car in a circle until the press conference begins? Same old Lions. Observation: When I first became a journalist in 1977, reporters covered stories how they wanted to, as independent thinkers. Now people like these same old Lions are as controlling and manipulative of the media as women typically say men are in relationships. And brain-dead media do what theyre told, eroding what little credibility they have left. It is the accepted norm now for lemming reporters with an interest in covering the news of the day to have to prove to the source they are covering that they are legitimate. And get this. John Petr Zenger would turn over in his grave if he knew that today the source --- in todays case the Detroit Lions --- decides whether to let them into their private little club to discuss the news of the day. Something is wrong with that picture, that a source --- not the reporter or an editor --- decides whether the media is legitimate enough to warrant access to the story. The proper response in the old days to such blasphemy would be: How about nobody goes to your dog and pony show, and we kick your ass and tell it like it is in the paper. That way we dont damage our own legitimacy with readers who trust us by worrying about approval from the very people were writing about. Reporters shouldnt need permission to ask simple questions from any newsmaker. This is not a criticism of the Lions overbearing, jump through our hoops to meet the coach presser. It is an indictment of how far media and reporters have fallen in stature. When I was young, and even before that, the press was Americas hero. Reporters and newspapers were the only ones capable of using the truth to destroy crooked companies, bosses, politicians, police, lawyers and judges. Reporters held assholes feet to the fire, and their papers backed them up. The Detroit News was liked that once, when it had solid leadership and a commitment to ethics. Now reporters pre-register for the privilege of interviewing the Detroit Lions second choice for a new head coach. My, how far weve fallen. Maybe reporters at that 4 p.m. presser will need to ask permission to go potty. We cant trust a damn thing they write now, because its all crafted by the team; for admission to the show, reporters need to be OKie-doked by shills. Wheres the credibility in that? And at the same time, look how far weve come in race relations. Not one TV talking head has said Jim Caldwell is the first African-American head coach in Lions history. In the old days that would have been a story. Today, nobody even notices.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:52:52 +0000
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