I do not wish to sound as though I am picking on editorial journalists, however I would like to point out that too often editors seem to focus on negative sensationalism rather than providing the public with a more “BALANCED” view of the world around us. I am not PollyAnna. I realize there is much negativity in the world, but I also know that there is much good.

My request for those in charge of running the press, is to balance the paper with both good and bad stories. How about placing a colorful pretty picture on the front page 2 or 3 times per week, just to lift peoples spirits. How about a photo of people in a positive situation-smiling and enjoying life? How about photo’s of animal’s on the cover? Anything along these lines-simply to BALANCE OUT the news which we ingest! Most people I talk to agree with me, and many (like myself) choose to not even read the press. It’s too depressing. So, considering the fact that you as editors have the power to change things, I am hoping that you will seriously consider my suggestions.

I will quote the following paragraph by Gabe Pressman in the Reader’s Digest 1992 edition:

“Journalism, on the air and in print, feeds on stereotypes and quick-fix stories-the morbid, sensational, sexually titillating. They are simple to cover and don’t require the expenditure of much intellectual energy. It could be argued that our viewers and readers are eager for negative news, and we give them what they want. But I think that’s a cop-out. We overdose people with the grim, horrible and pessimistic because we seem to know nothing else-we are so firmly embedded in this habit we have forgotten that the criteria for news is wide. People who are helping and saving others are even more newsworthy than the legion of killers, rapists and child abusers who march across the news columns and fill the tube. What we need is nothing less than a revolution in the way we define journalism”.

Thank you Gabe Pressman for those very wise words. Another quote by “CBS Evening News” anchor Dan Rather, in the Asbury Park Press NJ section titled “World and Nation” dated August 13, 1997:

“We’ve changed, and not for the better, in running stories we know in our journalistic heart of hearts don’t meet the standard to be on the network news. We run it because we’re scared to death our competition is going to run it and beat us. Every network feels it.” Thank you Dan Rather for your wise words. I hope that I have given you something to think about and hopefully you can serve to make a positive difference in your media forum”.

Thank you. Feedback is welcomed and appreciated.
See a video of a positive news story: Download

Related blog post: Tim Robbins’ NAB Speech

Lorraine Jara
P.O Box 131397
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48113-1397
Email: lorraine@bekindweek.org