tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post4660019401509890642..comments2024-03-28T19:47:39.985-04:00Comments on CURMUDGUCATION: Education Writers Association's Balance ProblemPeter Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16511193640285760299noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-78518030127666088032018-09-08T10:54:56.923-04:002018-09-08T10:54:56.923-04:00Thanks for this link. I just threw my hat in the r...Thanks for this link. I just threw my hat in the ring.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04004306656101787909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-89954535843152282492018-09-03T16:35:15.317-04:002018-09-03T16:35:15.317-04:00Agreed. I learned all of this when I was a preside...Agreed. I learned all of this when I was a president of a striking union. TV reporters parachuted in, needing a good 2 second sound bite, and I learned how to give it to them. We need something like that now.Peter Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16511193640285760299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-43612700387187391012018-09-03T16:06:29.616-04:002018-09-03T16:06:29.616-04:00Actually, with very great respect (as I've see...Actually, with very great respect (as I've seen and admired your posts and comments for years), the REASON the reformy propaganda shops get quoted is that they realize that even skilled journalists need a list of responsive sources. Understanding that need is the key to getting your viewpoint in the press. carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08127336930949752636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-70549575507674221232018-09-03T14:36:40.407-04:002018-09-03T14:36:40.407-04:00Well if you don't want them calling you, how c...Well if you don't want them calling you, how can you fault them for not giving all sides.Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16686413286533263905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-74947995499826371952018-09-03T12:34:57.483-04:002018-09-03T12:34:57.483-04:00I'm a working newsroom journalist with a backg...I'm a working newsroom journalist with a background (during a long career sabbatical) as an education activist. I've decried this tendency endlessly, while giving due respect to my newsroom colleagues -- plus I'm their union rep as San Francisco Chronicle unit chair for the Pacific Media Workers Guild, so that further motivates me to support rather than criticize them. <br /><br />Reporters working on deadline often desperately need a quote from a source FAST and NOW. And a punchy, quotable and eloquent source. The vast array of "reform" "think tanks" (actually propaganda operations -- "think tank" is a propaganda term in itself) have made their spokespeople readily available and made sure they know just what the press needs (that is, a punchy, eloquent, quotable comment). By contrast, tracking down a working teacher who's reachable on the spot at any time, press-savvy and free to speak her/his mind is a challenge. <br /><br />The solution would be for teachers' unions to set up media outreach shops as effective as those run by the "reform" operations. The fact that teachers' unions don't do that (and IMHO don't even seem to recognize the need) is eternally frustrating and helps empower the "reform" sector even more. Sorry to blame the victim, but in this case it's just such a strategic failing.<br /><br />To be clear -- savvy education reporters are well aware just what these propaganda operations are, but newbies, the less savvy and reporters parachuting in to cover a field they're not versed in generally believe they're quoting some kind of scholarly research source. I've seen this in other areas besides education as well*, so I know it's true. <br /><br />*For example, I've seen a number of reporters covering immigration issues quote the Center for Immigration Studies, an anti-immigrant operation listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center -- and I know those reporters were not anti-immigrant and truly believed it was a scholarly research source. One young reporter, daughter of immigrants herself, was genuinely horrified when I enlightened her. This happens with education "think tanks" too. carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08127336930949752636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-21070563948861191902018-08-31T22:12:50.759-04:002018-08-31T22:12:50.759-04:00I applied, mostly because you asked, but I'm n...I applied, mostly because you asked, but I'm not remotely sure I want to be associated with that bunch. On reflection, I particularly don't want them calling me.NYC Educatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12188066345722781723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-53639158858863471122018-08-31T12:32:43.438-04:002018-08-31T12:32:43.438-04:00What kind of "journalist" [sic] needs to...What kind of "journalist" [sic] needs to be handed a list of sources? Isn't that a large chunk of what journalism is?Diennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04570040547158789834noreply@blogger.com