Chris RubickLAZY JOURNALISM – MAKING THE STORY FIT THE FOOTAGE
May 20th 2008 12:17
Channel 9 News on Saturday night included a story from reporter Chris Jones on Richmond versus Geelong at the MCG. This story included one of the worst sins on television – he bent the facts to fit the footage.
Before I get to that, he also reported that the last time these two teams met the result was a 157 point win to Geelong. That was incorrect. Geelong beat Richmond in Round 18 by 70 points at Skilled Stadium on Saturday August 4th, 2007.
But what made Chris’ lazy reporting even worse was that Richmond debutant Trent Cotchin was his victim. The part of his report in question showed Cotchin missing a goal from 10 metres out on a 45-degree angle. Chris Jones accompanied this footage with a voice over:
“Cotchin’s day was heading south”
This was not accurate reporting. Yes, Cotchin should have kicked the goal but it was a wet ball and a Geelong defender was closing fast. But describing his day as “heading south” was a great injustice to an 18 year old kid making his debut against the reigning premiers on the coldest May day in 31 years! Cotchin had 16 possessions and was the equal leading goal kicker for the Tigers with 2 goals. Based on champion data he was the 10th best Richmond player and was ahead of nine of his opponents. Not bad for a young man who was not even meant to play until he received a tap on the shoulder whilst warming up for Coburg.
Come on Chris, we all appreciate that summing up a game of footy in 30-45 seconds for a nightly news report is not easy. But please don’t let your laziness impact what would have been a great day in a young man’s life.
Before I get to that, he also reported that the last time these two teams met the result was a 157 point win to Geelong. That was incorrect. Geelong beat Richmond in Round 18 by 70 points at Skilled Stadium on Saturday August 4th, 2007.
But what made Chris’ lazy reporting even worse was that Richmond debutant Trent Cotchin was his victim. The part of his report in question showed Cotchin missing a goal from 10 metres out on a 45-degree angle. Chris Jones accompanied this footage with a voice over:
“Cotchin’s day was heading south”
This was not accurate reporting. Yes, Cotchin should have kicked the goal but it was a wet ball and a Geelong defender was closing fast. But describing his day as “heading south” was a great injustice to an 18 year old kid making his debut against the reigning premiers on the coldest May day in 31 years! Cotchin had 16 possessions and was the equal leading goal kicker for the Tigers with 2 goals. Based on champion data he was the 10th best Richmond player and was ahead of nine of his opponents. Not bad for a young man who was not even meant to play until he received a tap on the shoulder whilst warming up for Coburg.
Come on Chris, we all appreciate that summing up a game of footy in 30-45 seconds for a nightly news report is not easy. But please don’t let your laziness impact what would have been a great day in a young man’s life.
| 58 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
