mjh's blog

The Letter I Meant to Write

Abqjournal Letter to the Editor
News Is What Sells Newspapers

ACCORDING TO the Journal, the article that was deemed most important of the day was who Phil Maloof is hanging out with in Hollywood. This, by virtue of placing it above the fold on the front page of the newspaper.

Some people call this kind of story and the prominence it’s given “new journalism.” The term is usually reserved for local TV broadcast news, which tries to come up with new and sensational stories for every broadcast.

For a newspaper to pander to this kind of meaningless “story” is weak and pathetic. The Journal may have seen some survey somewhere that tells you stories like this sell newspapers and that it’s the kind of blather that people want to read. Don’t be too sure.

DAMON SCOTT
Albuquerque

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