Re: Tech writing saves journalism

[Al Geist <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>]

   Fetzner, Bill wrote:

My point, and nobody responded in kind (although Al unfortunately launched
into an unbecoming personal attack)...
  

   The response he is talking about was a comment I made about his post on May
   25th ...
   "Now you tell me that it makes good journalistic sense to separate articles
   that should be read together. It's bad enough I need to scan for news among
   all the ads, but then to hide results that pertain directly to the interest
   of local readers on an inside page while touting the same news story up
   front gives me pause and reason to wonder. My guess is that the same
   attitude that makes some think that left-wing stuff is fair and balanced
   cause these wingers to bury bad news where they're less likely to around
   justifiable criticism of our state's test results. I don't consider this a
   mistake due to stupid copyediting -- I lay it right to the *typical*
   left-wing, pc-oriented, ideological gobbledygook that inspires most of the
   media today. We'll get it right eventually."
   I always respond to the standard right wing description of the media...a
   description that is politically oriented and not based on reality.  If it
   was "unbecoming personal attack," then maybe it was also a non-professional
   description of another style of writing.  Many non-technical writers also
   use clichés when they discuss technical writers, most of which are so far
   off the wall as to be laughable, but Mr. Fetzner's comments were a veiled
   attempt to use technical writing to promote a political view.  I responded
   in kind.
   If the truth be told, I would still be a proud reporter if a divorce which
   left me a single parent in the need for a job that paid a livable wage did
   not enter the picture.  Being a reporter, like being a technical writer, is
   a difficult and demanding job, especially if you also supplied all the
   supporting camera work as I did, and you strive to be neutral.  The most
   difficult part of it, however, is understanding that no matter how hard you
   work to tell the story, one side or the other will accuse you of being
   biased.  It's the nature of the business.
   Al

   --

   Al Geist
   Technical Writing, Online Help, Marketing Collateral, Web Design, Award
   Winning Videos, Professional Photography
   Voice/Msg: 802-658-3140

   Cell: 802-578-3964
   E-mail: [1]al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com 
   URL: [2]www.geistassociates.com (online portfolio/resume)

   See also:
   URL: [3]www.geistimages.com (fine art prints for home or office and note
   cards for all occasions)
   "When the situation is absolutely hopeless, you have nothing to worry
   about."
                            Compliments of The Monkey Wrench Gang

References

   1. mailto:al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com
   2. http://www.geistassociates.com/
   3. http://www.geistimages.com/
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