Journalists are a finicky bunch. What may be considered news on
Monday won’t even get a second glance on Tuesday.
A hometown hero is usurped by the latest
pandemic strikes. However, in the fast paced world of the 24-hour media
news circus cycle there is one thing you can always count on
getting plenty of coverage –crazy people.
Crazy people are to journalists what cocaine is
to musicians – addictive and highly destructive. When a journalist comes
across a crazy person, they are sure to get some quality pull quotes.When a
senator yells “you lie” at the President, a tennis player threatens to end a
line judge or a loquacious intoxicated rapper steals the spotlight from a meek
country singer, journalists are quick to fill their role of the fourth estate
and cover every aspect of the event.
When crazy people speak out journalists listen
and then report every nuance of said crazy person’s actions, motives, agendas
and impact. News that may actually have a real impact on society must wait
when crazy people make a scene and capture headlines.
Journalists are drawn to such agitators like
moths to a flame. It can’t be helped, be it the phenomenal web hits, heated
discussions or captivating headlines, journalists just like crazy people. Often
the crazier the person the more journalists like them.
Perhaps the underlying reason for this is journalists are a little crazy themselves. Who else but a crazy person would work such insane hours for such little pay all the while receiving venomous hate mail?
