Not everything in this world can be explained. Like how in a time Another inexplicable phenomenon is why journalists continue to Here’s our best guesses: Very desperate for attention Will do anything to be part of a story Lost a bet with the sports editor Owe the police department one after misidentifying the chief as a Gives them something to write about Doesn’t Cheaper than buying a round Best Very, very desperate for attention Will do nearly anything to put off deadline – ANYTHING
when more people than ever before have access to the news, news organizations
can’t seem to turn a dime. Or how Glenn Beck can be a best-selling author
despite not knowing how to spell oligarchy.
like being Tasered. Flip a channel, turn a newspaper page or click on a news
link and it’s likely a crime reporter, local news journalist or a major CNN
anchor - Mr. Rick Sanchez – is volunteering to stand in front of gun
that fires out 50,000 volts of electricity. Why do they do it?
criminal suspect
everyone need a creative burst now and then?
way to “understand” a story
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Topics:
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I did it once for a story, probably 4 years ago. Kind of got suckered into it (the reporter who was supposed to cover it called in “sick”). When I got to the demonstration, the officer asked me, “You gonna get tased today?” I laughed, thinking he was joking.
Then he hands me a release form.
They gave me two options: hold two tiny leads in my hands to feel the shock, or actually get shot.
I’ve never really been one of those who has to insert himself in the story (I hate editing in my own questions, and those shots of me nodding… yech). So I credit inexperience (only been a reporter 1.5 years at the time), an opportunity to try something totally out there, and a desire for what I figured could be ridiculously funny video, for my decision to go with the gun.
Thing is, the moment the current stops, you can move again. It’s not like those TV shows where you’re just knocked out or smarting from the pain. The point of the weapon is incapacitation, not injury.
That said, when the current IS on, it hurt like the dickens.
Was I a glutton for punishment? I think so.
Was it worth it to see the anchor just bust out laughing out loud on the set when we aired the story that night? 80 percent yes.
Will I ever do it again? No. Way.
Just my two cents.
I got Tasered while covering training for the local police department. It was one of my best moves as a new cops and court reporter. Before the Taser ride the police were very suspicious and mostly used press releases but after the Taser they would tell me anything and everything, even if it was off the record. I knew who their lead suspects were, sometimes even if they were planning a raid and I no longer had to stay behind the yellow tape.