NEWS? WHAT NEWS?

Over across the river, Joe has brought up a subject that always gets my Irish up.... okay, I'm not remotely Irish, but you understand the phrase..... the subject is the local news media and how the beg like cur dogs for tips that will help them report news.
While tips from the public have always been part of a reporter's toolbox for gathering news, it seems that many news organizations have, for some time, hired reporters based mainly on how many words they can type and not on their news gathering ability. Consequently, even print news organizations have a lot of typists who can write to the AP Style Book and not many people who can actually go out and find a story. So, not only are the newspapers and reporters reduced to begging for information, but so is the public. And even if the news-gatherers can find a story, most can't or won't get the information because they're too timid, ignorant, or both to get the background information. Add to these deficits the editors' demand that reporters no annoy anyone with political or economic power. .... So what are reporters left with ? Crime reports, political reporting that is nothing more the "he said, she said," and press releases from community organizations that want to portray themselves in the best light. Many editors have taken away the most basic reporters' tools. Papers rarely will allow a reporter to file a demand for documents under FOIA because they don't want to pay legal fee if the source refuses to turn over documents. And they won't stand behind reporters in questions of accuracy.... if somebody complains, then the reporter must be wrong.... anything to placate power. .... And let's not even talk about the local TV news because they're even worse.... most of the so-called-reporters have little or no experience or training in journalism..... they are communications majors.... trained to speak clearly and look good.... and they have even less time than the print guys to do any in-depth reporting.... of the local papers, the Maryland Coast Dispatch is the best, although even they shy away from really digging into the background of stories. But at least the reporters are competent and autonymous enough to ask the right questions.....