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** Note: For the following post the girl-half of Philly Confidential will lose the alias and write from the perspective of her true self.**
I am a vulture no more.
I joined the thousands of reporters, cameramen, photographers, producers, and celebrity journalists who converged on the Virginia Tech campus last week.
But now that I've returned to good ole' Philadelphia my dalliances with murder are now back to normal—spread out across a decayed urban city rather than crammed onto 2600 acres of fine green Southern land.
I can suspend my daily routine of tip toeing around a grim campus surrounded by death; I no longer have to walk up to people who just lost their loved one to this sick massacre and ask for a minute of their time; I've stop asking college students to walk me through the most terrifying morning they'll ever see.
While you guys read about the Virginia Tech shootings and/or watched update after update on cable news-- I was out on the other end. I worked 16-hour days and reported what I saw, felt, and heard at every moment.
Students sneered, parents screamed, and faculty asked me kindly to get out of their face.
That was the life for many of us reporters covering the nation's record breaking mass murder.
Believe me, I understand why I was so hated.
The same big media that shut Don Imus's mouth earlier this month has now descended on Virginia Tech; its surrounding town of Blacksburg; all regional hospitals; and about every local eatery in sight.
Either a news crew, producer, or another newspaper writer interrupted almost every one of my outdoor interviews begging my source for a quote/soundbite. Students already approached by representatives of the stars—Katie Couric, CNN, NBC—refused to retell their story to a lowly reporter from Philadelphia.
Being quoted in a newspaper isn't exactly cool but being on TV, of course, is.
I quickly learned that the big network/cable news shows had a half-dozen producers combing the sidewalks of the VT campus looking for great interviews for their star anchor. On top of that, there must've been a half-dozen more doing phone reporting, setting up the filmed chats that was broadcasted to millions.
When my press badge was off and my notebook was tucked away, desperate media types waltzed up to me thinking that I was a student. Here's a sample of their usual routine:
Them: "Hi. [Smile] Do you know where [name campus hall] is?
Me: No.
Them: "Do you mind if I talk to you for a second?" [Turning on camera/pulling out microphone/opening notebook].
Me: I am a reporter.
Them: Oh. [Walking off].
The most annoying of these encounters occurred on Wednesday as NBC was about to air the Cho video manifesto:
Steve Falk (the DN photog extraordinaire) and I sat at the bar of Poor Billy's, a seafood restaurant near campus, just ending a tasty meal. All of the sudden, reporters, camera crews ,and photographers stormed the restaurant.
I was confused.
Were we sitting in the only Zagat rated eatery in Blacksburg?
Once Nightly News began with their story about receiving the Cho FedEx Package, the camera shutters started to flicker. I heard one go off behind me, but I was too engrossed in the first video images of the twisted killer to care.
During commercial break, a NY Times photographer came up to me and wanted my name. I told him I was a reporter. He walked off disappointed.
I moved away from the bar and repositioned myself closer to the front-door. I was rubbing dust out of my eyes and was temporarily blind. Despite the darkness and pain I still recognized what the woman whispering in my ear was trying to do.
"Excuse me miss," she said. "I hate to bother you, but.."
This time it was a NY Times reporter.
I looked up with a squint and mumbled my new verbal defense: "I'm a reporter."
Jeez, what was up with that news outlet that evening?
If my colleagues approached me so much hoping that I could be their next usable quote, imagine the anguish those connected to the massacre must've felt when the vultures were out and about. I am sure the hoards of media reps repeatedly ambushed the same victims' family members, and witnesses, throughout last week and into today.
In 2007-- with the advent of 24-hour cable networks, online updates and blogs-- us media folk need fresh news all the time, which means one great interview is never enough.
Journalists have a job to do and there is no doubt about that. Many of us got into this business to record the first draft of history (trust me it ain't for the salaries). But now the field has been flooded with the new guard who never learn the same ethical standards old school editors have taught cub reporters (including myself) for generations.
After seeing the streams of "journalists" scouring every nook and cranny of the Virginia campus last week, I can only hope that I'm never on the receiving end of their mp3 tape recorder or digital video camera.
This media can be a bitch.
Comments (571)
So has the news just become so exploitive, that the actual information garnered is just fodder? Ego, and and money have replaced the sanctity of informing the public? It's a reflection of our society's own narcissism. Soon, the media to actual person ratio will be 1/1. Everyone will journal their own lives, and personal information will stream like unwanted ads.
One thing I did find extremely interesting in this whole affair was the immediate memorialization. Candlelight vigils, massive prayers, and big-whig commentary on the whole sha-bang-a-bang. Some of it made we want to puke. A horrible attrocity, carried out by a vague killer is responded to by nebulous vigils.
Posted by Gtown_teach | April 24, 2007 11:08 AM
Posted on April 24, 2007 11:08
What a load of self-congratulatory, self-indulgent crap. "I worked 16-hour days...believe me, it ain't for the salaries...I rubbed the dust and pain out of my eyes..."
And then these two gems: "Students already approached by representatives of the stars—Katie Couric, CNN, NBC—refused to retell their story to a lowly reporter from Philadelphia.
Being quoted in a newspaper isn't exactly cool but being on TV, of course, is."
Feeling a little left out? Feel like you got big-timed by some dumb little college students enjoying their fifteen minutes?
What a repugnant line of thought. This post was one you should have kept to yourself. You took that terrible tragedy and decided to chronicle your suffering. You spoke as if you were a hardened war reporter, braving other reporters as if they were mortar shells.
I think it's a good idea that reporters never make themselves the news. Sometimes when they do, they come across as whiny, self-important, self-indulgent, scab-picking hacks. Learn a lesson.
Posted by Tommo | April 24, 2007 12:37 PM
Posted on April 24, 2007 12:37
If you had any talent you wouldnt work in philthadelphia.
Posted by Anonymous | April 24, 2007 2:51 PM
Posted on April 24, 2007 14:51
Poor Simone, I feel your pain for all your hard work in covering the VT massacre. So sad that students, faculty and parents were teling you to buzz off. Boo-hoo, you were getting aced by network producers. YOU ARE NOT THE STORY. Could you be any more whiney and self centered?
Posted by Edward R. Murrow | April 24, 2007 4:06 PM
Posted on April 24, 2007 16:06
I started to say I can't believe the negativity in some of the comments. Geesh! You would have thought you had attacked the moms of these folks. I enjoyed your article and want to encourage you to continue doing what you love. It is a sad day in this world when people forget the golden rule.
Peace, love, unity!
Posted by Ranon | April 24, 2007 5:46 PM
Posted on April 24, 2007 17:46
Your grammar is atrocious! Do you get paid for this blog?
Posted by Anonymous | April 24, 2007 6:00 PM
Posted on April 24, 2007 18:00
At least you seem to write better than Monica Yant Kinney. But everything is relative, I suppose.
Posted by BK | April 24, 2007 6:00 PM
Posted on April 24, 2007 18:00
Sheez.........I sort of liked the story. It seemed sincere.
Tough crowd in here.
Posted by Mike Bucceroni | April 24, 2007 6:37 PM
Posted on April 24, 2007 18:37
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions yes but man, give the girl a break, it says in the intro to this blog that it is supposed to be an inside look not post after post of what everyone wants to hear. I say, until you've walked a day in someone else's shoes, take it easy on the judgements
Posted by Christine | April 24, 2007 7:29 PM
Posted on April 24, 2007 19:29
Christine,YEA o.k simone
Posted by nappy headed ho | April 24, 2007 8:48 PM
Posted on April 24, 2007 20:48
Thanks for the grammar lessons folks.
I am actually looking for a copy editor to check my blog posts for me--pro bono of course.
Hours of operation 1am to 3 am only.
Must have nothing better to do other than to seek out typos and sling insults.
Keep on reading and keep on posting!!!
Posted by SIMONE | April 25, 2007 1:17 AM
Posted on April 25, 2007 01:17
How can you expect anything more than insults when you insult your readers by not even bothering to proofread what you publish? There you go again - Simone as the victim. Total rubbish. Poor little Simone, slogging away at 1:17 AM. Total crap.
Posted by Tommo | April 25, 2007 8:28 AM
Posted on April 25, 2007 08:28
When the content of the story is such total crap, not much else to do but pick out typos. Tommo nailed it in both his posts. How did you survive the last layoff, couldn't have been on writing talent?
Posted by Edward R Murrow | April 25, 2007 9:03 AM
Posted on April 25, 2007 09:03
You make a good point. I turned off most coverage of Virginia Tech this week. It was too sensationalistic and didn't provide much real information.
Posted by Maria | April 25, 2007 9:16 AM
Posted on April 25, 2007 09:16
Reporters keep calling this the biggest school massacre in history.....not so..check your facts...Andrew Kehoe Bath Michigan 1927.....This post is not mean in any way to diminish what happened at VT, it IS meant to call attention to the fact that reporters often distort facts or outright LIE to sell a story...
Posted by Joe | April 25, 2007 9:19 AM
Posted on April 25, 2007 09:19
Wow this is a tough room. And all of you sitting there talking about how whiny and insincere this post was do need to take one walk in a reporter's shoes for one day to see what we go through to get the stories that you guys pick apart but otherwise still read and somewhat enjoy. Until you've stood outside a burning house and asked the homeowner how it happened or visited a parent the day after they receive notification of their son's death in Iraq, you'll never know. We do the job because we love it and although it's difficult some days and most readers completely are unappreciative, we do it to tell the story and in some way help just one person. Oh and go ahead and pick at my grammar, I'm on a deadline.
Posted by Fellow one | April 25, 2007 3:06 PM
Posted on April 25, 2007 15:06
Actually Fellow One, it makes my skin crawl every time I see a "reporter" intruding on a grief-stricken victim or family member. I think we all already know how they feel.Meanwhile relevant facts get left out of the story. Quality journalism seems to be a lost art along with grammar and punctuation.
Posted by Anonymous | April 25, 2007 4:24 PM
Posted on April 25, 2007 16:24
These kinds of stories are a reporter's dream. It easy and cheap. There is no indepth research. It doesn't cost the outlet much money. There are so many media outlets covering a story, they are like vultures trying to eat their prey.
Posted by Anonymous | April 25, 2007 5:38 PM
Posted on April 25, 2007 17:38
Am I the only one who saw Simone's post as a reporter's epiphany of just how intrusive and offensive all those vulture-reporters who descend on a crime scene are to the victims? Now, if she uses this knowledge to alter her future behavior, God bless her. If not, then she deserves all the condemnation she's gotten here. But give her the chance first, ok?
Posted by Anonymous | April 26, 2007 8:44 AM
Posted on April 26, 2007 08:44
Hey Fellow One - what is it with you people? Are reporters by nature this self-righteous or is it just you two? Why are you visiting someone the day after their son died? Do you people really think that private citizens belong to you? What makes you think you have the right to do that? What you're describing is tabloid journalism, nothing more. Both of you are repellent.
Posted by Tommo | April 26, 2007 10:54 AM
Posted on April 26, 2007 10:54
Tommo,
For someone who hates reporters, why are so spending so much time insulting us on this blog?
We have a job to do, just like anyone else.
Do you visit the blogs of firefighters and insult them for running into burning buildings?
A job is a job.
Move on.
Find a new blogger, with a different profession, to hound.
But I'm sure you will still post another hate-filled message. I look forward to reading it.
You are our new No. 1 fan.
THANKS.
Posted by SIMONE | April 26, 2007 1:42 PM
Posted on April 26, 2007 13:42
another "fan" here ...
you're exposing a lack of logic by comparing your vulturesque behavior with a firefighter in a burning building. I don't hate reporters, I do abhor lazy, sloppy newswriting and a lack of a glaring lack of intellect. Your petulant, immature attitude is grating.
Posted by Anonymous | April 26, 2007 3:05 PM
Posted on April 26, 2007 15:05
What up with my "fans?"
You folks have no sense, whatsoever, of cynicism, sarcasm, or just reading between the lines.
Do I have to spell E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. out for you people?
You all missed the true point of the point of the post, which the more intelligible posters have already hit it on.
Really, this blog is too smart for you folks.
Stick to posting your thoughts on the Eagles fan bulletin board.
Here is the link:
http://www.wingheads.com/
Posted by SIMONE | April 27, 2007 1:26 AM
Posted on April 27, 2007 01:26
hahaha!
Yeah, I think alot of people missed the point of the post. I understand alot of where you come from. It's the same in the ART/design field (ART is caps because it's ART). Anyway... If everyone becomes an ARTist, where's the truth of it all? There's too little real life to draw on if everyone is "expressing."
Posted by Gtown_teach | April 27, 2007 9:20 AM
Posted on April 27, 2007 09:20
Too smart??!! hahahahaha!
"the true point of the point" ?
"the more intelligible posters" ??
"already hit it on" ???
please take a remedial high school English class!
Posted by Anonymous | April 27, 2007 10:52 AM
Posted on April 27, 2007 10:52
No comment on the post, but I will say, Simone, that you need to learn how to be a little more gracious while accepting the criticisms of the people who read your blog. Arguing back and insulting is completely immature and unprofessional.
You put yourself in (somewhat) of a public position by posting on this blog. As such, you need to accept any praise and/or criticism that comes your way and take it all in stride.
The people of this city don't take kindly to aggressive insults and combative behavior.
When you put yourself out there in a personal way, like you have here, you need to expect your audience to love OR hate what you post and you need to learn how to not take it personally.
And another thing that I have noticed through reading your blog from basically the get-go is that you manage to insult this city itself and it's people, all the while proclaiming your love for it (though always caviating with the fact that you were not born here - God forbid!). We all know that there are things that need to change here, I'm not talking about reporting the violence or crime. It's the snide comments you occasionally make.
Maybe refraining from insinuating the city's football fans are idiots is the first step in garnering some love from it's citizens.
Posted by alison | April 27, 2007 1:38 PM
Posted on April 27, 2007 13:38
SHHESH!
I give up.
Posted by SIMONE | April 27, 2007 1:51 PM
Posted on April 27, 2007 13:51
Quote "Do I have to spell E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. out for you people?"
Simone........what do you mean by saying "you people"?
Just kidding.........trying to lighten the mood with some humor.
Don't take these comments so personally Simone.
It's part of the business.
Posted by Mike Bucceroni | April 27, 2007 4:23 PM
Posted on April 27, 2007 16:23
Regular informative readers like you understand how blogs are written.
It is the craggy newcomers who are confused and misinterpret this wonderful new medium, and tend to rile up the rest of the readers.
We encourage readers to debate the posts, but frown on idiotic insults with no intellectual basis.
If a post upsets a reader, for whatever reason, they should explain their thoughts, not sling personal attacks.
Spread the word Mike. I know you get it.
Posted by SIMONE | April 27, 2007 6:26 PM
Posted on April 27, 2007 18:26
Screw the grammar,its pretty cool that someone from the philly inquirer posts back.I dont think you can get that in the new york times.
Posted by random hero | April 27, 2007 6:47 PM
Posted on April 27, 2007 18:47
Dude,
This is a Philly Daily News blog, not the Inky.
That is why we post back.
We represent the "People's Paper."
Posted by SIMONE | April 28, 2007 12:03 PM
Posted on April 28, 2007 12:03
I do "get" how blogs are written. Most are crap.
I hold professional writers on the staff of a newspaper that I have supported financially over the years to a higher standard. What's wrong with that?
Posted by Anonymous | April 28, 2007 1:30 PM
Posted on April 28, 2007 13:30
To simone,Your a nappy headed hoe,I make more money than you,HAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAA
Posted by Anonymous | April 28, 2007 5:31 PM
Posted on April 28, 2007 17:31
Sister Kate (who I miss much and like MacArthur "I Shall Return" to soon enough)
In truth, the media only gives back what the people demand. Nothing more/nothing less.
If there was no market, they would not provide it.
It is the Information Age now, and people want to know everything, all the time. CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, etc proves that.
Posted by Mike Bucceroni | April 30, 2007 5:33 PM
Posted on April 30, 2007 17:33
Simone........if I could totally misuse your blog to shamelesly plug another site on behalf of my Domelights friend, the fair maiden Summer. I do the same for you and David, so please grant me this one.
The site address is www.the heroplace.com.
She is just starting it up, so please feel free to stop by and add something.
I regret the interuption, please go back to your previous Simone bashing.
Posted by Mike Bucceroni | May 1, 2007 6:31 PM
Posted on May 1, 2007 18:31
Simone you're an idiot. Alison said it all - when you write in this medium, you put yourself out there. You're awfully thin-skinned for Brooklyn. And you're ravingly narcissistic, like too many people of your generation. And then you want to insult Eagles fans? You know what? Go home. Go back to Brooklyn. You're too smart for us, and we don't want you here. Go away, Simone.
Posted by Tommo | May 30, 2007 5:07 PM
Posted on May 30, 2007 17:07
Simone you're an idiot. Alison said it all - when you write in this medium, you put yourself out there. You're awfully thin-skinned for Brooklyn. And you're ravingly narcissistic, like too many people of your generation. And then you want to insult Eagles fans? You know what? Go home. Go back to Brooklyn. You're too smart for us, and we don't want you here. Go away, Simone.
Posted by Tommo | May 30, 2007 5:07 PM
Posted on May 30, 2007 17:07
By the way, Simone - I'll put my education, intellect, and civic and world knowledge up against yours any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Posted by Tommo | May 31, 2007 11:00 AM
Posted on May 31, 2007 11:00
is it sin?
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