All The News That Fits

Write to become published or write what you believe?

 

Through the 35^th floor window, the editor stared at the scenes below. People scurrying like ants to jobs that fed the economy; the traffic more stop than go…all the activity that is the lifeblood of the city. It had taken him 23 years to rise to this office. Each day he took time to watch the pace of his public, the very people whose minds he helped to mold through the publications under his leadership. He had done much. Circulation and ad revenues had steadily increased, profits improved most every year and there was a waiting list of writers seeking his audience and employment. The knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

 

“Come in”. It was Allison D’Arcy, granddaughter of the owner and publisher.

“I see you are right on time Allison, please sit down.”

“Thank you sir.” She sat in the straight backed wooden chair in front of the desk. Dressed “professional casual”, as was the current fad, she wore large, dangling earrings, a green blouse with a “Save our Forests” button, form fitting tan slacks and tennis shoes.

“Your grandfather suggested we meet and discuss your first assignment. In fact, Mr. D’Arcy even thought you might like to pick your own.”

“I told grandfather I wanted no special favors. I’ll cover whatever story you think best.”

The editor studied the young girl carefully. Twenty something and recently graduated with a Masters in journalism he knew she knew nothing about the publishing business, only what she read in books from what he considered to be overpaid academics who wrote in flowery language and published nothing of consequence. He also understood he had to tread softly as she was family.

“Well, Allison, I really would like to hear some of your thoughts, after all new ideas are always welcome here. I’m sure you received a fine education and can give us a new slant on things. What do you consider newsworthy that our readers would find entertaining?”

She hesitated a moment as she thought she detected a touch of sarcasm in his last comment. Facing the man was terrifying enough considering his position and she’d already been advised to be cautious as he was known to be rather harsh when confronted with “new ideas.”

“Sir, I do have a couple of stories in mind. One of the things I think we need to bring back to the public’s attention is the issue of women’s rights. There are still many cases of inequality with regard to salaries, child care, workplace harassment, advancement and educational opportunities.”

“Don’t you think that is kind of a dead issue? From my perspective, women have equal rights and we don’t discriminate here, all people are paid what they are worth to the organization. I really don’t see there is anything new there. What else?”

Somewhat taken aback at his opinion, Allison paused. “While in college, I worked one summer at a camp for disabled children, you know, a place where for a week the kids could escape and just be kids.”

“Oh I’m sure those camps are nice but don’t you think that has been overdone. I see stories, movies, and news specials on these unfortunate children all the time. It’s just not news. Any other ideas?”

Allison was beginning to wonder what the man wanted. “Sir, I understand there is a large developer who just purchased twenty-four square blocks downtown to build a mall. Several dozen families are losing their long income homes and have nowhere to go.”

His mind was battling with conflicting thoughts. Just as I thought, she didn’t learn a thing and yet she is the bosses’ granddaughter, walk softly. “Allison, do you realize that developer and probably the chain stores that are going to occupy that mall are major advertisers, spending several million dollars a year for ads with us. We must be careful not to offend and jeopardize our revenue.”

Allison replied, “what should I write about then?”

“You need to keep two things in mind. First, our readers are interested in only those things which affect their daily life or which entertain them. Crime stories, articles about the disintegrating moral fabric of society and family or anything about the famous and infamous well make them want to buy our products. Second, the more we sell, the more the advertisers buy. Simply put, write what the public wants and everybody is happy.”

“But, don’t we have an obligation to inform people about political corruption, environmental issues, human rights?”

“Those are very complex issues and are of no real interest to our public. They are better left to the pseudo-intellectual, liberalized cause periodicals. No, Allison, most people just don’t care. They have such mundane lives; they only want to know those things which will keep the informed about what they need to know and to be an escape from daily life. Write for the masses, that’s what sells.”

“But what about real writing?”

“Real writing? If you are referring to the pabulum that so-called novelists, poets and essayists write, which apply to only I handful of people I might add, we’ll leave that to them. We cater to what the majority of people need.”

“You mean to tell me that grandfather approves of this? I know when he was younger, he wrote poetry, he wrote essays, he wrote letters to the editor on issues that concerned him.”

“Miss D’Arcy, your grandfather didn’t make any money that way and that’s why he hired me when his business was struggling, to make money so he could support those very causes he cared about. He has incidentally become a very rich man in the process and donates a large sum of money to a variety of charities each year. No, I’m sure if you talk with him, you’ll see he is totally behind what we do here. In our newspapers and magazines we write all the news that fits. I hope you will come to understand that one of these days.”

She sat quietly, digesting what she had just been told. “Then what would you like me to cover?”

“There is a rumor the mayor is having an affair. Check into it. Follow him and talk to his friends, discreetly of course, and find out what you can. Who is she? Does his wife know? Write a draft for me and we’ll sit down and discuss it in a couple of days.”

Allison, though confused and seething inside, remained placid, showing no emotion. In a moment, she had made her decision, nodded and quietly left the office.