Tired cliche irritates me

[myhightechsec]

Self defense story -- reporterette writes "That is when one of the homeowners took the law into their own hands and shot the suspect."

District Attorney's office speaks out after homeowner

Irritates me enough to send this email to her...



No, no, no.

The homeowner DID NOT "take the law into his own hands." He acted 100% in accordance with existing law and the legal system.

That is akin to writing that Sam took the law into his own hands by driving 35 mph in a 35 mph speed zone. Or that Fred took the law into his own hands by filing his taxes on April 15th.

It is a lazy, sloppy, inaccurate cliche, and it leads your readers into a deeper belief that there is a built-in media bias in reporting about firearms in the hands of law-abiding citizens.

I received my journalism degree in Arkansas. I expect better from Arkansas reporters.

 

[ArevaloSocom]

Love it

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Outstanding! Now, let's see if you get a reply... I won't hold my breath though.

 

[PGRChaplain]

Very well stated! Where do they find these "reporters"?????? The other day I read a News Story about a Truck accident. A Semi hit a car and then another Semi hauling Steel. The first Driver was "Skewered" by the Steel. Impaled May be the Word the reporter was searching for. The Driver was not a Shish- Ka-Bob prior to the accident.

 

[myhightechsec]

Outstanding! Now, let's see if you get a reply... I won't hold my breath though.

In the decades that I've sent versions of this letter out I've only gotten one reply, and that was that they were "sorry they didn't meet my high standards of journalism." I forwarded the note to the editor and asked if that was representative of the customer service they provided their readers. Never heard back from him.

 

[NHT3]

I would say the put the law into the homeowner's hands when they entered illegally. He chose to enforce the law in the absence of law enforcement.

 

[MCgrease08]

I couldn't agree more and I'm glad you took the time to write.

As a former news writer and reporter I would have taken your comments to heart and made edits to the story. Sadly I know that I am the exception rather than the rule in that respect.

My most hated news cliche is in the headline. I hate the term "speaks out" because of how frequently and incorrectly it's used.

It should be reserved for those who face serious or potentially harmful repercussions for speaking publicly, a la whistle blowers, targets of violence, etc.

It should not be used anytime someone makes a statement.

 

[femurphy77]

Uh dude, one word; Decaf!

 

[HoughMade]

I take the law into my own hands nearly every day.

 

[ogtruckin]

well said

 

[migunner]

Self defense story -- reporterette writes "That is when one of the homeowners took the law into their own hands and shot the suspect."

District Attorney's office speaks out after homeowner

Irritates me enough to send this email to her...



No, no, no.

The homeowner DID NOT "take the law into his own hands." He acted 100% in accordance with existing law and the legal system.

That is akin to writing that Sam took the law into his own hands by driving 35 mph in a 35 mph speed zone. Or that Fred took the law into his own hands by filing his taxes on April 15th.

It is a lazy, sloppy, inaccurate cliche, and it leads your readers into a deeper belief that there is a built-in media bias in reporting about firearms in the hands of law-abiding citizens.

I received my journalism degree in Arkansas. I expect better from Arkansas reporters.

Gotta agree

 

[Bennettjh]

I like it.

 

[HubertGummer]

As a member of the media, you gotta do everything you can to ensure gun owners look crazed and unlawful you know.

 

[IndyTom]

I take the law into my own hands nearly every day.

Am I sensing a nickname here? Careful, you'll end up increasing your razor budget if you wear them out on your palms.

 

[SheepDog4Life]

The reporter doesn't do any better with the simplest of facts either... her voice-over at :29 states the home was on highway 591 while the camera shows a picture of the highway sign... it's 594.

 

[actaeon277]

and repped

 

[mac45]

Nicely done

 

[oldpink]

Loved your response to her, but don't expect her to reply back to you or to print a correction.
Check out Matt Christiansen's experiences with a reporterette caught printing unsubstantiated allegations to get an idea how these weasels behave.
No less an authority than one General William T. Sherman had a comment about "journalists," calling them "dirty newspaper scribblers who have the impudence of Satan."

 

[Vigilant]

I take the law into my own hands nearly every day.

The weird pet names lawyers give their parts?