The Politics Ranter

Eeek. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

So even though I’m an aspiring journalist, I have occasional skepticism about the profession, as many people do. It dates back to when I was about six or so, and I signed a petition at the mall. It had something to do with a law about children’s safety. Someone from the Sun (Ottawa? Toronto? I can’t remember) wrote an article about the petition that I featured prominently in. It was overwrought and ridiculous, talking of “rosebud lips and flaxen hair.” Even at six I knew it was dumb and removed from reality. (Now that I’m older I realize not all journalism is like that – the problem was with the Sun).

Anyway, the lesson I learned recently was that if you want to find out how much journalism, both respected, old-guard newspaper form and blog form, is written from press releases, simply put a mistake in there that should be easily spotted, and maybe some wonky formatting. Then sit back and see how many times it’s reprinted.

Apple C, Apple V!