The long long reading

Crime beat-
Well if this is an entry position I would love it- 9 gazilion times better then the writing obituaries.
I understand the reading's show of relation between beat reporting and a good drama- filled with hate violence murder and rape- all things that are interesting to the human pshyche but I just think that makes the beat that much more appealing- I dont understand why this article kept on speaking about how crime reporting is not a respected profession- I mean I assume that they are telling the truth but I dont see why that is- when average joe opens the newspaper he is not going to look at the international section but at the article the guy with the crime beat- because thats what is interesting. The crime beat journalist gets the most reads.

Also crime beat reporters can see the outcome of their hard work quite easily- if there is a rapist on the loose and the police has tips for the community on how to protect themselves that is viable information that will help a lot of people- information that the crime beat person will deliver

I think that police and firefighters are a communities finest and the crime beat reporter is the one that can connect them with the community- a task of honor

Although the journalist has this positive role for the community I do not think she should be obliged to make sure that kids dont follow criminals footsteps because she made criminals infamous. If a guy blows his brains up in a public venue that is news worthy and not what kids will think of it- parents should be in charge of what kids are allowed to read not the journalist.

Covering Crimes and victims
WOW that was creepy- its like the anti-llifeguard training- it felt like the exact opposite chapter of "dealing with the media" in my life guarding manuel. it read like it to- if the victem does this and this then do this and this. do get yourself into more then you can handle ... yada yada yada

It was also the exact opposite
lifeduard- under not circumstance release any information or talk to the media- EVER- the are the evil ones avoid at all costs-

journalist- if you see a body with a human soul that has anything to do with the interview- ATACK!
ok maybe not attack but approach gently and try to interview- but still exact opposite.

i think if I was mourning my mother's death and a journalist approached my during a breather brake outside the hospital i would punch him. literarily not even kidding straight in the nose a swift punch and maybe a round house kick- hey the hospital is right there I would not feel too guilty-

How can i be expected to act that hidiously toward people in mourning. I dont think that hospitals are an
appropriate setting for journalists- no matter how good the story- show some respect

Covering the courts
Oh DAM- this sounds like having to do all the annoying things a lawyer has to do with out the wealth or glory.
I think I rather do obituaries then be on this beat- so much confusing research- all while trying to not fall into a "Chicago motif"(I mean ofcourse the movie where the lawyer was the puppet master of all the reporters)

It sounds like a really hard case- and i do not see the point of them- ok i would be interesting to cover a case that changes the legal system but how often does that happen most of the time it is people alleged of a crime that will get a sentence whats it to my reader? they cant change the verdict and they wont be affected by it - at most they can idly gossip about out- and although that can be interesting and everything it usually has bad consequences where people are judged in the court of the mass media not the trial.

dont get me wrong trials open to the public are important for our democracy I just wish to have my hands clean of them- they seem like the are the child laborers that make my cheap clothes- i benefit from them but not necessarily approve of them- ok grim comparison but still