Desmond AllenFOLLOWING MY comment on The Observer's use of yellow newsprint pages for its Sunday magazine, SunDay, several readers have been sharing their views. In Spike Sept. 12, reader Paul Walker took us to task about the origins of the term 'yellow journalism', more popularly known as 'gutter journalism' and gave us his own take on the subject:
"Dear Spike, with respect to your recent column on 'yellow journalism', I'd say cute comment. However, the world has changed if you haven't noticed. The term 'yellow journalism' was coined by the Americans and used in their racist lexicon against Asians and Chinese, especially during the Vietnamese War. Folks are now proud to be yellow and black and brown and even white. Let's use whatever colour we choose. Content, not colour. Smash down the walls. Especially those that we didn't construct." Well, reader Paul, you're wrong!
I'm grateful to my American friend who sent me the following piece titled 'The sensational beginnings of Yellow Journalism': In 1898, newspapers provided the major source of news in America. At this time, it was common practice for a newspaper to report the editor's interpretation of the news rather than objective journalism. If the information reported was inaccurate or biased, the American public had little means for verification.
"With this sort of influence, the newspapers wielded much political power. In order to increase circulation, the publishers of these papers often exploited their position by sponsoring a flamboyant and irresponsible approach news to reporting that became known as 'yellow journalism'.
"Though the term was originally coined to describe the journalistic practices of Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst proved himself worthy of the title. Today, it is his name that is synonymous with 'yellow journalism'."
Spike reader Terrence Williams also wrote, contradicting Paul's assertions: "I don't know of this phrase (yellow journalism) having racist connotations. I thought it referred to a kind of racy tabloid journalism first practised by Hearst newspapers at the turn of the Century. These papers were also popular for the cartoon "the yellow kid", a boy dressed in yellow, hence the term."
The Street People Enquiry (part two)
Last week, I 'bouqueted' the staff of The Gleaner Western Bureau for breaking the Street People story last year July. Well, according to reporter Darien G. Henry of IRIE-FM, the Spike bouquets went to the wrong people. Here's his mail:
"Dear Spike, I read with interest your column dated September 12, with respect to the Street People Inquiry. I have noted the showers of commendation rained on reporters at the Gleaner Western Bureau for breaking the story. While I have no problem with the bestowment of the Spike bouquets, I am forced to bring to your attention the initial involvement of IRIE-FM News.
"On the evening of Wednesday, July 14, 1999 (7:37 pm), our newsroom received a call from the operator of a grocery shop in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, that two alleged mentally ill persons were claiming to have been carried there the night before in a truck from Montego Bay. After they explained their ordeal to us, we enquired of the Montego Bay Police and the Secretary-Manager at the St. Elizabeth Parish Council.
"Our initial story about the incident was carried as the lead story in our 9:45 newscast that same evening. So The Gleaner could not have carried the initial story. In fact, The Gleaner's initial story was carried two days after we broke the story. Best regards - darienhenry@hotmail.com."
I have to ask where was Darien when I first reported information that The Gleaner broke the story last year? But if what he says is true, then the credit should go to IRIE-FM! Darien, send me a copy of the newscast of July 14. That would back up your claims admirably. It's important, especially in the event that the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) decided to give an award for that splendid bit of journalism.
Seen and heard
The Sunday Observer of September 3 carried the lead headline 'MP Robbed' and an underline 'Policeman, girlfriend slain'. I always thought the loss of lives weighed more than a robbery and would therefore have been the main headline. But then who am I?
Read this and laugh. "However, Thompson's tackle on Cornwall's Orlando Coleman in the 36th minute exulted in a penalty."
The Sunday Gleaner, September 10, "Cornwall, Ruseau's trounce opponents", page 1B.
I hate to find unfinished sentences like this one when I'm reading: "That will change next month, when the American acyn Monroe in the 1955 film." The Sunday Gleaner, September 10, 'Daryl Hannah stars in over 30 films', page 6E.
"The men fled, but Clarke was later found at a premises in the area suffering from gunshot wounds."
Sunday Observer, September 10, 'Police homicide', page 3. You like that? The premises are suffering from gunshot wounds!
"Some motorists were reminded that they should renew licences and insurance on their motor vehicles, including the wife of a minister."
TVJ News, September 11. A motor vehicle is now the wife of a minister! Like the above, another case of the misrelated participle.
Flair, September 11 gave us on its front page 'Restauranteur' and 'famliy values'. Make that 'restaurateur' and 'family values'.
'No one, apparently, saw who shot him.'
Observer, September 12, 'Murder toll now 627', page one. No one saw??? How can the writer know this?
Send spikeables to spike@jol.com.jm;
desal@cwjamaica.com
or fax to 926-0295.
Desmond Allen has been practising journalism for 27 years.
