Yikes. Okay, it's interesting as a business model, but it's a bit scary as a view of how the media works. Talk about an echo chamber! Sounds like most of these journalist a practically deciding what they want to hear and then asking for people to tell it to them.
Hmm, actually it's not quite that bad. In an unscientific sample, there are a couple of blantant shill-requests:
"Reporter seeks people leaving/ready to leave NYC b/c high taxes"
"wanted to find bosses w/ employees afraid they're going to get laid off so they're sucking up"
But there are slightly more actual requests for real info:
"Needs experienced chiropractor's tips on how patients can ease pain before a visit"
" is facebook coming up more in therapy sessions with clients?"
"needs MDs to discuss physical symptoms of stress for women's mag"
" for Christian Sci. Monitor needs ppl with credit card balances to talk about how they pay it off"
It's sad but true. Stories are decided upon during a "morning meeting" by editors/news directors and then reporters are sent off in the field to confirm what has already been decided. Only if the situation has been grossly misjudged does a report deviate from what has been decided, otherwise you are just finding a few slobs to parrot some lines that support the original assertion.
Ideally the reporters in the field communicate back to the producers in the newsroom and the story evolves in a more organic fashion. But realistically, with looming deadlines and many more stories to write, it's just easier to "stay the course."
Hmm, actually it's not quite that bad. In an unscientific sample, there are a couple of blantant shill-requests:
"Reporter seeks people leaving/ready to leave NYC b/c high taxes"
"wanted to find bosses w/ employees afraid they're going to get laid off so they're sucking up"
But there are slightly more actual requests for real info:
"Needs experienced chiropractor's tips on how patients can ease pain before a visit"
" is facebook coming up more in therapy sessions with clients?"
"needs MDs to discuss physical symptoms of stress for women's mag"
" for Christian Sci. Monitor needs ppl with credit card balances to talk about how they pay it off"
Hmmm