I think everyone in Arkansas heard about the news reporter from Little Rock, Anne Pressly. She was brutally attacked and murdered in October, according to police investigations and the media.
This story still gives my skin goose bumps and my stomach feels like it might just lose some of its contents.
I imagine myself in her place. Doing everything.
I want to be a news anchor, for CNN or, you know, some really big channel and network. Of course I know I’ll start locally and try to work my way up, that’s what happens, but when thinking of this murder, I see myself in her position behind the camera, smiling and reporting news, and then next thing I know, I’m lying on the floor of my large house, unconscious because someone decided to beat and kill me. My face, with bright shining eyes and a Miss America smile so well known to the local residents, now bloody, bruised, swollen and parts of it broken. And I’m dead.
“Vance was charged with capital murder in the death of Anne Pressly. The 26-year-old anchorwoman, who had a small part in the President George W. Bush biopic "W," died Oct. 25 -- five days after being severely beaten in what police described as a random attack at her home.”
A. Random. Attack.
The media is such a wonderful terrible thing. There is no such thing as having any feelings when one is reporting or writing the news. The news must be descriptive and catchy, if it’s not, you better write it over again. The media chooses what to report on, what not to report on, how often to report on something. And as horrible of a truth as it is, the story of beautiful blond reporter Anne Pressly, was news media gold.
I don’t think anyone ever really thinks about what they are reading when it comes to people who have died. Can you imagine a news article about yourself and included are the words “severely beaten” and “random attack”?
I can’t.
Yet I know one day I’ll have to sit in front of a camera and read these stories, ones about murders, rapes, beaten children and drug deals.
Everyone says the news is all bad, nothing good is ever reported. Not always true, but mostly true. I won’t lie. Do you know why? Because it grabs your attention, and a fucking report on the world’s smallest laptop or sweaters for your miniature chihuahua doesn’t grab your attention as much as a break-in at the local Best Buy or dog fighting that the guy living behind you just got arrested for.
We are sick and weird, the media knows this. And here I am, well aware of this, and what do I want to do? Be a part of it.
I really enjoyed your story. I agree that, as journalists, we are a different breed taking on a different beast - no matter the consequence. We have to be fearless and unbiased and quietly remain dignified while we shake in our boots. I enjoyed your essay. It shows the reality of what we face and why we choose to face it. Good job, girl!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Delcie that the topic you've chosen and your point about it are the real deal. I notice two things stylistically in this piece: the variety of sentence structures (questions, fragments, lists, simple declaratives), and the the way you include outside sources. Your inclusion of the bit of the original news story is really, really effective. It's a terrific example of form matching content. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the story and believe a lot of people in the media can relate to these feelings. As human beings, we are naturally going to respond quicker to tragic events and "bad news". It's in our nature. It's a lot like when a fight took place in grade-school. Everyone knew about it and everyone wanted to see it. I like that you pointed that out in your story. The reason journalists are taught to be unbiased reporters makes complete sense to me. The reporter's opinion doesn't matter and that takes a lot of pressure off of the reporter and whatever news affiliate he/she is working for. I remember watching channel 7 in Little Rock when Vance was arrested. The news-anchors were trying not to show emotion, but you could tell they were upset after losing a co-worker and friend. It was tough to watch at times.
ReplyDeleteI believe a lot of people in the media can relate to those feelings. Reporting the news can be a tough job at times, but someone has to do it. As a male, I can't say that I completely understand how female reporters and anchors feel when reporting stories like this one, but it would definitely make you think twice about your career choice. I liked the story and how you described the emotions reporters have to overcome when delivering the news.
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