Journalistic Integrity Is Boring by Natalie Dee
Who says the journalism industry is all cut and dry and not entertaining? I swear the best things I read or witness happens overnight. Yeah, I was up (again) late last night when something crossed my path.
Let’s start with a Canadian publication called The Globe and Mail. So I came upon a link that showed celebrities in a odd light. Someone shared with me the latest celebrity photo postings on Globe and Mail and I damn near choked on my Fresca! The captions to each photo take snarky, sarcastic and sadistic shots at some of Hollywood’s A and B-listers who recently attended the Polo Classic or movie premier a midst all the talks and protest concerning the Occupy Wall Street Movement.
As I read captions such as;
“Week Five of the Occupy Wall Street movement finds couture-and-pearls-bedecked actress Elizabeth McGovern preoccupied with America’s growing income disparity at the New York Film Festival premiere of “My Week With Marilyn” in a swank New York City hotel on Sunday.”
and seeing a picture of actress Sanaa Lathan looking utterly divine in a long flowing summer dress with the caption reading;
“Clearly outraged by the excessive bonuses paid to Wall Street executives, actress Sanaa Lathan defines unostentation at the champagne-sponsored event for the elitest equestrian game sometimes known as “The Sport of Kings” in Los Angeles on Sunday.”
I choked on my drink trying to hold back laughter and wondered if the whole photo gallery was a prank. Immediately I rushed to post the link on my Facebook page and tagged some of my journalism buddies; praying that if it was the work of an upset rogue copywriter, that the captions wouldn’t be removed before anyone of my friends could see. Like me, a couple of them were confused on what to think. Was this on purpose or a silly prank? Well, it wasn’t until someone brought it to my attention that this is something that Globe and Mail does on a weekly basis. Each photo gallery has a theme, with this week being Occupy Wall Street and the social class “war” it’s exposing.
Then alas! An update from Globe and Mail’s editor.
Editor’s note: Each week, Globe and Mail editors supply tongue in cheek captions to our celebrity of the week photos. This week: our Occupy Wall Street edition. Disclaimer: this isn’t an endorsement of any political position, just a spot of fun.
View full gallery here -> Globe and Mail Celebrity Photos of the Week.
If a Canadian publication wasn’t enough to make me choke, laugh and gag, I had an additional helping with one of my local media outlets. This morning, TBD posted The 51 D.C. Journalists With The Most Klout. The listing comprises a photo gallery of A, D and E(?) – list local D.C. journalists, who by Klout’s calculations, have the most mind control errrr “influence” over the masses (nee social media following). Okaaaay.. Maybe that’s not it exactly, or is it? From my understanding, Klout is way to measure or score one’s presence in social media.
I have to admit, I don’t understand Klout, it’s calculations or why TBD felt the need to make me and other “underground”/up and coming D.C. journalists feel like nobodies with this popularity contest.
Side bar: Yeah, I kinda felt like that kid nobody wants to sit with at lunch, or is always picked last in P.E. to be on that golden boy’s dodge ball team or on the team of that skinny chic that wore Tinker Bell nail polish that NEVER peeled off not matter what she did! However, I’m happy to report that after 2…3….okay 5 minutes I got over that feeling and moved on with life as usual.
Needless to say, while the captions to this gallery was not done in tongue in-check, a few of the people listed did get a bit ruffled; mainly on how and why they ended up on the list. One even tweeted one of TBD’s editors for answers. Perhaps I should have advised him to save his keystrokes and just blame Klout; because it’s just as how one of my buddies said….. instead of having our classmates (perhaps from high school) figure out our worth, there’s a computer (effing Klout!) doing this.
No editors or staff writers voting or asking the public to vote, but a freaking computer (server?)!!! Where’s the integrity in that?
So if Klout is solely behind this, I have to wonder how much socializing does Klout do? Judging from the list, not much, as the list reflects very little diversity. Sure there was a peppering of women mentioned, one or two black folks (I don’t recall any Latinos or Latinas, or Asians) and maybe a few older,well seasoned journalists (age wise). Still, the list mainly included white males of my buppy/yuppy generation (mid 20s to late 30s/early 40s).
Somehow I find Klout’s calculations to be both hilarious and sad. Yet, I get the feeling that no one will dare to measure and score Klout’s influence. In my mind I see this big beige (yes beige) computer with an internal evil laugh and even taking a moment to break out with the Sheree’ Whitfield line.. “Who Gonna Check Me Boo?”
Mahoganie: Musings East of the Anacostia River 
Posted on October 13, 2011
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