Heywood Jaquoteme…
I have always wondered about the value of man-in-the-street reporting. That is not to say that the average American’s take on the news isn’t important. Rather, as our electronically-mediated culture continues to reward image over substance, it becomes easier for those seeking their 15 minutes of fame to insinuate themselves into the news to the (possible) detriment of the journalistic product by hooking lazy reporters.
I think news organizations need to rethink why and how to collect man-in-the-street material.
Earlier this spring, we had the case of Heywood Jablome. Now comes Greg Packer, a man who insinuates himself into events in such a way that reporters notice him and quote him. Packer says:
“I have no problem with misquotation, but if my name is twisted around, I have a problem with that.”
It doesn’t appear Packer’s intent is nefarious. But one needs to ask: Just how useful as civic/political/cultural information is the opinion of a person with nothing better to do than spend his free time scamming reporters? Then again, considering our image-conscious culture, Packer may be exactly the Everyman we need to consult.
