Media Myth vs. Reality: Truth & Balance
Hollywood portrays journalists about as accurately as it portrays real estate professionals. Myths about both REALTORS® and reporters populate the popular culture. If REALTORS® are to make sure reporters understand us, it’s a good idea to gain an accurate understanding of how the news media really works.
Myth: If it’s in the newspaper, it must be true.
Fact: Journalists seek balance.
Journalists strive for getting the complete story, but considering the conditions under which they work, they know that’s usually impossible. Rather, they work hard to see that stories are balanced. If they cite a spokesperson for one side of an issue, they will go out of their way to find someone on the other side. Both sides might be dead wrong, but the theory is that the truth lies somewhere between two poles of opinion.
The media’s need for balance poses both challenges and opportunities. Sometimes you may get a call from a reporter working on deadline who only wants your reaction to a story that is already written. You should expect only a small citation in the story. Make sure it’s the best possible statement by preparing carefully.
Comments
Remember also the old adage "If you go through life with a hammer as your only tool, everything looks like a nail." Each one of us comes with all of the baggage collected in our lives and reporters are no different.
I often read stories in, for example, the New York Times, which seemingly try to transfer the NYC perceived housing bubble to the rest of the country. I suppose that if one of our assumed bubble regions were to burst, then some of that emotion would negatively effect non-bubble areas (just as happens in the stock market).
One difference between emotion-driven value changes in the stock market and the housing market, is that housing offers the additional value of providing human shelter. Most of us know that Abraham Maslov defined this very basic human need, which delineates the value of a home compared to a paper investment.
Posted by: Rick Chumsae | April 28, 2006 08:35 AM
Do you need to have a Master's to become a RE Agent?
Posted by: john | April 30, 2006 11:39 AM
it's going to be tougher and tougher for realtors to keep a lid on the imploding housing market. what should we do when a reporter calls - we can't say "no comment"
I think the best play is to say "now is a great time to buy - there's lots to look at and prices are coming back to reality"
what do you think?
Posted by: kb | May 2, 2006 01:51 PM
IT IS NOT A FACT: Journalists do not seek balance in their reporting.Iwould be happy to debate that issue at anttime and prove my point.
Posted by: Frank Grabowski | May 12, 2006 02:20 PM