Is breaking news broken? Were telegrams more powerful than the instant communication we have now? Is there room for reflection? Maybe, yep, and I hope so.
Iran Hostage Crisis Births Nightline
On November 4th of 1979 fifty-three American diplomats and citizens were held hostage after a group of Iranian college students belonging to the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam’s Line took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took them as hostages. The hostages were held for 444 days.
There was no CNN, FOX, or MSNBC. 24 hour news existed only on AM radio. But this story consumed America. ABC News tapped into it with British born and American raised news anchor, Ted Koppel at the helm. On November 8th, just 4 days after the hostages were taken, Nightline was broadcasting nightly updates. It was not breaking live news, it was a recap of the events to far. There was a moment to digest and understand what happened, where we were, and where we could go.
Nightline in the 80’s
After the crisis was over, Nightline would continue this format with a focus on one issue every night. Koppel and ABC were not perfect, but there was some important ground covered in the 80’s.
In a 1990 recap of the first decade of Nightline, EW showcased some of the most notable and important moments. There were ground breaking live interviews with Ferdinand Marcos, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and Kurt Waldheim. There were inquisitions of George HW Bush and Michael Dukakis during the ’88 campaign. Timed around the release of Nelson Mandela there was crucial coverage of South Africa. Relevant to today there was a special series called “Nightline in the Holy Land” which featured debates between Israelis and Palestinians.
Nightline was part of my life as my grandparents and my dad watched it almost every night.
Power of the Telegram
In the Summer of 1984 I was visiting my father in rural West Texas. One night we were watching Ted Koppel covering professional Chess. This was a topic that was very dear to my dad. He was a chess enthusiast. There was something Ted had said during the show that was factually incorrect.
My dad grabbed the phone and called Western Union. He dictated a short message to be delivered urgently to ABC studios by telegram. Think of a telegram as a hand delivered printed email that could arrive in minutes using wire services.
Before the end of the broadcast, Ted Koppel announced a correction of the detail they got wrong and acknowledged the telegram sent by a viewer. I was stunned and amazed that instant communication had the power to go from a home in West Texas to New York City and a network and anchor would listen. Now that power is available to us all.
A Father’s Concern and Reflection Lost
In the 90’s my father lived in Northern California. I was visiting him one Summer. After we finished watching an episode of Nightline together I asked him what his thoughts were on CNN and 24 hour news.
“I have concerns, son.”
I asked him what the concerns were.
“When I worked for the Trib, I always knew that news was a business as much as it is the first draft of history. But things are changing. Less papers have evening editions to recap and update.
With everything being breaking news in the 24/7 cycle, the local late night broadcasts are starting to change. Instead of recaps and reflection they are having to keep up with the change. Everything is breaking news and I fear it is breaking the news. We are so exhausted from the pace that there is less reflection. That is what Nightline and monthly news magazines offer. A recap. A moment to take a breath and reflect on what happened as opposed to always looking at what is happening now.
Without reflection we lose clarity on the moment.
Without reflection we may forget what we look like.”
Electronic Letters to the Editor
Between 2009 and 2013 I had a column in a local paper in the Chicago area. It started as an occasional column that swiftly become a regular monthly column in a weekly paper owned by 22nd Century Media.
In 600 words I touched nerves. My writing engaged some and enraged others on local social issues in the community. People wrote letters to the editor. The editor published those letters as they were written.
A conversation was happening. Papers were being sold and read. I was welcomed by the editor to continue writing my heart. Had it not been for the emails to the editor, I would not have been able to continue.
Gen X Watch Reflections
Journalism has many categories. I write Opinion/Editorials. I specifically write in a niche style called Gonzo Journalism. In Gonzo I am not objective and I insert myself into the story. I am sometimes coarse in my speech and position myself as a protagonist. But I take the research, ethics, and reflection seriously.
I have had decades to pause and reflect of the events of my youth and offer perspective that is relevant today. Race issues in early MTV relates to allies today. The history of Women’s History Month shows that it is tied into education as well as human and civil rights. The story on shopping malls ties into the importance of 3rd places and a public square accessible to all. Even the Subversive Art of Mixtapes uncovers the real world impact mixtapes had on the fall of communism and the rise of hip hop.
The Feminist Friday articles even tap into reflection. It is far more personal, but in the backdrop were things women I knew had to rise above and the voices that inspired them and changed me.
Relational Reflection
We can still write letters to the editor and engage in that relationship.
Western Union telegrams and a mailed letter cost money. An email or a thoughtful comment only costs a few moments of your time.
So take a few moments and drop a comment. Let’s have that relationship.
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