Journalism After Dark? Late Nite Jokes and the Joking Jokers Who Tell Them.

Jimmy Kimmel

Many consumers now get most of their “news” from the late nite shows. With that in mind, there are a few important differences between newscasts and those shows that viewers should be aware of.

The hosts are not journalists.

Jimmy Kimmel worked in radio for several years at the beginning of his career. According to Wikipedia, he was on KROQ in Los Angeles for five years as Jimmy The Sports Guy. Carson Daly also had some radio experience early in his career. 

None of the other current late nite hosts appear to have any experience or degrees in journalism. Most of them (Trevor Noah, John Oliver, Samantha  Bee, etc.) worked their way up to their current spots doing standup comedy, improv, or some other form of entertainment.

Fake News and Trustworthy Sources: Who’s in Your Newsfeed?

Brian Ross of ABC news

Pundits, politicians, and professors are all wringing their hands over the proliferation of fake news. They’re all very concerned about the masses who now believe fake news. One thing that most fail to acknowledge is that many people prefer fake news over real news. Many viewers, readers, and listeners simply prefer news that confirms the things they believe in. It makes life easier. They like fake news and they’re not going to stop consuming it or sharing it simply because someone says it’s bad.

Blogging vs. Journalism: Can you say Blurnalism?

Bloggers and journalists, living together. Mass hysteria!

One of the late George Carlin’s classic comedy bits was about the differences between football and baseball. “Baseball is played on a diamond in a park. The baseball park! Football is played on a gridiron, in a stadium.”

These days some bloggers are doing journalism and many journalists are writing blogs. Although the lines are sometimes blurred - which has produced something I call blurnalism - there are some interesting differences most of the time. So, what would it be like to compare blogging to journalism in a similar way to Carlin’s treatment of baseball and football?

When you write a blog, you’re your own boss. You can write about anything. When you’re a journalist, you’re work is supervised by an editor or a producer who gives you assignments. In some cases, journalists suggest topics, but those have to be approved.

Confessions of a Grown-up Paperboy

Found that classic paperbag on EBay.
It was dirty and it had a hole in it.
Looks just like my old one.

Back in the 70s, newspapers were not always delivered by adults in cars. Newspapers were frequently delivered by “paperboys.” They would put their bundles of newspapers in canvas bags and either walk from house to house or ride their bikes. 

My first job was delivering newspapers and I did my route on a bike. Every morning, I would ride to the top of my street, Thomas Rd. in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, where a large bundle of newspapers would be waiting for me. I had eighty or so customers. About 60 were Boston Globe subscribers and fifteen or so were Boston Herald Traveler subscribers. There was also a handful of very discerning readers who got the Record American.

Countdown to Fake-ageddon? Is peaceful coexistence possible for Trump and the media?

One of President Trump’s most consistent targets throughout the election season was the media in general and fake news in particular. It was a big part of Trump’s schtick. Since his inauguration, he has continued his criticisms. Why would he stop doing what has worked so well for him? President Trump recently called fake news the “enemy of the people.” President Trump clearly believes that journalists who produce unfavorable coverage should be treated as enemies.

Trump’s dislike for the media is understandable. Many in the media clearly detest Trump and it’s obvious. Most of the media were way off in their polling and their prognostications about the election. They said, over, and over, and over that he didn’t stand a chance. More recently, the infamous dossier that was published by Buzzfeed hasn’t resulted in any big stories so far.

CNN and the New York Times were shut out of a recent press briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. One wonders what will happen next. Will the practice of excluding critical media increase? Will media organizations try to be nicer in order to avoid being excluded? Will someone – perhaps Jimmy Carter – step up to help Trump and the media negotiate for a lasting peace?

Trump Declares War on Fake New: Producers of Fake News head for their bunkers.

Buzzfeed, the Decline of Journalism, and the Rise of Fake-alism

Once upon a time, journalism involved gathering as much information related to some current event as possible. Journalists interviewed people who had firsthand knowledge. Finding and connecting with those sources of information was usually tedious and time-consuming. In many cases, people who had information were not cooperative or forthcoming.

Good journalists also reviewed as much information related to a story as they could get their hands on. Sources of information could include court documents and related articles that had been written previously. Once a journalist had all the information together, he or she would boil it down to the essentials that consumers would need to comprehend what was going on.

Fake News International announces nominees for The Fakies/Fake News Awards.

by Jack O'Lanterni, President
Fake News International

Fake News International has announced the nominees for the 2017 Fakies. 2016 was undoubtedly one of the greatest years in the history of Fake News. Never before has so much fake news affected so many people in so many ways.

From predictions about the election in the United States to a disheartening story about Santa, there’ve been lots of great accomplishments in the world of fake news. Many will be recognized on April 1st in Macedonia when Fake News International presents the Fakies for 2016.

Fake News International to develop Code of Ethics!

Fake News International (FNI) has announced that the organization will develop a formal code of ethics and standards at its annual conference in Macedonia in February. Jack O'Lanterni, the President of FNI, said, “Fake news provides a valuable service to consumers. Like Jack Nicholson said in that movie, A Few Good Jarheads, although people say they want the truth, the truth is that most people can’t handle the truth. What people truly want is news that confirms their beliefs and biases. That’s what people get with fake news and that's why they love it.”