Famous sayings regarding Journalism:
“When a dog bites a man that is not news, but when a man bites a dog that is news.”
American Newspaper Journalist and editor Charles Anderson Dana who died in 1897 aged 78. Dana said one of the most influential quotes in the news today, being “When a dog bites a man that is not news, but when a man bites a dog that is news.” This quote is of interest because it is peculiar, it is normal for a man to be bitten by a dog, however a man bites a dog you’re labeled as being psychotic which will then make the headlines. This essay firstly outlines the philosophy of the quote by Charles Anderson Dana. Secondly the essay outlines why Charles Anderson Dana stated what he did. Lastly the essay outlines a supportive …show more content…
Dana believed an event is usually considered more newsworthy if there is something different about it. The quote by Dana is somewhat familiar to a quote by The News Manual (2008) exclaiming, “You never hear about a plane that doesn’t crash”. This saying could be interpreted, meaning, news is only something that is interesting. There are certain criteria and values media look at when searching for stories. The News Criteria includes Interest, Timeliness and Clarity. The News Values include, Impact, Proximity, Conflict, Human Interest, Novelty and Prominence. If a man did bite a dog there would only be one news value relevant to the story, which would be Conflict. Conflict is considered as a break in the usual news rundown and something peculiar. The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (2014) defines, conflict being strife in newsworthy, war, public anger or bitter disagreement over fundamental …show more content…
In an interview conducted with Today Tonight reporter and casual presenter Paul Makin, he supports what Dana said. Makin says the saying is true because it is not the norm. Makin explained another example similar to Charles Anderson Dana’s saying which was “A school fete has a white elephant stool which is the norm, however when a school fete has a real white elephant that is a story”. There is a story in everything but it does not make it an interesting one. It is the angle you take. Every story needs a hook. The white elephant story is a perfect example of the man biting a dog. They both have great hooks. In another interview with Seven News Journalist Amy Taeuber, she stated that she is against what Charles Anderson Dana said. Taeuber exclaimed that the quote is basically saying something out of the ordinary is news but something expected isn’t. “In this day and age you can make a good story out of a man being bitten by a dog, if you are a good journalist you can make a story out of anything depending on which angle you take”, Taeuber stated. Personally I agree with Paul Makin. From the supportive thoughts Makin has provided, it made me realise that it is better to get the “Man bites a dog story”, because a “dog bites a man story” most probably has already been done. A news story out of the ordinary will also attract the audience’s attention. However, there are some
“When a dog bites a man that is not news, but when a man bites a dog that is news.”
American Newspaper Journalist and editor Charles Anderson Dana who died in 1897 aged 78. Dana said one of the most influential quotes in the news today, being “When a dog bites a man that is not news, but when a man bites a dog that is news.” This quote is of interest because it is peculiar, it is normal for a man to be bitten by a dog, however a man bites a dog you’re labeled as being psychotic which will then make the headlines. This essay firstly outlines the philosophy of the quote by Charles Anderson Dana. Secondly the essay outlines why Charles Anderson Dana stated what he did. Lastly the essay outlines a supportive …show more content…
Dana believed an event is usually considered more newsworthy if there is something different about it. The quote by Dana is somewhat familiar to a quote by The News Manual (2008) exclaiming, “You never hear about a plane that doesn’t crash”. This saying could be interpreted, meaning, news is only something that is interesting. There are certain criteria and values media look at when searching for stories. The News Criteria includes Interest, Timeliness and Clarity. The News Values include, Impact, Proximity, Conflict, Human Interest, Novelty and Prominence. If a man did bite a dog there would only be one news value relevant to the story, which would be Conflict. Conflict is considered as a break in the usual news rundown and something peculiar. The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (2014) defines, conflict being strife in newsworthy, war, public anger or bitter disagreement over fundamental …show more content…
In an interview conducted with Today Tonight reporter and casual presenter Paul Makin, he supports what Dana said. Makin says the saying is true because it is not the norm. Makin explained another example similar to Charles Anderson Dana’s saying which was “A school fete has a white elephant stool which is the norm, however when a school fete has a real white elephant that is a story”. There is a story in everything but it does not make it an interesting one. It is the angle you take. Every story needs a hook. The white elephant story is a perfect example of the man biting a dog. They both have great hooks. In another interview with Seven News Journalist Amy Taeuber, she stated that she is against what Charles Anderson Dana said. Taeuber exclaimed that the quote is basically saying something out of the ordinary is news but something expected isn’t. “In this day and age you can make a good story out of a man being bitten by a dog, if you are a good journalist you can make a story out of anything depending on which angle you take”, Taeuber stated. Personally I agree with Paul Makin. From the supportive thoughts Makin has provided, it made me realise that it is better to get the “Man bites a dog story”, because a “dog bites a man story” most probably has already been done. A news story out of the ordinary will also attract the audience’s attention. However, there are some