Lazy journalism
Encyclopedia
Lazy journalism is a term used to describe situations where journalist
s use shortcuts and/or simple stereotypes to explain, sometimes sensationalising, ideas or thoughts relating to a story.
baseball game to the infamous Steve Bartman incident.
The former, which occurred on July 6th, 2010 in a game between the Mariners and Kansas City Royals
, involved two teams with poor records and long shots to make the playoffs. Ichiro Suzuki
was rounding second base on a ball hit by Russell Branyan
down the right field line and into the corner. A fan reached over the low railing and scooped up the ball as it bounced his way. This lead to the play becoming dead, and Ichiro not allowed to advance past third base. Had he scored, it would have tied the game in the eight inning.
The latter took place during a game with much more importance, on October 14, 2003 during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series
between the Chicago Cubs
and Florida Marlins
in Chicago
. The Cubs, nearing the 100 year mark since their last World Series
win, fell victim to one of their own fans touching the ball after it had crossed into the stands, perhaps disrupting the ability of outfielder Moises Alou
to reach over and catch it. The Marlins went on to come from behind to win the game and the series.
Sensationalizing an essentially meaningless game between two teams eight and fifteen games back in the standings respectively, mid-season, to an NLCS game involving a team with a fabled curse is lazy journalism.
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
s use shortcuts and/or simple stereotypes to explain, sometimes sensationalising, ideas or thoughts relating to a story.
Example
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times attempted to liken an event during a Seattle MarinersSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
baseball game to the infamous Steve Bartman incident.
The former, which occurred on July 6th, 2010 in a game between the Mariners and Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, involved two teams with poor records and long shots to make the playoffs. Ichiro Suzuki
Ichiro Suzuki
, usually known simply as is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including the sport's single-season record for hits with 262...
was rounding second base on a ball hit by Russell Branyan
Russell Branyan
Russell Oles Branyan is a Major League Baseball first baseman. He throws right-handed, bats left-handed, and primarily plays first base, but is capable of playing third base and the outfield. Branyan began his professional career in the Cleveland Indians minor league system...
down the right field line and into the corner. A fan reached over the low railing and scooped up the ball as it bounced his way. This lead to the play becoming dead, and Ichiro not allowed to advance past third base. Had he scored, it would have tied the game in the eight inning.
The latter took place during a game with much more importance, on October 14, 2003 during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
between the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. The Cubs, nearing the 100 year mark since their last World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
win, fell victim to one of their own fans touching the ball after it had crossed into the stands, perhaps disrupting the ability of outfielder Moises Alou
Moisés Alou
Moisés Rojas Alou |Spanish:]] ; born July 3, 1966 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a former American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 17 seasons in the National League. In 1,942 career games, Alou had a batting average of .303 with 2,134 hits, 421 doubles, 332 home runs, and 1,287 runs...
to reach over and catch it. The Marlins went on to come from behind to win the game and the series.
Sensationalizing an essentially meaningless game between two teams eight and fifteen games back in the standings respectively, mid-season, to an NLCS game involving a team with a fabled curse is lazy journalism.