When I see the word “tragedy” in a script, I almost always change it–ditto for the word “shocking.” It’s something that’s been ingrained in me for a very long time–almost since my first year in news. My mentors advised against its use and I followed their lead. I really wouldn’t truly understand why I shouldn’t use those words in the course of regular storytelling for many more years to come and now I understand it more than I want to.
I got scolded as a young producer for using the word “tragedy.” It’s not our job to pass judgement on those kinds of things, first of all–good or bad–but as I look back I realize that I can’t even remember the story. I can’t even remember. Car accidents, fires, crimes–these things are sad and they are devastating to those personally affected, but words have power, strength in their connotations. I would learn that the word “tragic” is too much for those news stories; that, by all accounts, despite their sad nature, they are incredibly routine. We see them everyday. They pass almost unnoticed–footnotes with morning cups of coffee or chats over lunch. Days may go by where news events aren’t even mentioned outside of offices like mine. The truth is that bad things happen all of the time–we just don’t always bother to talk about them. It’s not something that looks good on anyone to say openly, but, perhaps among friends, we might allow that it is very true.
True tragedies you talk about and you never forget them–Columbine, 9/11, Newtown and now Boston.
I have played a role in covering all of those stories throughout what is really a relatively short career and each time I have thought to myself that I’ll never feel that emotional for another story because I can’t imagine it getting worse. Somehow, it always manages.
As I sit with a quiet cup of coffee, I consider the young producers and reporters I work with now. I think about how, in a matter of months, they’ve spent long hours covering some of the worst of what humanity can muster–first with the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and now with two blasts at the Boston Marathon. I consider that, for many of them, it may be the first time they’ve understood why I hate the word tragedy and I consider that, like me, as their careers continue, they’ll only develop a greater understanding. It’s not something I can think too much about or I will never leave my home.
I don’t like thinking that living a normal life will have to be considered a heroic act–that the simplest of pleasures will have to come at such a high cost. I can’t offer any profound words, I can’t make sense of these things, I can’t stop them from happening.
What I can do is what I’ve always done–my job. I can tell the story and I can choose my words carefully.
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There’s worse one can do than to overuse “tragic” though, and using it “often” shows the person has a high regard for every life, and what’s wrong with that?
If the loss wasn’t tragic, then why was it newsworthy over other events of the day? A murder or accidental death is not “interesting” or “amusing”, so it seems to me it’s aired due to being tragic.
Never using it makes sense – in order to not get into the controversy of when to use it, and to “just state the facts” (YNN does a very good job of that BTW). But reserving it for “special occasions” is odd if that’s what your supervisor was saying – because how many need to die via which methods before it’s OK to use it?
Author
The greater point and lesson from my mentors, Eric, first and foremost, was that there is no place whatsoever for those kinds of judgmental words in news copy. It is not our job to qualify anything as good or bad or tragic. How you describe something in a news script is much different from how you might describe it in casual conversation. I think that is an important distinction that perhaps I did not make clear.
I agree with that – being consistent. I especially dislike when articles insert hidden bias into stories via word choices and other methods. I’ve noticed YNN doesn’t do that however.
Kate,
An intersting side note – you mention the tragic events that you have covered but left out the one that was closest to you (in the sense that it was within the YNN coverage area). I’d love to see your thoughts sometime on covering America’s forgotten tragedy.
_joe
Author
I’m assuming, Joe, you are referring to the American Civic Association shooting in Binghamton. There are, of course, many, many stories and it’s not a comprehensive list by any means nor was it intended to be. For a little reference, in the interest of keeping on topic I limited my list for this post to stories from opposite ends of the spectrum careerwise–earlier on in my career and then the most recent.
I had never covered anything like ACA so close to home and I hope I never have to again.
You remembered 😉 as I was sure you did. Your logic makes complete sense and I apologize if I came across poorly. For me, it is sad to see the ACA never mentioned (as far as I have ever seen or heard. Almost as if it never happened) in the shadow of the next, newest, horrific situation.
Very, very great post. Very, very great look behind the curtain of the faces who tell the world what is going on! Love your blog. Thanks for taking the time do give us that look.
Author
Not at all, Joe and thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to read it and to comment. I was struck today how the desire to remember and need to move forward often end up at odds–too much of one, not enough of the other. It is a delicate balance. Your point is very well taken–13 lives were taken and so many others changed that day–including your own. Thank you again for your perspective.
Well said Kate.
Author
Thank you for taking the time to read it, Lara. I really appreciate it and thank you for the feedback as well.
Well written. Its nice to hear things from your news perspective.
All so true. Overuse can render a word almost meaningless. Take, for example, the word “hero”. When I was young it took a great act of self-sacrifice to be a “hero”. Now, even the smallest gesture makes one a hero.
Kinda takes away from the true heroes of the past.