Non-Fiction or Fiction?

There have been many journalists that have ‘crossed over’ into the field of writing fiction. Some of them have been successful and others less so—as you might expect. Mark Knopfler, of ‘Dire Straits’ fame, switched to another form of fiction when he decided to go into music; a decision that made many people happy.

It is natural that a flair for writing facts and an ability to make words graphically descriptive would help enormously in writing fiction in whatever genre was chosen. It is equally possible that the practice gained from writing editorials and column inches in the newspaper would make flowing prose easier to write down than it is for the ‘untrained’ author.

Over the last few years, perhaps more, since the advent of the more sensationalist tabloids, there has been a blurring of the distinction between journalism and story telling.

There was a time when the media, radio and newspapers then, gave us facts. In truth, the facts we were given often pointed us in the direction that the ‘Powers That Be’ wished us to look. That has never changed. We are still led to believe what those in charge want us to believe.

In recent times, especially with the emergence of tele-journalism, images and words passed to us are often coloured to alter our mindsets. They are, frequently, doctored by the media and those in charge of the media to reflect the current National viewpoint as we have seen recently in the revelations that the Iraq War was not all it seemed to be at its inception.

How much else can we trust the media? Sensational images from distant places, graphic pictures of torn bodies, starving children and war torn buildings will grasp our heartstrings and wrench them into a huge lump in our throats.

Everything is politicised. There are vested interests lurking behind every paragraph that is printed and spoken. Journalists who ardently believe in the freedom of the press and their own independence are still biased, they still have their minds and opinions distorted by the ‘facts’ that are printed and spoken by others in their trade.

What can we believe? Not much. Local news is often more accurate but, even then, it can be distorted to represent a specific frame of mind—especially an official one.

There is a ‘reality’ show on TV called ‘Cops’. This show purports to show us what a day in the life of an urban policeman is like. Are we sure that it reflects the truth?

Most of the people shown to be holding drugs and running from the law are black. Does this mean that most criminals are black and that all white people—except ignorant and uneducated rednecks, are innocent?

There is bias afoot, Watson.

And now, with the disappearance of Flight MH370 there is a plethora of unsubstantiated claims and speculation in the media.

There is no news so they make it up. ‘They’ speak to ‘experts’ that abound, that crawl up out of the woodwork, to express their opinion on the matter in had.

Suddenly the World is full of experts from whom the media can go and wreak ideas. Most of it is nonsense. But it is better to print, or report something, than it is to say, “We have no idea.”

Reporters are paid to have an idea. Without ideas they become worthless.

So where are we? Journalistic freedom or fiction? The freedom to invent facts and make up stories where none exists so that there can be another ‘sensational’ headline; another fabulous string of sound bites from yet another expert?

I have written one book that deals in fact. It is unequivocal fact right down to the last word. It has been checked and read by fellow experts in the field who have given me the nod to proceed (my thanks to them for their time and patience).

The rest of my stories are fiction. They are clearly fiction. They have also been read and checked by fellow writers (thank you, again, to those stalwarts).

The media really needs to start putting its house in order. There is so much nonsense broadcast and printed that all forms of media have now been tainted with acute distrust. There are many people pointing out errors of both fact and omission on several TV News channels.

Trust is hard to win back. The slippery slope is well underfoot to the point where newspapers, radio and TV news are all becoming a laughing stock. Even channels that have been traditionally trusted are no longer viewed with the same acceptance as they once were.

It is time, reporters all, to make up your minds. Follow Mark Knopfler into the realms of fiction or stick with facts.

You can’t have both without becoming a laughing stock.

NB: ‘Expert”

Ex = ‘used to be’

Spurt = ‘a drip under pressure’