Monday, December 3, 2012

Fame vs Notoriety

What should be and what is, are different

   To call someone famous is only to say that person is well known. It says little about goodness, although some equate the two. Fame and notoriety are both judgmental, with the first carrying some connotation that being well known is because that person is popular and good.
   However, consider this. Some are skilled at manipulating the news media. That is, they know how to publicize themselves, or they hire someone who does have such skills -- a press agent or publicist. Such a strategy generates media exposure and makes them well known, and projects "a good image."
   But are they really good people? That's another story.
   The concept that journalists need to be aware of is how easy it is to get "good ink," as PR folks and spinmeisters call it.

Things to remember --

There's a thin line between news and gossip.

The secret of good writing is not in knowing what to put in, but in knowing what to leave out.

The story hasn't been written that can't be cut.

If you can't tell it in 500 words, you can't tell it.

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