The best (and worst) of fictional journalists
As fictional journalists continue to populate our screens, with press-themed show The Newsreader having recently hit BBC iPlayer, our team of content producers share some of the fictional journalists that have made the greatest impression on them – and the skills they would (or wouldn’t) bring to the Speak newsroom.
1. Rory Gilmore, Gilmore Girls
Sarah McGrath, Junior Content Producer
On the surface, there’s a lot to admire about Rory Gilmore’s work as a journalist in the TV series, Gilmore Girls, which sees Rory work her way up from a student writer to editor of her college newspaper. She’s exceedingly well-read, curious about the world and lets nothing get in the way of her pursuing a good story – qualities that would fit right in with the rest of the Speak team.
However, despite the impression that Rory will set the journalism world ablaze once she leaves university, her work as a freelancer soon descends into a lesson on what not to do.
Whether it’s turning up to a job interview with zero pitches prepared (a rookie error) or falling asleep when interviewing sources (terrible journalist behaviour!), Rory’s a prime example of how good intentions aren’t enough when committing to the practical realities of the job. She’d have to change her ways and commit to our values of ambition, collaboration, energy and curiosity before she’d be recruited to the Speak newsroom.
2. Rita Skeeter, Harry Potter
Johanna Stiefler Johnson, Senior Content Producer
In the wizarding world, Rita Skeeter is a writer at the widely read but melodramatic ‘Daily Prophet’. Her nosiness, in a way, makes her a good journalist. After all, she is always at the scene of a scoop, pen in hand. Her greatest strength is her tenacity when it comes to chasing stories, and her energetic personality enables her to dig deep into interviews. In fact, she's so keen on getting to stories first that she learned how to transform herself into a beetle!
However, Rita’s main flaw is that she cares more about what audiences want to read than the truth. This means she’s not very good at sticking to the facts. Her priority is a catchy headline, so she sensationalises stories, misquotes interviewees and withholds information when it best serves her.
Our factchecking process would quickly call out Rita Skeeter's lies. So, she should learn that focusing on telling the stories that matter – not inventing fiction posing as fact – is the key to being part of a newsroom!
3. Marc St. James, Ugly Betty
Scarlett Sherriff, Junior Content Producer
In the earnest eyes of ‘Mode’ magazine assistant Betty Suarez, who is a newbie to the glossy world of high fashion, Marc St. James comes across as superficial, with more of an interest in labels and clothes than the art of telling a good story.
However, we come to learn that there is much more to Marc than stylish outfits. He is ambitious (a valued Speak trait) and knows that fashion journalism is his path – he consistently shows commitment to gaining contacts and experience in his chosen area.
Day in day out, he endures his role as an assistant to the magazine’s severe and morally questionable Creative Director Wilhemina Slater, but never falters in his hard work or dedication to the job.
This determination and loyalty would reap rewards in any newsroom. In the Speak office, Marc would not only bring power dressing to the scene, but he would no doubt be a valued fountain of specialist industry knowledge.