Berman’s Lament
By Mark Kelley, associate professor of communication

Mark Kelley joined GC’s communication and theater department full time in 1999 after more than two decades of experience in broadcast journalism, where he saw many changes not only in technology but in philosophy and practice. In Berman’s Lament, Kelley explores who decides what you see on your local TV news program. Protagonist Jed Berman is a top-notch newspaper reporter who makes the difficult decision to move into the world of electronic news. As he learns the ropes at TV 10, he immediately understands the high impact inherent to this audio-visual medium ¨ and the even higher stakes involved in viewer ratings and profit-driven decisions.

In this excerpt, Berman and his colleagues meet John Lenhard, a consultant-hired newcomer to TV 10’s newsroom. From the first, the reporters sense that their workplace is about to change and that they may not be able to stay away from “junk food journalism.”

“Okay, what have we got?”
As reporters suggested story ideas, Lenhard wrote down slugs for them in a list on the board.
annexation
measles shots
highway funding/speeders
teen murder
repeat rapist
council resignation
school funding
strip joint/neighbor
Lenhard stepped in front of the board, with his back to the group, and stared at the list.
“This is a good list. It’s what I would expect from an average day’s news meeting. Now let me tell you which of these stories we’re going to do today and why. Annexation – how many people are likely to be directly affected by this? Fifty, maybe a hundred. Unless the property in question is owned by the President or the Queen of England, nobody cares about this, except that handful of people directly involved. We ain’t got time to worry about this, plus the fact that the only likely visuals are shots of an underdeveloped piece of land and the meeting where they’re gonna hassle over it.” He lowered the eraser and swiped the word “annexation” off the board.
“Measles shots – this has possibilities. How serious is the situation here? Are there lots of families that aren’t complying with the law on getting these immunizations for their kids?”
“Not a tremendous amount,” Joan Kidron said. “The school corporation called yesterday and asked if we could help get the word out so they don’t have to hassle with so many kids not having shots in the fall.”
Lenhard screwed up his face as though he’d bitten into something sour.
“So, all we really have here is a public service announcement for the school? If they don’t have a serious problem with this, like maybe an epidemic of measles of something that’s threatening to shut down the system, then (forget) ‘em. We don’t have time for that sort of stuff either.” The eraser swooped across the board and “measles” disappeared.
“Repeat rapist – this has possibilities, everyone hates these guys. What’s the deal on this one?”
Dan Ford offered an explanation.
“The deal is this guy who has been busted for rape at least twice and now he’s up on a third charge and the courts are allowing him to run around on bail. Some of his neighbors think that’s a dangerous situation.”
Lenhard’s eyes lit up.
“Dan, I like it. I see this thing having a number of follow-ups to it. We raise the question about letting a repeat offender walk the streets and then we track him until he goes back behind bars. Great idea. You want to get started while we finish up here?”
Lenhard returned his attention to the dwindling list.
“Council resignation – this one has me yawning already and I don’t even know the details.”
Molly Bingham suggested this idea.
“It’s just an idea, John. A guy who’s been on the city council in Berrington for fifty years is stepping down because of his health. I thought it might be nice to salute him with a story as he leaves public service. He’s seen a lot of things change since he first got elected.”
Lenhard pretended to stifle a yawn, but he smiled at Bingham.
“Thanks, but no thanks, Molly. Other than you and maybe a few members of this guy’s family, I doubt if anyone cares if (he) leaves office or not. Besides, my general rule is: politics is boring, unless there’s a good scandal. He raised the eraser shoulder high and shot a stroke across the board. “C’mon, people, we don’t have much to work with here. You better start arguing a little harder for your ideas. Last one, strip joint – what gives?”
That was Berman’s contribution for the morning.
“Who wants a strip joint next to their home? This place was just a neighborhood bar, but it started moving in this direction a while ago. It’s a NIMBY kind of deal, but I think it has broader First Amendment implications too. The city council is supposed to hold a hearing on the zoning approval tonight. Could be lots of follow-ups ‘til it’s all said and done.”
Lenhard applauded again. “Sounds good, Jed. Let me know around lunch time how it’s shaping up. Can you get some pix of the dancers?”
Cindy Ozick raised her hand.
“John, you skipped over the teen murder story. That’s a kid they picked up last night in the shooting death of another teenager about two weeks ago. We probably need to be careful if we’re going to report on it. They’re saying it may have some sort of cult connection.”
“Oh, yeah!” Lenhard’s eyes shone as he listened to Ozick. “That sounds great to me. I want you live from the murder scene at six.”
He spun on his heel, walked back to his office and shut the door. As Berman walked past the door on the way to his desk, he heard Lenhard on the phone.
“We’re off and running. I came on pretty strong, as you suggested. They seemed to take it pretty well, even when I sank a bunch of their ideas for stories.” That was all Berman heard, but it was enough to plant a seed of concern. He really didn’t know what to think of a news director who had to turn to a consultant all the time to know how to put together a newscast.

Berman’s Lament, published by Vantage Press, is available at the campus bookstore, Barnes and Noble, Borders Books and amazon.com. Contact Mark Kelley at markak@goshen.edu.

Return to September Bulletin contents
About this Issue – A Goshen College book club?
In Praise of Faculty
Salsa: A Taste of Hispanic Culture
Coffee Break
Night's Black Weight
Anansi Borrows Money
Sexuality: God's Gift
Roll It: GC Alums strike success in soap box racing and celluloid

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