Behind the editor's desk
One of my first satire (if we don't count the Carlos Danger one)
It was another day for John Smith, journalist extraordinaire; he wasn't the best reporter nor the worst, but he was always on time when breaking news stories appeared, making him a valuable asset to the team he was working with. It was a well-known group, one that praised itself for being fair and balanced; it was a good marketing ploy, to attract people toward the quality articles they were publishing.
Some people were critical of the hard efforts displayed by the team, stating that nothing of value could be found within these pages. Surely, the efforts of the good people working there couldn't be going to waste in such a way. And it was always superior to the work of the common people, pretending to be reporters with cellphones and Youtube; they just didn't know what they were doing...
It took him by surprise when he heard his superior call for him, to meet him in his office. It was the first time that such a thing was happening, making him wonder if he was under evaluation or if he messed up somewhere. After all, he had a perfect attendance record and no felonies associated to his name; what could this meeting be about?
``Hi John Smith, you might wonder why I called you here'' said the boss, cracking his knuckles as he watched his employee enter the room. It was a moment that he didn't enjoy, but it to be done, to make sure that the team would be, once again, productive and aimed toward a greater future.
The moment of silence passed, the employer resumed his speech, determined on bringing back the rogue agent back to his senses. ``You know, the business is all about the ratings; more we have them, better it is''
It didn't take long for Smith to respond to his boss, curious about the true reason of why he was still here, listening to this. ``I know about that; what are you trying to tell me? What is the point of bringing into your office to repeat that basic information?''
Moving his arms and fingers, his boss looked at him as if he was a fool, someone who wasn't able to understand the reality that surrounded him. You are supposed to know that there is the truth and... theTruth'' `` he told Smith, wondering why it was so hard to explain something so simple.
It was a shame that he had to repeat this message to his underlings; how could they not understand such a simple concept, one that ruled the world? How could they even be hired without that basic understanding of the universe?
``But I reported the story as it was; isn't it the purpose of our profession?'' replied Smith, not following what his supervisor was trying to tell him. It didn't make any sense to him; why would there be a difference after all?
His boss looked at him, wondering why he was wasting his time on such petty matters, but he knew that it had to be done, for the greater good. ``Then let me explain it to you; you see, you just can't say that accident happened without explaining why. Not only it is mundane, but you are not helping the people; you have to make it... interesting, for their sake. You reported on a car accident, but you missed the opportunity to place the blame on the people responsible for it; the president and his team. That's what a good journalist would do, for the sake of informing people'' he told Smith, sure that it would be enough to explain the situation.
Smith looked at his boss, not sure if that was joke or a true statement; it was perhaps the true incarnation of Poe's law in action. ``How is that reporting news? We are not helping the people nor providing quality information by doing such a thing'' he told his supervisor, confused by the sudden change of tone.
``Of course we are helping the population; the news is secondary to how we report them and how we want to deliver them. It is our duty as journalists to take down people we don't appreciate and drag them down in the mud, unless they retire from their position and hide from the people'' said the director, raising his hands towards the heavens.
``Since when are we agents of propaganda?'' asked Smith, taking a few steps toward the exit, unconformable with the current situation...
``Since we know what is wrong, and what is right. Can't you see? This country is going to hell; women are on the loose, homosexuals are pushing their agenda on us, people of color want to be equal to the rest of people, while the liberal and hippies are sabotaging the foundation of this proud country. It is our duty to make sure to bring back the good old days, for if we allow these people to talk and strive, communism will rear its ugly head soon enough'' said the supervisor, exalted by his own vision of society.
``We have to teach the people the truth, before they are brainwashed by the socialist propaganda, which would make them believe that people should be treated with decency, while using this strange, invented notion of bigotry'' the director added, making sure that his message was strong enough to be understood by his subordinate.
``That's it, I'm out of here; there is no point in hearing this nonsense'' said Smith, closing the door behind him.
``Fine, leave! I knew you were a commie! Go, go the other groups, but you will realize that we are the only one caring about this country, not like the others'' shouted the director, shaking his fist at the door.
They were fair and balanced, unlike the rest, after all...