Whenever you're reporting, there's always something you can't say or write, but the questions, you always want to get as close to that line as possible. You want to ask the tough questions.
Interpretation
Effective reporting requires courage to ask difficult questions, knowing not all can be shared.
In this quote, Michael Hastings emphasizes the inherent challenges of reporting, where journalists often find themselves constrained by various factors that limit what can be disclosed. He advocates for the importance of probing deeper, posing tough questions that challenge the status quo, and striving to reach the boundaries of what can be truthfully reported, despite the risks involved.
In practice
You can use this quote during a journalism workshop to emphasize the need for courageous questioning.
In campaign reporting more than any other kind of press coverage, reporters aren't just covering a story, they're a part of it - influencing outcomes, setting expectations, framing candidates - and despite what they tell themselves, it's impossible to both be a part of the action and report on it objectively.
I have to admit that the empty prestige and the stupid glory - yes, the horrible rush, the deadly sense of importance that war brings to life - are hard illusions to shake off. Look at me, a war correspondent.
A woman I loved [Andi Parhamovich] was killed in Baghdad in January 2007 β al-Qaeda in Iraq took credit for it β¦ The memorial service with me crying over an empty coffin.
I don't believe in these headline-hunting interviews. That's just not my style.
The Post-Dispatch will serve no party but the people; be no organ of Republicanism, but the organ of truth; will follow no causes bit its conclusions; will not support the Administration, but criticize it; will oppose all frauds and shams wherever or whatever they are; will advocate principles and ideas rather than prejudices and partisanship.
The greatest felony in the news business today is to be behind, or to miss a big story. So speed and quantity substitute for thoroughness and quality, for accuracy and context.
I kept thinking, I'm not going to do political journalism, because there's no way to keep my principles and be a political journalist, so I'll edit a popular science magazine. This will be my salvation, and I'll emerge with my integrity intact. That didn't even happen.
I joined the 'Times' in 1972, and I came with the mark of Cain on me because I was clearly against the war. But my editor, Abe Rosenthal, he hired me because he liked stories. He used to come to the Washington bureau and almost literally pat me on the head and say, 'How is my little Commie today? What do you have for me?'
I feel no compulsion to be a pundit. As a matter of fact, I really don't have that much to say about most things. Working with hard news satisfies me completely.
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