media and the law

Why did it take me eight months to finish a book that is such an easy read? Any journalism student could breeze through Covering Violence in a day or so. Yet on many days I found myself reading a page -- or less -- and then setting the book aside. I thought that I was remiss until by chance I talked to two other people who were also reading this book at the same time -- and discovered that they were also plodding through it at a snail's pace. Why? On reflection, I realized that I had been stopping to think. Each paragraph prompted a flood of ideas that demanded contemplation. It forced me to ponder the choices that journalists must make, how their news gathering practises and ensuing coverage affects the people whom they cover -- and how covering grisly stories affects journalists themselves. Read-pause-think: It was reassuring to learn that I was not alone in having the book produce this response in me. I now know what took me so long. I still marvel that it took so long for reporters, as a group, to examine the obvious, lingering and sometimes profound impact of their craft upon individuals, and formulate a code of practise. Covering Violence is an excellent way to start. It will interest seasoned journalists and should be required reading for all journalism students.