Journalism

Here in Kansas City, we find ourselves situated between two of the finest journalism schools in the nation. Which does nothing to explain why the Kansas City Star is such a worthless rag.

However, there are places where the fine art of journalism is still practiced, in Fiji, for example.

Fiji's military ruler Frank Bainimarama has cracked down on the press, posting censors in the offices of newspapers and radio and television stations, ordering foreign journalists out of the country, and shutting down the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's radio transmitters. The Fiji Daily Post newspaper has apparently decided to respond in the most appropriate way I can imagine.

Headlines in Wednesday's edition included Man gets on bus, Breakfast as usual, and Paint Dry.

"It just went on wet, but after about four hours, it started to dry".

"That was when I realised, paint dries," the young scholar observed.

Fiji Daily Post asked Max if he intended to do more painting.

"Oh yes," he replied, "I like watching paint dry."

To be honest, we can get reporting this good, locally, but with less justification. Also, the Star's writing is not usually this gripping:

Staff gasped with delight when Fiji Daily Post receptionist Lupe said her breakfast was a cup of latte coffee along with toasted currant bread...

Volunteer attachment Tim said he threw up for breakfast as he had had too much fried chicken the night before.

In truth, though, it is hard to top the first story:

What happened next was a remarkable feat – the man actually got on the bus, we believe.

Students from a local school who had been waiting for two hours in the rain for the bus also confirmed that they saw the man board.

"We are happy for him", one student remarked in terms reminiscent of Neil Armstrong (the first man to step onto the moon): "it may be one small step for him, but it is one giant step for the people of Fiji".

How effective was the coverage?

The following day, Fiji military's did an abrupt about-face on media freedom, at least for internationals.

Meanwhile, harsh media censorship is still in place for local journalists, who must have stories vetted by government officials and have been warned against any negative portrayals of the Government. And, while you can read the local news section on-line, efforts are under way to prevent residents or tourists of Fiji from sharing that privilege.

PS. Despite its illustrious history, the Star is pathetic. I may know the reason.

However, it does have Joe Posnanski.