There's been some interesting conversation in this story about the tone taken in discussions of news stories that involve death.
Because we make an effort not to be so damn seriously dull about the news, this is something we struggle with daily. We learned our lesson early on when snarking about a local guy getting run over by his own car in a story that could easily have made the Darwin awards.
It was yucks all around until a relative of the deceased posted a comment, reminding us that this was real, in our backyard, and caused multiple people great pain and sadness.
Around then, I watched a few national comedy shows that made fun of such things and realized the difference: We're in a local community. So the odds that our joke may be seen by its brunt are remarkably high. And let's face it, we cowardly human comedians rarely riff on those standing in the room.
Back at that time, I sent our staff some guidelines (we don't roll well with rules) on local comedy. In the interest of transparency, I'll share our comedy playbook here for your thoughts, discussion and perhaps action...
...Further on the point about treating users with respect: In our general voice on the site, we use a lot of dry humor. That’s part of the uniqueness that drives so much traffic. But by doing so, we walk a fine line between funny and mean. I want us to keep our swagger, but we need to be careful. Here’s some general guidelines to help stay on the right side:
- Making fun of the arrogant and powerful is always funny. Making fun of the weak and powerless is not.
- The misfortunes of innocents are never funny.
- If we can’t laugh at ourselves, we can’t laugh at anyone.
- Death is almost never funny.
- Small towns aren’t rinky-dink. If they were, we wouldn’t spend so much time covering them.
- Hypocrisy is always funny
- Offbeat humor is best when it is on-topic.
- Inside jokes are good when used sparingly.
When in doubt, hold off until workshopping with your colleagues. A funny gag is still funny in 8 hours, and an insult is hard to take back.
Comments
FoodCzar Anonymous
Thanks, Bossman, for reminding us all of our responsibilities. I agree, we need to mostly stay on the humorous side of the street; otherwise we will be viewed as just another news venue, and we are far from that! It really is as simple as: think before you speak, edit before you post. Put another way: How could my comment be possibly taken as an insult or out of context? Thanks, guys!!!
11 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Michael Anderson Verified
I couldn't agree more about not overusing inside jokes. Thanks, Tristan!
11 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Renee62 Anonymous
There's always that "fine line" but your so right about "if we can't laugh at ourselves, we can't laugh anymore.
11 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
MaxEdison Anonymous
Mel Brooks on the distinction between tragedy and comedy.
When I get a paper cut, that's a tragedy. When you fall into a sewer and drown, that's comedy.
10 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Rawlins Gilliland Verified
If someone really reads what Orren wrote so well here, laughing at oneself and life and joking even in the face of tragedy is good, encouraged, snarky. Thumbs up.
It is only when one becomes so self-involved as to inject careless opinionated commentary regarding a LOCAL tragic / violent crime story .… (about which they know 'details' peripherally at best)…, and more to the point; mocking another person's horror in an online LOCAL news forum that is likewise likely to be read by those who are the (local) actual and collateral victims…,,,THEN is when 'dark' humor conversational back and forth 'joking’ mutates from 'boys will be boys' frat house jousting into quasi sociopahthic new-age cyber molestation.
10 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
Rawlins, I'm generally a fan of your comments...but seriously: quasi sociopahthic new-age cyber molestation
?
Please tell me this is bait because you're bored and have nothing better to do, otherwise you clearly didn't read the same thread of comments I did.
We know you've discussed it on KERA, you've made your points here on the LOCAL news site (not exactly sure why local is emphasized, by the way - figured you'd want me to respect someone in death regardless of where it occurred)...what do you possibly stand to gain with a comment like this?
10 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Rawlins Gilliland Verified
Scott, go back and read what several other Pegasus members who are 'local', no less than me and you, have since written. People who happened to be directly related to the case this Orrens post originally referenced. RE: The shooting death in Oak Cliff of the 20 yr. old male. Their words rest my case.
If after reading those people's words anyone still cannot differentiate between what it is to casually post something 'snarky' about a person killed locally...that is in turn read as I said by other Pegasus devotees who are friends and relatives and loved ones of the person killed... vs making a 'snarky crack about someone murdered in Sacramento or Guam,... after reading their words, then what can I say to clarify the difference?
10 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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