This impressed me when I was the editor of the Sunday…
![“This impressed me when I was the editor of the Sunday Times [of London] - we had the "Bloody Sunday" killings of 13 unarmed civilians by British paratroopers. We interviewed 500 people for our report, and not one of them could give us a total picture of what was happening. It was like the Rashomon…” quote by Harold Evans](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/d6b/harold-evans-15687_bloody_this-impressed-me-when-i-was-the-editor_1155576.jpg)
“This impressed me when I was the editor of the Sunday Times [of London] - we had the "Bloody Sunday" killings of 13 unarmed civilians by British paratroopers. We interviewed 500 people for our report, and not one of them could give us a total picture of what was happening. It was like the Rashomon effect multiplied a million times. For a website or even a newspaper to be a collector of information flow is not the highest form of journalism.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques superficial aggregation of fragmented reports, likening it to an exaggerated Rashomon effect, and argues true journalism should synthesize coherent narratives rather than merely collect data.
In simple terms: Journalism should create clear stories, not just gather bits.
Key Takeaway
Seek depth over breadth.
Themes
journalism
truth
storytelling
media ethics
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- newsrooms
- online platforms
- investigative reporting
- media training
Key Concepts
Rashomon effect
information overload
narrative synthesis
Questions to Reflect On
- How can journalists ensure coherence in complex events?
- What methods turn fragmented facts into a unified story?
A Different Perspective
Collecting data alone may miss context and nuance.