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Cities Quote by William Finnegan

“I need to conduct myself differently in different communities. In my experience, the journalistic conventions - you know, I'm the reporter, you're the subject, the interviewee - actually tend to hold steady much more consistently in rural Africa than they do in the American inner city.” quote by William Finnegan
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“I need to conduct myself differently in different communities. In my experience, the journalistic conventions - you know, I'm the reporter, you're the subject, the interviewee - actually tend to hold steady much more consistently in rural Africa than they do in the American inner city.”

William Finnegan

About This Quote

Source Article: "The New Journalism in Africa", The New Yorker, 2010

The author observes that journalistic norms are more consistently applied in rural Africa than in American inner cities, highlighting cultural and contextual differences in reporting practices.

In simple terms: Reporting standards vary by community.

Key Takeaway

Adapt reporting style to local context.

Themes

journalism culture ethics

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

observational critical

When to use this quote

  • rural reporting
  • urban reporting
  • media training

Key Concepts

norms contextual adaptation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do local expectations shape journalistic behavior?
  • What adjustments improve accuracy across cultures?
A Different Perspective

Assumes uniformity within regions, which may not hold.

2.6 out of 5 (7 ratings)

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