[Voice]

[gaveherwings]

[There's a brief flash of chrome, linoleum and the blue cotton sleeve of scrubs, before video is swapping out for audio only.

But there's a constant background sizzle, chatter and the clink of plates and coffee cups that's still telling of his location]

And it's back to debating birthing ethics over short stacks and omlettes... (which they must see

Comments

voice;

[isitablurred]

It's the sign of a good reporter to ask relevant, challenging questions, Dr. Yumeno. Had I thought of it myself, it's exactly the kind of question I too would have asked, if only because it keeps people on their toes, makes them question their own judgement so that they don't end up covering up for their lack of foresight later.

voice;

[gaveherwings]

There is an appropriate time and place for that. Public relations can keep us on our toes off the clock, but not to the point of disruptive harassment.

voice;

[isitablurred]

In my experience 'No comment' works just as well.

voice;

[gaveherwings]

Does it?

You must have more restraint and respect than these who have been finding their way onto the wards and have to be ushered off by security.

voice;

[isitablurred]

I do, and I'm a better reporter because of it, but... Well, when you're starting out you don't have a lot of patience. You have the expectation on your shoulders to land the big story or the best quotes or find yourself out of the job, and you don't have much time to do it in. You start early, work all day, spend all night copy-editing so it can hit the morning issue, then it starts all over again.

Throw enough 'No comments' their way and they'll move on to someone less busy and more talkative. They just don't have time to waste on a tight-lipped source--not if they want to get their paycheck.

voice;

[gaveherwings]

And loitering about to catch snippets of other people's soundbytes to one another? Isn't that considered poor journalism?

voice;

[isitablurred]

It's worse than that, it's completely out of context.

A good journalist wants to get the truth to their readers, not bury it under assumption and half conversations. An investigative journalist, on the other hand, shouldn't be above using snippets of conversations to deduce the questions that they ought to be asking, rather than taking blind shots. In the end, if it means cutting through the mire straight to the truth, it's worth it.

voice;

[gaveherwings]

Not all truth is intended for public consumption and gross speculative and sensationalist inflation.

voice; or otherwise known as playing an American is hard

[isitablurred]

Speculative and sensationalist inflation aside, Dr. Yumeno, I would have to disagree. That's why we have the first amendment. Freedom of the press, especially, depends upon the truth being viable and publishable no matter what it is.

You're speaking about patient/doctor confidentiality explicitly?

voice;

[gaveherwings]

I'm sorry- the first amendment?

Patients and doctors do have a right to privacy, to conduct work without interruption. A hospital should not be made a scene of so much spectacle.

voice;

[isitablurred]

Yes, they do, but the morality of the individual reporter is at the bottom of everything the deciding line. I've visited patients and spoken to both doctors and morticians myself during my work as a reporter. If it were illegal for reporters to enter hospitals, or speak to doctors, you might have something. It isn't.

Hospital security is hospital protocol, and with high interest cases the onus is on the hospital itself to make sure its doctors and patients are undisturbed, and that the press is kept satisfied.

voice;

[gaveherwings]

Well, perhaps the press should not behave as ravenous animals tearing at every scrap thrown to the wolves.

voice;

[isitablurred]

It's their job, Doctor, and it's competitive. When it's all you've got you'll fight for the story with your last breath if you have to. The only thing a man in your position can do is respond professionally in return, and not allow it to impede you in your work.

voice;

[gaveherwings]

I'm sorry. But the story can wait, as far as I'm concerned, when there are lives on the line.

voice;

[isitablurred]

I agree, but then I... I'm not really any kind of ambulance chaser.

Re: voice;

[gaveherwings]

I'm disgusted those even exist.