Got worries about the next generation of journalistic talent? Why not go "Survivor" on 'em?
That's what Rolling Stone seems to be after with its new journalism reality show. (Thanks to Michael Kirk of Sprawl Magazine for the tip.)
In case you haven't heard past rumblings about it, Rolling Stone plans to pit amateur reporters against each other for a plum staff job, and let MTV shoot the scrum for the future consumption of a TV audience that apparently has not seen enough of journalists embarrassing themselves. If only the N.Y. Times had thought of this long enough ago that we could have watched Jayson Blair gladhand his way to infamy, "Real World" style.
Applicants must submit writing samples, which can be from blogs or citizen journalism as well as print or broadcast media. In fact, the very first question on the application (after contact information) is: "Do you have a blog, LiveJournal, Web site or sites? What is/are the address or addresses?"
It's hard to imagine what kind of journalist will rise to the top in a process that asks applicants what their five favorite comic books are. However, the application also features questions straight from the heart of any working journalist's day: "When was the last time you lost your temper?" and "When was the last time you cried?" and "Is there any part of your life you would not be comfortable having shown on TV?"
And a sure sign these Rolling Stone folks know journalists? They don't want just your name. They want your nickname and/or alias too! Why not? Perhaps there'll be the next generation's Miss Run Amuck among the applicants?
