We can see how Adam Green of OpenLeft.com took it to the FOX News posers in this video taken in front of ACORN HQ. Notice how Griff Jenkins - trying to be funny as a red carpet reporter costumed in a tux - meekly plays the "Hey, I'm a journalist!" card. Yes. While dressed like a clown with a red carpet prop. And what a shock. Griff got irritated at being ambushed.
This is a great start. Let's kick it up a notch.
First, let's start taking the "lefts" and "progressives" and "liberals" out of our names and actually take a cue from Jeff Boom-Boom Gannon. He named his "news service" Talon News. How about launching, oh - Minuteman News, or Patriotic Press, or The American Eagle Network. The FOX schmendricks will immediately think "Hey, a kindred spirit" when we are really indeed American patriots. Just not ones who agree with them.
Secondly, wear a suit. And not the 1979 Levis corduroys still hanging in your closet. And not a Griff Jenkins / Mo Rocca tux either. Stop by The Men's Warehouse. They'll make you look all newsy and stuff...even on a blogger's budget. George Zimmer guarantees it. In fact, you really don't need the whole suit. Any newsperson will tell you - dress up from the waist up. Your jeans will rarely get on camera.
Now drop 60 bucks on an actual handheld microphone. The all-purpose AKG D88 is the one you always see on teevee. Then go to Radio Shack for a 10' cable - female XLR (for the mic end) to mini-plug (for the camcorder). They'll know what to get you. Pick up a nice windscreen for the mic while you're there - around 4 bucks.
Speaking of the camcorder, the little handheld is nice - but too home grown. The other night at Dodger Stadium, one of the foreign press guys had a tiny handheld camcorder, but it was hooked up to this bad boy. It really gives you some cred - that you're serious about your news gathering. Get one for your cameraperson.
Voila. Instant TV journalist. Hey, it's more journalistic than Griff Jenkins' little dress-up party. Now go wherever FOX News is, roll camera and ask them if Steve Doocy still giggles at right-wing domestic terrorists.
Put all that in a gift box and mark it up.
Posted by: a-j | Jun 20, 2009 at 08:22 PM