Books Explore Media, News-Reading

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff Reporter

Skimming through the newspaper in the morning, surfing the Internet, tuning into the radio with your MP3 player on the bus, watching the late night news before bed ― and this very moment you are reading these words ― we are constantly communicating with the world around us through the media. In our age of information overload, journalists often filter out what we should or should not hear.

Two books define the world of journalism as suppliers and consumers, respectively. ``Duck On Air'' (Ente auf Sendung) reveals the behind-the-scenes making of the news through firsthand accounts by journalists, while ``How to Read for Newspaper'' gives tips on how to effectively read the newspaper.

In ``Duck On Air'' (edited by Maybrit Illner and Ingke Brodersen, translated by Lee Jae-young from German into Korean; Erum Book: 248 pp., 11,000 won), 20 top German journalists offer a candid look into the makings of the media, including its hazards and limits.

``Journalists bring the world into our homes and instill in us an image of the world,'' write the editors, both veterans of the news world. But ``one should not accept something as true just because it was announced by the media,'' they say. This explains the title: ``As we all know, ducks live by the lake. But sometimes a `duck' goes on air and travels throughout the world.'' In other words, even a ``quack'' can ride the media wave far and wide.

Journalists take us to war zones and broadcasting stations and give us a view of the world through the eyes of a camera or investigative reporter. ``One of our important missions as war correspondents is to reveal war crimes. And in doing so it is crucial to protect our witnesses,'' writes Ariane Vuckovic, who, armed with writing tools and a bulletproof vest, has traveled through war zones in Sierra Leone to Afghanistan. The writer explains that on the war front, truth can be altered through unreliable interpreters/translators and biased army reports.

One investigative journalist explains that only about 20 percent of journalists in Germany, roughly 40 percent in the United Kingdom and more than 50 percent in the United States write stories after hands-on investigation. The rest rely on press conferences and other officially released information. ``But the latter write as authority figures. Revealing stories are usually unwelcome in the newsroom,'' writes the author.

Photojournalist Herlinde Koelbl, a star in Germany, writes about ``seeing what others cannot.'' Alberto Korda had only one shot to photograph Che Guevara during in 1960 Havana, but his ability to capture the revolutionary's visage ``changed the world and made Che Guevara an icon of his generation.''

And yet, Koelbl points out that all photos ― like news stories ― must be approved by the desk editor, editorial staff and editor-in-chief to finally make it to print. ``Pure truth does not exist in photojournalism,'' he says. ``But there is no giving up.''

Others speak of the pleasures of being a sports reporter (satisfying his or her deep love for, yet terrible lack of talent in playing football) and interviewing the stars.

Although ``Duck On Air'' is filled with colorful illustrations, this is not reading for children (with the exception of one account by reporter/TV show host Anne Will). These accounts stem from personal experiences and thoughts. It is thoroughly enjoyable and their honest voice is highly appreciable.