journalistic “oopsies” -or- “The Art of Balanced Reporting”
December 28, 2007 by angelique
Filed under Women's Health
The other day, our local paper’s sports section highlighted the travails of a young track star who is currently battling an eating disorder.
“Yes!” I thought. “Maybe this will open some parents’, coaches’, teachers’ and teens’ eyes!”
I eagerly began reading the piece. The tone was spot on, but then came the journalistic “oopsie” — the writer started giving too many pertinent details, figures, hints.
That’s the problem will writing about anorexia or bulimia. You have to be extremely careful never to give out measurements or say things like, “At her lowest weight, Maria was 88 pounds and 5′7″.”
Why?
Basically, those who have eating disorders tend to immediately compare themselves to the person being described. Instead of becoming horrified, they feel as though they’ve been issued a challenge. “Hey, if Maria can get down to 88 pounds, I can get down to 87 pounds and be even skinnier! And I’m a half inch taller, so that’s even better!”
You see, EDs are troublesome from an author’s point of view. Say too much and you could be triggering a reader’s ED; say too little, and no one will benefit from your reporting.
It’s a strange balancing act, indeed.
I would image that this would be very tricky… to find that balance between educating and triggering. I have this issue in a different area… I’m a professor and have to talk about some very sensitive subjects knowing that some of my students will likely be affected by the topics discussed.. it’s very hard.
But no one can determine how something will be heard, and meanings are apt to vary depending on the individual’s interpretive framework.
ALl that said, I was an elite runner for a time and hid my eating disorder for many years… It is so sad. I truly believe that a good percentage of both female and male runners harbour eds… in the very least, there is a lot of distortion in the running community.
Zubeldia