Is there an idiomatic expression to refer to an “ambush” journalist?
Ambush journalism is an expression from the early ‘80s that refers to:
aggressive tactics practiced by journalists to suddenly confront and question people who otherwise do not wish to speak to a journalist, in places such as homes, vacation spots, hallways, and parking lots.
Steve Weinberg, an investigative reporter of the Missouri School of Journalism describes "ambush interview" as:
a loaded shorthand term describing the practice of reporters "catching source unaware, usually in a public place, then acting rudely.”
(Wikipedia)
I am looking for the expression commonly used to refer to a journalist who practices ambush journalism. “Ambush journalist” doesn’t appear to be used. I’ve found some usage instances of aggressive journalist but it is a too a generic definition.
So, what are the expressions (also slang ones) used to describe such journalists?
expressions phrase-usage
asked Dec 16 at 20:55
user240918
24.7k1068148
This question has an open bounty worth +100
reputation from user240918 ending in 2 days.
This question has not received enough attention.
|
show 6 more comments
Ambush journalism is an expression from the early ‘80s that refers to:
aggressive tactics practiced by journalists to suddenly confront and question people who otherwise do not wish to speak to a journalist, in places such as homes, vacation spots, hallways, and parking lots.
Steve Weinberg, an investigative reporter of the Missouri School of Journalism describes "ambush interview" as:
a loaded shorthand term describing the practice of reporters "catching source unaware, usually in a public place, then acting rudely.”
(Wikipedia)
I am looking for the expression commonly used to refer to a journalist who practices ambush journalism. “Ambush journalist” doesn’t appear to be used. I’ve found some usage instances of aggressive journalist but it is a too a generic definition.
So, what are the expressions (also slang ones) used to describe such journalists?
expressions phrase-usage
asked Dec 16 at 20:55
user240918
24.7k1068148
This question has an open bounty worth +100
reputation from user240918 ending in 2 days.
This question has not received enough attention.
2
Newshound (also newshawk, far less common) means an aggressive journalist in certain contexts, but it could mean just an overly eager or energetic one or one who is adept at 'sniffing out' or 'spotting' a story. Searching "in-your-face journalist" brings up a lot of results online.
– KannE
Dec 16 at 22:20
@KannE are those BrE or AmE expressions?
– user240918
Dec 17 at 7:54
5
These are paparrazi tactics... although paparrazi/papparazo itself refers to tabloid photographers, who are only journalists in the very loosest sense of the word. Also related: the verb to doorstep.
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:22
5
Ambush journalist does seem to be in use. A quick googling finds me examples here, here, here and here. It also follows naturally from ambush journalism, of course. What makes you think ambush journalist can't be used?
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:34
3
@user240918 Perhaps I wasn't clear, sorry. I think that ambush journalist actually is in use. (I found quite a few examples - see my previous comment.) If you want to avoid it, you might also consider the word tabloid, which in North America (but definitely not in the UK) has moved beyond a page size and newspaper descriptor to mean lurid and sensational as in tabloid TV shows... so you just might get some mileage out of that, although it is far from hitting the nail on the head.
– tmgr
Dec 22 at 13:34
|
show 6 more comments
Ambush journalism is an expression from the early ‘80s that refers to:
aggressive tactics practiced by journalists to suddenly confront and question people who otherwise do not wish to speak to a journalist, in places such as homes, vacation spots, hallways, and parking lots.
Steve Weinberg, an investigative reporter of the Missouri School of Journalism describes "ambush interview" as:
a loaded shorthand term describing the practice of reporters "catching source unaware, usually in a public place, then acting rudely.”
(Wikipedia)
I am looking for the expression commonly used to refer to a journalist who practices ambush journalism. “Ambush journalist” doesn’t appear to be used. I’ve found some usage instances of aggressive journalist but it is a too a generic definition.
So, what are the expressions (also slang ones) used to describe such journalists?
expressions phrase-usage
asked Dec 16 at 20:55
user240918
24.7k1068148
Ambush journalism is an expression from the early ‘80s that refers to:
aggressive tactics practiced by journalists to suddenly confront and question people who otherwise do not wish to speak to a journalist, in places such as homes, vacation spots, hallways, and parking lots.
Steve Weinberg, an investigative reporter of the Missouri School of Journalism describes "ambush interview" as:
a loaded shorthand term describing the practice of reporters "catching source unaware, usually in a public place, then acting rudely.”
(Wikipedia)
I am looking for the expression commonly used to refer to a journalist who practices ambush journalism. “Ambush journalist” doesn’t appear to be used. I’ve found some usage instances of aggressive journalist but it is a too a generic definition.
So, what are the expressions (also slang ones) used to describe such journalists?
expressions phrase-usage
expressions phrase-usage
asked Dec 16 at 20:55
user240918
24.7k1068148
asked Dec 16 at 20:55
user240918
24.7k1068148
edited Dec 21 at 15:16
asked Dec 16 at 20:55
user240918
24.7k1068148
asked Dec 16 at 20:55
user240918
24.7k1068148
asked Dec 16 at 20:55
user240918
24.7k1068148
24.7k1068148
This question has an open bounty worth +100
reputation from user240918 ending in 2 days.
This question has not received enough attention.
This question has an open bounty worth +100
reputation from user240918 ending in 2 days.
This question has not received enough attention.
2
Newshound (also newshawk, far less common) means an aggressive journalist in certain contexts, but it could mean just an overly eager or energetic one or one who is adept at 'sniffing out' or 'spotting' a story. Searching "in-your-face journalist" brings up a lot of results online.
– KannE
Dec 16 at 22:20
@KannE are those BrE or AmE expressions?
– user240918
Dec 17 at 7:54
5
These are paparrazi tactics... although paparrazi/papparazo itself refers to tabloid photographers, who are only journalists in the very loosest sense of the word. Also related: the verb to doorstep.
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:22
5
Ambush journalist does seem to be in use. A quick googling finds me examples here, here, here and here. It also follows naturally from ambush journalism, of course. What makes you think ambush journalist can't be used?
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:34
3
@user240918 Perhaps I wasn't clear, sorry. I think that ambush journalist actually is in use. (I found quite a few examples - see my previous comment.) If you want to avoid it, you might also consider the word tabloid, which in North America (but definitely not in the UK) has moved beyond a page size and newspaper descriptor to mean lurid and sensational as in tabloid TV shows... so you just might get some mileage out of that, although it is far from hitting the nail on the head.
– tmgr
Dec 22 at 13:34
|
show 6 more comments
2
Newshound (also newshawk, far less common) means an aggressive journalist in certain contexts, but it could mean just an overly eager or energetic one or one who is adept at 'sniffing out' or 'spotting' a story. Searching "in-your-face journalist" brings up a lot of results online.
– KannE
Dec 16 at 22:20
@KannE are those BrE or AmE expressions?
– user240918
Dec 17 at 7:54
5
These are paparrazi tactics... although paparrazi/papparazo itself refers to tabloid photographers, who are only journalists in the very loosest sense of the word. Also related: the verb to doorstep.
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:22
5
Ambush journalist does seem to be in use. A quick googling finds me examples here, here, here and here. It also follows naturally from ambush journalism, of course. What makes you think ambush journalist can't be used?
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:34
3
@user240918 Perhaps I wasn't clear, sorry. I think that ambush journalist actually is in use. (I found quite a few examples - see my previous comment.) If you want to avoid it, you might also consider the word tabloid, which in North America (but definitely not in the UK) has moved beyond a page size and newspaper descriptor to mean lurid and sensational as in tabloid TV shows... so you just might get some mileage out of that, although it is far from hitting the nail on the head.
– tmgr
Dec 22 at 13:34
2
2
Newshound (also newshawk, far less common) means an aggressive journalist in certain contexts, but it could mean just an overly eager or energetic one or one who is adept at 'sniffing out' or 'spotting' a story. Searching "in-your-face journalist" brings up a lot of results online.
– KannE
Dec 16 at 22:20
Newshound (also newshawk, far less common) means an aggressive journalist in certain contexts, but it could mean just an overly eager or energetic one or one who is adept at 'sniffing out' or 'spotting' a story. Searching "in-your-face journalist" brings up a lot of results online.
– KannE
Dec 16 at 22:20
@KannE are those BrE or AmE expressions?
– user240918
Dec 17 at 7:54
@KannE are those BrE or AmE expressions?
– user240918
Dec 17 at 7:54
5
5
These are paparrazi tactics... although paparrazi/papparazo itself refers to tabloid photographers, who are only journalists in the very loosest sense of the word. Also related: the verb to doorstep.
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:22
These are paparrazi tactics... although paparrazi/papparazo itself refers to tabloid photographers, who are only journalists in the very loosest sense of the word. Also related: the verb to doorstep.
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:22
5
5
Ambush journalist does seem to be in use. A quick googling finds me examples here, here, here and here. It also follows naturally from ambush journalism, of course. What makes you think ambush journalist can't be used?
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:34
Ambush journalist does seem to be in use. A quick googling finds me examples here, here, here and here. It also follows naturally from ambush journalism, of course. What makes you think ambush journalist can't be used?
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:34
3
3
@user240918 Perhaps I wasn't clear, sorry. I think that ambush journalist actually is in use. (I found quite a few examples - see my previous comment.) If you want to avoid it, you might also consider the word tabloid, which in North America (but definitely not in the UK) has moved beyond a page size and newspaper descriptor to mean lurid and sensational as in tabloid TV shows... so you just might get some mileage out of that, although it is far from hitting the nail on the head.
– tmgr
Dec 22 at 13:34
@user240918 Perhaps I wasn't clear, sorry. I think that ambush journalist actually is in use. (I found quite a few examples - see my previous comment.) If you want to avoid it, you might also consider the word tabloid, which in North America (but definitely not in the UK) has moved beyond a page size and newspaper descriptor to mean lurid and sensational as in tabloid TV shows... so you just might get some mileage out of that, although it is far from hitting the nail on the head.
– tmgr
Dec 22 at 13:34
|
show 6 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
I have found ambush reporter more commonly than ambush journalist in my searches. For instance, "ambush reporter" appeared a few times in Dilbert, as Dogbert actsed as an "ambush journalist" who acts like "Mike Wallace." These examples are from the early 1990s, and reflect the term's wide application to everyone from 60 Minutes's Mike Wallace to the reporters who would approach sports stars or CEOs on the street.
Extended articles on the subject like this one or this one don't vary much from "ambush reporter" or "reporter." You might also be able to use variants like ambush interviewer. This suggests to me that there isn't a precise idiom available to describe this person beyond applying the "ambush" or similar label to reporter, journalist, or interviewer.
answered 6 hours ago
TaliesinMerlin
7918
add a comment |
Gotcha journalism seems relevant to the question, from wiki
a pejorative term used by media critics to describe interviewing methods that appear designed to entrap interviewees...
.
answered Dec 17 at 12:40
bogle
56228
5
That's not quite the same: it refers to the practice of leading the interviewee toward making statements which are damaging in some respect. In this case, the interviewee is willingly participating in the interview, even though the interview takes a path they would not willingly take. In "ambush journalism" the interviewee is forced into an interview without prior agreement.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 14:31
add a comment |
I would say:
MEDDLESOME
or
INTRUSIVE:
MEDDLESOME
stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.
// a meddlesome
landlord
INTRUSIVE
implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.
//Intrusive
reporters
disturbed
their
privacy.
(From Merriam-Webster)
answered Dec 22 at 10:43
user307254
1
Thanks, but these are generic terms that can be applied to a different context. What I am looking for is a;idiomatic expression used for journalists who practice ambush journalism.
– user240918
Dec 22 at 13:28
add a comment |
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3 Answers
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oldest
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
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active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
I have found ambush reporter more commonly than ambush journalist in my searches. For instance, "ambush reporter" appeared a few times in Dilbert, as Dogbert actsed as an "ambush journalist" who acts like "Mike Wallace." These examples are from the early 1990s, and reflect the term's wide application to everyone from 60 Minutes's Mike Wallace to the reporters who would approach sports stars or CEOs on the street.
Extended articles on the subject like this one or this one don't vary much from "ambush reporter" or "reporter." You might also be able to use variants like ambush interviewer. This suggests to me that there isn't a precise idiom available to describe this person beyond applying the "ambush" or similar label to reporter, journalist, or interviewer.
answered 6 hours ago
TaliesinMerlin
7918
add a comment |
I have found ambush reporter more commonly than ambush journalist in my searches. For instance, "ambush reporter" appeared a few times in Dilbert, as Dogbert actsed as an "ambush journalist" who acts like "Mike Wallace." These examples are from the early 1990s, and reflect the term's wide application to everyone from 60 Minutes's Mike Wallace to the reporters who would approach sports stars or CEOs on the street.
Extended articles on the subject like this one or this one don't vary much from "ambush reporter" or "reporter." You might also be able to use variants like ambush interviewer. This suggests to me that there isn't a precise idiom available to describe this person beyond applying the "ambush" or similar label to reporter, journalist, or interviewer.
answered 6 hours ago
TaliesinMerlin
7918
add a comment |
I have found ambush reporter more commonly than ambush journalist in my searches. For instance, "ambush reporter" appeared a few times in Dilbert, as Dogbert actsed as an "ambush journalist" who acts like "Mike Wallace." These examples are from the early 1990s, and reflect the term's wide application to everyone from 60 Minutes's Mike Wallace to the reporters who would approach sports stars or CEOs on the street.
Extended articles on the subject like this one or this one don't vary much from "ambush reporter" or "reporter." You might also be able to use variants like ambush interviewer. This suggests to me that there isn't a precise idiom available to describe this person beyond applying the "ambush" or similar label to reporter, journalist, or interviewer.
answered 6 hours ago
TaliesinMerlin
7918
I have found ambush reporter more commonly than ambush journalist in my searches. For instance, "ambush reporter" appeared a few times in Dilbert, as Dogbert actsed as an "ambush journalist" who acts like "Mike Wallace." These examples are from the early 1990s, and reflect the term's wide application to everyone from 60 Minutes's Mike Wallace to the reporters who would approach sports stars or CEOs on the street.
Extended articles on the subject like this one or this one don't vary much from "ambush reporter" or "reporter." You might also be able to use variants like ambush interviewer. This suggests to me that there isn't a precise idiom available to describe this person beyond applying the "ambush" or similar label to reporter, journalist, or interviewer.
answered 6 hours ago
TaliesinMerlin
7918
answered 6 hours ago
TaliesinMerlin
7918
answered 6 hours ago
TaliesinMerlin
7918
answered 6 hours ago
TaliesinMerlin
7918
7918
add a comment |
add a comment |
Gotcha journalism seems relevant to the question, from wiki
a pejorative term used by media critics to describe interviewing methods that appear designed to entrap interviewees...
.
answered Dec 17 at 12:40
bogle
56228
5
That's not quite the same: it refers to the practice of leading the interviewee toward making statements which are damaging in some respect. In this case, the interviewee is willingly participating in the interview, even though the interview takes a path they would not willingly take. In "ambush journalism" the interviewee is forced into an interview without prior agreement.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 14:31
add a comment |
Gotcha journalism seems relevant to the question, from wiki
a pejorative term used by media critics to describe interviewing methods that appear designed to entrap interviewees...
.
answered Dec 17 at 12:40
bogle
56228
5
That's not quite the same: it refers to the practice of leading the interviewee toward making statements which are damaging in some respect. In this case, the interviewee is willingly participating in the interview, even though the interview takes a path they would not willingly take. In "ambush journalism" the interviewee is forced into an interview without prior agreement.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 14:31
add a comment |
Gotcha journalism seems relevant to the question, from wiki
a pejorative term used by media critics to describe interviewing methods that appear designed to entrap interviewees...
.
answered Dec 17 at 12:40
bogle
56228
Gotcha journalism seems relevant to the question, from wiki
a pejorative term used by media critics to describe interviewing methods that appear designed to entrap interviewees...
.
answered Dec 17 at 12:40
bogle
56228
edited Dec 17 at 12:45
answered Dec 17 at 12:40
bogle
56228
answered Dec 17 at 12:40
bogle
56228
answered Dec 17 at 12:40
bogle
56228
56228
5
That's not quite the same: it refers to the practice of leading the interviewee toward making statements which are damaging in some respect. In this case, the interviewee is willingly participating in the interview, even though the interview takes a path they would not willingly take. In "ambush journalism" the interviewee is forced into an interview without prior agreement.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 14:31
add a comment |
5
That's not quite the same: it refers to the practice of leading the interviewee toward making statements which are damaging in some respect. In this case, the interviewee is willingly participating in the interview, even though the interview takes a path they would not willingly take. In "ambush journalism" the interviewee is forced into an interview without prior agreement.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 14:31
5
5
That's not quite the same: it refers to the practice of leading the interviewee toward making statements which are damaging in some respect. In this case, the interviewee is willingly participating in the interview, even though the interview takes a path they would not willingly take. In "ambush journalism" the interviewee is forced into an interview without prior agreement.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 14:31
That's not quite the same: it refers to the practice of leading the interviewee toward making statements which are damaging in some respect. In this case, the interviewee is willingly participating in the interview, even though the interview takes a path they would not willingly take. In "ambush journalism" the interviewee is forced into an interview without prior agreement.
– microenzo
Dec 21 at 14:31
add a comment |
I would say:
MEDDLESOME
or
INTRUSIVE:
MEDDLESOME
stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.
// a meddlesome
landlord
INTRUSIVE
implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.
//Intrusive
reporters
disturbed
their
privacy.
(From Merriam-Webster)
answered Dec 22 at 10:43
user307254
1
Thanks, but these are generic terms that can be applied to a different context. What I am looking for is a;idiomatic expression used for journalists who practice ambush journalism.
– user240918
Dec 22 at 13:28
add a comment |
I would say:
MEDDLESOME
or
INTRUSIVE:
MEDDLESOME
stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.
// a meddlesome
landlord
INTRUSIVE
implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.
//Intrusive
reporters
disturbed
their
privacy.
(From Merriam-Webster)
answered Dec 22 at 10:43
user307254
1
Thanks, but these are generic terms that can be applied to a different context. What I am looking for is a;idiomatic expression used for journalists who practice ambush journalism.
– user240918
Dec 22 at 13:28
add a comment |
I would say:
MEDDLESOME
or
INTRUSIVE:
MEDDLESOME
stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.
// a meddlesome
landlord
INTRUSIVE
implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.
//Intrusive
reporters
disturbed
their
privacy.
(From Merriam-Webster)
answered Dec 22 at 10:43
user307254
1
I would say:
MEDDLESOME
or
INTRUSIVE:
MEDDLESOME
stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.
// a meddlesome
landlord
INTRUSIVE
implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.
//Intrusive
reporters
disturbed
their
privacy.
(From Merriam-Webster)
answered Dec 22 at 10:43
user307254
1
answered Dec 22 at 10:43
user307254
1
answered Dec 22 at 10:43
user307254
1
answered Dec 22 at 10:43
user307254
1
1
Thanks, but these are generic terms that can be applied to a different context. What I am looking for is a;idiomatic expression used for journalists who practice ambush journalism.
– user240918
Dec 22 at 13:28
add a comment |
Thanks, but these are generic terms that can be applied to a different context. What I am looking for is a;idiomatic expression used for journalists who practice ambush journalism.
– user240918
Dec 22 at 13:28
Thanks, but these are generic terms that can be applied to a different context. What I am looking for is a;idiomatic expression used for journalists who practice ambush journalism.
– user240918
Dec 22 at 13:28
Thanks, but these are generic terms that can be applied to a different context. What I am looking for is a;idiomatic expression used for journalists who practice ambush journalism.
– user240918
Dec 22 at 13:28
add a comment |
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2
Newshound (also newshawk, far less common) means an aggressive journalist in certain contexts, but it could mean just an overly eager or energetic one or one who is adept at 'sniffing out' or 'spotting' a story. Searching "in-your-face journalist" brings up a lot of results online.
– KannE
Dec 16 at 22:20
@KannE are those BrE or AmE expressions?
– user240918
Dec 17 at 7:54
5
These are paparrazi tactics... although paparrazi/papparazo itself refers to tabloid photographers, who are only journalists in the very loosest sense of the word. Also related: the verb to doorstep.
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:22
5
Ambush journalist does seem to be in use. A quick googling finds me examples here, here, here and here. It also follows naturally from ambush journalism, of course. What makes you think ambush journalist can't be used?
– tmgr
Dec 17 at 9:34
3
@user240918 Perhaps I wasn't clear, sorry. I think that ambush journalist actually is in use. (I found quite a few examples - see my previous comment.) If you want to avoid it, you might also consider the word tabloid, which in North America (but definitely not in the UK) has moved beyond a page size and newspaper descriptor to mean lurid and sensational as in tabloid TV shows... so you just might get some mileage out of that, although it is far from hitting the nail on the head.
– tmgr
Dec 22 at 13:34