“Hospital Seeks Brain Surgeon”
…No medical training required
CBS is getting desperate.
The network has posted an ad seeking a reporter to cover the “eco beat” – with some interesting requirements.
“CBS is expanding its coverage of the environment,” the ad reads. “We seek a talented reporter/host for Internet video broadcast. We are looking for smart, creative, hard working up and comers, who can bring great energy, creativity and a dash of humor to our coverage. A deep interest in the environment and sustainability issues will serve you well.”
So you would think such a job would require a science background or years of covering environmental news? Not exactly.
“You are wicked smart, funny, irreverent and hip, oozing enthusiasm and creative energy,” the ad reads. “This position requires strong people, reporting, story telling and writing skills. Managing tight deadlines should be second nature. Knowledge of the enviro beat is a big plus, but not a requirement.”
Send in that resumé today; we’ll have the New Republic vet your fake but accurate credentials!
And to enhance the position’s Gorezilla Appeal
Ironically, the ad shows irreverence to what kind of carbon footprint the job duties might require. The ad includes: “Be prepared to see America. Heavy domestic travel.”
You can’t make this stuff up, kids.
Gorebal Warming | Mr. Bingley | 
December 1, 2007 8:23 am
Subscribe
In my (not-so) humble opinion, the “irreverant and hip” bit is what is so wrong with news-reporting these days.
Science reporting on the networks (with the exception of some of the John Stossel stuff) is so piss-poor that I’d forbid my students from watching it, if I could.
It’s the curse of MTV News, ricki.
What I’ve seen of Stossel’s stuff is pretty good, but otherwise I’m with Ricki.
And I just love that line: knowledge is a plus but not a requirement.
“Knowledge of the enviro beat is a big plus, but not a requirement.”
That’s the one that makes me chuckle too although I already suspected that knowledge wasn’t considered necessary in journalism.
Some Goreacle™ acolyte will doubtless apply for the job, although none of them are “…wicked smart, funny, irreverent and hip, oozing ….. and creative energy“.
They have the enthusiasm down pat, though.
Knowledge would probably be a disqualification, because one may be uncontrollably tempted to report facts. Enthusiasm for the cause, however, shall guarantee sanitzed journalism. No unclean opinion shall pass thy red pen!