Do media people do their homeworks correctly?

[Rottmeister]

Dear IFG Brethren, I came across this piece of news a little while back and would like to bring it under everyone's atention. The news is to be found at

http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/sep/07gun.htm

The beginning is enough to break the limits of the blood pressure gauge; it reads:

i. As if Indians don't have enough problems to deal with, the Indian Ordnance Factories is adding to the stockpile of arms among the public by offering 0.32 revolvers for sale.

ii. The advertisement comes within days of some high-profile murders in Uttar Pradesh, notably that of Samajwadi Party MLC Ajit Singh in Unnao. Personal weapons, licenced or otherwise, have been allegedly used in several murders like that of model Jessica Lal in Delhi.

[hamiclar01]

the simple answer is no.

years ago, a journalist confessed his background check for articles did not extend beyond the malayalam manorama yearbook. it might be wikipedia these days? journos as a profession were never known to be well read/well informed anyway. the surprise is that they allegedly mould public opinion!!

[MoA]

From personal experience.... No.

I did have articles published ineverything from Centre Magazine to Times of India to the Pioneer and the Asian Age at one point in India.

[msandhu]

Here is another example of Journalism that i found on net. Its on lighter side though ...

HOW GUN MAGAZINES WRITE ARTICLES
===============================
Instruction From The Editor To The Journalist:
Frangible Arms just bought a four page color ad in our next issue. They sent us their latest offering, the CQB MK-V Tactical Destroyer. I told Fred to take it out to the range to test. He'll have the data for you tomorrow.


Feedback From Technician Fred:
The pistol is a crude copy of the World War II Japanese Nambu type 14 pistol, except it's made from unfinished zinc castings. The grips are pressed cardboard. The barrel is unrifled pipe. There are file marks all over the gun, inside and out.

Only 10 rounds of 8mm ammunition were supplied. Based on previous experience with a genuine Nambu, I set up a target two feet down range. I managed to cram four rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. I taped the magazine in place, bolted the pistol into a machine rest, got behind a barricade, and pulled the trigger with 20 feet of 550 cord. I was unable to measure the trigger pull because my fish scale tops out at 32 pounds. On the third try, the pistol fired. From outline of the holes, I think the barrel, frame, magazine, trigger and recoil spring blew through the target. The remaining parts scattered over the landscape.

I sent the machine rest back to the factory to see if they can fix it, and we need to replace the shooting bench for the nice people who own the range. I'll be off for the rest of the day. My ears are still ringing. I need a drink.


Article Produced By The Journalist:
The CQB MK-V Tactical Destroyer is arguably the deadliest pistol in the world. Based on a combat proven military design, but constructed almost entirely of space age alloy, it features a remarkable barrel design engineered to produce a cone of fire, a feature much valued by Special Forces world wide. The Destroyer shows clear evidence of extensive hand fitting. The weapon disassembles rapidly without tools. At a reasonable combat distance, I put five holes in the target faster than I would have thought possible. This is the pistol to have if you want to end a gunfight at all costs. The gun is a keeper, and I find myself unable to send it back.

[Rottmeister]

Guys, everything is going global nowadays, including idiocy. I shall put forth a request to GFI to invite all the pro-journalists who have written something on guns (of course, it shall exclude TC and SD) for trying out how it feels to pull the trigger. Hope I shall receive your support.