ierre Bourque is an online newswatcher, keeping canadians up to date with Bourque Newswatch. He is also active as a journalist for such publications as The National Post, WiredNews & The Hill Times. Check out his site for information on his other work, which ranges from screenplays to presentations. This interview conducted by email between 01/03/98 - 01/12/98
cancon
what do you see the role of the journalist as? has this role changed with the growth of the internet and online journalism?
Pierre Bourque
I think that the role of an online journalist, or neo-journalist, is to
ride the crest of breaking news and to point towards its source, regardless of whether or not it is "official" or not. Timing is everything with online news. As for the role, yes, I think the Net will have a cataclismic impact on the way people digest news. For one thing, the variety of sources is huge. For another, the interaction between the reader and the gatherer is crucial. It is the umbilical cord that defies any other news medium. I personally believe that journalism in the Internet era is pure entertainment. That will/may shock stodgy traditionalists. So be it. But online, you must inform AND entertain.
cancon
with sites such as The Smoking Gun which presents documents obtained with the freedom of information act in the states, and the Drudge Report which tries to break the big stories first, do you feel there are dangers of misinformation?
Pierre Bourque
Luckily, I shed that fear during one of the first few days that BOURQUE
NEWSWATCH was in operation when I came across an AP newswire story saying that Mohammed el Fayed, father of Princess Diana's lover Dodi, had been convicted of bribing a British Member of Parliament. Several hours later AP had to issue a retraction to say that its story was in fact not true. But by then, of course, the original story had been distributed worldwide.
I don't think that online journalism will be any more or less accurate than other forms. Except that the intrepid online news junkie will have a greater ability to judge for him/herself as to the veracity of any given news based on one's own viewpoint, bias, and ability to navigate available news streams.
In other words, the average news consumer finally has the tools at his/her disposal to judge news for him/herself.
cancon
we try to educate youth about the media with such tools as the "Manufacturing Consent" video series, but how else can we empower a newer, younger generation with the tools to dissect the media/internet?
Pierre Bourque
my guess is they will educate themselves through trial and error. keep in mind that they are growing up with the power of the Internet. it is a more natural medium for them.
cancon
why did you start BOURQUE NEWSWATCH- are you a news junkie, or did you see a place on the internet that needed to be filled?
Pierre Bourque
I love news. I love chasing news, breaking news, digesting news. News is like popcorn. It pops into the public conscience, enjoys an ascending ark, reaches a peak of interest, then dissipates and falls down, only to be buried by fresher news.
cancon
what were the big stories of 98 for you?
Pierre Bourque
Bourque Newswatch!
cancon
considering that you also write screenplays, do you find the news is a good place to glean 'fiction' ideas?
Pierre Bourque
Fact is definitely stranger than fiction.
cancon
recently i ran across one of your fans, and they said to "ask him what his future plans are--ie. expansion--perhaps a radio talk show, tv show?"
Pierre Bourque
I'm interested, provided it enhances what I am currently doing. I do a lot of radio interviews now and I enjoy the medium very much. I think that a national radio talk show would be a natural and could benefit by a tie-in to my website and its national audience. A late evening slot would be best. A weekly half-hour tv show would be exciting. I envision something gossipy, intimate, much like you might overhear at the table next to you in a restaurant. Only the guests, say 2 or 3 per show, would be top shelf names from politics, sports, journalism, and entertainment and the issues would be topical & of the moment. A "must watch" network show that I well imagine would be economical to produce and air because the set would be minimalist, the guests would appear pro-bono, and my own needs are, ahem, negotiable.
cancon
do you feel there is a danger with conrad black owning so many of canada's daily newspapers (somewhere above 60%)? [if you wish to avoid yer boss, so to speak, i'd understand]
Pierre Bourque
I'm happy to truck Black & his ilk. Ultimately they will have to come to terms with the massive opportunity the Internet presents to fleetfooted operatives like me who can bob & weave to our own jiggy needs and create a valuable brand with its own loyal audience. You might see a Black or a Microsoft come along and buy an online news operator and let it operate as a separate entity rather than make it conform to the corporate straight-jacket, tho.
cancon
events like the apec scandal & y2k bug make for entertaining news. is there too much exploiting of hot, new issues with catchy sound-bites/video footage rather than follow-up stories on things that were once 'in' with the media? is this problem we can remedy?
Pierre Bourque
yeah, good point. Old news media can barely keep up with the pace of news, let alone provide context and analysys. What falls through the cracks is continuity. But that lack of, say, depth & distance, is easily covered online where the goods on just about any issue can be datamined to one's heart's content.
cancon
is there simply TOO MUCH news to focus on?
Pierre Bourque
Depends. Remember that what's news to me may not be of relevance to you. So, to each his own, right ?
cancon
is it getting harder to find time to relax these days with more and more sources of news popping up?
Pierre Bourque
Hah ! I love news !! What a hobby ! What a passtime ! What a time waster !
cancon
i noticed you're a race car fan. what's more exciting- big news stories breaking or indy/f1 racing?
Pierre Bourque
I used to race cars. Nothing is as exciting as that. Some things whisper the same sweet melodies, though, and breaking news is one of them.
cancon
if there's anything i've missed you want to talk about, go for it.
Pierre Bourque
Yes, remember to pass along your news tips !
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