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About this quote

What does it mean?
Newspapermen have a unique excuse for having empty heads because stopping to think allows headlines to overtake them. Their work demands constant reactivity rather than reflection.
In plain terms
Journalists cannot pause to think or the news will overtake them.
What can you take from it?
The speed of news often prevents deep thinking.

Where it applies

  • newsroom management
  • media studies
  • career advice

Putting it to work

  • build reflection time
  • critique news speed
  • support investigative depth

Questions to consider

  • Can news be both fast and thoughtful?
  • Why do we value speed over depth?

Another view

It assumes all journalists lack mental capacity.

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