To think that journos are fishing for stories?

[CockacidalManiac]

More of a thread about a trend in recent threads, than about one in particular. There seems to be an increase in 'This funny occurrence has happened to me, tell me about similar funny things that have happened to you to cheer me up! and keep my editor happy ).
I might be a cynical old monster, but a lot of these threads then appear in the tabloids and (shadow of its former self) Independent. I'm not criticising churnalists completely; everyone has to eat, even if it's by lazily raiding forums for content instead of doing any actual investigative journalism. We surely know now that MN is a business, and that it'd be daft to put any remotely recognisable details in a post to be gawped at by our family and friends on MailOnline.
Please can we have a bit of originality though, visiting hacks? It's all getting a bit formulaic. Keep us on our toes a bit?

[araiwa]

Is this the new troll hunting?

[CockacidalManiac]

I'd say that trolls and journalists are two different things entirely; the former does it for shits, giggles, or some weird sexual thing. The latter isn't actually trying to wind people up or upset them, but that it is manipulation of a sort.

[CockacidalManiac]

And I'd argue that this isn't troll hunting; I'm not popping up on particular threads pointing fingers, but just making a general observation.
That's my defence, and I'm sticking to it.

[TatterdemalionAspie]

Could you give any examples? Because I haven't come accross that happening. Stories about a certain thread, yes, like penis beaker etc, but not where people share humorous anecdotes and those are spun into a piece.

[GandalfsWrinklyHat]

Yes I know what you mean and I also wonder about those kind of threads. I rarely contribute these days due to the meedja nosing about. It puts me off.

[wasonthelist]

Journos looking for stories? What?
Next you'll be telling me Estate Agents have been looking for houses to sell.

[opheliacat]

Accusing someone of being a journalist is the new stuffy "Are you genuine, OP?"

No, I don't think so. I think posters are mostly just attention seeking. Journalists find discussions to post but I have seen no evidence they join to encourage a newsworthy story.

[Tigerlovingall]

churnalists is bloody good gonna adopt that, please..

[JaniceBattersby]

I'm a journalist (not that type though) and I really doubt that journalists post provocative threads here. They generally don't have the time and tbh, if they need tabloid fodder then they can just take their pick from AIBU on any given day.

[sharksDen]

No.

Not you especially OP but accusing a poster of being a journalist seems to be the thing people do to be cool.

It also used to simply put someone down when you disagree with their post (PA use of "s/he" is also acceptable among some users).

I also think that the idea of 'visiting hacks' is used to inflate those with huge post counts' egos rather than admit they spend a ridiculous number of hours on what's nothing other than a website that (predominantly) women use to vent and waste time on.