future files

“Futures File” is a term used by TV assignment desk editors.  Before computers, these “Deskies” would stuff story ideas or reminders in a cabinet with files for each month and day. Crude, but effective, the Futures File gave a heads-up on upcoming events.

Newsrooms computerized years ago, yet there remains an electronic folder labeled “Futures File”.

Broadcast journalism has a rhythm.  Certain topics always pop up while other, more important issues are barely touched.  There are a lot reasons including economics, pack mentality, whim, experience, ego, competitiveness and, frankly, laziness. The rhythm is predictable.

Cheers, News Direct

”News is whatever you found out today that you didn't know yesterday.  It's also the first rough draft of history.  And big news is whatever survives to the final manuscript.”

- San Francisco Chronicle, December 31st, 2006