The below screenshot comes from a live Q&A that The Washington Post hosted related to an investigative piece about a DC housing project.

The individual asking the question hits on what seems to be a major question: why is there always so much negative news in the news?

Yes, negative stories sell newspapers.  Yes, people want to know if “basic services aren’t provided.”  And, yes, reporters should “feel obligated to report it.”

But, what I take issue with in the response from Stewart is that she writes, “We’ll be on the lookout for extraordinary [emphasis added] accomplishments.”

Why should it have to be extraordinary accomplishments that are picked up?  There are plenty of individuals doing what could be considered just part of their job, but that in and of itself is extraordinary. For example, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is undertaking a major initiative to improve our infrastructure: pipelines, watersheds, sewer mains, etc.  This is part of our job and we’re doing it.  It’s not extraordinary; it’s what is expected.

Or, when the Department of Public Works repaves a new section of road, that’s not extraordinary but it is essential to the maintenance of any city.  Why should the only newsworthy story be that the roads are not repaved?

Sure, it’s not as eye-catching of a story, but there are also ways to really report what is happening without villainizing people who may not be the reason.  If what we’re looking for is fair and balanced reporting (to borrow a line), reported should dig deeper in order to avoid unsubstantiated insinuations.  They should look for the ordinary good of everyday life and not just the extraordinary failures.

But, perhaps, at the end of the day, the blame lies with us for wanting to consume the negative and not the positive.  For demanding that only superhuman achievements be reported and admired, and for forgetting the many ordinary accomplishments of everyday people that make this country so great and taking all of that for granted.