The Press Scrum Is Herd Immunity for Journalists

“De plane! De plane!”

That’s not Tattoo talking. That’s the transcript of audio I was sent from a Michigan press scrum by a citizen concerned with the quality of the campaign coverage. 

A gaggle of repeaters (they’re not really reporters at this point) convened Thursday on a runway in Southeast Michigan to receive Kamala Harris as she visited town. 

They made sure the cameras were rolling—“make sure to get video!” a breathless editor probably told them on their way out—and posted the videos. 

They covered the landing, the vice president’s speech, and the reaction to the speech. 

They all wrote the same story. And the public learned nothing. 

Reporters write plenty of words, that’s for sure. But readers feel that something is missing. They don’t have the words for it. But what they’re missing is news.

What readers crave are stories that tell them something they don’t know. Stories that offer perspectives they never considered. If you’re going to take the time to read timely, true stories, you should be learning new things. 

What we get instead is coverage. And these days, coverage is actually the best-case scenario. More often, it’s low-level propaganda. Too often, these airport runs don’t even result in a press scrum. A sniff of the throne, a chance to capture the visage of the dignitary—that’s all the repeaters get. 

With no news to deliver, reporters try to set agendas and force narratives on you. The dying Metro Detroit newspapers are asking customers to pay $1 for six months, because that’s what their product is worth.

The press scrum is a form of herd immunity for journalists. Imagine you’re a reporter with two main rivals, and all three of you are covering the Trump speech that night. Because you know where your competitors are, you know they’re not doing anything important—they’re covering Trump with you, not breaking news. You are marked safe from getting scooped.

When you gather around the same politician at the same time, you hold back your good stuff. If something good comes from the scrum, great. The hours of hurrying up and waiting were worth it. If nothing does, good. You get mileage and a byline. 

Then the sheepdog and the wolf retire for the night to do it all again tomorrow. 

It’s a good arrangement for all involved. There’s only one group who’s not served: readers. We, the people. 

James David Dickson is host of the Enjoyer Podcast. Join him in conversation on X @downi75.