BWL’s Jay Lang’s Interview with G L Rockey
What inspired the premise of The Journalist—particularly the idea of a government official creating a fake video to manipulate public perception?
Seeing TV coverage (especially news) of politics/elections inspired the book. For example, no two people see an event the same. One’s beliefs, biases, whether known or unknown, are implanted early in life and dictate how a person views an event. I.E. what one sees influences perception of reality; the same event, person, or situation covered by two journalists might be reported differently. In television news the need to be first, get good ratings, can affect one’s perception of reality.
Aware of this, someone might think a fake video would be a good way to manipulate the media and in doing so influence other’s perception of reality and allow a power-hungry politician to take advantage of an event as a way to achieve an end. In short, working in a sea of needing-to-be-first can consciously or unconsciously influence the judgment of journalists who perceive an event that is based on their beliefs, biases, known or unknown
Summing up, the manipulation of news by news reporters who have differing views of reality and the need of television to get good ratings feeds advertising which enhances revenue and the “bottom” line; combined with a narcissistic egocentric President who believes he has the corner on fixing the world’s problems is checked by a skeptical journalist. Not a few politicians know how to manipulate the media to achieve an end.
The story taps into fears about “fake news” and media manipulation. Do you think we’re getting closer to this kind of dystopian scenario in real life?
To be honest I didn’t know what dystopian meant so I asked AI and here’s what he said: “Dystopian fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that explores the potential consequences of societal, political, and environmental issues by imagining a future that is often bleak and oppressive. This genre serves as a reflection on contemporary society, projecting current fears and anxieties into exaggerated scenarios that highlight the possible outcomes of our actions today. One of the most prevalent themes in dystopian literature is the depiction of totalitarian regimes that exert extreme control over their citizens. This can manifest through surveillance, censorship, and the suppression of individual freedoms. A classic example is George Orwell’s 1984, where “Big Brother” symbolizes an all-seeing government that monitors every aspect of life.”
Bingo. It’s where we are headed.
How did you research the technical aspects of video fabrication and media dissemination to make the story feel authentic?
From Providence to Phoenix and many markets in between I worked in television production/programming for many years. Directed many newscasts in different markets. Also produced TV shows.
Zack Stearn plays the role of a truth-seeker in a sea of misinformation. Was he inspired by any real-life journalists or whistleblowers?
Zack is a defrocked priest. As such you might say seeking the truth is built in. When I wrote it I had no real life journalists or whistleblowers in mind.
The use of a small, local newspaper as the story’s moral compass is compelling. What does that say about the role of independent journalism today?
Big newspaper and big broadcasting companies are driven by greed/advertising. They answer to money-hungry CEOs, many who answer to boards, who answer to stockholders. As far as I know, there are very few independent television stations that do news. Some Independent newspapers publish once a week or month answer to themselves. Breaking news is handled by established television and some radio. When you have a video of a gruesome event, television’s breaking news feeds on it.
Martial law and the rise of a ‘new world order’ are huge stakes. How did you balance these big political ideas with character-driven storytelling?
Witnessing perceived (to me) reality and expressing it though made-up characters where fiction and nonfiction sometimes get mixed up, and then throw in some imagination and given human nature, some who have an incessant need for power and attention, the story seemed interesting at best.
How much of the book is meant to be a political thriller, and how much of it is a commentary on the current state of American media and politics?
It was written around 2003. Turns out it seems relevant given the state of the media and current affairs in the USA in 2025. Bloodsucking politicians who have the need to win at any cost. That famous quote from football coach Lombardy comes to mind: “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” You see where that leads in politics and things like nuclear war.
The fake video is described as particularly gruesome—what were the challenges of writing about such dark material while keeping the reader engaged?
The perception of reality, groupthink, what the “herd” perceives as reality. The role that “race” plays in motivating actions. Like the song in South Pacific, “…you got to be taught to hate and fear… people whose eyes are oddly made, and people whose skin is a different shade…” Some believe we are past discrimination but as a whole, we’re (I think) not. White police officers abusing a black female seemed good material for producing a riot.
Did you face any ethical dilemmas while writing about media manipulation and manufactured violence?
Not really…the story is based on some events I saw firsthand while working in television broadcasting…the need to be first, “winning is the only thing.” This (I think) may be true of many politicians.
What kind of reactions or conversations are you hoping the book sparks among readers, especially journalists and media professionals?
If it looks like a duck, it might not be a duck. Forget ratings (easy to say) go for the truth (whatever that is) as much as you can realizing one’s own biases. Sometimes it is better to lose. When, eyeball to eyeball, negotiating who goes first in a nuclear strike. For example, the Cuban missile crisis, U.S. and Russia. Russia putting atomic missiles in Cuba, after negotiations Russia backed down and withdrew their missiles or everything might have been toast.
In case you didn’t know AI put it this way: The Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 marked a critical point in U.S.-Soviet relations, bringing both superpowers to the brink of nuclear war. In the aftermath, President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev engaged in negotiations that led to a secret agreement: the Soviets would withdraw their missiles from Cuba in exchange for a U.S. commitment not to invade Cuba and the removal of Jupiter missiles from Turkey. This arrangement aimed to reduce tensions and avoid future confrontations
The setting in Miami plays a unique role—why did you choose that city as the backdrop for this national crisis?
With Zack living on a boat, Miami surrounded by water it seemed a good fit. Also, the diversity of the city’s population. Bimini Island, Bermuda Triangle being close it seemed (ditto) another good fit.
Were there any plot twists or characters that surprised you as the story evolved?
Can’t think of any one character or twist… all the characters pretty much took over and allowed me to watch and record. The story evolved by itself.
Are there plans for a sequel or series continuation? Or do you see The Journalist as a standalone warning shot to our media landscape?
I hadn’t thought about it as any kind of warning. It’s my experience that media (especially news) doesn’t need or want warnings about itself, they are “bullet” proof.
No plans for a sequel.