What is Parachute Journalism?

TL;DR

• Parachute journalism refers to sending reporters to cover breaking news in a location they are unfamiliar with, often for a short period.
• It can lead to shallow or inaccurate reporting because journalists may need more local knowledge or context to understand what’s happening.
• Critics argue that it undermines thorough, insightful journalism, while defenders argue it’s necessary to bring attention to underreported issues.

Understanding Parachute Journalism

When 24-7 cable news was invented in the 1980s, journalists needed to react quickly to global events and provide an unending content stream. Media outlets would send journalists worldwide on short notice, and they were often covering breaking news in unfamiliar regions. This practice is now known as parachute journalism—reporters “parachute” into a new location, cover a story briefly, and then leave.

The approach allows for news coverage on the fly, but it raises concerns about the quality and depth of reporting.

The Pitfalls of Parachute Journalism

There are three main criticisms of parachute journalism:

1. Lack of Context: Journalists arriving in a new place need cultural, historical, and political context to report the story accurately. For example, a reporter unfamiliar with longstanding ethnic tensions in a region may oversimplify complex dynamics, which leads to a distorted narrative. This lack of local understanding can result in misinformation or shallow reporting.
2. Short-term Focus: Since parachute journalism is often driven by breaking news, it emphasizes immediate, sensational aspects of a story rather than long-term, underlying issues. This can skew public understanding. It focuses on the most dramatic elements without addressing the root causes. In contrast, in-depth journalism (longform journalism) takes time to build relationships with locals and dig deeper into the story.
3. Ethical Concerns: Critics argue that parachute journalism can be exploitative. Reporters may cover crises like natural disasters or conflicts, take sensational images, and leave without contributing to long-term awareness or solutions. This approach can feel exploitative to local communities, especially if the media leaves before positive developments occur.

Is Parachute Journalism Ever Justified?

Though often criticized, parachute journalism does have a role in modern media. Proponents argue that it allows the media to bring global attention to important events, especially in regions where the local press may be restricted or suppressed. There are times when local people aren’t able to publicly report on subjects without risking personal harm.

A quick, surface-level report can sometimes prompt international intervention or humanitarian aid. For example, reporting on natural disasters or human rights abuses in remote areas can pressure governments and organizations to act. In-depth reporting can happen later as action is taken.

However, it’s important to balance speed and accuracy when covering these stories. Partnering with local journalists provides nuanced perspectives that foreign reporters may miss.

Striking a Balance: Improving Parachute Journalism

The need for timely reporting isn’t going away, so media outlets can take steps to ensure more responsible coverage:

• Collaborate with local journalists: Incorporating insights from reporters who understand the area adds depth to a story and provides professional recognition for that reporter. Local journalists bring knowledge of local history, culture, and sensitivities that foreign correspondents often need to gain.
• Pre-deployment training: When possible, journalists should undergo cultural orientation before being sent to unfamiliar regions. This can include understanding the local language, customs, and political climate to avoid blunders and inaccuracies.
• Long-term follow-ups: Instead of reporting and leaving, media organizations should invest in revisiting stories to show how events have evolved over time. This improves the accuracy of reporting and also fosters accountability.

Parachute journalism can be a double-edged sword. It enables media outlets to provide immediate news coverage, but it often sacrifices depth and accuracy. The key to improving news coverage across the board is collaboration with local journalists, better preparation, and a commitment to ongoing coverage. By adopting these practices, media outlets can provide more ethical, informed, and valuable reporting.