Tonight, CNN.com posted a profile as an obituary salute to a former Clinton White House resident, who lost his battle with oral cancer early this morning. This was the top news, explaining the fellow's descent into an unending catnap. Working on profiles of our own, I thought we should all take a look at this piece in particular.
The author (anonymous), having a subject unable to tell his tail, uses a mixture of photo-records, released statements, and public knowledge to report how someone down and out could be catapulted into the political spotlight. There is a lack of direct quotes, but the article remains effective.
While we, in our profiles, cannot or should at least try not to cheer lead, I think it becomes acceptable in the case of covering the dead. Everyone tracks in their own fair share of dirt, and I think it is reasonable that even the most hard-hitting journalists would avoid presenting the dead as anything completely inhuman. In this case, without ignoring the deceased's shortcomings as a human being, the reporter celebrates the good, citing his charity work and national support.
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