CONTROVERSY OF THE WEEK: BIG GRAPHICS STINK

Oh, boy!

Are you ready for a big fight?

Gilbert Cranberg, a former editorial page editor of the Des Moines Register and Tribune and George H. Gallup Professor of Journalism Emeritus, the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication, writes a stemming comment in the Nieman Watchdog website about "Oversized graphics: Invasion of the space snatchers" and visual journalists react.

I am with them.

100 per cent.

Gilbert Cranberg is very good explaining, perhaps in too many words (he was an editorial wtiter!) one single idea: he hates visual journalism. Period.

He deserves a lot of credit for telling us his opinion with no excuses, but unfortunately with very weak arguments.

The big question here is that Cranberg is not alone in his lack of appreciation and undertanding about visual journalism.

He speaks for a lot, a lot, of editors around the world.

You will enjoy some great responses to his vitriolic attack.

Charles Apple is the best, and the winner in this boxing match by knock out.

An example:

Cranberg says:

"If people want a visual medium, they can turn on the TV set, which no newspaper can rival no matter how much is invested in graphics. Readers subscribe to newspapers for text, not for artwork."

Apple responds:

"Wrong again, sir. Readers do NOT subscribe to newspapers for text. Readers subscribe to newspapers for NEWS."

The Society of News Design has its Annual Workshop in a few days in Orlando.

The SND Foundation must organize a live exchange "Cranberg vs Apple"

The fight of the Century!

Count with me: I will be in the first row.