standard fare for journalists

[keannu]

1. Does "standard fare" represent "standard practice or routine"? Is it a metaphor?
2. What does "the ready-made copy" mean? Do influential or powerful people already have some potential news article as even their names or presence can make their news to be delivered easily?

st196)The news is often claimed to be the lifeblood of democracy. A vigorous and independent news service is a fundamental part of a fully functioning democratic system, providing the range of perspectives and information that enable people to consider and make their own decisions. The news media may not tell us what to think but they do set the agenda on what we think about. This is one reason why so many people invest so many resources in trying to get into the news. The news media also powerfully affects policy-makers. Seeking out the most privileged voices in society is standard fare for journalists, as the powerful are both newsworthy and adept at providing the ready-made copy which is so convenient in increasingly pressurised newsrooms. But this special access to the media adds to growing cynicismthat news media legitimise social inequality and hinder participatory and contemplative democracy.

 

[emsr2d2]

"Standard fare" means that it's a regular source of information for journalists. "Fare" is another word for "food".

 

[keannu]

Thanks a lot! What about the ready-made copy?

 

[probus]

Ready-made copy in this context means material supplied by powerful interests to journalists, material professionally written and edited to such a high standard that the journalists can submit it to their masters unaltered. Unfortunately, journalists who take advantage of this convenience totally and abjectly fail to do their job.

 

[BobK]

1. Does "standard fare" represent "standard practice or routine"? Is it a metaphor?
2. What does "the ready-made copy" mean? Do influential or powerful people already have some potential news article as even their names or presence can make their news to be delivered easily?

st196)The news is often claimed to be the lifeblood of democracy. A vigorous and independent news service is a fundamental part of a fully functioning democratic system, providing the range of perspectives and information that enable people to consider and make their own decisions. The news media may not tell us what to think but they do set the agenda on what we think about. This is one reason why so many people invest so many resources in trying to get into the news. The news media also powerfully affects policy-makers. Seeking out the most privileged voices in society is standard fare for journalists, as the powerful are both newsworthy and adept at providing the ready-made copy which is so convenient in increasingly pressurised newsrooms. But this special access to the media adds to growing cynicismthat news media legitimise social inequality and hinder participatory and contemplative democracy.

I'm sure Ems is rignt but 'fare' is something you consume. It is a metaphor, and it means 'food and drink'. 'Seeking out' is not 'fare' of any kind. 'Seeking out ...' is standard practice.. These journalists' standard fare is press releases, celebrity blogs... - that kind of thing.

b