Editorial Opinion
Is it time for those who write about the martial arts
to become journalists? This is not to say that martial
arts magazines are not written by journalists or are
useless or always factually inaccurate, or that the
reader should minimize the amount of work required
to put out a monthly magazine. Today's product is
certainly better than magazines produced a decade
ago. But is paying respect still adequate journalistic
policy? Has the comfortable extension into print of
traditional Asian martial courtesy gone on too long,
and is it just too easy?
It is time that the martial arts should expect dependable
writing, factual research and informed viewpoints,
not just pulp to fill in between ads. Almost no one
today is doing what the mainstream media call "serious
writing" about the martial arts. There are too
many self-perpetuating legends and movie made heroes
whose views substitute for facts. What is needed is
more insightful research and more critical history;
more focus on technique than on personal ego; and
more critical reporting than acceptance of common
knowledge and legend. A little debunking is also long
overdue. Current publications underestimate their
audience. Readers deserve more. They can and should
be both entertained and educated.
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