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“The story started as a screenplay,” Davis recalls. “But we got frustrated because I had done all this research, and I kept trying to develop the characters and the realities of how they behave. So we decided to make a book – there are no page limit problems like that!
We spoke with Biggers and Davis about mixing fact and fiction and their feelings about the current state of journalism in America.
[This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity]
One of the things I appreciate about the book is that, like an in-depth journal or magazine feature, it starts with a small incident and then pulls back to include a broader point of view. It reflects both your experience as journalists.
Andrew Davis: Well, journalism is in a strange state right now. I was just reading about it The ABC News deal above George Stephanopoulos‘ comments about Donald Trump. The idea that everyone has to kiss the new president’s ring in order not to be restricted or lose their licenses is pretty amazing. I thought I was a college student and listening Walter Cronkite. When he came out against the Vietnam War, it was over! It took a long time, but it happened. Who is the next Cronkite now?
Jeff Biggers: In our history, the media plays a role during the summit in Chicago, but we also have this rogue general who is able to create disinformation through technology. In the end, people no longer know what is real. We want to tease the readers with the idea that we have reached this age where it is difficult to tell what is true and what is not true. The ability to create [disinformation] and disseminate it is a really powerful and dangerous situation.
It has not escaped my attention that the general goes on Fox News to propagate his argument. Jeff, you’ve been a guest on several news networks – where does Fox fit into your impression of the current media landscape?
The biggest: It’s hard to say, because there are so many ramifications of Fox now that they become so important. I’m more concerned about our side of the aisle in terms of the media being watered down and people not sitting down and listening anymore. NPR listenership is down dramatically, and after the election you saw MSNBC just take a little lead. People get a lot of their information from social media, and it’s not very deep.
