Harry Potter is huge. No denying it. No need to. It's a part of almost every kids life who was born between 1985-1993. We grew up with that little squirt until he turned into the brooding teen he is now. So it only makes sense that I'd find a way to tie into my Journalism blog and Rita Skeeter is that way!
Let's go over a quick recap of who Rita Skeeter is in case your lame and do know your Harry Potter characters. She's the snooping, bespectacled chatterbox who is always pushing her own agenda in interviews. Generally, she's a stereotype of a character who is used to pester Harry constantly and remind readers of how reluctant he is to be as famous as he is. In the last book she pours salt on his wounds by writing a tell all about Albus Dumbledore shortly after his death.
What's really interesting is how she contributes to the archetype of the skeezy journalist who will do whatever it takes to not only get the story (she turns into a beetle to eavesdrop on people) and will often manipulate the truth to make her story more interesting. Why do writers choose to portray Journalists in such a way? I mean ournalists and writers are like cousins!
Because its easy is why. Watch any cop show and see how they portray journalists. Along with the slimy politician (that's ones true though) it's just an easy trope to use. One wonders if these stereotypes are damaging to journalists as a whole. They could portray journalists as conniving and jingoistic. For the most part, there's enough positive portrayals of Journalists in the media (think Spider-man) to balance it out. Also, I feel like the ever changing journalistic job market is something of more concern. So in conclusion, Harry Potter's Rita Skeeter si just a harmless little 2D character in an awesome book series.
