Babel Novel
The Journalist
“You can use this phone to call your journalist buddy.” Alfonso handed a phone to Alejandro.
“The phone can’t be traced so don’t worry,” Alfredo said.
“You said that this person is reliable and won’t publish something else right?” Raven said.
“Yea, if anyone can make a fake news so real, it would be him.” Alejandro said.
“Hmmm… Alright then, call him.” Alfredo said.
After some hesitation, Alejandro dialed the number of the journalist and waited for him to pick up the phone. After a few rings, the journalist picked up the phone.
“Hello, Alejandro. What’s up?” the journalist said.
“I have some information for you, but it’s off the record. You can’t publish it. I just need your help with something,” Alejandro said.
“I’m intrigued. What is it?” the journalist asked.
“I’m not sure if you’ve heard of the fact that Ariana Grande is dating Ethan Slater after divorcing her ex-husband Dalton Gomez?” Alejandro asked.
“What? Ariana and Dalton got divorced? I didn’t hear that!” the journalist exclaimed.
“Yeah, it’s all very hush-hush. But it’s true. So I need you to help me write something that will drive more publicity to Ariana’s new music. It’s okay if you mention her dating life, but not that she divorced Dalton.
I just want her to get more popularity and you can keep the exclusive story if you can help me with this,” Alejandro said.
“I see.
The journalist thought for a moment before responding. “I’m not sure this is ethical, Alejandro.
I can’t exactly lie to my readers, and this is basically a publicity stunt for Ariana. If people find out, I could lose my job,” the journalist said.
“I know it’s not the most ethical thing to do, but I promise, no one will find out. And I’ll make it worth your while.
You’ll get a lot of traffic to your site if you do this. You’ll get more publicity and a lot more money,” Alejandro said.
The journalist was still hesitant. “I don’t know, Alejandro. I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this. I mean, I really want the publicity, but this just feels wrong,” the journalist said.
“I know. I’m sorry, but it’s for a good cause. I believe that Ariana’s new music is incredible, and it deserves more attention.
I just want to help her. And I’m not asking you to lie. I’m just asking you to help me,” Alejandro said.
Just write that Ariana is dating Don Rizzo privately that would get everyone’s attention and get you a whole lot of money.”
“I don’t know…” The journalist said.
“Come on man. We need your help.” Alejandro said.
The journalist was still conflicted. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t do this. I want to help, but this just doesn’t feel right. I can’t betray my readers like that,” the journalist said.
“I understand. But please, can you at least consider it? I know that this could be a big break for you, and I’m not asking you to do anything wrong.
You’re not lying to anyone, you’re just not sharing the information you have. I promise, I’ll make it worth your while,” Alejandro said.
“But you know Don Rizzo is a politician. He would do whatever it takes to keep the press and destroy any articles.” The journalist said.
“So you write more.” Alejandro said.
“Write more fake news? Why?” The journalist asked.
“To be able to catch Don Rizzo covering his tracks and be able to get justice for the crimes he has committed.” Alejandro said
The journalist was silent for a moment. This was a difficult decision. On the one hand, it would be great to have a big break in their career, but on the other hand, it would be betraying their readers to write about something they weren’t sure was true. After a long pause, the journalist finally spoke.
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t do this. I want to help, but I can’t in good conscience write something that I’m not sure is true. I can’t betray my readers like that,” the journalist said.
“I understand,” Alejandro said.
“But did you watch my broadcast?”
“Yes, I did. You guys were really brave.” The journalist said.
“Yeah, but did you see the press talking about it again?” Alejandro asked.
“No….” The journalist said.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
“You know why? Because Don Rizzo had used his money and power to silence the media and stop the information from reaching more people.
So if we don’t do this again and again, he would not be stopped.” Alejandro said.
The journalist was silent again. This was an even more difficult decision now. They didn’t want to betray their readers, but they also knew that what Alejandro was saying made sense. The silence hung in the air for a few moments. Finally, the journalist spoke.
“I understand what you’re saying, and I agree that Don Rizzo should be stopped. But I just can’t write something that I’m not sure is true. I know you’re trying to do the right thing, but I can’t do something like that,” the journalist said.
“I get it.” Alejandro said.
“Don Rizzo killed a lot of innocent people using his right-hand man Ramos Escobar.
He even killed a cop who was doing his job.
Do you want someone like that in power forever?” He asked.
“No… But saying Ariana is dating Don Rizzo a politician. Won’t it affect her career as a singer?” The journalist friend asked.
“I know it’s fake news but it’s just to get people’s attention back to Rizzo and Ramos so that we can force the police department to do the right thing.” Alejandro said.
“We’ll send her a personal mail apologizing for doing it. We need your help.”
“Why can’t you do it?” The journalist friend asked.
“Because Ramos has someone tracking me down,” Alejandro said.
“Tracking you down? That’s not good. What do you mean?” The journalist friend asked.
“I mean that he has been following me for a while. I think they know who I am and what I’m doing. I’ve been extra careful but I still think they know.” Alejandro said.
“So if they find out that I wrote the article, my family would be in danger.”
“You mean that if you write the that you want me to write now, your family could be in danger?” The journalist friend asked.
“Yes, that’s why I asked you to help me. Because I know that only you can help me.” Alejandro said
“I don’t know…” His journalist friend said.
“Look, I wouldn’t ask you to do this if it wasn’t important. This is a big deal, and people are getting hurt because of this.