6 fictional journalists and how to pitch to them

How would you pitch some of fiction and film’s greatest journalistic characters? Here are some classics with takeaways for today’s media relations professional.

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Many fiction writers choose journalism for the profession of their main character. 

After all, journalists make good narrators, and they are often where the action is.  

Below are a few of my favorite fictional journalists, who inspire me with their talent, wit and sense of adventure—along with guidance on how to approach them with a pitch. 

From the 1985 movie “Fletch.”

Everyone’s favorite undercover journalist, Fletch spars with everyone from his editor to a millionaire bigamist to a corrupt police chief to get the story. All while spewing sarcasm and wearing clever disguises. 

How to pitch: When you call with your pitch, lead with, “You probably wouldn’t be interested in this story anyway.” 

From the “Superman” comic books, movies, and TV series. She first appeared in 1938.

A journalist for the Metropolis newspaper the Daily Planet, Lane’s work routinely makes the front page. She’s ambitious, impulsive and will do anything for a scoop. 

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