Meaning: This quote by Thomas Griffith, an editor, provides a thought-provoking insight into the nature of journalism. Let's dissect the quote to understand its meaning and implications.

"Journalism constructs momentarily arrested equilibriums and gives disorder an implied order."

Griffith's assertion here speaks to the role of journalism in shaping and presenting information to the public. The phrase "momentarily arrested equilibriums" suggests that journalism captures and freezes a particular moment in time, creating a snapshot of events and issues. This can be seen as a reference to the transient nature of news and the way in which journalism captures and represents the ever-changing world. The notion of "disorder" implies the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the events and situations that journalists report on. However, Griffith posits that journalism gives this disorder an "implied order." In other words, journalism seeks to make sense of the disorder and present it in a structured and comprehensible manner. This aligns with the fundamental purpose of journalism to inform and educate the public by organizing and presenting information in a coherent and meaningful way.

"That is already two steps from reality."

This part of the quote emphasizes the inherent distance between journalism and the raw, unfiltered reality of events. Griffith suggests that the act of constructing and giving order to news introduces a degree of separation from the actual events or phenomena being reported. This can be attributed to various factors such as editorial decisions, biases, and the limitations of language and representation. Journalism, therefore, operates at a remove from pure, unmediated reality, as it involves interpretation, selection, and presentation. The "two steps" mentioned by Griffith could be interpreted as the process of transforming raw events into a news story – the first step being the capture and construction of the story, and the second step being the presentation to the audience. Each of these stages introduces elements of subjectivity and interpretation, further distancing the news from an unadulterated reality.

In essence, Griffith's quote encapsulates the complex and multifaceted nature of journalism. It acknowledges the role of journalism in organizing and making sense of the disorderly nature of the world while also highlighting the inherent distance between the constructed news narrative and the unfiltered reality. This insight prompts readers to consider the limitations and nuances of journalistic representation and the challenges inherent in accurately conveying the complexities of the world.

From a broader perspective, this quote underscores the responsibility of journalists and editors to navigate the tension between constructing a coherent narrative and faithfully representing the underlying reality. It raises questions about the ethics of journalistic practice, the impact of editorial decisions on the public's understanding of events, and the need for transparency and accountability in media representation. Moreover, it invites reflection on the evolving nature of journalism in the digital age, where the proliferation of diverse voices and the rapid dissemination of information pose new challenges and opportunities for the construction of news narratives.

In conclusion, Thomas Griffith's quote offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intricate relationship between journalism and reality. It prompts readers to critically examine the process of news construction and the inherent complexities and challenges involved. By delving into the layers of meaning embedded in this quote, we gain valuable insights into the nature of journalism and its role in shaping our understanding of the world.