Gonzo journalism allows reporters to actively participate in events and circumstances they report on, producing highly subjective pieces of journalism. Critics view it as sanctioned hedonism, but gonzo journalists possess unique personalities and a go-for-broke approach. Hunter S. Thompson is a famous example.
The traditional role of a reporter has often been that of an objective outsider simply observing and reporting on a newsworthy event, not an active participant in or instigator of that event. A responsible reporter might still voice personal thoughts and other subjective observations, but there must be a clear separation between the reporter and the event itself. This journalistic philosophy is not true, however, in a radical form of journalism known as gonzo journalism.
In gonzo journalism, a reporter is free to participate in events and circumstances that may be considered newsworthy. A gonzo reporter can actively participate in a political candidate’s campaign without making any effort to appear politically neutral or impartial. Indeed, one of the hallmarks of gonzo journalism is an almost complete personal immersion in the world that a gonzo journalist ultimately wishes to expose or record for posterity.
While a traditional reporter might interview drug dealers or addicts for an exposition on the local drug trade, for example, a gonzo reporter may actually participate in the shady dealings and behind-the-scenes exploits of a local drug kingpin or gang. The aim of gonzo journalism would be to produce a brutally honest or highly subjective piece of journalism based on the actual experience of a seasoned journalist writing from the inside. A gonzo reporter isn’t necessarily protected from law enforcement efforts, so the legal ramifications of the reporter’s actions may also become part of the news story.
Perhaps the most famous gonzo journalist was the late Hunter S. Thompson, a self-styled renegade reporter who often wrote articles for Rolling Stone magazine while living a no-holds-barred personal lifestyle. Ostensibly assigned to cover the 1972 presidential campaign, for example, Thompson chose instead to divert from the campaign trail and report on his own drug and alcohol-fueled adventures. His book Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail has since become a classic example of gonzo journalism.
Critics of gonzo journalism view the practice as little more than sanctioned hedonism. Responsible reporters should not take responsibility for instigating news stories or fully immerse themselves in the culture or circumstances they have been assigned to observe. Gonzo journalists are a rare breed of writer, often possessing out-of-this-world personalities and a “gonzo” or go-for-broke approach to the subject at hand.
While some journalists may choose to explore “participatory journalism” under the strict guidance and supervision of a superior, gonzo journalists often take it upon themselves to experience the event personally first, then rework their observations into acceptable journalistic form. afterwards. While a magazine or newspaper may underwrite some of the gonzo journalist’s expenses while in office, a true gonzo journalist is keenly aware that he is working without a network.
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