Feb 19 • 15:09 UTC 🇮🇱 Israel Haaretz

Weather Forecast: The Rain Stops You

A letter to the editor expresses a reader's confusion regarding the poetic nature of the weather forecast published in Haaretz, emphasizing that weather forecasts should be factual and practical rather than artistic.

A recent letter to the editor in Haaretz highlights a reader's perplexity regarding the newspaper's weather forecast, which was presented in a poetic manner. The letter, written by Edah Sharer from Kibbutz Tirat Ziv, suggests that while poetry has its place in expressing emotions, a weather forecast's primary function should be to relay factual information about the weather conditions. She references a verse from the poem 'December' by Israeli poet Natan Alterman to illustrate her point, arguing that the essence of poetry should not overshadow the practical expectations of meteorological reporting.

The concern raised in the letter reflects a broader discussion about the balance between artistic expression and factual reporting in journalism. Many readers rely on weather forecasts to plan their daily activities, and they expect precise, actionable information regarding temperature, precipitation, and general conditions. The blending of poetry with this type of reporting may leave some readers feeling bewildered and questioning the reliability of the information provided.

Ultimately, this critique of the artistic approach taken in weather reporting serves as a reminder for media outlets to consider their audience's needs and expectations. While creativity can enhance storytelling, clarity, and practical application should remain at the forefront of informational pieces, especially those that impact daily lives, like weather forecasts.

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