And now, a word from our sponsors..
I used to think that NBC’s Today Show was a news show.
I was wrong.
It turns out it’s a reality show called Pimp My Series. Should be on TLC.
This morning, Matt Lauer, who plays the role of ‘TV Journalist’ talked about last week’s arrest of the Salahis. Those are the people who gate-crashed the first White House State Dinner a few months. Last week the Salahis were ‘in the news’ once again as they were arrested for illegally driving onto The White House driveway during the second State Dinner with a film crew in the car.
OK.
That was a week ago.
But this morning, on The Today Show, the thing that once, may years ago, passed itself off as a news show, Matt Lauer announced that the Salahis, “the publicity-seeking Salahis” would be make ‘an exclusive special appearance’ on The Today Show.
Why were they making an ‘exclusive special appearance’?
You got me.
I thought they were ‘publicity hounds’. Doesn’t this just encourage them? Doesn’t this give them exactly what they want?
Why would any ‘news organization’ pay any attention to them whatsoever – let along give them national air time.
Well, of course, TODAY is no news organization.
It turns out that the Salahis are going to be starring in the next edition of Real Housewives, this time of Washington DC.
That explains what the TV crew was doing along with them.
And, of course, Real Housewives is produced by Bravo, which is owned by NBC, which also owns The Today Show.
So it’s no wonder that Matt Lauer is out here pimping for NBC’s newest show and using his formerly trusted position to do the pimping.
Is this news?
Naah.. I don’t think so.
Is this journalism?
Are you kidding me?
Is this is a ‘news story’?
Right…..
This is pimping.
It would not surprise me to learn that NBC actually instructed the Salahis to drive onto the White House Oval so that they did indeed get arrested and set off the chain of events which allows them to then get on NBC’s Today Show and before an audience of millions.
Disgusting?
Revolting?
Let’s weigh out today’s top news stories:
Worst ecological disaster in history unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico.
Asian and European Stock markets collapsing on fears of the unraveling Euro.
North and South Korea edge toward war, with the North having nuclear weapons.
And what does NBC News choose to dominate their second hour?
The Salahis.
And why?
Because they aren’t yet in production on The Real Housewives of North Korea.
Too bad.
5 Comments
Candace Adams May 28, 2010
If only more people would read about this!
fosca May 26, 2010
maybe some outside support is appreciated.
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=134&aid=183179
Eric B May 25, 2010
Great post Michael. Ethics? Zero.
But nobody cares. Except a few individuals.
Stations do whatever they want. Network News does as well. Even 60 Minutes. 60 Minutes is the epitomy of “journalism” right? Yet, regularily, they are promoting the latest “book” or movie or star. Are they owned by CBS or Viacom or a CBS owned publisher? TIME Magazine? Regularily they promote the latest person selling a book or movie. Any connections? Local TV regularily “tie in” news stories to network series (CSI, Survivor, American Idol, etc….) All the time. CBS now has a “movie” production company. Have CBS stations done stories about these movies? Yes. All the time.
YES, I like to read about my favorite movie star, musician, etc… So yes, there is such thing as “entertainment” news. Not all is bad. But when it is done by the same company, it is unethical.
Which brings us to a solution. Those “journalism associations” like RTNDA, SPJ, NPPA, NATAS? What do they do? What do they say? Nothing. There is no enforcement. When we join those associations, we agree to a Code of Ethics. I have read them. The primary ethical code is to “serve the public” and not any other “interests” (like yourself. Yet that Code is constantly broken.
At the RTNDA and journalism Conventions, they hand out numerous awards, patting each other on the backs. They don’t ever seem to call each other out for ethical violations. You NEVER hear or read about them. It’s journalism’s dirty little secret. Only the public knows the truth. We all know the truth, but the news managers ignore it.
I think “membership” in journalism associations should depend on adherance to ethics codes. I have said that certification would work. If you are a proven unethical journalist, you cannot be a member and get certified by a journalism association. Of course, it would be voluntary, not mandatory. No government approval needed. Strictly a voluntary membership… However, ethics would need to be enforced. I hear no other solutions. Because nobody cares enough to offer a solution.
pencilgod May 25, 2010
but ask yourself why do they do it? Usually because some consultant with focus group data told them that is the type of story the public wants.
Your industry Michael has been praying on and dumbing down my industry since forever… its what you do so don’t blame us when weak management actually put you crap ideas in place.
Michael Rosenblum May 25, 2010
Stephen,
I will defend what I do, but my ‘industry’ is all about cutting out waste and inefficiency, which is what I do. This is not what I do.