More post-Katrina media bashing…
Harriet Rubin in USA Today criticizes the media for some of its Katrina coverage…
Katrina’s Homers sobbed and shouted along with the victims. MSNBC’s Tim Russert seemed to weep, Fox News’ Geraldo Rivera to act as though he’d seen the Rapture, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper to froth with blame for Washington for its alleged callousness and incompetence.
For their part, the displaced were quickly made “evacuees,” since mere “flood victims” would have dehydrated the drama. Reporters’ salty tears went down, over the air, a little funky, like MSG, as they puzzled over how best to milk more flood victim grief and find the silver lining — a few poignant family photos, a sense of closure upon returning to find a house completely gone.
Storytelling has the power to shape the events it reports. Shouldn’t journalists be the dry eye in the storm, the builders of a framework in which to tell the truth of suffering rather than enflame it for gain?
Ms. Rubin wants newscasters to read Epictetus, thereby becoming more stoic and reflective. Yes, Epictetus says we should control our passions and reject anger. But he also encourages us to know ourselves and then do what we have to do.
Anderson Cooper and Shepard Smith were doing what they had to do. It was inevitable that these two young men would react to the horror they were witnessing.
Comment by Cara — September 29, 2005 @ 1:12 pm
Hey Spud, This is for you!!!
I am 68 and retired so I have lots of time for the Internet and TV News. I read lots of on-line newspapers and Time Magazine. I also hit the blogs. This is my opinion of news presentation. It is changing dramatically. The critics of some of the Katrina/Rita ceverage seem to view it from an old regimented journalistic view. (just the news please)I believe there is no longer a one size fits all. The on-site reporters, who allow their emotions to enter the story, present just as valid a story within a story, from their perspective as the ones who do not. Human intelligence(the viewer) is able to take it in and discern what is happening. As long as the emotion is not faked, it is also real and part of the story.
I like stories and all the stories behind the stories and that draws me to TV. I read the news on the internet and do not need the hard news from TV. My grandchildren get their news exclusively fron the Internet and I do not think that will change. I no longer look at a robotic news reporter reading a teleprompter as worth watching.
I view the on-site reporters as courageous and passionate about getting the news out. Without them, we would not even be aware of mans inhumaity to man. JS
Comment by Judy Stage — September 29, 2005 @ 1:21 pm