Now We Know How The MSM Really Sees Itself

Welcome La Shawn Barber and Michelle Malkin readers!

So this evening Norm and I are watching Law and Order – Criminal Intent on NBC. At roughly 10 minutes before the end of the program during the pivotal moment of the episode when they are about to get the accused to confess, the drama is interrupted with “This is a special report from NBC news.” Living in a post-9/11 world these thoughts begin to race through my mind when a network show is interrupted with such an announcement:

1. Terrorists have attacked a major city in the United States.
2. The President or some other important leader of our nation has been assassinated.
3. A threat of terrorism, such as a dirty bomb, has been announced and will affect us immediately.
4. The space shuttle has crashed.
5. Some other such terrible tragedy that affects our country had occurred.

Instead, an NBC newsreader informs us that ABC news anchor Peter Jennings had died. Your heart stops pounding and you realize that the MSM (mainstream media) really believes the death of one of their own is so important that we must know it before the next commercial break or evening news report. Incredible!

I’m not making fun of the fact that Peter Jennings, probably a nice man to know personally, has died an untimely death from cancer. But I am astounded by the hubris of the MSM to believe the announcement of his death warrants such immediate attention by our country.

Addendum: Eulogies for Peter Jennings are appropriate for his contribution to the MSM and they will be on all newscasts this evening and tomorrow. Interrupting regularly scheduled broadcasts should be reserved for critical news announcements only.

08/08 Addendum part 2:
Somehow I think that if a major sporting event had been interrupted last night during a pivotal moment like when the batter hits a grand slam or a touchdown is just scored or a winning basket or goal is made in the final seconds of the game some of you might feel different.

Like I said before, eulogies for Peter Jennings are very appropriate and believe it or not, I think his career and contribution to journalism deserves a lot of attention from the media. My condolences go out to those who knew him well. I show no disrespect for Peter Jennings by saying that NBC could have waited a few minutes to make the announcement.

If you don’t agree with my point about the appropriateness of program interruption for such news that’s fine. Since this is my blog I’ve taken the liberty of deleting nasty comments because I don’t have to tolerate people being disrespectful to me or others in stating their disagreement with me on my blog. Others have already done so on their own blogs. Thankfully most of the trolls will not be back and that’s fine with me. I appreciate those who have shared their opinions politely. If you think you’re comment did not warrant deletion then chalk it up to the fact this blog is mine and mine alone. 🙂

Come back and see what else I have to say on other topics. I don’t normally stir up this much trouble!

25 Comments:
At August 07, 2005 9:37 PM, Anonymous said…
Just another way for them to try to prop up their dieing pathetic attempts at revelence. The MSM has been doomed since Rupert Murdoch decided to start his own network.

At August 07, 2005 9:43 PM, Mark said…
Karen, I have to disagree with you on this one…the death of Peter Jennings is a major story. The networks may have declined in relevance (well, not may have – they have), but for a couple of decades he was a nightly fixture in millions of his households. God bless his survivors…

At August 07, 2005 9:49 PM, Norm said…
As a veteran of 25 years as a news reporter and anchor, Mark I have to disagree with you. The passing of Jennings is sad. The passing is a story but not a Major Story calling for a Special Bulletin. The story will be lead on every local newscast across our nation, that too is questionable.

At August 07, 2005 9:53 PM, Anonymous said…
I think it is a major story. Maybe it depends on how old you are. I am 46 and Peter, Tom and Dan – regardless of their politics – are MAJOR figures in American life.Think of this: This country invariably turns to the networks at times of major news and special reports. With Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw, (and yes, even Dan Rather), always there during these times of crisis, now all three are gone from their respective networks. Until this county is faced with a huge story, the loss of all three will not be as pronounced. Whether I agreed with all of their politics or not, I have to admit it will be strange to have a major breaking story in this country – and none of them will be there.

At August 07, 2005 10:06 PM, Anonymous said…
Of course he deserved a “special” bulletin.He worked tirelessly as a JOURNALIST and not some bloviating no nothing “talking head” like Rush Limbaugh. He worked hard to get facts and stories that were of import, that really impacted all of our lives and not the “Laci” type stories that most of the “media” adore shoving down our throats.Many of us grew up watching him on TV. I will always remember him broadcasing from Munich. He was a part of OUR history and as such, a notice of his passing is more than warranted. One of the last grand old JOURNALISTS has just passed and you make fun and belittle that fact.Really…how Christian is that?

At August 07, 2005 10:30 PM, Garrett O’Hara said…
Key statistic: 10 minutes before the end. You’d think they could skip an ad or two to break the news and then resume the program. That’s why there’s MSNBC in case NBC viewers want more details.Hey anonymous #2, have some guts and identify yourself if you want to question anybody’s judgment.

At August 07, 2005 10:34 PM, Anonymous said…
10:06 PM Anonymous did not seem to read the whole Blog or has ADD! I thought Karen was quite clear. I read no belittling of Jennings. BTW, whats with the Christian comment. Talk about belittling!!

At August 07, 2005 10:48 PM, Norm said…
Anonymous, I don’t understand the name calling of Rush. Is that your way of being CHRISTIAN?

At August 07, 2005 11:10 PM, Anonymous said…
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

At August 07, 2005 11:47 PM, vbspurs said…
Karen, Law & Order might well be the only network series I watch, but in this case, I think an announcement of this calibre was warranted.I didn’t like Peter Jennings’ slanted views, but the death of one of the former Big Three (Brokaw, Rather, Jennings) of the past 2 decades, does really merit an interruption.As for Anonymous, trolls are trolls are trolls are trolls.So said a wise woman by the name of Getrude Stein.Cheers,Victoria

At August 08, 2005 4:33 AM, Michael said…
Feh. It was a rerun anyway.

At August 08, 2005 5:33 AM, Vulgorilla said…
The TSM is pretty full of itself. Few people ever survive lung cancer, so it was a foregone conclusion that Jennings would pass on. To actually assume that viewers would actually treat it as a news event as important as 9/11 is hysterical….Oh, and I didn’t typo the 2nd word (acronym) in my post (TSM)…it stands for “Terrorist Supporting Media”, of which Jennings was a key supporter/cheer leader. I can’t say that I’ll miss him, as I didn’t watch him.

At August 08, 2005 7:24 AM, dancinfool said…
Would you have written the same column if the breaking news was about a missing white woman?

At August 08, 2005 7:45 AM, Anonymous said…
Rock on Karen. Let’s see, how can I acknowledge this fabulous perspective publically? Ah yes, a link!- Ambra Nykol

At August 08, 2005 8:44 AM, Father of 3 said…
Karen, I must disagree on this. I didn’t find out about Mr. Jennings passing until this morning when I turned on the tube. I wasn’t a big fan of his, but I remember when the towers fell on 9/11 and the only news station I could pick up with an antenna was ABC. I saw a human side of a news anchor, one who was visably shaken. It made me connect.He had, weather for you liked it or not, an impact on the American sceen. Though I wouldn’t have liked my favorite show interupted, we, weather we like or not, are at the mercy of the networks and their programing. If you want less interuptions, get a pay channel with all its filth, or get lost in a great book.Cheers

At August 08, 2005 10:06 AM, Anonymous said…
This is a big news story for those of us who are older. I don’t see anything wrong or liberal about a Special Bulletin for this man.

At August 08, 2005 11:52 AM, Anonymous said…
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

At August 08, 2005 11:56 AM, E. Nonee Moose said…
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

At August 08, 2005 11:59 AM, Anonymous said…
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

At August 08, 2005 1:24 PM, Anonymous said…
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

At August 08, 2005 2:27 PM, gam said…
Greetings from across the pond. I’ve so ejoyed reading you blog. Thanks for making me smile.gam.

At August 08, 2005 2:56 PM, Sam said…
Could they have waited 10 minutes? Yeah, probably. I mean, were they trying to scoop ABC on the passing on one of their own or something?In general, though, while I don’t necessarily know whether or not he deserved a Special Bulletin, I can definitely understand why he did it. He was THE newsman I watched growing up, and in times of crisis (9/11 comes to mind for me) I instinctively turned to him over anyone else over the years. And I am sure I am one of millions who feel the same way.

At August 08, 2005 3:28 PM, Michael B said…
When this many anonymous comments are deleted it’s usually a sign that the owner of the blog can dish it out but can’t take it.

At August 08, 2005 4:03 PM, Anonymous said…
Or more likely that too many readers can’t stomach any views they don’t agree with and feel they must respond rudely.I’m sorry, but the fact that a lifelong chain smoker dies of lung cancer isn’t very high on my priority list. Just because he was a news anchor doesn’t make it anything more. The networks wouldn’t have broken into the last 10 mins of a highly rated TV show if it had been a Hollywood celebrity or athlete. He was one of their own, and they too often rate themselves above other mere mortals.

At August 08, 2005 4:08 PM, Anonymous said…
The networks have broken into programming for much less.

28 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    Aug 7, 2005

    Just another way for them to try to prop up their dieing pathetic attempts at revelence. The MSM has been doomed since Rupert Murdoch decided to start his own network.

  2. Mark
    Aug 7, 2005

    Karen, I have to disagree with you on this one…the death of Peter Jennings is a major story. The networks may have declined in relevance (well, not may have – they have), but for a couple of decades he was a nightly fixture in millions of his households. God bless his survivors…

  3. Norm
    Aug 7, 2005

    As a veteran of 25 years as a news reporter and anchor, Mark I have to disagree with you. The passing of Jennings is sad. The passing is a story but not a Major Story calling for a Special Bulletin. The story will be lead on every local newscast across our nation, that too is questionable.

  4. Anonymous
    Aug 7, 2005

    I think it is a major story. Maybe it depends on how old you are. I am 46 and Peter, Tom and Dan – regardless of their politics – are MAJOR figures in American life.

    Think of this: This country invariably turns to the networks at times of major news and special reports. With Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw, (and yes, even Dan Rather), always there during these times of crisis, now all three are gone from their respective networks. Until this county is faced with a huge story, the loss of all three will not be as pronounced. Whether I agreed with all of their politics or not, I have to admit it will be strange to have a major breaking story in this country – and none of them will be there.

  5. Anonymous
    Aug 7, 2005

    Of course he deserved a “special” bulletin.

    He worked tirelessly as a JOURNALIST and not some bloviating no nothing “talking head” like Rush Limbaugh. He worked hard to get facts and stories that were of import, that really impacted all of our lives and not the “Laci” type stories that most of the “media” adore shoving down our throats.

    Many of us grew up watching him on TV. I will always remember him broadcasing from Munich. He was a part of OUR history and as such, a notice of his passing is more than warranted.

    One of the last grand old JOURNALISTS has just passed and you make fun and belittle that fact.

    Really…how Christian is that?

  6. Garrett O'Hara
    Aug 7, 2005

    Key statistic: 10 minutes before the end. You’d think they could skip an ad or two to break the news and then resume the program. That’s why there’s MSNBC in case NBC viewers want more details.

    Hey anonymous #2, have some guts and identify yourself if you want to question anybody’s judgment.

  7. Anonymous
    Aug 7, 2005

    10:06 PM Anonymous did not seem to read the whole Blog or has ADD! I thought Karen was quite clear. I read no belittling of Jennings. BTW, whats with the Christian comment. Talk about belittling!!

  8. Norm
    Aug 7, 2005

    Anonymous, I don’t understand the name calling of Rush. Is that your way of being CHRISTIAN?

  9. Anonymous
    Aug 7, 2005

    This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

  10. vbspurs
    Aug 7, 2005

    Karen, Law & Order might well be the only network series I watch, but in this case, I think an announcement of this calibre was warranted.

    I didn’t like Peter Jennings’ slanted views, but the death of one of the former Big Three (Brokaw, Rather, Jennings) of the past 2 decades, does really merit an interruption.

    As for Anonymous, trolls are trolls are trolls are trolls.

    So said a wise woman by the name of Getrude Stein.

    Cheers,
    Victoria

  11. Michael
    Aug 8, 2005

    Feh. It was a rerun anyway.

  12. Vulgorilla
    Aug 8, 2005

    The TSM is pretty full of itself. Few people ever survive lung cancer, so it was a foregone conclusion that Jennings would pass on. To actually assume that viewers would actually treat it as a news event as important as 9/11 is hysterical….Oh, and I didn’t typo the 2nd word (acronym) in my post (TSM)…it stands for “Terrorist Supporting Media”, of which Jennings was a key supporter/cheer leader. I can’t say that I’ll miss him, as I didn’t watch him.

  13. dancinfool
    Aug 8, 2005

    Would you have written the same column if the breaking news was about a missing white woman?

  14. Anonymous
    Aug 8, 2005

    Rock on Karen. Let’s see, how can I acknowledge this fabulous perspective publically? Ah yes, a link!

    – Ambra Nykol

  15. Father of 3
    Aug 8, 2005

    Karen, I must disagree on this. I didn’t find out about Mr. Jennings passing until this morning when I turned on the tube. I wasn’t a big fan of his, but I remember when the towers fell on 9/11 and the only news station I could pick up with an antenna was ABC. I saw a human side of a news anchor, one who was visably shaken. It made me connect.

    He had, weather for you liked it or not, an impact on the American sceen. Though I wouldn’t have liked my favorite show interupted, we, weather we like or not, are at the mercy of the networks and their programing. If you want less interuptions, get a pay channel with all its filth, or get lost in a great book.

    Cheers

  16. Cal Native
    Aug 8, 2005

    Thanks for sharing your story. I hope I can share your optimism when I feel I have it tough. Your husband has my respect as well.

  17. Anonymous
    Aug 8, 2005

    This is a big news story for those of us who are older. I don’t see anything wrong or liberal about a Special Bulletin for this man.

  18. Anonymous
    Aug 8, 2005

    This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

  19. E. Nonee Moose
    Aug 8, 2005

    This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

  20. Anonymous
    Aug 8, 2005

    This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

  21. Anonymous
    Aug 8, 2005

    This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

  22. gam
    Aug 8, 2005

    Greetings from across the pond. I’ve so ejoyed reading you blog. Thanks for making me smile.

    gam.

  23. Sam
    Aug 8, 2005

    Could they have waited 10 minutes? Yeah, probably. I mean, were they trying to scoop ABC on the passing on one of their own or something?

    In general, though, while I don’t necessarily know whether or not he deserved a Special Bulletin, I can definitely understand why he did it. He was THE newsman I watched growing up, and in times of crisis (9/11 comes to mind for me) I instinctively turned to him over anyone else over the years. And I am sure I am one of millions who feel the same way.

  24. Michael B
    Aug 8, 2005

    When this many anonymous comments are deleted it’s usually a sign that the owner of the blog can dish it out but can’t take it.

  25. Anonymous
    Aug 8, 2005

    Or more likely that too many readers can’t stomach any views they don’t agree with and feel they must respond rudely.

    I’m sorry, but the fact that a lifelong chain smoker dies of lung cancer isn’t very high on my priority list. Just because he was a news anchor doesn’t make it anything more. The networks wouldn’t have broken into the last 10 mins of a highly rated TV show if it had been a Hollywood celebrity or athlete. He was one of their own, and they too often rate themselves above other mere mortals.

  26. Anonymous
    Aug 8, 2005

    The networks have broken into programming for much less.

  27. Chris
    Aug 11, 2005

    Regarding Addendum 2

    Sports events are generally live, involving ads that are more costly.

    There is sort of a precedent. In a key December football game, when Monday Night Football was THE top show on TV, viewers were informed of John Lennon’s death. True, they didn’t cut away, but the memory for people of where they were when they heard has become so seminal that it wouldn’t have been an issue if they did.

    I don’t think it’s a case of a brotherhood or mainstream media clique. These decisions are made at a micro level. The ABC East Coast affiliate I’m closest to thought it sufficient to run a crawl along the top saying Jennings died and there’d be an update on GMA instead of pre-empting an ancient, low-rated sydnicated program. THAT was the wrong way to handle it.

    Sometimes the news is the news.

  28. Pat McClure
    Sep 28, 2005

    Obviously few of you spent any time actually watching Mr. Jennings. He wasn’t an apologist for terrorists, though he sympathized with both Palestinians and Israelis. He spent 19 years in the Middle East, a vantage point few of us will ever reach. He loved America and Americans, probably much more than we deserved, and could get choked up about jury duty or the Constitution even before he became a citizen. Moreover, he was courageous (and spoke truth to power), intelligent (and self-educated), kind (especially in explaining tragedies to children), and completely unideological in a time when the rest of us take the mindless if-you-ain’t-with-us-you’re-agin-us stance on absolutely everything. He had opinions, but didn’t filter them through a hardened political attitude; he sought truth, and didn’t care where he found it. He was head and shoulders above everyone else in the business (even the BBC said he was probably the best in the world), but because he made it look easy we took it for granted. The night they announced his death I grieved, to my own surprise, like I never had before. I am no idolizer of public figures and didn’t know how much my casual trust of him extended to outright love until he was gone forever. You can yammer on cynically about whatever your set idea of truth is, but none of us is here for long, and it’s unlikely any of us will do as much for the country as he did no matter what age we reach. You know know not whereof you speak.