[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
#2103: Re: # 2092: CBS Sunday Morning News - Klarreich comments
From:KKLARREICH@aol.com
While I agree with John that Rita's reference to Creole as a "dialogue" shows
at the very least inexcusable ignorance, I wouldn't so easily dismiss the
message she intends to impart.
Let me first qualify that having worked with numerous major networks, I have
often been profoundly disappointed with the final product. I find that the
stories are image oriented rather than based on substance, and far too often
the reporter doesn't report. The same debate around "poorest country in the
western hemisphere" is transferred in television to shots of poverty and slum
living.
Still, the news media follows a certain format, and doing on-site "standups"
are part of it. That this crew's tapes were stolen doesn't surprise me: there
is an increasing hostility to foreigners going into slum areas in general,
and it is further heightened by the presence of a camera. I'm actually
surprised it hasn't happened more.
It doesn't mean that the country is lawless. But there are serious security
concerns, and many of you on the list are all too familiar with them. Many of
us can say that we've all done "such and such" in Haiti and never had any
trouble, just as we can say we've done "such and such" and had trouble.
Depending on your political orientation, you'll draw your own conclusion.
All said and done, I felt the final CBS piece that aired was thoughtful, if
not a bit heavy-handed on the religious side, and that the reference to
having their tapes stolen was appropriately soft-pedaled.
I'm sure I'll get flack for this, but so be it. Kathie Klarreich