Technology is a two edged sword
by Late Nite LeRoy
July 19, 2000
While traveling this summer, I stayed at a motel that had a different collection of TV channels than I was used to watching. I don't know what cable network distributed the show I will refer to, but it was produced by an organization that has the web site http://www.freespeech.org
TV networks turn cameras and sound on considerably earlier than the moment it airs to the public. It is the local station that either edits or switches in at the start of the program. Performers, reporters, and politicians can often be heard making totally off the wall remarks, thinking it will not air to the public.
The show's producer used backyard "C" and "Ku" band satellite dishes to pick up news feeds from several networks. I unfortunately arrived late into the show and had no way to tape it, but what I saw was impressive. Beside catching a few embarrassing remarks from popular evangelicals, he caught two remarks that really stuck in my mind.
One was the Los Angeles ABC news anchor Harold Greene belly aching as he was putting on his jacket and straightening his tie just before airing. He remarked to the effect that with a civil disturbance in progress, we (the news media) didn't know sh__ , didn't have sh__ to say about the story and now the network wants them to go on the air and scare people. This was during the Rodney King riots in 1992.
The other scene caught on tape was Bill Clinton getting last minute make up before being interviewed by Larry King. Larry King was heard offering special favors to Clinton because Ted Turner liked him and said he was open to serve Clinton for whatever he needed.
And the public thinks they are getting unbiased news. Microphones don't lie. And liars use microphones. But technology is a two edged sword.
--LateNiteLeroy
leroy@commutefaster.com
LateNite Leroy is webmaster for http://www.commutefaster.com
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