I have a huge objection to Nancy Grace's techniques and voiced opinions. However, PR is not what my opinion is-it is the publics perception. So I will describe how Grace's voiced opinions go against journalistic ethics and lawful ethics.
Based on the cases given in the reading, she propagandizes court cases. She goes around the rulings of the courts and will continue trying to persecute people based off her own opinions. So is this just gossip or a "personality trait?" Some would say its her trademark for her shows and participations in the media. But it goes beyond that. Despite her being a media figure, she constantly goes against the ethical bounds of her position. I wonder how she has not been subject to libel or slander. It would be easy to provide to a court the requirements needed to be taken serious:
1. The falsehood was communicated through print, broadcast, or other electronic means.
2. The person who is the subject of the falsehood was identified or easily identifiable.
3. The identified person has suffered injury- in the form of monetary losses, reputational loss, or mental suffering.
So how has she gone so far without being forced off the air? Is her holdings just too strong or her connection with CNN too concrete? Is she just using her right to freedom of speech of the "publics right to know?"
Furthermore, while she is on the air, does she have to be held to the Journalism Code of Ethics? It is something we decide to live by. However, it is very similar to any lawful code of ethics. She is a media head so why are we not demanding she live by those standards? Grace's PR is miserable. If she were to be held accountable to the same standards of journalism, the publics perception of her would increase positively. However, against what CNN wants, it would bring down their ratings because people watch her because of her reprehensible attitude. I stand by the idea that she should not be the exception. She is constantly pushing the line of ethics and, indeed, dancing with the Devil.
No comments:
Post a Comment