Finally - after three days of watching what is our current stand-in for real journalism ( aka CNN & MSNBC television sensationalism), one reporter held the FEMA director, Michael Brown to the line by asking him the tough questions. SO hat's off to Ted Koppel on tonight's Nightline for reminding us what a journalist is supposed to do - find out the truth and hold government accountable on behalf of he public.
I also watched today as MSNBC "graciously" offered their TV camera to a few people for 60 seconds of airtime so they could tell their families they were alive. How about if instead of ongoing, repetitive insane repeats of the same images, MSNBC and CNN and FOX et all each take 30 minutes or even (heaven forbid) an entire hour and let the cameras keep rolling so more people could get their messages out. Now that would be a good use of their access and a true demonstration of citizen journalism.
I'd sure be glad if Katrina shook the media out of their stupor. I wish I were more optimistic.
Meanwhile, did you hear that MoveOn.org just announced that it has set up a Web-based service to match people who have space to spare with Katrina survivors in need of housing?
Go to www.hurricanehousing.org.
Meg
Posted by: Meg | September 02, 2005 at 12:13 AM
As you probably remember, during the aftermath of 9/11 the local stations featured a constant stream of people coming in and describing and holding up pictures of their missing loved ones. It was agonizing to watch, but hopefully it helped at least some of them reunite,
Posted by: Elisa Camahort | September 02, 2005 at 07:30 AM