Sob Stories: Read 'Em Too Close And Weep

CBS News ^ | 09/26/05 | Vaughn Ververs

[Pikamax]

Sob Stories: Read 'Em Too Close And Weep

It seemed for a moment over the weekend that the blogosphere had claimed one more victory over the mainstream media, but reaction to Aaron Broussard’s return to NBC’s “Meet the Press” shows a deep split of opinion over his comments – and the role bloggers have played.

You remember Broussard, the president of New Orleans’ Jefferson Parish, from his September 4th appearance on the same show. His weeping tale of the death of a colleague’s mother was among the more emotional punctuations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and seemed to encapsulate the growing frustration with the government’s response. But no sooner had the appearance become embedded as part of the story’s overall fabric, bloggers began picking it apart.

MSNBC has the chronology and details of the story the way Broussard originally told it – and the way it actually occurred. According to Broussard’s colleague, Thomas Rodrigue, his mother, Eva, did die at a nursing home but the chronology and circumstances were different than Broussard’s version. So it was no surprise the story would be revisited when Broussard returned to the show yesterday, or that more fireworks followed.

[ozzymandus]

Ooops! Turns out he's under indictment. I knew that bawling on TV was an act the first time I saw it.

[Rokke]

Of course the author of this article quotes a bunch of liberal blog sites. But he makes a couple good points in his closing paragraphs. (below) But since this article originates from the MSM, I doubt his sincerity.

Can something be factually flawed and still be an important part of the bigger story? How important is it for the media to correct such stories, and does it change anything when it occurs? The New Orleans Times-Picayune picks up on the theme advanced by the New York Times’ David Carr last week about stories we all heard about that turned out to be untrue. Tales of atrocities and emotional breakdowns on national TV make a definite impact on people’s attitudes, which in turn help shape future policy. Can such impressions ever be revised in the face of new information? And what is the duty for the media to do so?

It’s an interesting debate that we surely haven’t seen the end of. But clearly, a story with factual inaccuracies should never be excused just because it appears to point to a bigger truth. Respect for facts is a standard that must be a line in the sand as long as journalism purports to report the story.

[claudiustg]

To a scam artist like Broussard facts are pliable things to be molded to fit his purpose at the moment. There are thousands like him in jails across the country and unfortunately in government offices, especially it would seem, in Louisiana.

[Rokke]

This article discusses what we were touching on the other night regarding the longterm impacts of media lies on the media.

[digger48]

Respect for facts is a standard that must be a line in the sand as long as journalism purports to report the story.

Line in the sand!!!??

Lines can be redrawn.

It better be carved in frickin' stone!

[Rokke]

"It better be carved in frickin' stone!"

I don't think the media understands the word "stone". To them, everything is clay to be twisted and manipulated into whatever form best suits their agenda.

[Emmett McCarthy]

'Cept there are probably far more in government offices than in the jails. Too lazy to work, too nervous to steal and there's nothin' left but country music or a government job.

[ncountylee]

Jefferson Parish's web site still has email blocked. Aaron's hiding.

[lp boonie]

I don't think the media understands the word "stone". To them, everything is clay to be twisted and manipulated into whatever form best suits their agenda.
________________________________________

They understand stone--as in "I went through college stoned".

[Inyokern]

No, sir, our job is to get more than the facts. Anybody can get facts. Facts are the commodity. The truth is harder to find. Justice is harder to fight for. Lessons are what we’re after.

I beg to differ. Reporters are supposed to report facts. Their job is not to tailor the facts to fit some "truth" or to teach lessons. They may think that is their job or wish that were their job but it is not.

[Syberyenta]

Stone Phillips.

[Asfarastheeastisfromthewest...]

>>>Jefferson Parish's web site still has email blocked. Aaron's hiding.

Thanks for saving me the time to go looking. I've been waiting like a coiled spring that keeps getting notched up tighter every time I hear that puke's name.

[martin_fierro]

But clearly, a story with factual inaccuracies should never be excused just because it appears to point to a bigger truth. Respect for facts is a standard that must be a line in the sand as long as journalism purports to report the story.

This is CBS talkin', now.

[ncountylee]

"I've been waiting like a coiled spring that keeps getting notched up tighter every time I hear that puke's name."

There are lots of us!

[King Prout]

it is obviously the media's duty, if they are to be deemed sources of accurate information and enjoy FCC- and FEC-granted privileges, to shy away from sensationalism, to check their data before reporting, and to openly correct themselves and each other when they err.

any reluctance to do all of the above shows the media to be other than sources of accurate information

[Rokke]

"any reluctance to do all of the above shows the media to be other than sources of accurate information"

And as evidenced by reporting on Iraq and Katrina, the media appears willing to do none of the above. Hopefully the price they pay will start being fatal to them instead of the victims of their dishonesty (like our troops in Iraq).

[WideGlide]

There are thousands like him in jails across the country and unfortunately in government offices, especially it would seem, in Louisiana.

Doesn't ARKANSAS border on Louisiana? Yeah, thought so.

[Mike Darancette]

Aaron Broussard is a hack ward healer. That anybody buys his sthick is beyond belief.

[hsalaw]

"Respect for facts is a standard that must be a line in the sand as long as journalism purports to report the story."

It's a sad commentary on the media that they actually have to say this. One would think this would be an ingrained principle, but one would be wrong.