Posted on 08/04/2020 8:15:37 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
What’s it like behind the scenes at MSNBC? Ratings and politics were at the core of every editorial decision, according to one former producer, forcing “skilled journalists to make bad decisions on a daily basis.”
In a letter about her July 24 departure from MSNBC, Ariana Pekary explains why she left.
“It’s possible that I’m more sensitive to the editorial process due to my background in public radio, where no decision I ever witnessed was predicated on how a topic or guest would 'rate.' The longer I was at MSNBC, the more I saw such choices — it’s practically baked in to the editorial process – and those decisions affect news content every day,” she writes on her personal website. “Likewise, it’s taboo to discuss how the ratings scheme distorts content, or it’s simply taken for granted, because everyone in the commercial broadcast news industry is doing the exact same thing.”
Pekary describes this as a “cancer” that “stokes national division” amid the civil unrest in the country, “risks human lives” during the pandemic, and threatens “our democracy" with the election coming up.
“The model blocks diversity of thought and content because the networks have incentive to amplify fringe voices and events, at the expense of others… all because it pumps up the ratings,” she writes.
Regarding coronavirus coverage, amplifying President Trump’s failures was at the center of MSNBC’s strategy “rather than the science itself.”
At times producers would choose a story without regard to ratings but these were exceptions, she explains.
“I’ve even heard producers deny their role as journalists,” she writes. “A very capable senior producer once said: ‘Our viewers don’t really consider us the news. They come to us for comfort.’”
She closes by embracing the uncertainty of 2020, hoping to connect with her followers. “More than ever, I’m craving a full and civil discourse,” she says.
Almost all of journalism has become just click bait generators because that is where the money is.
Stating the obvious. At least she woke up.
RE: At least she woke up.
Does that make her “woke”?
If ratings were important, they wouldn’t be so reactionary leftist all the time.
YES, however as you know, the progressive socialists have turned the meaning of words 180 degrees.
She claims that news organization seek to comfort viewers. IOW affirm what they already believe and keep them comfortable with the Hate towards Trump and Republicans.
She woke woke.
now a-woke.
They can't get good ratings across the board by being leftist, but they at least can have good ratings among leftist viewers. They are competing with CNN and the networks for the leftist-only audience.
Can’t be a complete liberal; she’s attractive.
Part of the problem is advertisers. Left wing shows dont generate storms of hate on advertisers.
RE: Can’t be a complete liberal; she’s attractive.
Heck, Jane Fonda was attractive during the Vietnam era. But she was and still is a total whack job.
On the other hand this mentality was common in the old USSR where party leaders would "suggest" mass production of books on subjects like tractor repair... ignoring the 'wants' of their people.
When was the last time any of us listened to NPR?
If you are a person who has functioning brain cells it’s clear that journalism is not the profession for you.
More snotty nonsense by creeps
MENBC
They come to us for comfort
How cute MSNBC likes to play mommy and daddy.
Is his name Gregory?
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