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Who sends their sick kid to Dr. Phil?? And then is shocked, shocked (!) to discover he’s known more for ratings than for cures? The whole broken Spears family has lost touch with reality. I have a lot more to say about this, but if I added more than a sentence to this voyeuristic mess, I’d have to boycott myself. But speaking of the use and misuse of the press, how about Parade magazine?
In case you’re not up to speed, here’s the quick backstory: I was leafing through Sunday New York Times, pulling out inserts, and saw Parade. Its cover story featured Benazir Bhutto:
Wait, she’s been assassinated, they know that, right? I flip to the story. The pull quotes reference the upcoming elections in Pakistan and her chances in them. Online, I check the date of her assassination – Dec. 27. It’s January 6. That’s right – they ran the story – a cover story – anyway.
The publisher, Randy Siegel, is quoted by AP as saying that Parade went to press on Dec. 21 and was already on its way to the 400 newspapers that distribute it when Bhutto was killed. While they were able to update the web version of the story, it was too late to change the magazine.
Even by the standards of regular old media arrogance, this is unbelievable. And I’m not the only one who thinks that. Siegel said, “We decided that this was an important interview to share with the American people.” Okaaaay. The context it provides is exactly what? If she were alive, this is what would be happening?
I have so many issues with their lack of respect I am sputtering. Start with a complete lack of respect for journalistic integrity. Follow with a lack of respect for readers. Then move on to lack of respect for international leaders and a lack of respect for women – in particular, Ms. Bhutto. Top it all off with absolutely no respect for transparency, trust and generally speaking, accurate information.
The only thing left is respect for the bottom line and the least amount of work possible.
Give Gail Sheehy her kill fee and move on, Parade. It’s your responsibility. I will never read you again. Never.
Britney is alive and very definitely not well. Benazir is dead, but apparently fine. We get the media we deserve.
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