As far as I can tell from the news, the major victims of the earthquake in Haiti are east coast American girls who may have been trapped in rubble, The big story, of course, is what the parents first thoughts were when they heard about the earth quake and how they “feel” while waiting to hear their fate. There was also an interview with a Haitian-American and what it “feels like” to see the devastation of his former country.
I’ll tell you, it feels “bad”.
How about using what ever means you had to send Katie Couric and her ilk to Haiti, and to outfit and protect them, and instead send some bottled water or medical supplies. And then maybe concentrate on some fucking “news” instead of these inane one-off human interest stories. Edward R Murrow must be rolling over in his grave.
They are news people. That’s what they do. In fact, I’d bet that aggressive coverage of Americans (you know, people that count, as far as most of America is concerned) means that more donations and aid will flow into that country than would otherwise occur.
Why? Do you think he should have picked up a rifle and shot at Jerry during WWII, instead of actually reporting on it from London? If not, then Katie is actually following in ERM’s finest traditions, I would think.
Murrow reported news. I bet he never asked a question like “What were your first thoughts when you saw that your flat had been fire-bombed”. There is no added value sending Katie Couric or Al Roker to Haiti vs a seasoned reporter who knows the country.
The OP seems to be mostly complaining about the substance of the reports not the fact that the reporters are there. The stories that the OP is talking about are focused on how Americans feel about the problems rather than the actual problems.
“Are you annoyed at news reporters reporting the feelings of specific people about the news, rather than the news itself? Text our comment line on 555 123 1234. There’ll be an update on how you feel about this issue at 6.”
I’m not sure it’s possible to GET to Haiti in the current circumstances. The only reports I’ve been seeing are from people who happen to already be there.
Still, I tend to believe that the more the (American) news can make it about Americans, feelings or otherwise, then the more aid that will flow to that hellhole… which of course means it’s better for them.
You know, I was thinking the same thing last night as I was listening to an NPR piece on the radio that spent more than a few minutes on the plight of Christian missionaries from America in the wake of the earthquake, but noticeably less time on the plight of the Haitians themselves.
I actually rolled my eyes when a pastor or reverend, while speaking to her congregation, said something like “Praise be to God, we’ve just gotten word that all of OUR people are okay and are making arrangements to come home” to peals of applause and cheering. That says it all for me right there. A major natural disaster occurs in an already devastated area, and when the natives need assistance more than ever, those whose ostensible job it is to provide comfort hightail it out of town to protect their own skins, and are applauded for being able to do so.
RE: Kaitie
I’m not too familiar with television news, but isn’t she the fluffy eye candy they brought in from one of those morning infotainment things? I was under the impression that they brought her in to pretty things up, skim a little bit (not all, just a little) of what was left of journalism in favor of pretty kittens stuck in trees.
Isn’t it her job to push airy content? Pander to those that have what you’re seeing as warped priorities? I’m sure she’s doing a lot of straightforward journalism–it’s not all lolcats, and for all I know it could have been her little girl dream to be taken seriously as a journalist. But I daresay she’d doing a good job of what she was hired to do.
As for her following in Murrow’s footsteps, given the constraints of modern infotainment and her contracts, I can’t imagine that’s very possible. Not that privation is a requirement for “real” journalism, just that I don’t see much more than Geraldo in a hurricane.
Nope, Katie Couric, Al Roker, Brian Williams and more have brought their traveling circus to Haiti. I wonder if they sent Dr. Gupta, he does actually seem to do some good when he goes places.
Katie is there, along with the network’s int’l correspondent, Jeff ‘Someone’. As trite as their reporting was, the NY crew was even worse, especially the old, bald guy. Connectivity is an issue, but while they are connected, he spent about 2 minutes explaining that connectivity is an issue rather than letting the people there speak. Jeff kept trying to cut in, but the idiot couldn’t bear not to hear his own voice.
(Sorry I don’t know all the names, but I only watch about 2 minutes of the today show on my way out the door because it is the morning program of choice for my father-in-law.)
K-K-K-Kaitie,
Beautiful Kaitie,
You’re the only G-G-G-Girl that I adore,
When the M-Moon shines,
Over Huh-Haitie,
I’ll be waitien’ at the K-K-K-Kitchen door.