Posted on 04/08/2006 10:02:16 PM PDT by LdSentinal
Here's what now passes for "news gathering" at the NBC television network in the brave, and still relatively new, world of 24/7 electronic news broadcasting: Last weekend, a crew working for the NBC News magazine program "Dateline" showed up in Martinsville, Va. for the NASCAR stock car races. With the crew were some "Muslim-looking men" - whatever that means - as part of a "Dateline" effort to show how people in this country would react to "Muslims" in their midst.
In a recent statement, NBC News said it was pursuing the issue because it was "intrigued by the results of a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll and other articles regarding increasing anti-Muslim sentiments in the United States."
So, what happened at Martinsville Speedway?
Nothing. To the everlasting credit of the NASCAR Nation, not a curse word was uttered, not a punch was thrown, not a thing happened.
If you're a born-and-bred Southerner like me, you know in your deep-fried bones that's not the result the "Dateline" crew was hoping it would get.
No, you can bet the "Dateline" crew was expecting one thing, and one thing only: They were convinced they'd come away from Martinsville Speedway with video of their "Muslim" marks being beaten by a bunch of tire-iron-wielding, gap-toothed, trailer-dwelling, drunken mouth-breathers in wife-beater T-shirts.
Despite all its high-minded posturing that it simply was intrigued by a poll, NBC News was doing nothing more in Martinsville than looking for a video clip that would confirm its own prejudices. The "Dateline" crew was looking not to report the news, but to create some news.
Elsewhere in its statement on the "Dateline" story, NBC said, "It's very early in our newsgathering process, but be assured we will be visiting a number of locations across the country and are confident that our reporting team is pursuing this story in a fair manner."
Fair enough, as far as "pursuing this story" goes.
But, of course, the proof of NBC's "fair manner" won't be made manifest in its pursuit of the story.
The proof of the network's stated commitment to fairness will be in its editing and presentation of the "Dateline" piece, if it ever makes it to the airwaves.
It will be interesting to see if the "Dateline" segment producers are willing to air footage of their "Muslims" in Martinsville. It's not likely to be particularly exciting. According to Ramsey Poston, managing director of corporate communications for NASCAR, as quoted in the online version of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, the crew and the men "walked around, and no one bothered them."
It also will be interesting to see where else the "Dateline" crew decides to take its "Muslim" men. Will they, for instance, be willing to take the men to a polo match, a Mercedes-Benz dealership or any other supposedly "upscale" location, and air, unedited, the footage they gather?
Will they be willing to take the men, unannounced, into their own neighborhoods, and air that footage unedited?
It's too bad the "Dateline" crew didn't take a little time to poke around in the NBC newsroom before embarking on this story. It wouldn't have taken them long to realize the wrongheadedness of their apparently ill-hidden preconceptions regarding NASCAR fans.
As it happens, Brian Williams, anchor of the network's nightly newscast - and hardly a part of the demographic the "Dateline" crew clearly expected to find in Martinsville - is a deep-dyed NASCAR fan.
Here's Williams responding to a question during an interview by NBC's Lester Holt about his affinity for NASCAR: "I will watch anything go around in a circle. ... I love the car racing. ... I just have always loved it. I love the smell of it, the sound of it."
So do a lot of people.
And here's a news flash: That doesn't automatically make them simple-minded bigots.
Can ANYONE deny how anti-American the MSM actually is? A pox on all their houses...
This is not a story! The news team is creating one! Talk about fraud. I wonder why NBC (news radio) didn't parade a bunch of Japanese men at a carnival in 1942?
In other words, "We're going to keep this up until we get the response we are hoping for, and then overhype it until we wet our pants in "objective, fair" journalistic glee."
Sleaze-buckets.
From the FBI...
Previous years are also available.
Oh, NBC...
That's an interesting observation. Hope the NASCAR folks remember this when it comes time to renegotiate the contract. Not a good idea to line the pockets of those who would attack your fan base.
I hope their advertisers do, too...
"GE's management tolerates this kind of irresponsible behavior, failing to provide meaningful punishment of those who engage in it. "
Thank you for pointing out General Electric's ownership. One of several reasons why I only spec a GE product if a client demands it.
For a good industrial automation company with a solid conservative background, there's Rockwell Automation (otherwise known as Allen Bradley). Publically traded. The only company I know of that is more politically conservative is Koch Industries/Flint Hills Resources. Big contributor to the Cato Institute, has books by F. A. von Hayek in the employee's library. Privately held however.
"NBC did not want to renew its deal starting next year."
Even so, isn't NBC/GE burning a bridge with this stunt?
One can only hope that by the time NBC is to take over coverage of NASCAR this summer, they will be out of a contract. I've seen lesser things then this ruin corporations. Keep your fingers crossed.
NBC is done after this season anyway. Contract negotiations went to Fox and ESPN next year. The season is always split between two sports networks.
Maybe that's why they're digging up made up dirt on Nascar.
Bet that has a healthy price tag!
...never mind.
That's fine for you - you are evidently NOT addicted.
Ah, but there is the rub. Christians aspire to be better that the moon god worshippers.
"Oh Lord, how wondrous are Thy works. In wisdom hast Thou made them all."
Amen, brother.
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