Remember when the media merely presented the news? Sure, it had to select and edit; that’s part of the (sausage) process, whether the medium is print or electronic. And each had its separate, properly-labeled opinion forums. But these days, we too often have the media being the news, from “fake”–both alleged and actual–to partisan. Hardly healthy, especially for a democracy steeped in First Amendment sanctity.
Exhibit A: Fox News recently dropping Bill O’Reilly, the man who morphed from “Entertainment Tonight” host to cable news-ratings kingpin. It was blockbuster stuff.
Would that the network, however, had summarily dismissed him for being a scurrilous deviant. But no, he was let go because there was no way to spin his slimy behavior to the satisfaction of sponsors, who pulled virtually all their advertising. So much for that touted clean up of a culture of harassment personified by the iconically sleazy Roger Ailes.
Too bad that Fox, after its “thorough and careful review” didn’t put out this statement: “Bill O’Reilly is a predator and a pervert. We’re embarrassed and humiliated to have been associated with him this long. And, yes, there’s an unconscionable side to paying hush money. This is no time for nuance. He’s FIRED! He deserves no less than the industry “F” word.
“Moreover, this is a sampling from our new, corporate, ‘no-spin zone.’ No longer will our female hosts, commentators and guests be treated like hens in the Fox house.”
And, BTW, O’Reilly’s appearance–as part of his national tour stops with comedian Dennis Miller and Fox News personality Jesse Watters–at Amalie Arena in September is still on. As it should be.
While there is a national petition calling for venues to cancel, that wouldn’t be proper. O’Reilly hasn’t been criminally charged, and this is a marketplace dynamic not to be confused with an employer-employee relationship. The decision to show up at “The Spin Stops Here” tour rests with consumers–as well as with Dennis Miller and Jesse Watters.