How should news organizations cover the Obama girls? Join that discussion in our ongoing news meeting.
Meanwile, a taste of how MSNBC has been covering them. Yesterday, MSNBC viewers learned critical details about the girls’ First Day of School such as:
DAVID SHUSTER: Take a look at the blue stuffed animal key chain hanging off [Sasha Obama’s] backpack. It’s an Ugly Doll. This doll is named Babo’s Bird…Parents, beware, Ugly Dolls are the in thing…perhaps, more so now, thanks to a cute Sasha Obama. First Kids have long been trend setters when it comes to toys…
And, earlier Tuesday:
CONTESSA BREWER: The Obama girls spending the first week at a new school. So what’s on the school lunch menu? We thought you should know…Check out what they’re serving for lunch today. Malia, at the upper school, can opt for tomato basil soup, various salads, Philly cheesesteaks, and baked fries. Sasha’s choices at the lower school include zucchini bread, always popular with the smaller set. French dip au jus. Are they old enough to even pronounce it? Roasted veggie melts and cinnamon orange slices. Tomorrow’s menu, a decidedly Mexican menu, nachos, fiesta rice…For those of you asking at home, is what they are having for lunch really news, consider what is in your commissary.
In other words, because some MSNBC viewers may not find in their cafeterias the array of tasty, mostly healthful options offered to students at a certain private school, that makes What’s For Lunch At Obama Girls’ School news? Next time, skip the justification. Or at least be honest: “We thought you should know” What’s For Lunch because we got our hands on the menu. In other words, because we can.
Right. This stuff doesn't meet my "compelling editorial reason" standard, in case you were wondering.
Posted by Clint Hendler on Wed 7 Jan 2009 at 11:53 AM
I think the media should handle them the way they handled Amy Carter: leave them alone.
Posted by Marilyn Terrell on Wed 7 Jan 2009 at 05:58 PM
I absolutely cannot believe that Contessa Brewer was allowed to get away with reporting the private school menu of the Obama children. I had considered myself a fan of hers at one point, but not anymore. She was consistently weak when off-script during election season. Was one of the first and most outspoken in stating that we now live in a 'post-racial' society...and less than seeking opinion from experts, she simply tried to impose upon every guest the suggestion that racism is now behind us...and seemingly all but conclusively suggesting 'aren't you excited about that?' to these guests as if her supposition were true.
All that Obama's election means is that those that supported Obama, one can assume virtually across the board, are not racist...but that leaves a little less than 1/2 the voting country (let's please not forget about the many that don't vote at all) that may still potentially be racist to one level or another. A great step, one that we can be proud of as a nation, certainly...but, to suggest that this marks the end of racism is so incredibly naive that MSNBC should seriously consider hiding Contessa's microphone. Especially when considering guest after guest during her post-election day show explaining to her why this may not be the case, she continued to spout off her underdeveloped point of view.
'We thought you should know', she says ?!?!?!What??? Don't use a justification that doesn't justify your actions. The question that is begged by your flimsy justification is WHY!!! WHY do you you think we should know. I'm a big MSNBC fan...and this kind of ridiculous lack of journalistic standard is why I now find myself being a more closeted fan of MSNBC.
I work in the media...it is garbage like this, Contessa, that helps grow a negative perception of the media at large. Please make her elevate her standard MSNBC....or write the script for her.
Posted by Reid Amos on Wed 7 Jan 2009 at 11:46 PM