Images of Shameful Journalism

Recently, Hollywood lost a beloved star, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, known for films such as Moneyball and The Big Lebowski. On February 2, 2014 the world was informed of the actor’s death caused by an overdose of heroin. News stands and stations have been feeding the country the tragic details of his death all throughout this week. What I don’t understand is when is it enough information for the public to be happy and just move on from it? Do we have to label him an “addict” and a drug abuser while his family is not even a week in to mourning their loss of a loved one?

            Above is a post that was recently shared and showed up on Facebook. I’m posting it because I think the world could use a little more of the humility shown by the young woman that wrote it. Nothing angers me more than how bad journalism can make itself out to be. When you hold so much power and persuasion how can a company such as New York Daily News create a cover such as this:

            This was released Thursday, February 4 as an invite for readers to look at the details of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death. Does anyone up at NYDaily care about the image of its magazine? Is anyone else offended by the lack of sensitivity shown by this publisher? Perhaps some tips in common decency would be in order for the ‘professionals’ that approved of such a headline.

            If I were on the public relations team for NYDaily I would obviously have a pretty big mess to clean up. When something like this happens is when PR professionals should jump in and say “hey let’s not make ourselves look bad” instead of trying to sell magazines in such a manner. I would recommend an immediate apology along with a new front page advertised in a more decent way. The whole black background and red bold letters make it seem like the cover to a dramatic and dark film, which works for the story as long as more humility is shown with the facts. And the title "Drug Den" needs to go. This example is obviously just one of the more recent incidents in which journalism has made itself look like reporters and newspapers are heartless. Not saying they are, but a majority of people think this. And who can blame them?

            Let’s not forget the many times that front-page spreads have been regarding the messy details of a failed marriage. I get it. It’s news. I guess this is how public relations professionals and journalists are different. We’re trying to keep it clean and classy while reporters apparently don’t care.

            The story is completely different when a public figure does the damage all themselves. I’m wondering what the agents for Texas country singer, Josh Abbott, are currently thinking after he openly admitted to cheating on his wife as well as addictions on his own Twitter account.

                       

            Yikes. I’m not sure whether to applaud the man for his honesty or feel bad for his manager and those who have worked so hard for the image they have helped him create. If I were in charge of his public image, I would recommend him lay low for a while until it all blows over. Maybe somehow make the public sympathize for him, since I’m sure there is explanation for his behavior. I’m sure his fans will remain loyal since this isn’t breaking through the news and is coming from his own mouth. In public relations, I think forgiveness and empathy is something that not many people can give, but it’s what a lot of us in the industry might someday have to work toward for our client’s sake. 

David O. Russell apology for slavery comment

David O. Russell apology for slavery comment

            The title sounds worse than it may be, but a week ago the news was out about David O. Russell making a comment about Jennifer Lawrence and her film schedule for The Hunger Games franchise. Not such a friendly comment to be making in the industry right now, in my opinion.  Russell recently worked with Lawrence on Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle. In an interview last Friday with New York Daily News he made the comments of his opinion that Lawrence is hardworking but deserves a break from her Hunger Games schedule. With quotes such as “talk about 12 years a slave” and comparing the franchise to a “hamster wheel” that is “printing money”. Here is the link to the article from New York Daily News about the apology for his interview comments with them.  NY Daily News- Apology

Ouch. In the interview Russell also stated that he knew he was going to get in trouble for his comments. Can I just say “DUH” on that one? He is entitled to that opinion and it was a question which he answered honestly. These days hurting someone’s feelings or voicing your opinion is said to be applauded, but we all know it’s basically a sin to voice any opinion that might hurt someone or a group of people. (I don’t mean to go on a rant about how annoying the spineless trophy generation is to me, that’s all I’ll say).

            So, the next step after an interview like this gets out in the media making Russell look like a tyrant is when public relations really comes in handy. Someone help him! And they did. Whether he decided to apologize on his own or the idea was put in his head to publicly revoke the comments, he came out Tuesday to take back what was said. If I were representing him I would have done the same thing and suggested an apology. I feel it was a pretty great PR move to make the apology public before an entire week went by and it looked too obvious that it was suggested after it might have offended someone. I couldn’t find out if Russell has a personal Twitter account, but if he had one I’m sure a tweet would be out with another apology from him personally.

            For those of you who may not know, 12 Years A Slave is a recent film nominated for a Golden Globe that has accrued a lot of publicity and praise for its portrayal of slavery. Russell’s interview was the Friday before the Golden Globes.

Here's some more links where I got info on the interview and apology. Some great points made in the stories are the Twitter users' responses to Russell's comments.

Eonline