I realize the National Enquirer is not “mainstream media” — or at least not considered so by other more “respectable” media outlets… but since the Enquirer has been used as sources on some stories (John Edwards love child for one) then they’re going to be lumped in the “MSM” for me.
Freedom of the Press is a bedrock principle of our liberty — especially in light of our huge and complex government. A good press informs and stands guard. If (when?) we lose Freedom of the Press it won’t be because the government barges in — it will be waived voluntarily by the media itself in a slow suicide. We talk about the mainstream media’s ideological biases all of the time. Not talked about as much is the other major source of ethical lapse — seeking a story any story to make money or to “be first”. This seems to be seen mostly, by my lights, in entertainment and “tragedy” media. This brings me back to The National Enquirer. This is self-explanatory.
Brooke Shields has come to an agreement with the National Enquirer after alleging a reporter and photographer from the tabloid checked her elderly mother, who suffers from dementia, out of a New Jersey nursing home last month.
“Two weeks ago, Brooke Shields was forced to make a public disclosure about her mother, Teri Shields’s health, when we learned that Mrs. Shields had been taken out of a care facility by a reporter and photographer working for the National Enquirer and I was told that the National Enquirer was going to print information about her condition and whereabouts,” Shields’s attorney, Gerald B. Lefcourt told People.com.
Yes I know celebrities often invite this scrutiny and bored Americans create a market for it, but every so often a line is crossed that confirms everyone’s worst fears. I don’t think this atrocious act is the end of the MSM, but in a case of death by a thousand cuts, this counts as a few cuts.
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The media just can’t help shooting themselves in the foot can they? The Fourth Estate has become a slum of tenements.
When the Edwards story was published in the NATIONAL ENQUIRER, I was skeptical, because that tabloid follows a rule: “If we can’t find a juicy story, we’ll make one up.” (They did with Sarah Palin)
Anyway, back to the issue at hand, this is dis-gust-ing. No, wait, this DEFINES disgusting! Checking out a 90 year-old dementia ridden woman to get a story on her. Way to make an all-time low! Even for the National Enquirer.
Drew Pinksy has a new book out, The Mirror Effect, and lets just say he has no love for the MSM in general. I don’t look at Brooke Shields as someone who invited this intrusion. She is famous but seems classy and not as narcissistic as many of the people Pinsky writes about however because she is who she the Paps decided to dig. Did they did. Just because the right to privacy isn’t enumerated in the Constitution doesn’t mean its not implied. Somehow tehse people need to be sued or something.
Stephanie… I didn’t mean to say that Brooke Shields invited this scrutiny. I think you’re right. She seems to me to be a working actress/model who does publicity for her shows, advertises her products, and that’s pretty much it. She came out to bitch-slap Tom Cruise a couple of years ago, but that was just fun.
“She came out to bitch-slap Tom Cruise a couple of years ago, but that was just fun.”
Which was greaaaat.
How did the nursing home allow this?
That is a question I am sure Brooke Shields wants to know. Or at least got the answer to it.
It sounds like simple negligence. The story said the photog convinced the home that they were family friends. It didn’t mention money exchanging hands (which would be a crime I bet) so they probably just didn’t bother looking at the list — which I would assume would be small given Shields’ celebrity. She could own that home if she wanted.
Yes, this definately crosses the line into disgusting. I wonder what the ‘agreement’ with the National Enquirer was? I’m sure Mrs. Shields probably just wants this to disappear, but I would do my darndest to have that reporter (if he can be called that) in jail.
I would’ve wanted to sue them broke.
And that makes 5…
Don’t the comments have to be meaningful, at least to more than yourself?
Fritz, if that’s the qualifier than none of my comments meet the standard. I don’t even know what I’m saying well over 90% of the time.
You didn’t hear me brag (much) when I ran the comments block a week or so back. Of course it was at 2 a.m. Pacific, and I can’t print screen over to 3D. So I have no proof except my exceptionally honest word!
That’s some mighty big talk, Fritz, and it can be proved. We have archives. “A week or so back…” How conveniently vague. Give me a date and time, Mr. and I’ll have the Threedonia web development team restore the back-ups. Or, say nothing and I’ll take your lack of response as further acknowledgement of my talent.
I really don’t remember when it was. It was maybe a week before you and Mike had the last “running the board” contest last week. Like I said, it was easy because I pick up Mrs. Fritz at work at about 1 a.m. Pacific, so I’m sure everyone’s in bed but me.