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Show Gerald Mvera: KisM off Bad Taste By Glnny GaleWaldls politician, In the last few years, more and more attention and criticism have been aimed toward Journalism ethics. At first the concern was over such things as the right to privacy. Accusations by the media or political or religious figures' alleged scandalous behavior abounded. More recently, the ethical focus has turned to television. We witnessed Dan leather's verbal attack on George Bush, then a presidential candidate. Meanwhile, the television news showed us that picture of candidate Hart with the lovely Donna Rice on his Gary lap. While most of these stories have been argued to possess a legitimate purpose of protecting innocent followers or even our hallowed country, television has suddenly given rise to a shameful deluge of reporting in the form of interview shows. The hosts of some of these shows seem to be in a now-famo- then-presidenti- us al continual battle to produce the most outlandish mix of kinky and bizarre guests in order to boost their ratings. The most familiar perpetrator of this sleazy style boasts of being the best. Once a lawyer, Geraldo Rivera seems to enjoy going out on a limb. While posing as a "responsible-journalis- t, Rivera continues to cover seedy stories, especially evident during "sweep week." Not a show goes by that he doesnt attempt to put words in his guests' mouths. Geraldos an investigative reporter, and Im Better Crocker." Even former NBC News president Reuven Frank has said that, "Geraldo should be arrested for r exposing himself." Rivera says he is a stickler for integrity, but Columbia Journalism School lecturer Harry Arouh, who once had Rivera in 30BWIOKAMSM-- ? a reporting class, believes otherwise. "He has always been sensation-minded,- " said Arouh, "He hasnt changed a bit since his days at Columbia." This was evident In the content of Rivera's show on Satanism several weeks ago. While Rivera wanted to mention on the show such horrors as draining and drinking victims' blood as well as their castrations, he was disappointed when allowed to only talk about the sealing of the victims eyes and mouths and carvings done on their chests. He complained, "Its all a question of taste." Human nature makes it difficult to turn away when we see a car wreck or other disasters. We see violence and murder on the television news every day. But there's a CPS difference between reporting and exploiting the tragic events that occur in our lives. make personal prudish remarks about their broken nose he received on the show, as well chosen lifestyles, and even go so far as to as the Unfortunately for television networks, drop of blood he shed. ratings and money have, in most cases, provoke physical violence. Undaunted after appearing on the become a greater influence for what we see Last month while his show, cover of "Newsweek" with the large headline than taping truth, and good taste. decency, which a fight broke out on stage, 'TRASH TV" next to Rivera's smashed and during we should look not only to the Rivera became a victim of his own Perhaps ability to only slightly bloodied face, he explained,"At ethics of s, individual incite riots and encourage confrontations. but tawdry least I got a couple of real good shots in." to their supporting networks for After boasting of his No stranger to the encouraging reporting during flashy and this unsavory search for sordid Vietnam War and coming out unscathed, interview shows, Sally Jessy Raphael that demean the profession expositions Rivera made quite a production of the of ethical recently remarked, "Phil Donahue is a journalism. dirt-dealer- off-be- at , Come Into the Snack bar And Part In The 9WQIP, fake w Guess How Many Customers We've Served In The Snack Bar between December 25, 1987 And December 15, 1988. The Closest Guess Will Win: Gift Certificate Towards Any Purchase in The CKO q A Umt Mi 8 Mugs A Will Be Given Away Daily For The T-sh- irt Guess On That Day's Customer Count! Prizes For The 2nd Thru 7th Best Guesses. - 6 . jt Come In for A Closest Prize List... .0 filar As oft 5:ri . , . - ; Forum December 6, 1988 Issue 11 |