I think that it was unacceptable for the NBC editor to cut the audio files the way he did. I think that this really crosses the line. I understand that radio editors are allowed to take out the “hums” and other unnecessary parts. However, the editor needed to understand the effect that such audio editing will have in how the audience will understand the story. I think that the audio editing done clearly affected the essence of the story. He might as well just say Zimmerman was guilty.
However, I personally don’t see a major ethical dilemma with the incorrect tweet that NBC sent. Granted, NBC tweeted false information and for that they should be apprehended. However, I thought that NBC’s apology was sufficient. A rule of thumb that I have learned is that corrections should be done in the same medium that the initial mistake was committed. NBC did exactly that. Furthermore, NBC clearly explained the nature of the error and advised users to follow up with the correction tweet if they had re-tweeted the initial mistaken tweet. I think that although NBC gets an “F” for its accuracy, it got an “A” for being accountable to the public.
I agree with Andy that the editing of the George Zimmerman 911 call was completely unacceptable. Whoever was responsible for that must have known better. With audio it can be helpful to cut out ums and ahs and even portions of the actual audio as long as it doesn’t change the meaning. In my opinion the person who edited this audio knew better and made a conscious decision to edit the phone call so that it sounded more extreme and blatantly racist than it actually was. Especially in a murder case like this one where no one has been found guilty I think it is extremely inappropriate for a news organization to release an edited 911 call like this. It is irresponsible and could harm the actual legal proceedings in court. Too often I think the media is eager to play judge and jury and this is an example of when that mentality goes too far. The tweet on the other hand seemed more like an innocent mistake and I think the way that they handled it was extremely professional and efficient. I can see how someone could get their facts mixed up especially in the rush of the 24-hr news cycle. But given the pressure and given that we all make mistakes I think NBC was appropriate in their handling of the correction.
I think that it was unacceptable for the NBC editor to cut the audio files the way he did. I think that this really crosses the line. I understand that radio editors are allowed to take out the “hums” and other unnecessary parts. However, the editor needed to understand the effect that such audio editing will have in how the audience will understand the story. I think that the audio editing done clearly affected the essence of the story. He might as well just say Zimmerman was guilty.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I personally don’t see a major ethical dilemma with the incorrect tweet that NBC sent. Granted, NBC tweeted false information and for that they should be apprehended. However, I thought that NBC’s apology was sufficient. A rule of thumb that I have learned is that corrections should be done in the same medium that the initial mistake was committed. NBC did exactly that. Furthermore, NBC clearly explained the nature of the error and advised users to follow up with the correction tweet if they had re-tweeted the initial mistaken tweet. I think that although NBC gets an “F” for its accuracy, it got an “A” for being accountable to the public.
I agree with Andy that the editing of the George Zimmerman 911 call was completely unacceptable. Whoever was responsible for that must have known better. With audio it can be helpful to cut out ums and ahs and even portions of the actual audio as long as it doesn’t change the meaning. In my opinion the person who edited this audio knew better and made a conscious decision to edit the phone call so that it sounded more extreme and blatantly racist than it actually was. Especially in a murder case like this one where no one has been found guilty I think it is extremely inappropriate for a news organization to release an edited 911 call like this. It is irresponsible and could harm the actual legal proceedings in court. Too often I think the media is eager to play judge and jury and this is an example of when that mentality goes too far.
ReplyDeleteThe tweet on the other hand seemed more like an innocent mistake and I think the way that they handled it was extremely professional and efficient. I can see how someone could get their facts mixed up especially in the rush of the 24-hr news cycle. But given the pressure and given that we all make mistakes I think NBC was appropriate in their handling of the correction.