Casey Anthony: Could the story change the way TV journalism works? - Hal

by mom_in_il Tue Jul 26, 2011 2:16 pm

Casey Anthony: Could the story change the way TV journalism works?
posted by halboedeker on July, 25 2011 5:22 PM

I’ve heard journalists dismiss the Casey Anthony story as a soap opera unworthy of the public’s fascination.

Yet the long-running Anthony saga could change TV journalism in sweeping ways.

ABC News announced today it’s doing away with checkbook journalism, the practice of paying money to those who are interviewed. You can credit that change in large part to the embarrassment ABC suffered when it was revealed in 2010 that the Disney-owned network paid $200,000 to Anthony in 2008 to license photos and video. ABC News made that deal with defense attorney Jose Baez. Anthony was later charged in her daughter Caylee’s death.

ABC News’ change of heart about how it does business comes as networks are talking to Baez about an Anthony interview after her acquittal earlier this month. Could ABC’s decision prompt similar changes at CBS and NBC?

We can hope. Many were appalled last year at the revelation that ABC News, in effect, had paid for Anthony’s defense.

Many were appalled by Anthony’s acquittal earlier this month and have pressed for Caylee’s Law, prompting a discussion about the legislation’s merits.

Many viewers are promoting boycotts to keep Anthony, her defense team or her family from profiting off the tragedy.

The Anthony story may not have the scope of the Washington budget battle, war or natural disasters. Some journalists have even lectured readers that they should be interested in other stories.

But the Anthony saga connected with readers and viewers because it focused on family, the central issue in most people’s lives.

Beyond that, the story has unfolded like a mystery novel with amazing twists. There have been fascinating and confounding characters. The story initiated wide discussion about the justice system, public officials and the journalism business. Not bad for a story that supposedly was just a soap opera.

Many readers have told us repeatedly they are interested in the story. If we in the journalism business listened to the public more often, maybe our business wouldn’t be in such trouble.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2011/07/casey-anthony-could-the-story-change-the-way-tv-journalism-works.html