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09.11
Eight years later, has the media forgotten September 11?
Break out the obligatory live shots and somber copy reads from the anchors, it must be 9/11.
And thanks to PR and TV Newser, we see what the nationals and networks are planning for their ratings bump, er… coverage:
ABC – Going all day, beginning with GMA reports on security. They will break for the on-site memorial service at Ground Zero. “World News” goes with a counter-terrorism report. Then “Nightline” is going blow the dust off Pat Tillman’s publicist to discuss the book. Okay?
CBS – No one is going to watch CBS’ coverage including “a live report” from Ground Zero and Katie Couric hoping for a bump that raises her above re-runs of “The Cosby Show” on Nick at Nite. And thanks for “The Early Show” for having the isolated one-off report. It’s only the worst disaster in American history.
NBC – No need to ask “Where in the world is Matt Lauer”. He’s here all day and good on ya’ for that. “Nightly News” will have a very much hyped “Making a Difference” segment that makes it read like a cure for cancer. But hey, it’s MSNBC.
FOX – How does the “Timeline of Terror” grab you for kicks? Nothing quite says, “Where is this country going from here” than rehashing the obvious and reciting black box recordings with Steve Doocy. Oh, and then there is a walk down amnesia lane with Dick Cheney. Nice.
CNN – Evidently their reporters and anchors have mailed it in as it’s been a full-day blitz thanks to their anonymous doltish friends from Twitter. Aside from AC360 sporting his mama’s designer jeans from Afghanistan, it’s all studio, all the time.
There’s so much more to this than what happened. How about what’s happening? As in an on-location interview with NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg swirling in a monsoon and standing in front of what looks like a very tall parking garage. Of course it was Ground Zero, but all you see is ground… and zero real improvements. Did I mention it’s been eight years?!
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, this is not a political stump nor is it a means to bash one party or the other. This was an event that greatly affected us all. We all have the “Where was I when” story, and most of the time, those tales of woe bring up tears or jeers. Parties didn’t matter. Race didn’t matter. Only America.
Eight years later, where are we? Divided across an aisle, an issue and an entire country. Pity. The media has a greater responsibility than to just report… they influence. They know it, so they should stop ignoring it. Let’s look forward. If September is now “National Preparedness Month,” how prepared are the media tycoons to help this country move forward… and closer together?
It’s sad, really. There are obviously some things we need help to remember, and others we will never forget. I just pray 9/11 was one of them.
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