Thursday, March 26, 1992
Advertisers,
compromise
(continued from page 2)
avoid the wrath of advertisers.
Other examples he used
suggested more serious ethical
violations. Simmons quoted
Morgan Strong, whose article
appeared in last month’s TV
Guide:
'"By now, it is well known
that some portions of the Persian
Gulf War effort were stage
managed in an effort to rally
public opinion for military action
against Iraq.'"
Among examples of this was
the appearance of Nayirah, a
Kuwaiti girl, in front of a
Congressional caucus in 1990.
Not only did Nayirah turn out to
be the daughter of Kuwait's
ambassador to the U.S., her
rehearsal for the appearance was
% headed by Craig Fuller, former
chief of staff to George Bush
during his vice presidency.
"According to that same
report, Hill and Knowlton
coached, rehearsed, scripted and
even clothed appropriate refugees
from the war in efforts to produce
emotion arousing video tapes to
be used by the press coros to
evoke support for the war back in
the U. 5.," Simmons added.
Public relations Firms play a
new role in today's newsrooms
by producing video news releases
Film series examines challenges
*of social, mental changes
Jeremy Race
The Collegian
"On the Verge of
Overcoming", a film scries
devoted to individuals confronting
social and psychological change,
is being presented this semester
as part of the 1991-92 Human
Relations Film Series.
The series, sponsored by the
Equal Opportunity Planning
Committee, Women Today, the
Office of Student Services, and
the Office of Student
Activities/Union, hopes to
accomplish two main goals.
"We want to help students
explore different controversial
issues, such as interracial
relationships and incest, which
they may face at certain times in
their lives," said Maureen Finn,
coordinator of student
organizations and program
development.
The other goal is to present a
positive way to overcome the
obstacles or problems students
may face should they find
tnemselves in one of these
situations.
Three films will be presented
during the remainder of the
semester.
• "Jungle Fever", a modern
love story that deals with the
harsh realities of interracial
relationships, will be featured
tonight in 101 Otto Behrend
Science Building. The film starts
at 7 p.m.
• "The Color Of Purple" will
be featured on Thursday, April 2.
media mergers
objectivity
(a collection of pictures and
information produced to look like
a news report) for use by
television stations.
Simmons stressed the fact that
both print media news releases
and video news releases are
designed to "sell products, ideas
and individuals to the public."
"Think about the temptations
involved here,” asked Simmons.
"If there is one
hard and fast rule
in journalism, it is
that advertising
pays the bills."
-Dr. Mike Simmons
Associate Professor of
English
Stories are handed to news
directors and they don't have to
expend time and money
producing original work.
Simmons mentioned that
another problem with these news
releases is the fact that they are
given to the producer at no cost.
"Video news releases carry a
hidden agenda... they are produced
to sell something and the news
content is merely the means by
which that something is
• "Who Killed Vincent Chin",
a movie about the issue of anti-
Asian sentiment in our country,
will be held as the last film in
the series on April 9.
The Collegian
packaged.”
Adding to Simmons' ethical
concerns is the increased buying
of news organizations by big
business.
"The potential for conflict of
interest is obvious."
Simmons said that many
people are watching the
watchdogs. They have discovered
that the press is not always able
to just say no. He added that
"other watchdogs, the reading,
listening and viewing public need
to become even more vigilant in
their own judgement regarding
what they consume in the form
of daily news."
Ending on the need for the
media to watch itself, Simmons
suggested, "sensationalism,
convenience, subjugation to
advertisers and cost
effectiveness...none of these are
ever substitutes or excuses for
irresponsible journalism."
Simmons, nationally known
for his outdoor writing, also
writes a weekly outdoor column
for The Erie Times.
The Council of Fellows
Excellence in Teaching Award is
presented every year to a faculty
member who, in the opinion of
faculty and students, best
exemplifies the idea of an
inspiring and committed teacher.
Group discussions arc held
after each film to encourage open
consideration of the topic at hand.
All films are held in 101 Otto
Behrend Science Building and are
free and open to the public.
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