Messaging, Views on News • November 21st, 2008

Image control vs. journalistic standards

by Chris Lato

It would be easy to bemoan the decline in journalistic standards connected to the allegations laid out in this story (although it is ‘People’ magazine we’re talking about – it ain’t the ‘New York Times’). This is really a reflection on the state of celebrity ‘journalism,’ and how money and the ‘get’ of a celebrity interview can trump standards.

Still, ‘People’ is owned by Time, Inc. – publishers of other, more reputable mainstream media products. What does that say about the organization as a whole if this story is, indeed, true?

‘People’ magazine knows that exclusives on Angelina Jolie will sell a lot of issues and may well have been willing to roll over in exchange for that opportunity. It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened in journalism, but the idea than an interview subject could dictate the terms of an interview and allow for editorial control to be exerted is bothersome in most any context.

But spin this out a little further. This year, presidential candidates hand-picked TV interviewers to sit down with. It’s no secret that some reporters are viewed as cupcakes who will be friendly to the interview subject. It’s all about gaining a tactical advantage and doing everything possible to control the message.

Sometimes it backfired.

Just like savvy political candidates, Angelina Jolie understands what she can get away with and takes advantage of it. Conduct similar to what is being alleged against ‘People’ will only go on as long as media outlets allow it to.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 10:49 am and is filed under Messaging, Views on News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.