Convene That Blogger Ethics Panel!

Believe it or not, CBS faked its coverage of Boston’s July Fourth fireworks show:

Those who watched Boston’s revered Fourth of July celebration Monday night on CBS were treated to spectacular views of fireworks exploding behind the State House, Quincy Market, and home plate at Fenway Park, among other places – great views, until you consider that they were physically impossible.

[…]

David Mugar, the Boston-area businessman and philanthropist who has executive produced the show for nine years, confirmed yesterday that the footage was altered. He said this was the first year such alterations were made.

Mugar said the added images were above board because the show was entertainment and not news. He said it was no different than TV drama producer David E. Kelley using scenes from his native Boston in his show “Boston Legal’’ but shooting the bulk of each episode on a studio set in Hollywood.

I mean, Jesus. I just give up. Have we really reached a point where people can’t tell the difference between broadcast coverage of an entertainment event, and an entertainment broadcast? Do they really not know that broadcasting a real, live event for a national audience is not the same as a scripted drama with actors and fictional characters?

You don’t do this, not without telling people. Ever.

5 Comments

Filed under CBS, Media

5 responses to “Convene That Blogger Ethics Panel!

  1. ThresherK

    Your Yankee Correspondent adds: I knew something was up when the lights of the Citgo sign were reflecting off the face of Mt. Rushmore.

  2. Flying Junior

    So it’s just like we’re trying to make a commercial or a trailer? Like it really doesn’t matter whether or not the “music video” accompanying the news is really from Boston or just the archives? Is this a cue from FOX on how to maximize profits and minimize worries? And this from CBS? Ed Murrow. Walter Cronkite. Dan Rather. Katie Couric.

    Et tu Brute? Thanks SB. That’s about as reprehensible as it gets. I still sort of trusted CBS, but I have yet to hear an explanation as to why they fired Katie.

    Enlightnen me, if thou wilt.

  3. “Do they really not know that broadcasting a real, live event for a national audience is not the same as a scripted drama with actors and fictional characters?”

    After more than twenty years of “reality” television shows? What do you think?

  4. Pingback: Convene That Blogger Ethics Panel! | Southern Beale « Ethics Find

  5. Frank Simpson

    It is really hard for me to be optimistic about anything these days. My natural cynicism is only reinforced by stories such as this. I would have believed it of Faux News—but NOT CBS. But this is America, after all. Entertainment is paramount—“news” is irrelevant.