Tragedies of stealth PR

["Doug Jenkins" <DJENKIN@nuskin.net>]

Three tragedies are revealed in this incident. First, the media's willingness to be bought rather than portray unbiased views of actual events or facts. Second, the extent of the public's blind trust in the media. Third, the pressure that is then wielded on politicians and subsequent law.

I believe it's a given that many organizations, whether political, business, environmental, medical, even religious, have funneled money to the media to buy a favorable spin. It's despicable and tarnishes the reputation of the media as well as the 'buyer' and is a slap in the face of the public. There's nothing wrong with seeking attention from the media. But paying for that attention and a desired spin is wrong even if that's how the game is played. Paying to make it look like a grass-roots effort is even
worse. Sorry, but I don't have much sympathy for MS in this incident. The media should not be bought or biased. Being bought shouldn't be a freedom the press enjoys.

Doug Jenkins
Programmer/Analyst