20/20, others investigating Dateline ‘Predator’ sting
Don Day August 14th, 2007
How’s this for a media swirl? The Dallas Morning News has a long story today on a Dateline NBC “To Catch a Predator” visit to Murphy, TX. The DMN notes competing news magazine 20/20 is now looking into the growing controversy. During the Murphy sting, more than 20 people were arrested, but later had charges dropped due to “evidence problems.” One man, a former district attorney, caught by Dateline, Perverted Justice and police later killed himself. Dateline rejects charges they manipulated or interfered with a police investigation. “The premise, the notion, that’s been floated that Chris Hansen or his producers somehow could have controlled or manipulated a police department, prosecutors or the whole law enforcement organization is ridiculous,” Dateline EP David Corvo said.
(Disclosure: The DMN is published by my employer Belo and I work for an NBC affiliate. Oh, and I enjoy watching 20/20).
9 Comments Add your own
1. Rob | August 14th, 2007 at 10:16 am
In a perfect world this would be a wake-up call for people peddling off shock tactic filled infotainment as ‘journalism’ but television is a business and they gotta make money and boost ratings.
In the real world this just brings us full circle to Cory’s post below about Internet news consumers trusting the ‘net for their news more than television. This Dateline fiasco is just one more reason why people are tuning out and logging on.
2. tvnewser | August 14th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Actually, the DMN piece follows 5 pieces Byron Harris did at Belo’s WFAA in Dallas, an ABC affiliate.
He’s been investigating Dateline’s methods since May.
It’s remarkably unusual for a local TV station to investigate a rival network’s program.
3. Anon | August 14th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Eh, ABC will look like fools in the end. No one will challenge that these pervs should be ashamed on national TV.
4. N.L. Belardes | August 14th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
I’ll be watching closely. I have to admit, I watch the show now and then. It’s attention-getting news that gets people to think about who their neighbors are…
Recently there were prostitution arrests in Bakersfield related to one of our news casts on Craigslist.
5. Frank | August 14th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Isn’t this the same program that was busted for rigging gas tanks to explode during a segment on auto safety?
6. Gorman | August 15th, 2007 at 8:09 am
“I think it’s an advance in television investigative journalism,” Mr. Corvo said.
…I think I just vomited in my mouth a little.
7. Tonto Weinstein | August 15th, 2007 at 8:32 am
Meanwhile, Joost looks better and better.
8. Dave | August 15th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
To the question, “Isn’t this the same program that was busted for rigging gas tanks to explode during a segment on auto safety?”, no. That was Primetime.
9. MD | August 15th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Dave - get your facts straight before posting!
Dateline also breached journalistic ethics when it rigged the gas tanks in GM pickup trucks to explode during a package on fuel tank safety. It aired November 17, 1992.
The producers at NBC thought it would be more dramatic and make for “great television”. Unfortunately, they still haven’t learned their lesson!
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