Comments on: 20/20, others investigating Dateline ‘Predator’ sting

By: MD

MD — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:11:32 +0000

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!

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:46:44 +0000

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.

By: Tonto Weinstein

Tonto Weinstein — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:32:58 +0000

Meanwhile, Joost looks better and better.

By: Gorman

Gorman — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:09:41 +0000

“I think it’s an advance in television investigative journalism,” Mr. Corvo said.

…I think I just vomited in my mouth a little.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:58:57 +0000

Isn’t this the same program that was busted for rigging gas tanks to explode during a segment on auto safety?

By: N.L. Belardes

N.L. Belardes — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 23:54:21 +0000

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.

By: Anon

Anon — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:02:08 +0000

Eh, ABC will look like fools in the end. No one will challenge that these pervs should be ashamed on national TV.

By: tvnewser

tvnewser — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 20:28:21 +0000

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.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:16:04 +0000

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.