TV station “teases” suicide
By Julie Kredens, staff writer
"We weren’t intending to annoy our viewers, if that’s what we did," said Bret Marcus, news director at WNBC-TV in New York.
Some viewers were reportedly upset when, during a recent episode of "L.A. Law," Channel 4 news ran several promotional teases about the death of an actor who had appeared on the series. The story concerned the apparent suicide of David Rappaport, a 3-foot, eleven-inch actor who played lawyer Hamilton Skylar in several episodes of "L.A. Law." The audience, however, didn’t find that out until the end of Channel 4’s 11 p.m. news. The announcements first referred to a "star" of the show, later changing to a "familiar face."
Channel 4 anchor Chuck Scarborough said the "teases" and the placement of the story near the end of the broadcast were intended to hold the "L.A. Law" audience through the news program. According to published reports, the strategy apparently worked, increasing the audience by 30 percent over the previous week.
Scarborough said he believed they came just short of crossing the line of irresponsibility with the promotions, but nevertheless maintained that it was a legitimate news story.
Marcus agreed, "It was a bonafide news story, it was of interest to viewers of ‘L.A. Law,’ and it was one of a number of different things we teased that night."
Referring to Scarborough’s comments that the station came close to being irresponsible by promoting the suicide story, Marcus said, "People are entitled to their own opinions . . . everyone from Chuck Scarborough on down."
Marcus believes the whole incident was blown out of proportion. "I don’t think it’s a big deal."
And, if a similar situation were to arise, would he do the same thing?
"Yeah, I think so," said Marcus.
FineLine: The Newsletter On Journalism Ethics, vol. 2, no. 3 (June 1990), p. 8.
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June 6th, 2008 at 10:29 am
This sort of news broadcasting is definitely a liberal approach to presenting the news. I’m not calling the tv station wrong for doing this, however I would not exploit a story in tis manner. Suicide is a very serious thing and is better left low profile. Had this story been an exclusive interview with a cast member or a story about a show cancellation, this would be a marvelous approach. But in my opinion, keeping fans in suspense for a story about the loss of a human life is just a little immoral in my standards. If I was a family member of the person the story was about, I would be enraged.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:46 am
This kind of news cast is horrible to see on television. How could anyone make fun of a suicide let alone on TV. This broadcast was used to leave your viewers in suspense about the loss of a human life. I bet a pretty penny that the family WAS NOT full of suspense. Obviously this story showed no respect for the dead. Your suppose to celebrate the person’s life, not their death. If I was this persons family member, I wouldnt only be hurt, but more enraged!
November 20th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
This is so bad. How could they do this. Tease an innocent man! I can’t see light anymore.
March 24th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
How can someone even begin to say anything about another person, like this. I know people have the right to speak their opinions but this is just a bit much; if you ask me. What they should of done was just let the pore guy alone and just mind there own business.
May 20th, 2009 at 9:57 am
If it was all about enlarging their audience numbers, and it clearly was, then that is just out right ridiculous. Joking about suicide? That is very unproffensional, personally. I think that they should be fired or punished severely for that comment.