A New Journalistic Low

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Added: Sun Jan 6th 11:34am
Posted in: Entertainment

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There is no excuse. This will be remembered as one of the greatest gaffes in the history of irresponsible journalism. It makes 1948’s “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline seem quaint. Someone's head should roll.

Like many of you, I awoke this morning and opened up my Sunday paper. There on the cover of Parade Magazine was a huge picture of Benazir Bhutto and the Headline “ I Am What The Terrorists Most Fear.” Inside, the article headline states “As Benazir Bhutto seeks a return to power, Tuesdays election in Pakistan could profoundly affect the fight against terrorism.”

Of course, the problem is that Bhutto was brutally assassinated on December 27th. Parade magazine had 9 days to pull the story, add an insert explaining that they went to press before the assassination or print a disclaimer sticker for the cover. Something. Anything. Instead they did nothing.

The article asks if Bhutto is “America’s best hope for the region.” It includes friends and relatives talking about how she’ll change Pakistan for the better. Had she been assassinated yesterday or the day before, we could cut Parade some slack. But not when it happened 9 days ago and was the most widely reported story on the planet for more than 48 hours.

Parade not only made itself look ridiculous, it embarrassed every one of the 400 daily newspapers that carries it. And it disrespected not only Bhutto’s family and followers but also every one of the 72 million people who read their story.

Parade editors obviously knew about the assassination. The only reason for not pulling the article, killing the entire edition, or adding a sticker, is financial. Parade has demonstrated that it has zero journalistic ethics. It is only interested in the all mighty dollar.

Now that very motivation will result in attempts at major damage control in the next few days. The story will grow. Pressure will build. Readers will revolt. Major dailies will rethink carrying Parade. Look for a public apology. And some heads will roll. They should.