This week Today Show News Anchor Jenna Wolfe announced she was expecting the birth of a baby girl with her girlfriend of a few years NBC News Correspondent Stephanie Gosk. This was in essence a national coming out and having a baby announcement as the general public appears to have no clue either were gay, together or expecting a child. You could almost see the relief and elation on her face as she made this very public announcement. Did she anticipate backlash? I don't think anyone does when they are feeling the emotions that come with being completely happy with showing people your 'true self'. At the end of the day we all just want to be happy and live our lives. And she has been quoted as saying: "But I don't want to bring my daughter into a world where I'm not comfortable telling everyone who I am and who her mother is."
Some viewed this as a very controversial step by NBC as the Supreme court was debating two controversial same sex marriage issues in the same week. These court debates have been extensively covered high in the news rundown.
I went to their Facebook page- and other articles around the web to learn more about the announcement. There was a lot of support- but I was kinda shocked and saddened- most of the comments I saw in the initial few hours were pretty bad. The comments were filled with shock and a lot of negative words on this issue. I mean a lot... and mean... because they are gay. It's not my position to weigh in on either side of the debate of a person's sexuality, but I can say I was surprised people were so candid with their hatred. I wont re-post them here but you can find them for yourself, just be sure to not go to the Today show looking for the bad comments.
Here's the thing--- if you go to the Today Show's facebook page now-- you will only find the positive comments. Was I dreaming I read all those bad comments? No. In fact- I came across a couple of positive or neutral comments that weren't deleted- referring to the negative comments. Here are a couple screen saves I made of them (before they disappear too).
Almost 1,500 comments- and not one negative one in sight? It appears the Today Show deleted them all. Do you think that's right? I know a lot of people call those in the field of journalism "The Liberal Media" and wonder- does this lend credibility to that argument?
Does deleting the negative comments cross some line? Or do you think- hey, it's their Facebook page- they can delete what they want? Full disclosure: I would delete a negative or mean spirited comment on my Facebook page-- it's a personal page and I don't have time for that nonsense. I raise this question because it's not a person's Facebook page- its a news entity's page- and I wonder at what point do you think the line of "coverage" gets stepped over into an "agenda"?
Just a question rolling around in my head that I'd love to hear your thoughts on. I admit- I can see argument on both sides of the issue. As an employee I would hope my employer would stand up for me. As a viewer I would hope news wouldn't decide what's best for the viewer.
On a side note- this announcement is a very consistent step in how they cover personal issues of NBC employees. Correspondent Jenna Bush Hager recently announced on set- in the same fashion that she is expecting a baby with her husband.
Either side you fall on in this debate- I will weigh in by saying I hope she has a healthy pregnancy and baby.
Here's a link to Jenna's television announcement. People magazine has an article out about it on news stands today.
2 comments:
I'd like to think they deleted the comments out of respect for their employees feelings, not because they have an agenda.
I feel like I've been saying this a lot lately, but whatever happened to, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"? People have become so mean.
Right- I agree.
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