So, like, what the hell is up with the media? First it was the New York Times, printing fabricated stories from a wunderkind newshound. Then came CBS and Dan Rather and the whole Bush military service mishegas. And now, apparently, ABC has dipped its toe in the shimmering, shallow waters of sloppy, sensationalist journalism with a 20/20 feature on Matthew Shepard alleging that drug abuse–not homophobia–was the real reason behind Shepard’s murder.
It wouldn’t be so bad if they’d grounded the segment in factual evidence, but they chose instead to use nothing but interviews–and of course, no one’s under oath. Furthermore, the timing of the piece seems a tad suspicious, given the Right’s current attack on GLBT rights and the media that (allegedly) promote them. Perhaps Karl Rove is boinking Elizabeth Vargas. Or John Stossel, for that matter… Um, ew. Strike that last bit.
Anyway, whether or not there’s any truth in those interviews, there is certainly lots of conjecture and hearsay, which is to be roundly condemned. So if you feeling like sounding off today, why not send a lil’ ol’ letter to President ABC News President David Westin and 20/20 Executive Director David Sloan? It’ll make you feel better. Or at least kill a couple of minutes in an otherwise dull day.
sturtle [dot] com 