Goofiness in Investigative Reports

[SRW1000]

This is about tonight's investigative report on Channel 4 by John Mercure about the Endeavor Academy.   The story was about a very serious subject (anyone who has ever had a friend or family member involved with a possible cult will immediately understand).

I have no interest in commenting on the subject matter or what conclusion can be drawn about the investigation.  That's off topic.

What I would like to know is why on earth would you include goofy video effects in a story like this?  While interviewing the pastor, they used flashing lights and a blurring effect.  What's the point of that?  Using such video tricks undermines the credibility of the story.  If you're going to do these kinds of "investigations" you owe it to your viewers to treat the report as a legitimate subject.  What's wrong with letting the subject matter speak for itself?

This kind of silliness gets a big thumbs down from me.

The other aspect that should have been mentioned is how much money is collected, but that wasn't even brought up.

This is a sloppy case of investigative journalism, and reflects poorly on the investigator and the station.

Scott

[Tom Snyder]

It used to be about journalistic integrity. Today, it's either all about hyperbole, histrionics and contrived drama, or warm fuzzies.  

Just another one of the many erosions of our culture.

[basshive]

Just another one of the many erosions of our culture.

So very true.

[duncantuna]

I'd say .. 90% of those "investigative" stories are awful.  Mercure is indeed one of the worst offenders.

Actually, I wouldn't know any more.  I'm (was) a news watcher.  I've watched the local and national news for ages, every night.  Once I got the DVR 2-3 years ago, I had a local newscast (4, 12, or 58 .. I switched around) .. taped, and watched it every day.

About 3 months ago, I stopped taping them, stopped watching the local news completely.  All I wanted was the 8 minutes of real news.   Most of the time, those 8 minutes are spent talking about some shooting or murder, a fire, maybe a bad car accident.

I realized I just didn't need to know that stuff.

Turns out the newspaper is far better at delivering actual news, and you can skip all the no-need-to-know crap.

[WITI6fan]

...tonight's investigative report on Channel 4 by John Mercure...

There's your problem.

Mercure has had a overinflated ego after Dateline and Chris Hansen started duplicating his internet predator sting. Also, if you contact him about the editing there's a good chance he'll put your email on TV and then say what a horrible person you are for not caring about the cult that could come after your children!!

To top it off, WTMJ's "investigative" team often "investigates" the most unimportant subjects out there during sweeps. And then they take important subjects (puppy mills, "deadbeat dads") and recycle them for every ratings period.

[ArgMeMatey]

All true, but if it brings in more people who spend money with advertisers, maybe we'll be able to watch all the wig-wag lights and extreme zooming in HD some time this century.  

Actually that's not good enough.  I'd like to hear Mercure accosting his victims in 5.1 surround as well.