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| Frank LoBuono |
When I saw it, my jaw dropped. I was channel serving when I quickly noticed a banner across Sean Hannity's Fox News program. But first, let me make something perfectly clear. I am NOT a regular viewer of Fox News. In fact, because I find their so-called news programs full of inaccuracies, pointed exaggerations, and flat-out disinformation so egregious that I have dubbed it Faux News. Be that as it may, I will occasionally stop and watch for a minute or two just to see how outrageous their alternative facts might be for any given story.
The banner
was highlighting the news that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
was investigating CBS in support of President Trump’s $10 billion
lawsuit (that’s right $10 BILLION) claiming that CBS had selectively and
deceptively edited a Kamal Harris answer during a "60 Minutes" interview
while she was campaigning. In an unprecedented move and under FCC pressure,
CBS released a longer, more complete answer that was used for another program.
Hannity played both clips and went on to encourage viewers to see how they deliberately
turned “word salad” (his words) into a coherent, more positive response.
Are you
kidding me?
That college
dropout, blowhard was trying to explain a process most people, including him,
have little or no idea about?
Fortunately,
I do know something about it.
You see, I
spent over 40 years in the TV production/news business working in about every
position that profession had to offer. During that time, I performed as a
production assistant, a producer, reporter, writer, director, technician. editor,
and more. I spent the last 20 years of my career working for the National Desk
at CBS News in New York. I have been retired for the last few years but
still maintain my press credentials and I teach a multi-media graduate level
course at Fordham University, Lincoln Center. So, without false modesty,
I know what the hell I’m talking about. And I know this:
1. I
watched both clips of the interview and there was NO so-called word salad.
Both clips made perfect sense. One just happened to be a bit longer because it
contained conversational words that aren’t necessary in the final
interpretation.
2. That’s
what editing IS! EVERY interview, especially those involving National figures, is
ALWAYS longer than the final EDITED version. Interviews of that nature can last
a half hour or more. It is simply impossible to use the ENTIRE interview in a
news piece that lasts anywhere from 3 to 14 or 15 minutes in TOTAL!
3. It’s
the JOB of the producers and editors, who are HIGHLY TRAINED TO DO SO, to condense
ALL of the information into a usable form while still preserving the SPIRIT of
the message.
4. CBS
did an outstanding job in doing just that.
It’s a
classic tactic that earned them the title Faux News. They parade the
handsome Mr. Hannity before his adoring audience (I have witnessed them at LIVE
events, and they are totally enamored) to make nonsense sound good. And, let me
tell you, it IS nonsense. But if you choose to believe it, despite the
expertise I offer you do counter him, than there is little I can do to convince
you otherwise. But, be warned. This constant drumbeat of misinformation is
another drop in what will soon become a torrent washing away ALL of the
freedoms we supposedly hold so dear.
The way to
resist is through vigilance and acquired knowledge. But we must WORK on it. Do
not believe everything that you hear or read – at least until you have researched
it further. Good, accurate information IS available - IF you make the effort to
find it. Beware of cognitive dissonance. Do not start out simply looking to
prove your point. Search for the truth and you will find it.
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