Covering Race

Race relations is one of the hairiest topics that journalists cover. Not because it's an uncommon issue, but because it's tough to provide balanced coverage for each camp without taking sides--consciously or not. Nothing really gets the vitriol flowing like an argument about racial injustice, and news organizations can profit from higher TV ratings by over-covering the story.  

Think back to the George Zimmerman--Trayvon Martin case. NBC was caught editing Zimmerman's 911 dispatch call that was originally this:

Zimmerman: This guy looks like he’s up to no good. Or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around, looking about.

Dispatcher: OK, and this guy — is he black, white or Hispanic?
Zimmerman: He looks black.

...and changed it to this:   

Zimmerman: This guy looks like he’s up to no good. He looks black.

There can only be two reasons behind NBC's decision to edit the tape. Either; 1)NBC, as a liberal news organization, wanted George Zimmerman to be found guilty, or; 2)NBC saw the racially charged debate as good for ratings. Framing the tape to paint Zimmerman as an explicit racist would create more buzz about the story and more viewership for NBC.

Personally, I think it's the latter, which is the reasoning Zimmerman's lawyers gave when they sued NBC. Providing erroneous reports to push a certain angle for ratings are obviously irresponsible and unethical. Which is why it's so scary that some are willing to do it anyway.