Josh Nathan, MA

Implications of Journalism’s Tall Tales on a Telling Public

Centre for Media and Celebrity Studies (CMCS)

New York, New York September 2015

Communication Professor | Media Strategist Broadcaster’s Seal of Approval

Author: Too Mad to Trust (2015) Can TV News Change History? (2008)

Abstract

NBC’s former star Managing Editor and Anchor Brian Williams returns after six month’s suspension when his credibility came under attack in early 2015. Like dominoes, a host of tall tales told to the American public in his broadcasts seemingly fell one-by-one starting from when he worked as a reporter covering the war in Iraq. The damage to his profession is done. However, Williams’ fate, and future, may still be bright when viewed through the sheer inertia of Maurice Halbwachs’ theory of collective memory. While the majority of Americans think journalism’s role is more important in society than ever before, the perception that the news is not accurate or fair hit a 30-year low (Pew Research Center, 2013). Unless press tactics change without a public outcry, errors, lies, and biases reported remain rooted in the collective unconscious leading all parties away from any semblance of accuracy as history becomes the exclusive realm for mythic narratives.

•  Groomed to succeed Brokaw, Williams is named a “Breakthrough Celebrity” by People in 1997 as an MSNBC Anchor.

Evolution of the Celebrity News Anchor

Tom Brokaw, Bob Wright, and Brian Williams September 1997

Globe Photos: Kelly Jordan

“This is a strange business because you always get kudos after a horrific

tragedy.” Brian Williams tells People about his popularity

after being one of the first to announce Princess Diana’s death.

•  People pave the way for Williams’ return as MSNBC’s breaking news and special reports anchor.

Evolution of the Celebrity News Anchor

Invision/AP Photo: Brad Barket

“This is tailor-made for him. Being ringmaster of aggressive news

coverage is exactly what he’s great at. They are not talking about giving him a late-night interview show. They

are not having him be a comedian. They are having him do something that puts him at the top of his craft.”

Jonathan Klein, former CNN President

Brian Williams Prepares for a September 2015 Return

•  Did he exaggerate, lie, misremember, misreport – and to what degree do viewers care?

Evolution of the Celebrity News Anchor

Viewer Values

SOURCE: The Pew Research Center

(A Contradiction)

•  71% polled believe press tries to cover up mistakes.

YET

IN 2015

Celebrity Cravings •  Average attention span is 8.25 seconds.

–  Cultural shift bent toward Williams’ journalistic persona. –  Trust and accuracy trail personality for viewers. –  Williams was not concocting “Onion-like stories.” –  60% polled after his admission did not think Williams should

resign or were unsure; loyal fan base exists.

“Being a reporter is a privilege. . . . You have to give up some of your rights as a citizen. You’re no longer a Democrat or a

Republican, no longer a public proponent of any social issue, a protester in

demonstrations, a signer of petitions, an advocate of good causes, a fundraiser for charities, or an advocate on behalf of any

constituency. . . . Prepare to be unpopular. Finally, get ready to be fired for the wrong

reason or quit on principle.”

•  Do ethics matter?

WBBM-TV Anchor Carol Marin, Nieman Reports (2001)

A Human Interest Story

•  Engaging stories that socially unite •  Memorable •  Detracts from more veritable socio-political issues •  Often consistent with political passivity •  Requires: “True little incidents are not life’s debris

but signs, emblems, and appeals.” Media Emphasis

Audience Identification Longer Narrative Arc Discursive Space

Fox News Anchor Bill O’Reilly

Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1964)

Both men moderate the memory of their stories

Brian Williams

Moderating Memory

•  French social psychologist Maurice Halbwachs was the first to study what he later dubbed “Collective Memory.” –  Individual memories are ephemeral

unless rooted in the deeper collective unconscious.

N.N. Korzh (2001)

Most agree television serves as a communal portal through which nearly identical memories are made for the majority.

“The common repertoire of interpretations and explanations acts on the cognitive

system through the media.” •  Jérôme Bourdon suggests three types: –  Wallpaper Memories –  Flashbulb Memories –  Close-encounter Memories

“I will argue that in all cases viewers experience an important symbolic change, not unlike that of a pilgrimage.”

Jérôme Bourdon (2003)

The Mythic Narrative

Forgetting, to an extent, is part of The Human Condition.

Paul Revere or Christopher Columbus?

•  Accuracy is often defined by perspective,

which changes.

•  Americans revere Revere because of a

tall tale from Longfellow. •  Columbus Day is contentious. •  “Google” and “Yahoo!” mindset leads

away from critical thought.

“Memory is bound up with power, and both memory,

and its corollary, forgetting, are

hegemonically produced and maintained, never

seamlessly or completely, but formidably and

powerfully nonetheless. . . . Thus it

is the powerful who often create the narrative

structure that control collective memory.”

In Uhrmacher and Tinkler’s Engaging learners and the

community through the study of monuments (2008)

Conclusion •  Williams making waves for 20

years. •  Ego and fallible memory stalled

his continued rise. –  Nightly News’ Holt is Anchor,

but not Managing Editor. •  Americans already self-styled

revisionists; love tales of redemption, however tall!

•  Most clamor for the celebrity anchor.

Typhoon Brian October 22, 1992

90mph Winds Pressure 965 mbar

•  Williams’ Wallpaper memory is steadfast.

–  Known more for being first on the scene than first to lie.

•  Williams moderates this “Flashbulb” event, perhaps furthering any Close-encounter memories with viewers.

•  New role could breathe new life across all platforms at NBC.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Larger Ramifications?

What does Williams’ continued prominence say about society or the field of journalism?

“This battle’s gonna be won on the PR level. Hearts and minds.

They manipulate your image, Columbus. You manipulate

theirs.” The Sopranos consigliere Silvio Dante

Steven van Zandt as Silvio Dante in HBO’s The Sopranos

“Eventually a story will break that will find Williams, serving as a calm and articulate air-traffic controller for streams of information. . . . Imagine

him on the recent story of escaped convicts, a long-lasting story that held greater viewer interest

than actual national import.” The Denver Post’s Joanne Ostrow (2015)

Information on the Researcher

Working to reduce anticipated fears in kids, Josh Nathan is celebrating the launch of

his new children’s book, Too Mad to Trust. In it, he applies theories related to

interpersonal deception, nonverbal communication, and anticipated emotion to help

prevent speech-language disorders like stuttering or selective mutism. After earning

his M.A. in Communication, Josh left broadcasting for The Art Institute of Colorado

where he has been teaching Speech and Critical Thinking for more than eight years.

He finds his niche in writing and speaking about the influence of media with his first

book, Can TV News Change History? published in 2008. He often finds his most

valuable ideas while traveling, which is what he considers the most active form of

learning.

Josh Nathan:

References

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