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The Media Gets It Right

By: Mistie Thompson | 10/01/2007

I know that reporters/media outlets and PR people/agencies have kind of a love/hate relationship (I'll save my "can't we just all get along?" speech for another time), but today I want to sincerely congratulate the national media for providing an invaluable service - saving a child.

You probably saw the extensive media coverage last week on the videotape turned into police showing horrific abuse of an unknown toddler - video that left hardened police veterans speechless and in tears. The police took the unusual step of releasing the child's image to the media in an effort to find her and possibly save her from more abuse, and the media stepped up to the plate with extensive coverage and repeated showings of the little girl's photo. Thankfully, she was found alive and safe with her mother. The alleged abuser has yet to be found, but the media is continuing to show his photo, hoping that he will be found as well.

Now our cynical sides might say this was a classic example of the media exploiting a crime to earn ratings, but in this case I don't think that was their motivation. (If we're talking about Britney Spears, whose crimes against fashion, motherhood, hygiene and common decency are well known, I might have a different opinion.) No, I honestly believe the media saw an opportunity to help, and they did just that. It's a great example of the positive power of 24/7 media coverage.

Way to go, journalists - thank you for helping find a sweet little girl and hopefully helping stop a pedophile from ever harming another child again.

Posted in Strategic Public Relations, Public Relations