The New Times has a perspective piece today from David Carr claiming the media is just as responsible for the trampling death of a temporary Wal-Mart employee on Black Friday as retailers: Media and Retailers Both Built Black Friday.
“It’s convenient to point a crooked finger in the wake of the tragedy at some light coverage of some harmless family fun. Except the coverage is not so much trite as deeply cynical, an attempt to indoctrinate consumers into believing that they are what they buy and that they should be serious enough about it to leave the family at home.
Media and retail outfits are economic peas in a pod. Part of the reason that the Thanksgiving newspaper and local morning television show are stuffed with soft features about shopping frenzies is that they are stuffed in return with ads from retailers. Yes, Black Friday is a big day for retailers — stores did as much as 13 percent of their holiday business this last weekend — but it is also a huge day for newspapers and television.”
I agree with Carr to an extent. The media needs to cover Black Friday, especially in times of economic distress. It is important to note the outcome for diligent business reporting. But providing a blueprint and encouraging shoppers to “sharpen their elbows”? It’s a good perspective piece and made me think. I would love to hear your viewpoints.
Posts
1 comment:
The death of the Walmart worker was completely insane and unnecessary. A person died because people wanted to get a few sale items. How sad and absolutely disgusting !
But I never thought about the media's role in his death.
Good post.
Post a Comment