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Hello, I am increasingly disappointed that as news anchors we are put in the position to "happily" report the birth of Jamie Lynn Spear's baby. She is 17 (sister to Britney Spears). What message is this sending to young girls? I am not beating up on her for her life choice, however, why is the news media "thrilled" for her? Why are toothy anchors pushing this story on the public with a big grin on their faces and/or exclamation points in their headlines? I am sure pictures of the teen mother and baby will be splashed across the covers of entertainment magazines too. Is this subject really something to celebrate? Here is the story that crossed today that got me thinking about this topic... FRIDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- The teen birth rate is up for the first time in 15 years. Edward J. Sondik, director of the National Center for Health Statistics, calls this a "disturbing trend." "The 2006 teen birth rate was up for the first time in 15 years," Sondik said. "This is only a single-year increase, but we believe it bears watching." The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics is a working group of agencies that collect, analyze, and report data on issues related to children and families. **************************** So, how SHOULD the media report it? Christine |
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Posted by: Randi Location: Madison
If you'd ever been pregnant you'd realize the joy involved in carrying a child. Should she have aborted that child? I am pro choice, but sometimes just think how sad. Maybe if Jamie had an abortion, some day she would wish she didn't. Maybe this is her only chance at being a mother. You don't know that. Posted by: Victoria Location: Madison First thing Christine-keep smiling whenever you can. In your case it also shows in your voice. Your name should be SUNSHINE. As to teen birth rates-We all should know what is going on with our youngsters. Yes, I say youngsters. Most people do not mature until sometime in their mid twenties, physically and otherwise. How can any of us expect our country to be the best it can be if our citizens did not grow up on a solid base. We all must deal with the effects of motherless, fatherless and orphan children. Life needs to be a bit easier, not purposely more challenging. Children born to celebraties have a few extra hurdles as it is. Posted by: Jay Location: Madison Christine, the media is in a no win situation. I agree that it is ludicrous that anyone should celebrate JL Spears lack of understanding about the world. But.....if you share your disdain, you offend some of your audience. If you jump for glee, you offend your audience too. I think your bosses should provide an "editorial" segment to allow the station (?) or at least the individual broadcaster to express a critical opinion. I suspect you wouldn't hold back your opinion!!! Posted by: Steve Location: Bristol Christine, your perception regarding Ms. Spears is only the tip of the iceberg here and I'm really glad I came across your blog as it may address a much larger issue being ignored by management at NBC15. Every morning I am tempted to pull out a stopwatch and try to record the amount of time the anchors spend on each story. The reporting by your station seems to cover an issue for 30 seconds to forty five seconds, then you move on to the next. We the viewer get a very shallow understanding of the situation and are usually left thirsting for more. Example: The story you ran the other day regarding how the interest you pay may be linked to how many credit searches are performed on you. You left us with very little information and a bit of worry as I would tend to wonder how this may affect my children who are just establishing a credit record. We don't need weather on the five's if it will detract from more important news material. More substance, less Jamie Lynn, more room for comments Posted by: Ross Location: Madison The media should treat this like a hot potato and drop it. As the father of a teenage daughter, I prefer to not have it made into a news-worthy story! ROSS Posted by: Rachael Location: Mt. Horeb Hi Christine, I know that you and Sarah are always looking for a little dirt on Charlie. Ask him to sing his version of Rhinestone Cowboy. It definitely had the people in Mt. Horeb talking! Thanks for starting my morning out with a smile everyday! Posted by: rich Location: baraboo you are the only reason to watch the morning show. Posted by: Donna Hi Christine, Did Charlie make you cry this morning? Or where you laughing? Posted by: Packer Fan Location: WI A famous guy once said "To thine own self be true." Pretending to be happy about something like teen pregnancy would seem to not be giving your viewers much credit. Bottom line: It stinks. I agree with those who say it should not be on the news at all. As for how to report it, I would rather have a news anchor who is genuine than one who is posing for the camera. Posted by: Beth Location: Madison I think they should confront Jamie Lynn with the statistics about the teen birth rate and ask her what she thinks about them. I also think that when we publicize things like this, we give them credibility. Who cares if she had a baby? Jaime Lynn Spears is a nobody and so is her sister, Britney. There's a war in Iraq, our economy is in a chambles, GWB is president....Jaime Lynn had a baby?! Britney shaved her head! Who cares? Enough already! Posted by: Mindi Location: Jefferson Christine- I myself would have a hard time masking it on this one. When I was 16 if I would've gotten pregnant my parents would've made sure that they guy had every legal punishment possible brought against him. I saw a show the other night on the Spear's family and they all plus her boyfriend's family have done nothing but seem to glorify him for being a great person and sticking with it. To me this is absolute craziness but it just goes to show that if you're in the public eye you are an exception to every rule, I guess that's my opinion. Posted by: Mike Location: Madison Christine. I agree w/ so many others here- this isn't news. They have industry papers for this trash, or they have the National Enquirer! Someone mentioned Entertainment shows too- perfect place for this. Personally I think anything outside the regional coverage area (say, five state area) should be "national news" and let Matt Lower and Brian Williams report this crap! (that way all us local folks know when to turn off the tube and go eat dinner if we don't want to hear it!) I totally think the station bigwigs should give you free license to editorialize the stories if they are going to make you report this junk! I also love your bashing- Keep up the great work!! Posted by: Cindy Location: Westrn Dane Co I am tired of ALL the celebrity hype on the news shows...let Entertainment Tonight cover it and show REAL news on your network. If it "has to be covered" I think Annie has the right idea. Why have we all become so celeb obsessed? I think it has really gotten out of hand in the last 20 years. Yes, they are movie stars or celebs in their own right, but I don't give a rip about whom broke up with whom and who had illegitimate kids this week who is wearing what designers dress, or whose dog mated with another celebs dog!!!! If the media wants to cover "Hollywood", just feature the new productions and main events. I like to see you bash celebs though, and love to see Charlie roll his eyes and slam them too. THAT is the only saving grace of the entertainment coverage! Posted by: Tucker Location: USA With all that is going on in the world, let alone in the USA, we need to take issue with the more important matters. Why not investigate and report on our goverment. It is something that should be brought to the front page every day. Somebody in your position would be able to point out that our political people are more concerned about steriod use in baseball than the invasion of non english speaking people. And then trying to get the USA to speak there language instead of english. And what about them trying to make sure other countries are feeding there people when we have people living on the streets. And we need someone in power to turn the image of the USA around. We help more people than any other country, but a like the least. There is so much that could be reported on instaed of some teenage girl having a baby. I know there is not much good to report but that is not good news. It is a problem. Posted by: Kevin Location: Sun Prairie Christine I think you are asking the wrong question. Rather ask why is the station even airing this time of (non)information. There are two entities to blame here. The 1st are the people who have so shallow of a life that they feed upon this type of "gossip" and perported "news" and 2nd the media (TV/Mags) that feel that they can sell air time and copies by covering this type of trash. If noe one cared, it would be an non-issue. I don't see any media covering births of girls from local high schools. BTW why isn't her "boyfriend" in trouble for getting her pregnant at such an early age. Some one local who did that would be on trial by now. Posted by: Filbert Location: Anytown, USA While not the most uplifting, I believe the issue with real estate, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Social Security, Medicare and all the other obligations that our Federal Government has is the topic for the next two decades. No, and I repeat no media outlets are waking the American public to this looming problem - namely, how the hell are we and future generations going to pay for it? Otherwise, I kinda dig the Spears and similar stuff. Posted by: Sara Location: Madison I really don't think the media should have to report this story at all. Like it or not, celebrities are role models for some people (especially kids) and seeing someone who is so young having a baby (and then being all over the cover of magazines with said baby) is just giving kids the wrong idea about how hard it is to be a parent. Someone like Spears has all kinds of money and the ability to get all sorts of help if she needs it. In the regular world, most people (adults and teens alike) don't have that luxury and have to do the best they can. Parents need to get with their kids and have open and honest conversations about ALL kinds of birth control and how to get it if need be. I think we wouldn't have this upward trend in the teen birth rate if we would just quit being so skittish about talking honestly about sex in the first place. Spears' story makes it clear that not talking about it doesn't mean it won't happen. Posted by: Don Location: Arlington In my opinion she is a nobody. I am 42 and couldn't care less about trailer trash from Louisiana on some kid TV show. Her fans are kids who most likely don't watch the news anyways. This is a non-news item to me. I think you should be reporting on something more positive. I realize that good news is not popular as much as bad news though. If you do have to report on crap like her story maybe you could just say it in a cold/couldn't care less manner. Posted by: Tom Location: Janesville As a single parent of an 11 and 9 year old girls i'm conflicted with the reports. I am struggling with teaching them these things because of their age. When is it too early to tell them this is unacceptable? (to me) When it has been so covered by the media as something that is news worthy??? Both my girls watch Zoe 101, how do i tell them their idol has had a baby at 17?? I'm so confused. Please help. Any advice? Posted by: Agrees with Annie Location: Madison Well put Annie! That thought has ALWAYS crossed my mind when these young celebrities get pregnant (even celebrities of a more "acceptable" age, Jessica Alba, Ashlee Simpson, etch) how can anyone have an OOPS baby now adays?? I think there is something more going on here... Posted by: Ace Location: Edgerton I would just make Charlie report it. Problem solved. Posted by: Annie Location: WI I feel that they should report them as "irresponsible overpaid celebrities having kids when they are just kids themselves". With all the forms of birth control out available, there is no excuse for most of these "unplanned pregnancies". These women know what they are doing. They seem to want the attention that goes with all the hoopla of having a baby. They tend, like most teens, to forget about the responsibilities that parenthood requires. It's the hardest job in the world. I raised my son by myself, yes I was married when he was concieved, after divorcing his dad when he was 2. He turned out wonderful and is a success on his own. I think the show the "Baby Borrowers" should be mandatory viewing in middle schools to show what it's really like. Praise to the teens who give their babies up to people who can raise them with everything they need. |
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