Perhaps I'm offbase with this, or perhaps I don't have all the facts. Maybe somebody can help me.
Question: where is the outrage from CBS and Katie Couric over the false and misleading use of her image in the McCain campaign's lipstick ad?
In the original version of the lipstick ad, footage of Couric complaining about sexism (in the way that Hillary Clinton was treated) was added to the end of the ad. The way the editing was done, it appeared that Couric was criticizing Obama for sexism, which is NOT what Couric was doing.
CBS wound up ordering that the ad be pulled from Youtube. And that's all well and good. But shouldn't CBS be saying something about that?
This is a case where a major figure on network had her image misappropriated and misused in a blatantly false and misleading manner.
According to my reading of the news, CBS' statement on this was:
http://www.mediabistro.com/...
A CBS News spokesperson tells TVNewser: "CBS News does not endorse any candidate in the presidential race. Any use of CBS personnel in political advertising that suggests the contrary is misleading."
Is that it?
Shouldn't there be some outrage? Shouldn't there be an on-line editorial to decry this reckless and fraudulent use of CBS and Couric? Couric did, after, make an on-air rant against sexism; isn't what the McCain campaign did as egregious an act?
If I was CBS, I would editorialize against the ad, AND demand an apology, AND ask for a verbal assurance that this will not happen again. But it seems like CBS is going to just let it slide with as little attention and controversy as possible.
Let me make it clear: this is not about McCain or the GOP or Palin. This is about a news network taking a stand for its integrity and respect. This is about CBS standing up for themselves.
If they can't stand up for themselves, how can they stand up for their viewers, who are expecting CBS to be a strong and independent voice for the reporting of the news?
Sorry for the rant, sorry if this is not what may be diary-quality material. But I just want to know: doesn't CBS have any stones at all?
If CBS has done any of the things I suggested, hats off to them, and I apologize for me rant. I'd love for someone to tell me I got this wrong.