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Opinion
TV show's concern is ratings, not law
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
I know many of you will disagree but I have issues with the popular Dateline NBC program "To Catch a Predator." But let me be clear. Any law enforcement scheme that removes child predators from society is fine in my book - the sooner the better. But "To Catch a Predator" crosses far too many lines and blurs the relationship between journalism and law enforcement.
I am far from alone in this position.
The program is facing a $105 million lawsuit that stems from a suicide involving one of those nabbed in the NBC sting. The interesting point of that case is that the "predator" failed to show at the television-arranged house so the program host and cameraman - along with police - went to his house. When they arrived, the subject killed himself.
Ethics experts in the journalism industry have voiced some strong concerns over the Dateline program. They argue that journalists should cover crimes but that with this program, it's the journalists who are actually setting up the crime. It may make for interesting TV programming but it crosses a line that should be maintained.
"It's not like it (the capture of child predators) actually just happens. Journalists designed it that way," one ethics expert said.
While this expert acknowledged that indeed Internet predators are legitimate concerns, "more child-sex predators live in the same home as the children and if NBC wanted to do a public service they should do stories on these situations and ways that communities can keep children safe."
It is sad, disgusting and pathetic to watch these potential child predators "nabbed" on television. And it does make for some interesting viewing. But I can't help but wonder if the purpose of the program is truly to remove these beasts from society or to capture television ratings. It's very easy to argue the program is about ratings much more than its stated purpose.
I repeat - no one is more interested in jailing these child predators than I am. We all share that same view. But I strongly suspect that the show is more about the drama and the chase and the confrontation than it is about the larger issue of child predators.