Front Page Talking Points

FOR THE WEEK OF OCT. 08, 2012

TV newscaster becomes anti-bullying model with reply to mean email about her weight

frontpageactionpoints.gif

1.gifCan you spot anyone who seems to be above average weight in a news, sports or feature photo?

2.gifNow try to find another example of diversity in news photos. Discuss why showing varied people is important.

3.gifLook for comments about Anti-Bullying Month or any example of meanness.

Jennifer Livingston, a TV news reporter and anchor in La Crosse, Wis., doesn’t expect viewer feedback to be totally positive. But a recent e-mail wasn’t routine and provoked an on-air response to “this very hurtful attack,” as the journalist called it. A male attorney suggested she lose weight to become “a suitable example for this community’s young people, girls in particular.”

In an impassioned four-minute editorial comment (watch below) that quickly went viral, Livingston said: “Attacks like this are not OK. . . . To the person who wrote me that letter, do you think . . . that your cruel words are pointing out something that I don’t see? . . . You know nothing about me but what you see from the outside." Noting that October is anti-bullying month, she warned that children learn behavior from adults, and that if "you are at home talking about this fat lady on TV, your kids are probably going to go to school and call someone fat."

Reaction was swift and supportive as the story spread on social media and traditional media. Popular TV host Ellen DeGeneres linked to the video from her website. Livingston appeared on three network news shows the next morning. Schools showed her response in classrooms because Livinsgton ended with a message “to all of the children out there who feel lost, who are struggling with your weight, with the color of your skin, your sexual preference, your disability, even the acne on your face.” She told them: “Do not let your self-worth be defined by bullies.”

Newscaster’s boss says: ”I have never been more proud of her or this TV station.” – Anne Paape, WKBT news director

Blogger says: “Why don’t we see more ‘overweight’ anchors and reporters on TV? We live in the most overweight country in the world. So it is just pure hypocrisy that makes our culture demand that only thin people should deliver us news and information?” – Matt Friedman, communications specialist and past TV news producer, Farmington Hills, Mich.

Newscaster’s husband says: ”The fact that there are people out there like this (and I understand this person is a lawyer in town) makes me sick to my stomach.” – Mike Thompson, news anchor at same station

Front Page Talking Points is written by Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2024

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.