Panel Discusses Influence of Tabloid Journalism on Society

Leaders in the fields of journalism, photography, law and academia--including the Editor of the National Enquirer--discussed tabloid journalism at the John F. Kennedy School's ARCO Forum last night.

About 75 people were present for the panel discussion titled: "Tabloid Journalism: Is it the People's Right to Know?"

Marvin Kalb, director of the Joan Shorenstein Center for Press, Politics and Public Policy at the Kennedy School and Murrow professor of press and public policy, moderated the discussion.

"Have they gone too far?" he asked the panelists in his opening remarks.

Using the example of the controversy surrounding the death of Princess Diana, Russell C. Turiak, a member of the celebrity paparazzi with 20 years experience, described the "hypocrisy" of the traditional media when evaluating tabloid journalism.

He said that in the Diana case in particular, the traditional press was no better than tabloids in covering the events. He criticized the general media for pretending to be something they were not.

"They went with the current spin from day to day," he said. It was "disinformation by wealthy people," he added.

Frederick Schauer, the academic dean of the Kennedy School and Stanton professor of the First Amendment, provided his views by describing the current legal environment for tabloid journalism.

Under current laws, what most people consider to be a violation of privacy on the part of the tabloids is legally acceptable, he said.

Leaving aside the large sums of money at stake, he said that the real issue about tabloid journalism that has been raised in recent months is whether or not public officials and celebrities "ought to have some zone of privacy."

"Where do you draw the line?" he asked.

Entertainment Attorney Marty Singer, whose clients include Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, expressed his strong views against tabloids.

Citing cases involving Moore, Willis and other celebrities, he said that intrusive and often criminal behavior by paparazzi and "videographers" often led to the stories which would appear in both print and television form.

"The celebrities begin to get taunted," he said. This is "a major intrusion in their lives."

Stephen W. Coz '79, editor of the National Enquirer, said that tabloid newspapers are often judged by unfair standards and that network television is also very "tabloid" in nature.

"To blame the National Enquirer for what the rest of the media has done is basically a case of the rest of the media washing their hands," he said.

At the same time, he said that sensationalism is a key motivating factor in tabloid journalism.

"We are sensational. We don't make any bones about that," he said.

Coz also outlined recent changes at the Enquirer which are aimed at improving the credibility of the publication.

Compared to "television tabloids" such as Hard Copy or even other print tabloids, recent changes at the National Enquirer have made its coverage less offensive, Singer said.

"They are much more responsible," he said.

At the same time, Coz said that many TV networks run tabloid-like stories under the auspices of news.

As an example, he cited a recent ABC Prime Time Live advertisement promising Michael Jackson would "reveal all" to Diane Sawyer.

"The media has descended into tabloid realm," Coz said.

Some audience members said they liked the panel discussion.

Massy Tadjedin '99 said the Institute of Politics sponsored discussion led her to re-evaluate her criticism of tabloids.

"I was surprisingly in agreement with Steve Coz," she said

"The celebrities begin to get taunted," he said. This is "a major intrusion in their lives."

Stephen W. Coz '79, editor of the National Enquirer, said that tabloid newspapers are often judged by unfair standards and that network television is also very "tabloid" in nature.

"To blame the National Enquirer for what the rest of the media has done is basically a case of the rest of the media washing their hands," he said.

At the same time, he said that sensationalism is a key motivating factor in tabloid journalism.

"We are sensational. We don't make any bones about that," he said.

Coz also outlined recent changes at the Enquirer which are aimed at improving the credibility of the publication.

Compared to "television tabloids" such as Hard Copy or even other print tabloids, recent changes at the National Enquirer have made its coverage less offensive, Singer said.

"They are much more responsible," he said.

At the same time, Coz said that many TV networks run tabloid-like stories under the auspices of news.

As an example, he cited a recent ABC Prime Time Live advertisement promising Michael Jackson would "reveal all" to Diane Sawyer.

"The media has descended into tabloid realm," Coz said.

Some audience members said they liked the panel discussion.

Massy Tadjedin '99 said the Institute of Politics sponsored discussion led her to re-evaluate her criticism of tabloids.

"I was surprisingly in agreement with Steve Coz," she said