Sunday, March 20, 2011

Actual Semi-Paraphrased Conversations Heard on CNN last night #8 (a.k.a. why interrupting on a satellite delay makes for shitty news coverage)

(This conversation is paraphrased, as I couldn't find a video clip of it, but the gist of this did occur on my TV last night as I watched CNN coverage of the Libya bombing.)

CNN ANCHOR DON LEMON--
We interrupt our Japan coverage to now go to Nic Robertson who is in Tripoli. Nic what is the situation on the ground there?

REPORTER NIC ROBERTSON-- (ENORMOUS PAUSE FOR SATELLITE DELAY. A STILL PICTURE OF NIC ROBERTSON IS ON THE SCREEN RATHER THAN VIDEO FOOTAGE, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE HE WAS TAKING COVER IN A SAFE LOCATION) Don, a few moments ago, we began to hear the sound of anti-aircraft fire outside. I don't know if you can hear it now, but there is some in the background at the moment. The anti-aircraft fire seemed to occur as a result of--

DON LEMON-- (INTERRUPTING) Nic... Nic... Nic...

NIC ROBERTSON-- some explosions that occurred elsewhere in the city.

DON LEMON-- Nic... Nic... If you could just...

NIC ROBERTSON-- Two large expl... (FINALLY HEARS DON INTERRUPTING AND PAUSES)

DON LEMON-- Nic... Nic... If you could just be quiet for a second, so we could hear the gunfire.

NIC ROBERTSON-- (ENORMOUS SATELLITE DELAY) Um... All right. Uh... Let me see if I can move a little...

DON LEMON-- Yes, Nic. Please do so.

NIC ROBERTSON-- ...closer to the window, so you might be able to-- (HEARS DON)

DON LEMON-- Yes, Nic. If you could just be quiet for a second, we might be able to hear the gunfire.

NIC ROBERTSON-- (ENORMOUS SATELLITE DELAY) Um... yes. All right.

(PROTRACTED PERIOD OF SILENCE WITH THE BARELY AUDIBLE SOUND OF TINY POPS IN THE DISTANCE)


NIC ROBERTSON-- As I was saying...


Dear Don Lemon: Shut up and let the reporter do his job.

No comments: