Friday, November 21, 2008
Sex / Media The Video KOMO Doesn't Want You To See
Posted by Dan Savage on Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Surprisingly enough, it's not this one, which, borrowing a lesson from the Ginter School of Journalism, documents the shocked reactions of various misinformed passersby to the news that Ginter might be [a damn fine journalist]. (Hey, I might be [a damn fine journalist] too—anybody might be [a damn fine] anything. For all I know you were [a damn fine journalist] before you got on Slog.) Nope, this is the video KOMO doesn't want you to see. It's Marlee Ginter's misleading, dishonest, unethical, sex-phobic hit piece on Seattle's Center for Sex Positive Culture—a private, non-profit club that hosts educational and social events. Unlike most private clubs, though, the Center allows its members to have sex—ZOMG! SECKS!—on the premises. Which makes sense, if you think about it for one split second, which Ginter didn't do in her rush to titillate her viewers with images of bondage racks and nearly-nude bodies.
Anyway, Ginter's Monday night installment of KOMO's "Problem Solvers" feature is nowhere to be found on KOMO's website. But here it is, if you care to watch—gotta love how Ginter's eyes bug out when she says the word "sex":
And here are some interesting details about the production of this report from Allena Gabosch, the Center's executive director (not the Center's "owner," as she's incorrectly identified in Ginter's piece):
We were asked to stage a party because we wouldn't violate our members privacy by allowing cameras in a real party. When we refused, KOMO used footage from who knows where as if it were really one of our events. The soft-porn was really cheesy and not nearly as hot as the real stuff. Marlee and the camerawoman did come to a Thursday Night Grind last week. I think the camerawoman had more fun (she did get more attention, super hotty) but they both seemed to enjoy themselves.I was pretty disappointed in the piece, but it did get me an hour interview on KOMO radio with Schram and Carlson (and even Carlson treated me okay) and I got to speak my piece and make up a bit for Marlee's shit. And my favorite is that many people are contributing to our organization using KOMO's Problem Solver Donation page. I can't wait to get a check from KOMO. I'm guessing that's partly why they pulled the piece.
So... Ginter asked the Center to fake a sex party. Isn't staging the news a journalistic no-no? As for KOMO's Problem Solver Donation page, here it is. Going to KOMO's website to make a donation to the Center is a hilarious idea—but it's unclear from the form if you can direct your money to a certain charity, cause, or organization. There are two options: a fund to feed the homeless, and the "Problem Solvers Fund." There is a box where you can make "special instructions," but I'm not sure that would necessarily compel KOMO to pass your money on to the Center. I'm putting a call in to KOMO to find out if money donated to the Center via the "Problem Solvers Fund" will actually go to the Center. I can't imagine they'll return my call during the first Obama administration, though, so...
If you want to support the Center and its mission—and strike a blow against sex-phobic [damn fine journalists]—you can make a donation here, or you can buy an annual membership ($55) here. I am not, as some have suggested, a member of the Center (but I intend to buy a membership today); and the Center isn't a gay sex club, as some have suggested, so that's not why I've leapt to its defense. (The Center serves people of all sexual orientations.) I'll post more later about why I've been so aggressive about defending the Center and about why—after four long days—I have no intention of dropping this.
Still, good for you, Stranger, for calling out these idiots on this silly Puritanical Panic Party.
It's actually pretty amusing to read through the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics and see just how many of them were broken by Ginter in this piece. It looks like at least a majority at first glance:
http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
Dead.
Beaten.
I would like to march goats through Fisher Plaza in protest. Do u have any goats?
The people are supposed to trust journalists to give them the facts, and to represent them unbiased. This is a small fish in a small pond, but hey, you have to start somewhere.
If so, then you're engaging in "prostitution" under your loosely defined terms, and if you aren't, well... you're just a sexless troll sitting in your mother's basement.
(I personally think it's the latter, btw)
"On Monday Nov. 17th's "Problem Solvers" with Marlee Ginter, I saw a terrible piece of journalism, as documented by The Stranger (see here) which misquoted people, made untrue statements and was an example of the worst kinds of sensationalism to draw ratings (at a cost of journalistic integrity).
Normally, I toggle between KING, KOMO and KIRO tv for news. From now on I will no longer watch KOMO. Without an apology for this terrible journalism, I will watch KOMO news one more time to write down the advertisers, so that I can send them links documenting the terrible journalism of KOMO. Thousands of people feel the same way (google "Marlee Ginter" and see what comes up now). I don't blame Marlee entirely for this piece. I blame the editors and whoever her boss is, who approved the "expose" if not came up with the idea.
Although I'm sure Marlee also had a big role and probably enthusiastically thought this was a great idea to "report" on.
I'm sure you're already getting lots of letters and emails (since the video is no longer on your website but lives in youtube for all eternity now). I'm furious that this passed off as a "Problem Solver" where there was no problem to solve. I don't think an apology was issued to ANYONE in this case, including the author Brian Alexander who was misquoted out of context.
If KOMO doesn't apologize soon, I am planning to send your advertisers this same message with links documenting the inaccuracies of the piece and anger of Seattle viewers. I'm sure I'm not the only one, and probably others have already started.
- Former KOMO news fan (tv, radio, internet)
I find this very aggravating.
Why not get her a goat and do the world some good. Heifer International allows you to buy a goat for about $120. Although she will not take posession of the goat (seriously that would be animal abuse) it can be gifted in her name. Let's just hope that she does not ever have contact with the family that receives the goat (not to say that the family will bottom for the goat- they may or may not but that isn't the point). It wouldn't be as much fun as a goat running amuck in the teevee studio but still fun.
I need captions or something.
1) Obviously Ginter is up tight and needs lessons on why sex between consenting adults is just fine, even in a public club made for this purpose. I hereby volunteer to tutor her.
2) Can we have the next SLOG Happy here?
It's a social club. Yes, you can meet people there. Doesn't mean they'll have sex with you.
See also: Joining a golf club does not guarantee that random strangers will invite you to join their foursome and loan you their clubs.
Also heads up people. Tristan Taormino is going to be in town tomorrow at Elliot Bay and the Center for Sex Positive Culture.
Are there effective places to send complaints about this story?
Please?
if you do contribute to the fund on Komo. make sure to email Allena your reciept so if they don't write her the check then those who donated can sue for fraud.
as to the center being prositution. and those of us that are members being sick and twisted with histories of abuse.... please that is just narrow minded bullshit because you have the need to project your own sexual hangups on people who have found a healthy relationship with sex and sexuality. get real people. this country uses sex to sell everything, but god help us for actually talking about it or engaging in it in a healthy way. it's time to free your own mind from the shackles of puritanical thinking, and butt out of what goes on between two consenting adults.
PS KOMO - what do YOU think "Sex Positive" means? It means we're not ashamed of this. It means we think classes on how to have better sex are pretty damn cool. It means we are dedicated to changing the attitudes you presented in this piece. Did Marlee actually listen to a word Allena said? You had a chance to present sex-positive culture in a new light; instead, you have now stood up as the very thing we seek to change. Hope you're ready for us.
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