Looking back on our coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their impact on different facets of our industry, I recall nurturing a budding hope 10 years ago that certain positive media developments might come out of the tragedy.
For one, I thought 9/11 could serve as a wake-up call for mass media, triggering coverage of more serious news and stories, phasing out the tabloid journalism values that had become mainstream much to the detriment of our society. Clearly with the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, my wish was pure Naivetß.
I also thought 9/11 would bring us all together in a lasting way. It undeniably has in some respects yet at the same time hasn’t made a dent in the polarization that plagues us and which has grown exponentially over the past decade. Again, my Naivetß is showing.
My two wishes didn’t come true in large part because there’s too much profit in tabloid fare and in the ratings-generating polarization that seems more intent on creating a riled-up electorate rather than an informed one. I have no problem with commentators stirring the pot but it seems to be taking time, resources and priority away from the thoughtful news and reportage that can make a truly positive difference in our lives.
But before this sinks into a diatribe on what ails us, there are reminders all around of what’s great about this country as the 10th anniversary of 9/11 is commemorated. And thankfully part of it is evident in the media landscape, sans the bluster of cable and radio personalities, and instead conveyed in the voices of everyday Americans who suffered the greatest losses of all on 9/11. Capturing those voices is StoryCorps, the national nonprofit oral-history organization. For the past five years, StoryCorps has worked to record one story to honor each life lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Thus far, survivors, families, friends and rescue workers have memorialized nearly 600 individual victims of the attacks through StoryCorps interviews.
And three of those stories have been made into short films, animated by the Rauch Brothers. Created with the assistance and consent of the families of the victims memorialized, these shorts are:
• Always a Family. Monique Ferrer remembers her last conversation with her ex-husband, Michael Trinidad, who was killed in the World Trade Center.
• She Was the One. Richard Pecorella remembers the love of his life, Karen Juday, a secretary for Cantor Fitzgerald, who was killed in the World Trade Center attacks.
• John and Joe. John Vigiano Sr. lost both his sons on Sept. 11. John Jr. was a firefighter like his dad; Joe was a police detective.
All three shorts debuted on storycorps.org/animation, are being broadcast on public TV stations nationwide, and on Sept. 11th appeared on YouTube’s homepage. (See all three shorts below.)
These stories are emotionally moving and a reminder of a tragedy that I had hoped would be moving enough so that our media would behave differently and more responsibly. Perhaps if those in positions of media power look at these stories with an open mind, they can now find the inspiration to act accordingly.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Reach Divorce Settlement After 8 Years
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, ending one of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history but not every legal issue between the two.
Jolie and Pitt signed off on a default declaration filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, saying they have entered into a written agreement on their marital and property rights. The settlement was first reported by People magazine.
"More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt," Jolie's attorney, James Simon, said in a statement. "She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over."
The filing says they give up the right to any future spousal financial support, but gives no other details. A judge will need to sign off on the agreement. An email late Monday night to Pitt's attorney seeking comment was not immediately answered.
Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, were among Hollywood's most prominent pairings for 12 years, two of them as a married couple. The Oscar winners have six children together.
Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, after a private jet flight from Europe during which she said Pitt physically abused her and their children. The FBI and child services officials investigated Pitt's actions on the flight. Two months later, the FBI released a statement saying it would not investigate further, and the U.S. attorney did not bring charges.
A heavily redacted FBI report obtained by The Associated Press in 2022 said that an agent provided a probable cause... Read More