Sunday, January 27, 2008

Those Raleigh News & Observer’s stripper ads

At the Editors’ Blog, Raleigh N&O executive editor for news John Drescher recently posted Headline on target: Both Clintons v. Obama

To date Drescher’s post has drawn one comment. It’s from reader Michelle Hillison who posted on Jan. 23.

Hillison’s comment follows in full, after which I offer a comment and make a request.

To Editor Drescher - - -

This isn't about the post at hand but I was hoping you could address this either here or as a post - or direct me where to ask this.

I've worked in media for many years so I understand ads are necessary. I also understand the generic demographic for sports readers skews male so it sadly is the nature spot for the 'adult' entertainment ads.

While I don't like those ads, I fully understand why you take them and place them in sports.

However what I don't understand is days that you place them directly adjacent to high school sports coverage. I've seen it regularly and today was another example. There was a right side column on 7C with several HS stories that ended with an ad for a stripper.

I find that irresponsible. High school coverage draws young viewers and a photo of a porn star coming to town is not what those kids should have their attention drawn to in the paper.

In issues like this, I normally think this is falls (sic) parents to be the stewards of what their kids see but if the information is right next to it, there doesn't seem to be many options.

I accept you all are going to take the money for those adult ads and place them in the paper but I think the placement of them can be better managed. Is there an official policy in place about this? Or a rule of thumb?

I think the N&O overall should have as a policy that adult ads do not appear on a page with high school or younger sports coverage.
Folks, as of today, Jan. 26, Drescher has made no reply to Hillison.

After reading Hillison’s comment, I decided to offer one myself.

Here it is, followed by a request to you:
Dear Editor Drescher:

Why does the N&O advertise strippers and “Men’s Clubs?”

Yesterday, Jan. 25, the N&O even placed one of its provocative and illustrated stripper ads ( "Casey Parker -- Live & uncensored for 4 nights & 1 incredible lunch show" ) right below stories about women's tennis and figure skating, and right beside an ad for UNC - Chapel Hill women's basketball.

Ugh!

You should answer Michelle Hillison's questions.

And you should answer my questions about the N&O's use of Mike Nifong as an anonymous source for the stories in which you trashed the Duke lacrosse players for hiring strippers and in other ways abetted the frame-up attempt.

Many readers wish the N&O would stop making money by advertising strippers and "Man's Clubs."

But if the N&O is going to solicit money from strippers and “Men’s Clubs," can’t you at least run the ads beside and below the editorials and your column?

That way high-school age and younger readers will be less apt to see them.

Think about it.

Thank you for reading this.

Sincerely,

John in Carolina
I encourage readers to leave comments for Drescher on his EB post here. You can also contact the N&O’s publisher Orage Quarles III --- oquarles@newsobserver.com

Those of you who like twofers can leave a comment on Drescher’s post thread and paste the comment into your email to Quarles.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gosh, John! Don't you know that those clubs produce honorable women like Crystal and Kim? At least, the N&O wanted us to believe that Crystal was telling us the truth -- or whatever story she was telling at the time.

Anonymous said...

John: in the e-mail address, you intended to have a q where you have a g.

JWM said...

Dear Bill,

Far be it from me to come between the N&O and Crystal Mangum.

Loved your comment.

Dear Anon @ 7:14,

Thanks for the correction.

I try to avoid errors but I'm also very grateful to people like you who point them out.

Best to you both,

John

Anonymous said...

By the way, the lacrosse players were excoriated for hiring strippers by none other than the N&O. Now, if the N&O believes that these clubs are evil, and those who hire strippers automatically are vicious rapists, then why in the heck does the N&O advertise for them?

Hmmmm. Do I detect the whiff of rank hypocrisy? The N&O's silence is sickening.

Jack said...

John,
While I admire your calling out the local newspapers for various violations of their public duty, I can't help think there must be some small solace in the publisher's offices. "Say anything you want about me, just don't ignore me".