3-18-2012
How do you get your reputation back when someone tells lies about you and everyone believes the lies. That's what Apple is dealing with after Public Radio ran a program accusing Apple of poor working conditions at a plant in China. Producers of the series "This American Life" are now retracting one of the most popular programs, and the most popular podcast download, saying it contained fabricated statements. The program aired on January 6th and it featured performance artist Mike Daisey (pictured) describing Apple's manufacturing practices in China. American Life host Ira Glass now says, "We can't vouch for its truth." Apple had been denying Daisey's claims for months.
In a statement, Daisey said his work is a theatrical piece not journalism. "The tools of the theater are not the same as the tools of journalism. For this reason, I regret that I allowed 'This American Life' to air an excerpt from my monologue."
In a Monday statement that Reuters ran, a spokesman for the plant in China said, "Our client is Apple Inc... Our corporate image has been totally ruined. The point is whatever media that cited the program should not have reported it without confirming (with us). We have no plans to take legal action... We hope nothing similar will happen again."
The Daisey work is called "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs." Daisey describes his visit to a factory in China, meeting 12-year-old employees and clandestinely with workers who came in contact with a toxic chemical that left their hands shaking "uncontrollably." Turns out the translator Daisey used on his trip was interviewed by another reporter who disputed what Daisey says.
Bloomberg covers the story HERE
Wall Street Journal covers the story HERE
Here's what the AP says about it HERE
(3/21/2012 5:35:54 PM)
Many would agree how this is a case where the system self-corrected. That liars, perjurers and slanderers are pervasive on-the-air is just another day in the media. I want these people to have the freedom to air their toxicities - so long as there are others to out them, shame them, ridicule them and otherwise trash their reputations. Can't legislate Values or Beliefs. At least... not yet. Although the G.O.P. and their minions and stooges insist on taking a mighty run at it.
(3/19/2012 4:33:44 PM)
This American Life is not an NPR program. It's distributed by PRI, Public Radio International, the competition. They say that at the end of every show, in case you're listening.
(3/19/2012 12:59:37 PM)
When I saw this program, I wondered at the time about the man's stilted delivery. I never knew anyone who spoke and gestured with such affectation. It did seem like a performance piece.
But more to the point, obviously NPR was too ready to believe anything negative about capitalism.
(3/19/2012 11:46:04 AM)
The lies about Apple were told by Mike Daisey. NPR erred in airing those lies. They did not originate them. On the other hand, people like Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, and Michael Savage tell lies routinely with impunity. Which is worse?
(3/19/2012 11:35:09 AM)
(disparaging)
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