Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Is Erin Andrews a Journalist?

I am a big Erin Andrews fan -- but not in the skeevy "heh-heh-she's-hot" mouth-breather way. And I have absolutely no problems with Erin Andrews getting endorsement deals.

But as with all sports-TV folks doing endorsements -- whether it's Dan Patrick or EA or Stuart Scott -- all I ask is that they stop calling themselves "journalists."

If she is going to take endorsement dollars -- and, again, I say go for it! -- Erin Andrews is not a journalist. That's great; hell, most of us would gladly take the money.

"Journalist" is just a title. But for those for whom that title means something, don't demean it by claiming it AND cashing that check from a sponsor.

The solution is simple and obvious: Take the endorsement money -- for god's sake, take the money! -- but stop claiming "journalist" status.

-- D.S.

(This doesn't include people like Dick Vitale or Kirk Herbstreit, who were never journalists to begin with -- but shouldn't be claimed under the "news" division if they're going to shill for products.)

5 comments:

John said...

It would be nice if you actually provided an example or two of EA referring to herself as a journalist.

Dan Shanoff said...

http://deadspin.com/5049055/erin-andrews-is-an-objective-journalist-when-it-comes-to-her-gator-love

John said...

That's Deadspin referring to her as a journalist, not EA referring to herself as a journalist.

Unknown said...

I gotta agree with John on this one too. The deadspin article is them referring to her as a journalist. The original article they were basing it off of, she never said a word about being a journalist.

On top of that, looking at the official definition of journalism ( The collecting, writing, editing, and presenting of news or news articles in newspapers and magazines and in radio and television broadcasts. ) I can completely see her calling herself a journalist (if she ever did... which, so far, it appears she hasn't).

I really don't see your argument in this at all to be honest. Nor do I really see why you would care so much.

Crackpot Press said...

I'm torn on this one. I don't think shilling for Pizza Hut or Gillette compromises journalistic integrity.

Edward R. Murrow shilled cigarettes every night. Hall of fame announcer/reporter Vin Scully hocks Farmer John. ESPN and FOX SPORTS sell advertising space to every stat.

All news shows have commercials. Susie Orman has MBNA sponsorship.