Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Online Video

I watched a video on CNN's website, "Couple flees Mexico."  The glaring issue I have (and I would assume many other people would have) is the two main subjects in the video have their faces blurred and wish not to be identified.  Before the footage of them being interviewed is even showed, the anchor says the facts they claim are hard to check.  My question would be whether or not to even air this story, especially since the couple claim to have been unknowingly working for drug traffickers in Mexico.  The entire story seems sort of sketch to me, and I seriously question CNN's judgement for airing the story.  I don't feel like the information provided is so compelling or important that it warrants the use of unknown sources, especially when fact-checking their story is not really possible.  As far as the actual video, there are shots of the river the couple crossed, and of border patrol to illustrate the couple's story.  Also, some of the interview is framed so that their faces aren't even in the shot.  For example, when the woman is talking about her unborn child, the camera is focused on her belly to compensate for not showing her face.  I feel like the story would have been better if the subjects faces were included, or the reporter talked to someone else relevant to the story who was willing to go on the record.  Additionally, I doubt the story would run if it were in print at all since the only sources refused to go on the record.

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