Lauren JonesFox is causing controversy with one of its latest reality shows by transporting a beauty queen into small-market television news.
Lauren Jones, former Miss New York, and "Barker Beauty" from The Price is Right, is currently working in Tyler, Texas, as a reporter for KYTX. It's all apart of the network's reality show "Anchorwoman". Jones has no education or experience in journalism...and on her second day, ruined a real reporter's live shot by dancing in the background.
KYTX president Phil Hurley thinks the idea will allow viewers to sample the station's product, but as one might imagine, there are some loud critics, including the Society of Professional Journalists, the Poynter Institute, and serious journalists in the Tyler area. "Being a responsible journalist is not that easy, not that laughable, not that cosmetic, not that superficial," says Christine Tatum, national president of SPJ. "We're seeing this blur of the lines between news and entertainment, and it's just getting worse and worse."
Jones will be working in the newsroom for four weeks. The show is scheduled to air on August 21st.
See the full story here.
**My personal thoughts: HUH?! I am so embarassed for real journalists who try to do solid work. I am also saddened for those viewers who have to actually watch that trainwreck.**
