Newsweek Jumps the Shark

Regardless of your political affiliation and views, the Newsweek Sarah Palin cover is a dagger in journalistic integrity.

As a former reporter and editor, it's Journalism 101 to use photos consistent with the story. No editor in his or her right mind would agree to using a photo from another publication on its front page or magazine cover to represent a story.

This week's Newsweek cover is misleading and, to me, convinces me that Newsweek should go out of business.

When my Newsweek arrived, my spouse said, "I can't believe she would pose for the cover of Newsweek like that."

Well, she didn't.

Palin, in her running outfit, posed for Runner's World, assuming this would be used as a feature for a running magazine. For Newsweek to purchase this picture (and shame on Runner's World and its photographer) for its cover is a journalistic sham.

Newsweek has been veering left over the last year, its haughty self-important writers and editors wearing kneepads when covering the current administration. It's been difficult to trust a once-objective news magazine for the real story.

A news magazine should not slant left or right. Journalism, as it's taught in esteemed universities, is about who, what, why, where and when.

Good journalism is based on facts. Good journalism inspires trust.

Newsweek has officially jumped the shark.

My subscription can't run out soon enough.

Comments

[Darcy]

There is no such thing as the media any more. Everyone has an agenda - the networks, Fox News, Newsweek - it's all slanted toward political views. I'm not sure where you get your news.

[Poppy]

Time to cross out your name and write "RETURN TO SENDER". I am a Dem, and I don't care for Palin at all, but what Newsweek did is just plain wrong.

[Stella]

I'm not sure Newsweek should go out of business, but somebody (or several people) should be fired for that cover.

I am also a subscriber and I recognized the photo and wondered: What are THEY thinking? More importantly, why did they not think?

I'm no Palin fan but this is unprofessional to say the least and the kind of stuff that feeds into the ongoing criticism of the media, which, in this case is justified.

I find it hard to believe that anyone employed by this publication could even think there was any reason for a cover like this.

[Christine]

For reasons unrelated to this, I haven't been happy with Newsweek since the redesign. I see your point on this, though. I've been a subscriber for 11 years but when my subscription runs out, I am not renewing it.