My original post: Here's a real doozy for the taste police.
The usually upbeat USA Today action sports subsidiary, BNQT, reported some unusually sad news today: 29-year-old pro skier Sarah Burke died at a Salt Lake City hospital after a Jan. 10 crash during a training run in Park City, Utah.
"Our thoughts go to Sarah's family, friends and fans,'' BNQT is solemnly telling its mostly young male readers.
But then, proving that even in death, photos of scantily clad women live on, the site directs readers to a gallery of Burke photos. That gallery, originally published after her accident, carries this lead-in. I kid you not; word for word, this is what BNQT says:
"With sad news of Sarah Burke suffering a serious injury at Park City this week, we thought we'd take a glance back at some more positive moments of Sarah's amazing career as the world's best women's pipe freeskier. A thing of beauty both on and off the snow she's been an inspiration to millions. Best wishes and speedy recovery to her and her family."
Hello, Tom Beusse"?
ReplyDeleteJust when you thought this company has reached a new low point they manage to do something even stupider and you realize Gannett will never its lowest point because they are digging as fast as they can.
ReplyDeleteThis is a horrible way to "honor" a dead athlete. Shame on them.
Martore should be ashamed
ReplyDelete*NEVER* put a liquor ad on an obit page!
ReplyDeleteOne would hope one of the new executives might have noticed this...
ReplyDeleteBetween the Facebook screw-up and now this, I think we need a "VP of Doublechecking Stuff Some We Don't Look Like Assholes" person here at USAT. Or should that be an SVP?
ReplyDeleteMore like a "clothes optional" statement than a "positive" statement, it looks like to me. Another new low: Dead-girl cheesecake!
ReplyDeleteShe knew she was being photographed with her boobs hanging out. She must have liked it, and probably got paid for it. And I doubt she assumed the pictures would magically go away, and that she forever more would be pictured wearing a halo and a long, chaste flowing gown after she passed. Hope you folks don't hurt yourselves wringing your hands.
ReplyDelete10:30 My post is about matters of taste, and BNQT's decision to publish photos today -- not about Burke's agreeing to pose for photos when she was still alive.
ReplyDeleteHer decision at the time doesn't mean BNQT's editors are obligated to republish those photos after he death.
To be sure, BNQT may adopt standards that are far different than those applying to other Gannett publications.
But it's worth examining that potential divergence of standards as Gannett moves farther afield from its historic G-rated material.
You stay classy, Gannett.
ReplyDeleteFile this under "tempest in teapot".
ReplyDeleteI missed the tempest photos. Link?
ReplyDelete12:37 Looking at the gallery from the mobile version, it appears BNQT has now removed the more racy shots.
ReplyDeleteBoob pictures...WHAT boob pictures. You makin' stuff up again Jim. ;-)
ReplyDelete9:15 what was the Facebook screwup? I missed it.
ReplyDelete10:04 I saved them in a screenshot, just in case they mysteriously disappeared.
ReplyDeleteWanted to make sure that you had a copy for personal enjoyment?
ReplyDelete12:29 No; I wanted proof.
ReplyDelete