Wednesday
Jan162008
Finchem Blasts Golfweek
Jerry Potter reports that Commissioner Tim Finchem made the unusual move of issuing a statement on Golfweek's noose cover:
"Clearly, what Kelly said was inappropriate and unfortunate, and she obviously regrets her choice of words," Finchem said. "But we consider Golfweek's imagery of a swinging noose on its cover to be outrageous and irresponsible. It smacks of tabloid journalism. It was a naked attempt to inflame and keep alive an incident that was heading to an appropriate conclusion."Jeese, tell us what you really think.
Meanwhile, Ryan Ballengee makes an interesting point about the irony and hypocrisy of it all:
Golfweek's own Jeff Rude was among the first asking fans to drop the issue and forgive Tilghman for her gaffe. His own publication is not dropping the issue, though. They are devoting a cover to it - a cover that contains the image of a symbol that is becoming reborn in the southern influenced parts of the country as notice of racial deference, e.g., the Jena 6 case.
In essence, the cover propagates the coverage of the comment. It is continuing the news cycle on this particular story. I think that is unfortunate and inappropriate. The media should not be in the business of continuing to cover itself. It happens in varying forms, from when ESPN says that their reporters are reporting a story that someone else broke, to a magazine drawing other ink for making a controversial cover about a controversial media story. It can be enough to make the average sports fan's head spin at times.
The irony of this post is that the ploy is working. Elling, myself, and others are writing about what is being written and shown as a symbol of what Kelly Tilghman said. Maybe I should be lumped in with the crew that I am lambasting, but I thought this issue deserved a special comment.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 09:28 PM 18 Comments | in Golf Media, Golf and Television, Tim Finchem
Reader Comments (18)
...well put, Mr. Finchem.
www.golfdigest.com/golfworld/columnists/2008/01/gw20080118mcdaniel)
The image I have of a lynching is Clint Eastwood in the 1968 western, "Hang 'Em High." The only problem with Tilghman's comment stems from the fact the best golfer in the world is both extremely dominant and the son of what used to be called a Negro. Personally, I think Negro is more accurate than Black (dark yes, black no) or African-American (American, yes, African, no).
If the comment been made about Hale Irwin when he was dominating the Senior's Tour, no problem. If the comment had been changed to break his knees, it would have not been in any better taste, but would not have resulted in the current hyperbole.
While the word was used, there was no actual action contemplated. If the alternative of breaking his knees had been used, no one would have thought there was any serious intent in the comment. It is too bizarre to consider. The Nancy Kerrigan incident has shown us that.
Lynch is just a word. It accurately denotes an abhorrent practice that is injurious to the society where practiced. Avoiding the word has no impact on avoiding the event. Retain and use the word. To do otherwise is to stick our heads in the sand.
Suggesting a physical attack as a remedy was a poor attempt at humor - but an accurate reflection of the current situation for many on the PGA TOUR. A better suggestion would be a rule change that restricts a player with 4 annual wins from entering events other than majors, playoffs and invitationals. (The PGAT already provides no additional exempt status for wins beyond 4.) However, that would not have been seen as humorous.
The real answer? More golf, less entertainment.
GOLFWEEK apparently is forgetting about integrity in journalism based on what Mr Ballengee has indicated above.
As a golf news business I would surmise they are making a mistake in making enemies with both the golf commissioner and a major golf television channel.
Moreover if TW himself weighs in against GOLFWEEK, that will be the end of their publication.
One only needs to know of the demise of FZ to understand that possibility.
You're probably high already and you don't even know it.
Maybe Britney?
So much for professionalism.
It is a desperate call for attention by GolfWeek in the rapidly-shrinking marketplace, a very bad decision that may end up backfiring when advertisers start pulling out lest they be associated with such unprofessional tabloid journalism.
Any decent writers GW ever had have gone elsewhere, where the pay is better. Bring back Charley Stine!
***turns over and goes back to sleep***
January, in only in its third week, and already the tour is laughing stock.
Wondering if even Tiger can save it from the continuance of Finchem Follies.
What GolfWeek did was wrong, what Kelly T. said was wrong. What's scary is the prejudice and racism that is perpetuated by the ignorance found in this and many other posts.