Exposing mafeasence through the media

November 14, 2018 10:09 PM

What is the overall success of people who have gone to "On Your Side" or consumer "Troubleshooter" type investigative news units within TV stations? Do those with situations the station considers legitimate enough to broadcast get resolution?

I wonder if after the cameras are gone, do businesses or agencies retaliate against complainants or do they clean up their acts? Was it worth exposing intensely personal problems for the outcome they may have gotten? Is there data on this, anecdotal or analytical?

posted by CollectiveMind to Media & Arts (1 answer total)

I can’t tell you about data, but on the HR side, if an employee is skipping over internal processes for reporting and not going to places like external fair practice sites like the EEOC or known safety whistle blowing options like OSHA, which ARE protected activity. The employee that goes rogue is vulnerable. I may be old-fashioned, but I have more faith in newspapers than television presentation. I might give the TV a bit more time if the person investigating is a licensed attorney whose privilege extends to the whistleblower, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on that.
posted by childofTethys at 3:58 AM on November 15, 2018