A 2006 episode of ABC's news show Primetime called "Stepfamilies in Crisis" depicted a fifteen-year-old girl being punched by her stepfather. That girl, Kyle Nelson, is now twenty, and she wants to know why ABC didn't intervene. She's suing the network for "gross negligence," reports the Press Republican. According to the AP, by the time ABC aired the footage, the statute of limitations had expired, so it was too late to prosecute the abuse.
When the show aired, viewers were furious to see no one stepping in to stop the violence. ABC addressed the controversy by having Kyle on Good Morning America to defend her stepfather. Here's an excerpt from CNN's coverage of the fallout:
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KYLE NELSON, DAUGHTER: Stop! Stop! Stop!
VARGAS (voice-over): A father beating his 15-year-old daughter.
DON NELSON, FATHER: I have never (expletive deleted) lied to you. Never have I lied to you, you little bitch!
VARGAS: This is the "Prime Time" footage that`s causing a big-time fuss, shown to the public but not reported to the authorities. ABC aired this controversial footage Friday night as part of "Prime Time`s" special focusing on pressures that stepfamilies face. It`s very hard to watch.
It all starts as the Nelsons, a New York family, discuss grades and homework. When things get heated, suddenly it`s an argument, and the father is out of control. He unleashes his fury on his daughter. ABC`s cameras catch the repeated hits.
The daughter, Kyle, screams as her stepmother not only watches from the couch, but pretends to hit her, as well. This particular piece of tape has viewers and authorities outraged. Thousands flooding the ABC web site, angry and disgusted viewers wanting to know why the tape wasn`t handed over to authorities.
D. NELSON: You dirty little bitch!
VARGAS: ABC News didn`t think Kyle was in danger. In a statement posted on its web site, ABC says, "While we felt the incident in question was disturbing, it was the only scene of physical punishment in the hundreds of hours of footage that ABC News reviewed."
A discussion of moral vs. legal responsibility ensues.
It seems pretty clear that even if the First-Amendment-protected press had no legal responsibility to report the abuse, there's a pretty strong moral obligation to do so. Who were they to decide that the girl wasn't in danger?
ABC's weak response - "it was the only scene of physical punishment" - suggests parents are allowed to abuse their child without penalty if it only happens once (in view of cameras).
It will be fascinating to hear what the court has to say about it now.
Reader Comments ( Page 5 of 5)
61. As a father of 5 and grandparent of 11
we strongly suggest fair but quick corpular punishment only when needed. A smack on the buttocks is of course the acceptable method but this is only for children up to 7 yrs. After that keep your hands off.
If you find a need to beat someone up join the MMA UFC and fight someone your own size. Good luck and may all the rear naked choke holds be on you.
mickey ventura at 10:34AM on Feb 25th 2008
62. I stongly believe that all journalists should be beaten on a regular basis. Lets be fair about this.
Of cours conservative reporters should be allowed to wear a vest.
mickey ventura at 10:37AM on Feb 25th 2008