Apparently the media have been wheeling and dealing behind the scenes ever since Pfc. Lynch arrived back in the U.S. Their efforts at out bidding each other have led to a mega offer from Viacom that includes movie and book deals and an MTV special in exchange for granting CBS News an exclusive interview. If she doesn't want to be in the spotlight any longer, I hope these media people leave her alone, but if she is interested, I'm glad that the option is there for her.

The New York Times
June 16, 2003
To Interview Former P.O.W., CBS Dangles Stardom
By JIM RUTENBERG
The race to land the most sought-after interview of the war in Iraq intensified as soon as Pfc. Jessica D. Lynch arrived at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in April, after her rescue from an Iraqi hospital.
Katie Couric of NBC News sent Private Lynch, now 20, a bundle of patriotic books, including Rudolph W. Giuliani's memoir, "Leadership." Diane Sawyer, of ABC News, sent a locket with a photograph of Private Lynch's family home in Palestine, W. Va.
But CBS News, in addition to the usual personal touches, exhibited an apparent new gambit in its pursuit of an exclusive interview with the newsmaker of the moment, known in the television business as "the get." In its letters to Private Lynch's family and officials at the medical center, obtained by The New York Times, CBS News combined its pitch for a two-hour documentary with many other projects envisioned by the other divisions of its corporate parent, Viacom.
In the process, CBS renewed concerns among critics about the independence of news divisions owned by media giants.
"Attached you will find the outlines of a proposal that includes ideas from CBS News, CBS Entertainment, MTV networks and Simon & Schuster publishers," Betsy West, a CBS News senior vice president, wrote to Private Lynch's military representatives. "From the distinguished reporting of CBS News to the youthful reach of MTV, we believe this is a unique combination of projects that will do justice to Jessica's inspiring story."
CBS Entertainment executives, the proposal said, "tell us this would be the highest priority for the CBS movie division, which specializes in inspirational stories of courage." Simon & Schuster, it said, "is extremely interested in discussing the possibilities for a book based on Jessica's journey from Palestine, West Virginia, to deep inside Iraq."
MTV Networks, the letter went on, was offering a news special, a chance for Private Lynch and her friends to be the co-hosts of an hourlong music video program on MTV2, and even a special edition of its hit program "Total Request Live" in her honor. "This special would include a concert performance in Palestine, West Va., by a current star act such as Ashanti, and perhaps Ja Rule," the proposal said.
Private Lynch was not the only recipient of such a proposal. Recently, the CBS newsmagazine "60 Minutes" fashioned a proposal for Aron Ralston, who was hiking in Utah and was forced to cut off his arm to free himself from a boulder. The CBS proposal asked to film his rehabilitation and offered to help him contact other Viacom divisions.
CBS's dangling of movie, television and book deals in front of potential interview subjects has troubled some media critics who worry that in an age of media conglomerates, where news operations coexist with their entertainment counterparts, journalistic independence can suffer in the race for synergy.
CBS News said there was nothing untoward in the way that it approached Private Lynch or Mr. Ralston. The Lynch proposal, for example, made clear that CBS News is independent from its corporate siblings, executives said. And there was no promise of a book or movie deal in return for an interview, only the exp​ression of interest in her story from other Viacom divisions, they added. "We stand by this letter — there's no quid pro quo stated or implied," Ms. West said.
"We were led to believe that because of the media barrage of the Lynch family, it would be helpful to consolidate the various Viacom projects, including the CBS News proposal," Ms. West added. "We made it crystal clear that they were separate projects in no way linked."
But a Walter Reed medical center official who helped the Lynches sift through the media approaches did not find the distinctions as clear-cut as CBS news executives might have hoped.
"It looks confusing the way the letters are," said the official, Beverly Chidel, a hospital spokeswoman. "Someone may think, well, you're going to pay me for this, that and the other."
The CBS News proposal presents the latest development in the long, complicated history of "the get."
A good dose of charm has always been an important part of the media courtship and remains so. Typical of a friendly pitch, Jane Clayson, a CBS News correspondent, wrote a letter to Private Lynch in May reminding her that they shared the astrological sign of Taurus. "I hope you have a great day, " said Ms. Clayson, referring to Private Lynch's birthday.
For years such niceties from a big-name anchor or correspondent with the right demeanor were enough to lure the newsmaker in front of a camera. But as larger entertainment conglomerates came to own news operations and declined to treat journalism as a loss leader, some long-observed boundaries have been blurred.
Television news divisions occasionally pay for video and other material like home movies from the subjects of their reporting, technically permitting them to maintain their no-payment-for-interviews policies. And NBC News rebuked a staff member last year for buying clothing for a young kidnap victim in Los Angeles who had agreed to an interview with the "Today" show.
A new wrinkle in the interview booking wars arrived with media consolidation in the 1990's. When the Walt Disney Company bought ABC in 1996, the network was suddenly connected to movie studios and a book division. CBS, purchased by Viacom several years later, is now connected to Simon & Schuster, the Paramount movie studios and various cable networks like MTV.
Every few months, producers at one network will accuse those at another of luring interview subjects with book or movie deals, with no proof. For instance, some of ABC's competitors were suspicious when the crew of miners rescued from a Pennsylvania coal mine last summer sold the book and movie rights to their story to Disney, after "Good Morning America" scored the first live interview with one of the miners.
Robert Lazar, an agent with International Creative Management, who was involved in the miners' negotiations with Disney, said the "Good Morning America" appearance had nothing to do with the Disney deal.
Phyllis McGrady, a senior vice president of ABC News, said she is not against helping an interview subject connect with Disney's entertainment divisions if such a request is made. "If you were looking for a book deal," she said. "We have a publishing arm, Hyperion. I'll give you the name of the person there. But I could never, ever speak for Hyperion."
Likewise Bill Wheatley, vice president of NBC News, said his division avoids the sorts of proposals that CBS News put together for the Lynch interview.
"NBC News would certainly not be in the position of advancing projects by other divisions of the company," he said. "We don't want there to be confusion on this overall policy: that we don't pay for interviews."
CBS News executives said there should be no such confusion.
"We make no secret of the fact that we're part of Viacom," Ms. West said. "But the reputation of CBS News for fairness and independence is without question."
But Lawrence K. Grossman, a former president of NBC News who has criticized media consolidation, said, "If they didn't think it was a tie-in deal, why would they mention it in the first place?"
CBS News officials said that the Lynch proposal was unusual, born of the frenzy of offers bombarding the Lynches. But it was not the only time CBS News had raised other options within Viacom while trying to woo an interview subject.
"60 Minutes" did so in an e-mail message last month to a representative for Mr. Ralston.
After emphasizing that "60 Minutes" was the most-watched newsmagazine program, the letter went on to state: "We can put you in touch with CBS Entertainment should you be interested in pursuing a television movie; with Paramount Pictures should you want to explore any movie possibilities; and with Simon & Schuster should Aron be interested in writing a book about his experience. Those are all options for you to consider, and all things that we can help you with."
CBS News officials said that the letter flagged those entertainment possibilities in part because a lawyer and a spokesman for the family had inquired about them. The spokesman to whom the e-mail message was sent, Paul Poister — who was helping on a voluntary basis and is not representing the family now — would say only, "During the time when I was helping field media interview requests, part of that role that I voluntarily played was not soliciting or trying to set up any kind of book or movie arrangements."
The lawyer for the family, Ron Elberger, had no comment on the CBS News proposal, citing attorney-client privilege.
But in the Ralston case, as in the Lynch case, the consolidated proposal was not necessarily a helpful development.
"The struggle that we deal with in looking at some of these things is, news is news; news is not to be bought and sold," Larry Ralston, Aron Ralston's father, said in an interview. "But what's news and what's entertainment?"
A spokesman for the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs, Ron Coleman, said, "The Lynches have absolutely not concerned themselves with specifics of the offers. They just want to see their daughter getting better."
Still, the Lynches are expected to sign with an agent soon.

http://www.nytimes.c...&partner=GOOGLE

I think these people are sick.

Besides it is not up to her family to decide. It is only up to Pfc Lynch if she wants a movie made or books written.

And if she does she should receive over 50% of the profits.

It continues and continues and never stops!

Thanks for the article milemark.


Sam Watson 13

Nice article milemark. Thanks for posting it. The article does point out the dangers of media, no matter what kind, as big business. Wonder what kind of agent the Lynches might sign with soon. Hope it's the best for them.

I have been watching the news and hearing about how the media and a large publishing company are racing to get and interview and even make a big book deal. We don't know how she and her family are reacting to this increased attention to her situation. "IF" I were in her situation, I would tell the media and publishing giants to CHILL OUT!!! I would also tell them that what she experienced didn't happen so a bunch of media executives can get rich off of what happened to her, the unit being ambushed, and people getting killed! Also, I would tell CBS, MTV, and the publishing companies that if any interviews or book deals would be granted, they would be on MY TERMS and not theirs!!!

* Note, these opinions are those expressed by me (mainzman) and maybe some others.

The press is already spinning it negatively.
One report on Yahoo titled: Former POW Jessica Lynch lured with book, movie, TV deal
"Lured" is a fairly loaded word I would think. They're making sound like she would be a bad person somehow if she accepted the offer. I wouldn't think less of her for that.

To be perfectly honest, I think the fact that the CBS offer was leaked is because Jessica Lynch's story is a hot property. I think in the next few days you will see stories from different media sources criticizing CBS but in fact they are all trying to get Jessica. NBC might have wanted to take the high road in that NY Times article but aren't they the same network that said they were doing a movie with or without the Lynch's consent. Personally I find that apalling.
I do really respect the Lynch's through all this. They still have maintained their dignity and have been adamant about stating that their priority is Jessica's recovery. That's what makes them so special. In the end Jessica will make the decision and since she is a daughter of Dee and Greg Lynch I'm sure it will be done with class.

If the classless Joey Buttafuco was was able to capitalize on his stupid life story, I see no reason that anyone could fault Jessica Lynch for "going for it" and accepting the best offer possible.



For all you non-NJ/NY readers, you don't want to know what a Buttafuco is!

I must admit that I feel a little nauseated by some of the tactics to get Miss.Lynch on TV."We're the same sign"Please!

But on the same hand I can't fault them for trying.If she talks to the press herself,it will be big ratings.

But what amuses me most is MTV's offer to bring a rapper to her home town for a concert. I can't speak for the musical tastes of the Lynches' or their neighbors.But I don't see Snoop Dog as having a big following.Just imagine the scene.

Snoop Dog:YO!word up diggities!Fizzle Shnizle my Dizzle G!

Jessicas' neighbors:What did he say?Is he one of those foreign singers?Can we get him a translator? LOL

May God Bless You All

That was a funny part about Snoop Dog redfalcon


Sam Watson 13

My, so eager.

On "Access Hollywood" tonight, one of the networks made such a catty remark about the New York Times's recent scandals I wanted to award them a saucer of milk.

redfalcon, your post in General Discussions about the new Washington Post article is a good reality check for reminding us about what is really important. After reading the Wash. Post article, it's sickening to see these media companies fight over an interview with someone so badly hurt that she needs an hour to get from her bed to her wheelchair, even after over ten weeks in the hospital. They would probably offer her Dan Rather's job in exchange for letting them tape her painful struggles.

CBS has also a comment on the site:
SAVED PAGES:
times - http://www.4law.co.il/Le606.htm
cbs - http://www.4law.co.il/Le605.htm
Wash. Post video in June 17th - http://www.4law.co.il/Le610.ram
The MTV (CBS....?) video:
MTV:Friends & Jessica Lynch Video from May 2000 & February 2003 in the Army - http://www.4law.co.il/Le607.ram
and all the other video files for the new visitors - http://www.4law.co.il/L697.html

adding insult to her injuries, there is some negative press starting up about "the get".

http://www.helenair....04061803_03.txt

QUOTE

I know you've gotten enough gifts and money to, well, add a second story, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a utility room, family room and a new porch with wheelchair access to your parents' house. Cool

Now that just really irritates me. Jessica doesn't even KNOW about any of that - much less PAID for it. Her entire community has had a hand in this surprise addition - heck that was reported when it first started and made clear that the family didn't even KNOW about it! Sheesh! Talk about bad reporting!

QUOTE (EricHorner @ Jun 18 2003, 03:38 PM)

Sheesh! Talk about bad reporting!

You can say that again.

Somebody called it what it is.

QUOTE

As if the scandals at The New York Times weren't enough, now we have the embarrassing sight of TV journalists groveling at the feet of Jessica Lynch, hoping to be the first to tell her story.

http://www.poynter.o...id=57&aid=38039

More media uglyness is going to be revealed soon.

QUOTE

In the Laci Peterson murder case in California, media attorneys tried to keep wiretapped phone conversations between Scott Peterson and reporters sealed in the court case. There is a good reason. Reporters are worried that their tactics used in talking to the accused murderer might put them in a less than flattering light. Investigators had his phone conversations taped after his wife disappeared and many of his cell phone calls were with members of the media. We will soon know what types of offers were made by news organizations to get Scott Peterson to talk to them. A judge has ruled that the wiretapped information will be released and it could result in more bad press for journalists.

http://www.naplesnew...an/d946453a.htm