Sometimes it seems as if the news media takes advantage of people with possible mental issues in the interest of producing an interesting story.
That almost seems to be the case of a woman in the Cleveland suburb of Westlake, OH, who entered a home where the family was gone, cleaned it and then left a bill. She has been dubbed the “Cleaning Fairy” and her story has gone national.
A reporter from “19 ActionNews” in Cleveland (below) grilled the woman for 8 1/2 minutes about her action. While it was obvious what the woman did was wrong and she admits it, she does come across as someone who is very desperate and possibly unstable with mental issues.
Is this a case of the media taking advantage of a woman with some serious issues? You be the judge.
Yes.
The most scandalous stories come from reporters getting at least some resistance from the people being cornered, er… interviewed (see Detroit’s Fred Wheeler). Ms ‘Fairy’ was forthcoming with every answer and the reporter seemed interested in only stoking the fire by asking the same questions in slightly different ways. I wouldn’t be surprised if the commnunity comes to the aid of this obviously troubled lady. The reporter needs to go pick a better fight elsewhere.
The answer to your question is, of course, yes. The reporter knows she has mental health issues; so, he asks the same vague questions over and over.
One important note: This troubled woman is correct about the definition of burglary. Burglary requires an intent to commit a theft or felony. It does not appear as if she committed a burglary.
I would like to defend our position on this story. Yes, I am the reporter you’re calling out.
“Ms. Fairy” contacted us, wanting her chance to set the record straight. When she tries to set it straight by saying “I did nothing wrong” I’m sorry, but we have to call her on it IN MULTIPLE ways so I’m truly understanding how she was “doing them a favor.” I have taken a far harder edge to several suspects in the past. Keep in mind there was a 19 year-old asleep at home at the time of her “cleaning session”.
Thanks for your concern.
First, I would say simply because a woman with obvious mental issues calls your station that doesn’t mean you have to run out and interview her.
Secondly, while other stations reported there was someone at home asleep during her visit, that key point wasn’t in your story or mentioned during your interview as a rival station did: http://fox8.com/2012/05/30/cleaning-fairy-arrested-by-westlake-police/
Still think the woman was an easy target.
This interview could have and should have lasted 20 seconds or less.
The lady was wrong, she admitted it.
This sounded more like a LECTURE than an interview.
Definitely seems opportunistic.
The news value of this story is zilch. In addition, this woman is clearly not in any mental condition to be interviewed. It’s like watching Mike Tyson punching a three-year-old.
This clip also commits the worst sin of television. It’s tedious. It’s not even interesting bullying.
Once it was obvious she had issues, the interview should have stopped. This woman needs help, not televised ridicule.
I saw the two clips of the “Cleaning Fairy” story and noticed how the Fox 8 clip that had no interview with the suspect has far more news value and relevant details. The victim was sleeping during the “phantom cleaning,” and it can be frightening to wake up and find your possessions have been handled by strangers.
From watching the extended browbeating the suspect took from the reporter in the other clip, we don’t learn how she got into the house or that she had a history of similar behavior. It may have seemed like a scoop to land her side of the story, but she has little of value to say. The only moral of that clip is that it’s boring to watch someone being admonished repeatedly.
Obviously another slow news day in the Cleveland area. The keynote speaker at the Kansas City press club’s annual awards banquet Saturday evening reminded all of us that we need to be human beings first and reporters second. The interviewer still has it ass-backward.