The Chronicle Sinks to a New LowRandy Shawbyline‚ Oct. 05‚ 2007In a transparent effort to boost its Internet readership, the San Francisco Chronicle is actively urging people to send e-mails describing how much they hate homeless people. Stirring up feelings of contempt toward our fellow humans is quite a journalistic endeavor. And what a wonderful way to convey a “love thy neighbor” sensibility! One can endorse police involvement in getting homeless people off sidewalks without denigrating people’s humanity. But like a right-wing “shock jock,” the Chronicle wants readers to not simply nod in agreement but to go to their computer and fire a zinging e-mail attack. These e-mails help fill up the paper’s news section, and are used to demonstrate to advertisers that the Chronicle has great interactivity with its readers. And with the Chronicle’s Season of Sharing campaign starting next month, the paper feels compelled to spew its maximum venom against the poor now, so it can make nice come Thanksgiving and Christmas. |