MediaWatch: May 1997
Table of Contents:
Worries About Welfare Victims
Taxpayers Ignored
Here's a radical idea for reporters covering welfare: Cover it from the perspective of those paying for it. NBC typically ignored taxpayer concerns in favor of a sob story from a welfare recipient. On the April 10 NBC Nightly News Tom Brokaw ominously warned: "In Southern California, the welfare reform requirements could have a disastrous effect. That's the conclusion of a university study out today. Too much expected too soon of too many."
As viewers saw video of an overweight woman walking up some stairs, reporter George Lewis asserted: "April Boyd is a single mom with six children. Because of a hip injury suffered in a car accident she says she's unable to work. Boyd is one of a half a million Los Angeles-area residents who could lose part or all of their welfare benefits."
After airing Boyd's desperate claim that she can no longer work anymore Lewis explained that a USC study predicted welfare reform would "put thousands of people deeper into a life of poverty and overwhelming personal problems." Lewis reeled off some of the dire numbers about unsupported disabled children and how 21,000 more children will end up in foster care.
Although the Census Bureau's 1990 homeless count estimated 235,000 nationwide, Lewis preposterously charged: "And homelessness could rise by as many as 190,000 people. Economically depressed neighborhoods, like L.A.'s skid row, will be hit the hardest. But the prediction is that the economic impact for the entire community could go as high as a billion and a half dollars a year."
Lewis did toss in that Governor Pete Wilson "predicts that most people kicked off welfare rolls will find work," but countered that "April Boyd is not so sure." Boyd said that "if you don't walk in a person's shoes such as myself you'll never know how we feel and what we going through."
NBC never considered what taxpayers are going through. Instead, over more video of a supposedly disabled Boyd going up steps unassisted, Lewis concluded by portraying her and other takers as the victims: "Most everyone thought that overhauling the welfare system would be a good idea. Now, there are new concerns being raised about the human consequences of doing that."
