Metro In Search Of Truth Columnist Frank Rich laments the intersection of news and entertainment. SHARON LUCKERMAN The most refreshing voice in reporting, he said, getting applause, was Jon Stewart of Comedy Central's The Daily Show — "the most trusted voice in fake news," he said quoting a billboard he'd seen for the TV show. But he bemoaned the acceptance of partisan anchors in the real news and said that the retire- ment of NBC's Tom Brokow this fall was very foreboding. StaffWriter Ec . ow did we get from good journalism to "infotainment" — news that enter tains, but not always based in reality? Frank Rich, columnist and associate editor of the New York Times, explored the changing presentation of the news at the opening event of the National Council of Jewish Women- Greater Detroit Section on Sept. 9 at Adat Bush And Israel Shalom Synagogue. Known for his work on Rich's reply to why Republican Jews aren't con- culture and politics, Rich, whose mother and cerned with President Bush's religious beliefs had grandmother were NCJW members, spoke to a two-part answer. 425 people on "Culture Wars in an Election "Bush successfully convinced people that Year." [Seantor John] Kerry was going to do some- NCJW, which has a lobbyist in Washington, thing untoward to Israel, which is ridiculous," supports causes that affect women, children and Grea ter Detroit NCJW President Sheila Guyer, day chairperson Edie Rich said. families, including preserving abortion rights, Broida and day co-chair Mary Schwartz shmooze with Frank Rich. But more troubling to Rich have been e-mails said local president Sheila Guyer. In addition, he received that links Bush rhetoric to the kind the Detroit section does work ranging from big success on television, he said. "Now we have a of anti-Semitism that Rich criticized in Mel Gibson's Meals on Wheels to the recently completed playground monster, with "mediathons" like the O.J. Simpson trial. film The Passion Of The Christ. in Waterford for all children, including those with spe- There were also structural changes in the news indus- Once he criticized the film, Rich said, he would get cial needs. try that fed this troubling direction, Rich said. Like ugly e-mails calling him a "Christ-killer" if he wrote Mary Schwartz and Edie Broida, both of Farmington when big entertainment companies such as Disney critically of Bush. "Bush is playing with fire," he said. Hills, co-chaired the event. bought news operations like ABC or Time Warner When asked why Kerry and the Democrats are so Frank began his talk with examples of disconcerting bought CNN. ineffectual, Rich responded, "That's the $64,000 ques- realities: "Values changed as well as the pressure to keep the tion." Kerry could lose a historic opportunity with a "A majority of the population still believes [Iraq's] drama going," he said. bad economy and a war people don't like. Though Saddam Hussein had something to do with the 9-11. But some results were inexcusable. Rich criticized his Kerry's poll numbers are down, Rich added, Kerry is We have enormous security problems. The viewing own newspaper and others for not questioning famous for being a great closer in politics, coming from public is fascinated by reality TV when it has nothing President George W. Bush more carefully at news brief- behind. to do with reality ... and the president of the United ings before the war — and passing on misinformation When asked what citizens can do about the media, States can stage an event using movie imagery from Top that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Rich replied, Vote --- Don't watch or buy suspect news Gun to convince large numbers of people that the war He concluded that a lot is asked of consumers — sources. Find and subscribe to honest news brokers and ended with no causalities — which we learned is not those interested in the news — to distinguish among spread the word. true." information you get. What's play-acting? What's news? "Rich made me realize that by watching TV I'm not The line is blurred, he said, pointing to both the as informed as I need to be," said Florence Herrmann News As Mini-Series Republican and Democratic conventions. of Beverly Hills, NCJW vice chair for state public Rich traced the mixing of news with entertainment to In 1992, Rich learned that the director of the Tony affairs. the first gulf war in 1991 with the advent of CNN that Awards was also the director of the Democratic "Rich has the ability to analyze and look at cultural presented news 24-7. "The news turned into a mini- National Convention. "This year, both conventions events, and he's also politically astute," said Barbara series with a logo, theme music, celebrities like U.S. became slick TV shows," he said. Tukel of West Bloomfield, a NCJW member. "His Army General Norman Schwarzkopf and unpaid A Broadway theater company made the podium that recent column amplified what he said in Detroit, that experts," he said. rose at the Republican convention. Both conventions the best actor — not necessarily candidate — will win The coverage of the war was weak journalism, but a were "denuded of spontaneity and too scripted." the upcoming elections." ❑ 9/17 2004 22 Help Hurricane Victims JARC Sets The Stage B'nai Kith Great Lakes Region, through the International Center for Community Action, is launching an appeal for donations to assist victims of Hurricanes Charley and Frances. Persons interested in helping to fulfill the unmet needs of hurricane victims, after emergency relief donations have been exhausted, are asked to send checks, payable to B'nai Kith Disaster Relief Fund, to B'nai Kith, 6735 Telegraph, Suite 304, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301. For information, call B'nai Kith, (248) 646-3100. JARC co-chairs for the 24th annual fall fund-raiser, featuring Thoroughly Modern Millie at Detroit's Fisher Theatre Oct. 12-13 are Craig Erlich of Southfield, CEO, StarTrax Events, Southfield, and Robert Nusbaum of Franklin, president of Legendary Properties, Birmingham. The Wednesday, Oct. 13, performance will be sign- language interpreted. The Young Adult Pre-Glow party, "Millie's Speakeasy," is for young adults, ages 21-40. Chairing the 2004 event are Amy and Jeff Schlussel of Huntington Woods, Amy and Brian Shapiro of West Bloomfield and Marla Tapper of Bloomfield Hills. 1 he party will be underwritten by Rock Financial. Event sponsor is Standard Federal Bank. Event under- writers include Edward C. Levy Co., Rock Financial, Staples Business Advantage, and Victor Harder Productions. Ticket prices begin at $60. Information on ticket prices and purchases is available by calling (248) 538- 6610, ext. 418