"60 Minutes II" To Report On Motorcycle Racing - Injuries?

[Jake]

CBS's "60 Minutes II" is expected to air a report about motorcycle racing on June 4, describing it as an "'extreme sport' that is becoming one of the hottest sports in the land," "not a sport for the faint-hearted." In spite of promises for a "balanced, fair, and accurate" segment, the AMA learned that CBS's inquiries to other sources have focused largely on injuries.

Pickerington, OH; The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has learned that the CBS News program "60 Minutes II" is expected to air a report about "extreme motorcycle competition" on Wednesday, June 4 at 9:00 pm ET.
As the AMA reported last November (see below), a CBS News producer first contacted the AMA in late September, claiming to be working on a "balanced, fair, and accurate" segment about "the growth, success, and excitement" of AMA Supercross. The AMA cooperated fully, supplying rulebooks and other background information. Tom Lindsay, the AMA's Public Information Director, had two lengthy telephone conversations with the producer - who admitted to knowing little about the sport - to help him gain a working knowledge of AMA competition. The AMA declined his invitation for an on-camera interview.

Since then, the AMA has learned that "60 Minutes II" has contacted numerous others in the industry, including promoters, publishers and competitors. Sources have told the AMA that these inquiries have focused largely on injuries. The AMA also has become aware of reports that CBS News crews attended a number of events, not all of which were AMA-sanctioned, solely to document accidents and injuries, even videotaping a physician performing surgery on a motocross competitor.

"We hope that reports of the program's singular focus on injuries turn out to be untrue," said the AMA's Lindsay. "Because injuries are a part of any sport, at any level, we recognize that this aspect of motorcycle competition may be addressed in the report, but any mention of injuries would be incomplete without acknowledging AMA Pro Racing's commitment to safety and the specific steps it has taken in this area."

"We're confident that we've provided '60 Minutes II' with all the information necessary to portray AMA competition accurately," Lindsay continued, "and we're comfortable with our decision to decline the producer's request for an on-camera interview."

CBS promos the story with the following, "Extreme motorcycle competition is taking off in popularity, and it's not a sport for the faint-hearted.

If one hasn't come to your city's local arena or stadium yet, chances are it will soon. Correspondent Jim Stewart reports on motorcycle racing, an "extreme sport" that is becoming one of the hottest sports in the land."

After the "60 Minutes II" report airs, the AMA will post its reaction on its website, www.AMADirectlink.com.


:: November 13, 2002: "60 Minutes II" Interested In Motorcycle Racing:

The AMA has been contacted by the CBS News program "60 Minutes II" on the subject of motorcycle competition, notably AMA Supercross.

A CBS News producer first contacted the AMA in late September, reportedly working on a "balanced, fair, and accurate" segment about "the growth, success, and excitement" of AMA Supercross. The AMA cooperated fully, supplying rulebooks and other background information, as well as spending considerable time on the telephone with the producer, to help him gain a working knowledge of AMA Pro Racing and AMA Sports competition.

In light of specific concerns about the ultimate direction of the "60 Minutes II" report, the AMA declined the producer's invitation for an on-camera interview. The AMA hasn't yet learned when (or if) CBS will air the segment, but we'll be watching the situation closely. Look for updates on AMADirectlink.

[Frank Woolf]

I haven't watched 60 minites ever since I saw their report on demonstrations in Hong Kong about the Tianamen Square massacre in China.

When the people of Hong Kong organized protest marches the police helped in every possible way. They organized traffic detours, and meeting places, etc. The protests were very peacefull and well organized. One very small group tried to cause trouble by starting fights and trying to start a riot. They were immediately stopped and arrested while the protest marches and meetings continued.

When I saw the 60 minutes report it said the people of Hong Kong tried to protest peacefully but were stopped and brutally arrested by police. The entire program focussed on the tiny number who wanted to cause trouble. I will never believe anything they report.

[Rene Ybardolaza]

Sensationalism sells. Who wants to watch a bunch of family oriented, clean-cut young 'uns riding sedately on the road? Its a double edged sword. A few of us are attracted to the sport of motorcycling because of the negative images it brings -- the bad boy image that is so prevalent with the cruiser crowd. Of course these bad boys frown upon the ricky racers on their fast irons. Ricky on the other hand complains about the old fart on the cruiser not waving at him.

Its a little bit like spitting against the wind when we say "boohoo for bad publicity towards us nice bikers" and then we get on our bikes and do all kinds of antics that would only promote more negative image to the non-riding public.

I love to ride, so I deal with it. I get comments like, "Oh, you don't look like someone who rides a bike" or "I pray for you everyday because riding is so dangerous" or "You must pick up a lot chicks with that bike" or..... Mostly negative stuff and I deal with it. Its all part of the package. Just ride.

[Wolver888]

I guess 60 Minutes II made another eye candy report. So Viewers watch it with thrills and sort of ... violence ...

[yamota]

TV is all about the ratings nowadays. Fair and balanced reporting has given way to sensationalism and hype. It's getting harder and harder to compete with all the survivors and Bachelors and Joe Millionaire type relity shows nowadays. A show has no choice but to resort to sensationalism just to get viewers to watch. Even a show with as venerable a history as "60 Minutes" is not immune.

[Frank Woolf]

Actually I am not convinced. I dont believe a news or documentary program should be biased in any way and should be absolutely accurate, otherwise its just another load of crap that might as well be a soap opera or a movie.

In the UK this sort of thing would be laughed off the air. The viewers would object in a big way if the BBC did anything that was not absolutely accurate and fair.

I believe there are plenty of Americans who feel the same. Just look at how many Americans prefer the English motorcycle magazines like BIKE to their own biased trash that prints whatever the advertisers want. Bike is about five times thicker than the average American bike magazine and they tell it like it is. No holds barred, in your face facts.

[yamota]

I also like the European bike mags cuz it has NAKED CHICKS!!

[kjwilde]

Very few media sources in the US are trustworthy or reliable. It's all about money. One m/c related exception is Motorcycle Consumer News. They have no advertising and offer unbiased product reviews. Thier motorcycle testing is the best and most thorough I've ever seen. No naked chicks tho

British BIKE magazine is good too. Good reviews and chicks, tho not naked as a rule. . Lots of juicy bike pics too.

60 minutes, II or otherwise is trash. They and all other US TV media are just something to fill up the time between commercials. Quite often they are nothing more than infomercials themselves. When viewing this sort of thing I always ask myself: What are they trying to sell?

[Wolver888]

Originally posted by kjwilde
..... What are they trying to sell?

I guess they're selling their expertise in what they do, sponsors and or producers support them with bulky salaries i guess.

[kjwilde]

It isn't thier expertise as journalists. Generally just 'personalites' or pundits who offer opinion discuised as fact (in the US anyway).

[Frank Woolf]

I think what makes me really angry is that they do influence public opinion in a big way. They have no ethics or sense of responsibility and are causing huge problems for hundreds of thousands of people just so they can make money the easy way instead of doing their job properly.

[The Growler]

My favourite Brit bike mag is Back Street Heroes. No punches pulled, some drooly custom bikes and always a great pin-up or three.

My Harley dealer friend in the USA tells me he gets the mag too, he reckons the Brits have more imagination and do better custom bike jobs than the Septics. There ya go, straight from the horse's mouth.

But as regards sensational reporting. Unfortunately blood and guts attract more attention than balanced intelligent reporting.

[jrot]

The show wasnt that bad in my opinion. CBS wasnt trying to destroy or put a completely negative view on motocross and freestyle. There was an even representation of the good and bad aspects such as the injuries but more on the good side.

Here's a link to the site:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...in556697.shtml