Dave Zirin: Why Did NBC Air a Deadpan Interview With a Convicted Rapist?

Dave Zirin: Why Did NBC Air a Deadpan Interview With a Convicted Rapist?

Dave Zirin: Why Did NBC Air a Deadpan Interview With a Convicted Rapist?

Today gave airtime to former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky—which, for his victims, only twists the knife further.

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Touting it as an “exclusive” segment, the Today show aired snippets from an interview of convicted child abuser and former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky. As Nation sportswriter Dave Zirin argues on Viewpoint, NBC’s move throws fire on those hurt most by the Sandusky scandal. “Whatever the opposite of credible is,” he says, “I wish I could use a word that would express the acidic nature of what NBC did to its own reputation by airing this interview.”

—James Cersonsky

What’s so funny about Steubenville? Read Jessica Valenti’s take.

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