Time Magazine Fiasco

Big Picture has an interesting post comparing Time's distorted Ann Coulter cover photo to the New Coke marketing disaster. (via BusinessPundit) I'm not sure whether or not he has a point; however, I do know that this is not the first time Time has used digital manipulation to sway the public's opinion. There is a well-documented instance from the O. J. Simpson trial days where Time and Newsweek both used the same stock photo for their cover. The two magazines were sitting side by side on newstands across America. Newsweek printed the photo "as is." Time manipulated the photo to make O. J. seem dark and sinister. If nothing else, Time reminded Americans everywhere how easy it is to alter photographs to serve one's purpose. It's difficult to separate fact from fiction when the sources that report it manipulate photos and stories for self-serving purposes. This is one of the main reasons Americans trust MSM less and less. I just wish I had a subscription to Time to cancel.