Volume 2, No. 4. February 22, 2002
Eric’s Turn
Street
cred
According to a recent special aired by the Travel Channel featuring Cedar Point
in Sandusky, Ohio, "Eric Minton has probably ridden more (roller coasters) than
anyone else alive."
This was news to me. And though my interview with them, pictured above, is featured
heavily in the show, I'm sure their source for this assertion was not me. I
know many people who have ridden more roller coasters than I have, and my friend
Lisa Scheinin, the associate editor of ACE's Roller Coaster! magazine, has been
on two or three times more coasters than I.
The Travel Channel show's gaffe on this and other facts and images in its portrayal
of Cedar Point illustrates the duality of credibility gaps. My credibility has
been impinged by a show that, despite its documentary style, frequently strayed
from credibility. The end result, in this case, is a wronged public in addition
to a wronged subject.
Among true journalists, including most of my colleagues covering the amusement
industry, credibility is held dear. We at THE LOOP are so intent on keeping
our credibility standards high that we run corrections and clarifications even
though we correct our mistakes or misreadings on the original source, a luxury
our publishing via a live web site gives us that our print brethren do not have.
We also once deleted a report on a successful New Arrival when we learned that
the park's public relations representative gave us incorrect information.
Most of you have suffered fallout from misinformation broadcast, published or
gossiped about you or your park or company. And what park hasn't suffered at
the hands of a careless journalist, ranging from filming the wrong ride or animal
for their report to making spurious comparisons or juxtapositions? But beware,
too, of your own culpability.
Especially now. The lead story in this week's LOOP touches on the many facets
of credibility involving our industry and the general public in the current
U.S. climate, a climate where the general public is clamoring for higher standards
of credibility.
On the one hand our industry's overall
stellar safety record continues to be assaulted by misinformation and misrepresentative
data. Meanwhile, we as an industry continue to shunt the issue aside, hoping
it will go away, consequently compromising our own credibility. Is the shareholders'
demand on the Walt Disney Co. just a handful of unhappy stockholders finding
an issue to make waves with or is it a legitimate quest for accountability?
It's easier to believe the former, but would that risk doing too little to address
the latter.
Additionally, do not underestimate the public's growing interest in the fallout
of the Enron scandal. No company can afford to mislead the public on anything
from stock reports to marketing images. Just the appearance of giving false
or withholding information can raise a ruckus.
Amusements and entertainment is an unusual industry in that illusion is a key product. The demand and need for that will not change. Just keep those illusions in the safe haven of your park or show.
If you have a
comment or question
contact Eric Minton ric@gettheloop.com
888-902-5667 (outside North America call
1-937-296-9796).
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