‘Today Show’ to Air Interview with Convicted Pedophile Jerry Sandusky

This is repulsive and irresponsible in more ways than I can count. NBC’s desire to air sensationalist material - obviously to get higher ratings - is seriously repulsive. If Sandusky wanted to give his side of the story he should have done it in court.

Giving a convicted pedophile a national platform to deny the sexual abuse he inflicted on so many young men is simply re-victimizing them and adding further trauma to what they have already experienced. I work with survivors of sexual trauma, both male and female, so I know how deeply wounded these young men are, and will continue to be for many years. For a national tv show to intentionally re-traumatize them is unconscionable.

I would love to see an organized boycott of NBC, or at least of “The Today Show” – this is simply unacceptable.

Kenny Bodanis blogs at MenGetPregnantToo.com, one of Canada's top parenting blogs (and the only one written by a dad to make the top ten list). I agree with everything he says in this post.

‘Today Show’ Promotes Nauseating Interview With Jerry Sandusky

MARCH 24, 2013 

BY KENNY BODANIS

Kenny Bodanis questions why Jerry Sandusky should be given a platform to tell “his side of the story?” 

The following blurb appeared in the Montreal Gazette’s sports section this morning. It was, no doubt, picked up from an American wire service:

◊♦◊

Sandusky to Tell His Story on NBC 

State College, PA. 

NBC says it will air an interview with former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky Monday on the Today Show. NBC says the convicted sex offender will give his account of the encounters that landed him in prison and discuss former boss Joe Paterno. Sandusky is serving a 30 to 60 year prison term for 45 counts of child sexual abuse.

◊♦◊

Who is the target audience for this interview? Who just can’t wait to hear this pedophile give “his account of the encounters” he had with children?

What do people expect to hear? Details? Excuses? Apologies? Blame?

What has this creep done to deserve a national platform through which he can give his side of the story?

If he cries on air, I might throw up.

This seems to be mass media’s new modus operandi – crowding around felons, deceivers, and deviants hoping for that shocking morsel which will become a viral clip on YouTube, carrying their ratings through sweeps week.

It is sickening to imagine the celebration and congratulations which probably took place during the production meeting when the Today Show learned they scored this interview: “Good job, everyone!”

Whatever “explanation” Sandusky may give for his actions, will come from the mouth of a liar who was able to scare dozens of abused students into silence year after year.

Sandusky deserves nothing more than that same isolation, in a cell, for the next 60 years.

Photo: AP/Matt Rourke

About Kenny Bodanis
Kenny Bodanis is the author of MenGetPregnantToo.com - named by Reader's Digest Canada as one of that country's top parenting bloggers - the only dad on the list. He is currently editing his first parenting book, and is a monthly parenting columnist on Montreal radio. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +