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Opinion

News coverage wasted on Baldwin's blow-up 

Ursula Hawkins
Opinion Columnist

A recording of an angry voicemail message that actor Alec Baldwin left on his 11-year-old daughter's phone was released on a Web site and into the public by an unknown source Friday. 

The message contained statements such as "You are a rude, thoughtless little pig" and "You do not have the brains or the decency of a human being," CNN reported. 

After the media got a hold of the recording, it was broadcast not only in America but also in other parts of the world, damaging Baldwin's public image. 

Baldwin's apology to the public that later followed was unnecessary -- the only real apology he needed to make was to his daughter. 

Although most would agree the message he left was over the top, Baldwin did not say anything out of the ordinary for a parent who is upset. The tape should not have been released, and those responsible for leaking it should be dealt with accordingly. 

What Baldwin said was mean, and maybe it crossed a line, but what goes on between Baldwin and his family is his personal business. 

The media blew the event out of proportion -- people yell at their children all of the time, and this event was no different. 

Critics claim Baldwin should not have spoken to his daughter the way he did, and that he certainly should not have threatened her. 

However, most people, especially parents, know that kids can be very mischievous at times and that dealing with them can be more than frustrating. 

Many parents threaten their children, and it's a shame how far the media will go just to get ratings and a story. 

The media should not be meddling in the personal affairs of people; they should be researching real stories that can actually contribute to society. 

The public has been so caught up with the angry voice mail that no one has bothered to ask why he was so upset. 

There are always two sides to a story, and if the media is going to dip into other people's business, they should get the whole truth. 

Most likely, Baldwin had a very good reason to be upset, and even if he did not, he cannot be expected to be perfect all the time. People say things that they regret, and he just got caught up in an unfortunate situation. 

Hawkins, a communication/Spanish sophomore, 
can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu