Philippe Naughton
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Is this the beginning of the Paris Hilton backlash?
A US television news anchor has become a YouTube hero by refusing to lead off a news bulletin with the release of the celebrity heiress, ripping up, shredding and even attempting to set fire to her script.
The incident happened on MSNBC's Morning Joe programme when co-host Mika Brzezinski refused to read out the Hilton release story at the top of a regular bulletin ahead of news from Iraq and the White House.
"No, I hate this story and I don't think it should be our lead," said Ms Brzezinski, whose father is Zbigniew Brzezinski, the former National Security Adviser under Jimmy Carter.
After getting away with her refusal the first time, the story came up again as Ms Brzezinski was asked to read it at the top of the next rolling bulletin - after which she took a fellow anchor's cigarette lighter and tried to burn the script.
The third time around, she was ready. She took the script straight to the studio shredder and fed it into the machine.
The anchor's stand appears to have made her something of a heroine, at least among those Americans who have had enough of the Paris Hilton jail saga.
More than 80,000 people have watched a clip of her protest on the YouTube video site, where many left comments congratulating her on her action (and a few others questioned whether her indignation might not have been a bit staged).
"I HEART Mika Brzezinski!!!" wrote one viewer, while another said: "This lady has some serious balls and some serious morals. People like her make me proud to be an American."
Meanwhile, Ms Hilton, who was freed after serving half of a 45-day sentence for violating her probation after a drink-driving conviction, continued her media make-over by vowing to shed her party girl image.
“I’m a good person. I’m a compassionate person. I have a big heart. I’m sincere, and they’ll see,” she told People magazine Hilton in her first interview since getting out of jail in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Appearing later on CNN’s Larry King Live show, the 26-year-old socialite said she felt bad that many of her former fellow inmates would end up back on the streets, and back in trouble, because they lack family or support systems.
“I want to help set up a place where these women can get themselves back on their feet ... kind of a transitional home,”, she said.“I know I can make a difference.”
Ms Hilton acknowledged that she has enjoyed the Hollywood party scene but said: “It’s not going to be the mainstay of my life anymore... I’ve definitely matured and grown a lot from this experience."
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As you will notice, they still got the shot of Paris on the screen. By the way, that is the daughter of Zbig Brezinski who was Secretary of State under President Carter. Joe used to be in the House of Representatives from Pensacola, Fl. Anyway, no one watches MSNBC. They have terrible ratings.
Tony Francis, Wichita, KS/USA
I can only applaud Mika for standing up and doing what so many viewers would love to see, a bit of honor and integrity coming back to journalism. Fluff pieces such as the Paris fiasco need to be kept in the social pages where they belong not on the headlines.
Christy , Jacksonville, Florida
Three cheers for Ms. Brzezinski -- and shame on her producer for thinking that yet another Paris hilton story would interest any of us. We are all sick of the Paris Hilton story -- ALL of the Paris Hilton stories!
Yael, Phoenix, Arizona
To Paris Hilton. ACTIONS speak much louder than words !!
Sergei, London, UK
Thats right on the money. Paris' release from prison is hardly newsworthy to begin with let alone a lead story.
Modern society puts "celebs" on too high a pedestal and as such people are growing up simply wanting to be famous and having no aspirations to anything else.
Rant over.....
armitage shanks, Bogdon, England
Dear Phillippe,
What is really telling are the reactions of the two half-trained chimps/co-anchors pretending to be journalists. They were unable to change gears and discuss anything that was not being spoon fed to them by the show's producers. One has to ask, are those two capable of actually having their own thoughts? Are they only entertainers and not really journalists? At least Ms. Brzesinski actually thinks.
Carlo Nessuno, Pasadena, USA/California
Bravo Mika, I'm sick of hearing about Paris Hilton on the "news".
Ellen Morris, Leeds,
Mika - Hear! Hear!
John Sawtelle, Arcadia, California USA
Funny how she seemed so vehement about serving her time, then tried to leave at the first chance she got....it's absolutely ridiculous that she makes headlines when we could be talking about oh, I don't know, the situation in Iraq, Bush's shady politics, something that affects everyday U.S. citizens, etc.
Kate, Connecticut, U.S.
I can't believe that you ended this article with information about Paris Hilton. Did you read the first part of the article? what Mika Brzezinski did was honorable, and more journalists/news people (Philippe Naughton!!!) should follow her lead!!!
Candice, Albany, USA / New York
Don't listen to any of the criticism of these sad people Paris. I think you're hot AND a good person!
Tom V, Fremont, CA
Hey, Hilton!!
R you really sayung that you have definitely matured and grown a lot from this experience? Still FAR AWAY TO GO to be a HUMAN BEING!
Sujin, Suwon, South Korea
Is Mika Brzezinski still employed?
Ed, South Pasadena, California
As the old saying goes, "A leopard doesn't change it's spots." And so it is with Miss Hilton, who would be an absolute zero if it wasn't for family money. Anyone who believes her baloney about being a changed person after only 23 days should call me up. I have a bridge I want to sell them. How can she have compassion for the other women in the prison when she was in protective isolation? And she is so interested in changing her life that her first day of release was spent with interviews with People Magazine and Larry King, who I have lost all respect for after the ridiculous one hour interview he had with Paris.
Sam Schoolsky, Lake Charles, Louisiana
A news anchor's job is to report the news. Paris Hilton is *not* news. Ever. Not when she has a baby, and not when she dies. There are far more important stories out there to cover, yet the networks all want to lead off with something that's more suited for the E! network.
And people wonder why I've stopped watching television.
Alan, Jonesboro, USA / GA
Ha ha, that was a funny story., however, in all honesty, i think Ms Mika was just jealous of Paris Hilton's beauty, fame and wealth.
Stanzler, New York, USA
At last, somebody has come to their senses, I hope that more media services follow Ms Brzezinski, in leaving spoiled brat Paris, out of the public viewpoint. And mostly out of our minds
Roberto Veloce, Alicante, Spain