'Predator' under fire again ...
I'm not passing judgment on the merits of a $100 million lawsuit filed against NBC this week. Really, I'm not. But am I surprised that this suit has been filed? Nope. Do I think NBC needs to rethink its 'Predator' series? Absolutely.
The New York Post has reported that a woman has filed suit against the network after Dateline NBC's "To Catch a Predator" exposed her brother during one of its sting operations. The man was a Texas prosecutor, who, according to NBC's reporting, allegedly went online to solicit sex with a 13-year-old boy. He committed suicide as Dateline staff positioned cameras to capture his arrest.
This is at least the second lawsuit filed against the show. A former producer is seeking $1 million from NBC. If there's any basis for her claims, the network truly has crossed into highly unethical territory.
I have maintained since November that this show has some serious problems. Former National Ethics Committee chairman Gary Hill, a veteran TV broadcaster, also expressed serious reservations.
What do you think?