Amid the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, NBC's 'Today' show has shifted to its typical format, balancing daily duties with coverage of her colleague Savannah Guthrie's heart-wrenching plight. This delicate juggling act has sparked curiosity and controversy, as the show navigates the fine line between professional responsibility and personal support. With Nancy missing since January 31, NBC News properties have been heavily focused on the search, giving the story prominent placement on 'Today' and 'NBC Nightly News', as well as on the live-streamed service NBC News Now. But here's where it gets controversial... Some viewers have questioned whether the show should be prioritizing the coverage of a colleague's personal crisis over other news stories. And this is the part most people miss... The show's anchors and staffers, who are close to Savannah, have been scrutinized for their coverage of the case. The best compromise, suggests Ben Bogardus, chairman of the department of journalism at Quinnipiac University, is for the anchors to acknowledge their feelings and relationship to Guthrie, making it clear that their treatment of the story is different than they would treat a similar case not involving their friend. Viewers will understand and accept this, and can watch NBC's coverage with that knowledge in mind. Despite the controversy, 'Today' has seen a surge in viewership, with an average of 3.48 million viewers over the five days ended February 13, according to Nielsen. But some of that boost has been due to NBCUniversal's recent coverage of the Winter Olympics in Milan, which typically draws broader audiences to the company's media properties. So, what do you think? Do you think the show should have prioritized the coverage of Nancy's search over other news stories? Or do you think the anchors should have handled the story with more sensitivity? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
