DawnWatch: TMZ getting slammed for airing Beyoncé fur cruelty controversy footag
June 22nd, 2006 1:58 pm by Kelly Garbato———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: Jun 19, 2006 3:59 PM
Subject: DawnWatch: TMZ getting slammed for airing Beyoncé fur cruelty controversy footage 6/19/06
There is a controversy brewing on TMZ.com, a hot new celebrity news site, run by Harry Levin, who was the executive producer on the syndicated television show “Celebrity Justice.” That show, which looked at celebrity run-ins with the law, won repeated Genesis Awards for its recurring focus on animal issues. When a celebrity attached his or her name to animal friendly legislation, the show would often cover the issue including graphic footage of whatever abuse was being tackled.
Last week, on his new venture, TMZ.com, Harry Levin chose to air footage of a dinner meeting between Beyoncé and PETA representatives. Unable to get Beyoncé to agree to meet and discuss the use of fur in her fashion line, PETA put in the highest bid on an eBay auctioned dinner with the star. Beyoncé had no idea she was dining with PETA folks. The TMZ.com site tells us,
“As they sat at the table, Beyoncé, who has a fashion line with her mother that uses fur, had no idea what was coming. After placing their orders, the PETA members confronted the singer.”
You can watch video of that confrontation on the site at www.tmz.com/2006/06/15/beyonce-ambushed-by-peta-at-nobu/
At the bottom of that web page there is survey asking “Was PETA out of line?” As I send out this alert the Beyoncé fans unconcerned with animal cruelty are ahead. Please vote.
On that page TMZ has also posted, as a “related link,” the “Pamela Anderson Anti-Fur Campaign movie” (www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=pam_anti_fur )
It is hard to watch, but in keeping with the idea that we must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies, I urge anybody who is not familiar with fur production to check it out.
Today, Monday June 19, Harry Levin’s blog is headed, “Note To Beyoncé’s Dad — Back Off”
Levin writes,
“The undercover video we posted last Friday — showing how PETA ambushed Beyoncé at Nobu restaurant in New York City — has triggered a pretty big debate.
“I’m not trying to put myself out as a moral compass, but there are some undeniable truths here. First, the process of creating fur is an ugly, brutal and arguably torturous business. As for whether it’s an acceptable practice, well that’s the subject of legitimate, intense debate.
“I’m more than a little surprised that people are shocked that PETA went after Beyoncé. Remember, Beyoncé does more than wear fur — she has a line of clothing that includes fur. It’s one thing if PETA broke into Beyoncé’s house, but for cryin’ out loud, confronting her at Nobu… You put yourself out on an issue of intense emotion, what on earth do you expect?
“Beyoncé’s dad/manager went ballistic on TMZ, but we will not take this video down. First of all, we didn’t shoot it. Second, it’s a legit story. We do not sanitize news and present only what is acceptable to celebs and their relatives. We won’t be strong-armed by bullies and threats. That’s it.”
The blog is followed by reader comments. No doubt past positive feedback from the animal advocacy community (Genesis Awards, for example) has encouraged Levin to continue to weave animal protection messages into his celebrity pop culture ventures. He is currently getting slammed, by Beyoncé fans, for his blog. Please go to www.tmz.com/2006/06/19/note-to-beyonces-dad-back-off and send him some more support.
Yours and the animals’,
Karen Dawn
(DawnWatch is an animal advocacy media watch that looks at animal issues in the media and facilitates one-click responses to the relevant media outlets. You can learn more about it, and sign up for alerts at www.DawnWatch.com. To unsubscribe, go to www.dawnwatch.com/cgi-bin/dada/dawnwatch_unsubscribe.cgi
You are encouraged to forward or reprint DawnWatch alerts but please do so unedited — leave DawnWatch in the title and include this tag line.)
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: Jun 19, 2006 4:22 PM
Subject: DawnWatch correction: HARVEY Levin of TMZ…
My thanks to the wonderful Lori Golden of Pet Press magazine (www.thepetpress-la.com/) for catching my slip — it is Harvey Levin, not Harry Levin, taking a stand on TMZ against Beyonce’s fur-backing management. If you forward the alert I sent out moments ago, please make that name correction first.
Thanks,
Karen Dawn
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