The Propaganda Might be Televised

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — March 3rd, 2003

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The Propaganda Might be Televised

The smell of war is in the air. So where does that leave the sporting world? Try: up the creek without a paddle. 

 

If this war does happen, the U.S. attacking Iraq, that is, and if the networks, mainly CBS, decide to continue with complete coverage of events, the NCAA Tournament will be moved to another station.

 

All 64-plus games will not be broadcast on CBS, but one of its sister networks. CBS is owned by Viacom, and under their discretion, they can choose to televise the developments in the Middle East. 

 

The president of CBS Sports, Sean McManus, said that in this time of crisis, war will take precedence over any sporting event. In such a case, Viacom, owner of several other television stations, has the right to shift the responsibility of broadcasting the NCAA Tournament to any network under its ownership including MTV, UPN, BET, TNN, VH1, CMT, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and TV Land.

 

Only three of these stations, TNN, MTV and Nickelodeon have 81 percent availability throughout the country to cover the games.

 

I know what most are asking, why these stations and not ESPN, ESPN2 or FOX Sports? These stations may not broadcast the NCAA Tournament because of contractual difficulties. ESPN already hosts the Women's NCAA Tournament and is owned by Disney; it would be a conflict of interest. As for FOX Sports, they just don't have the licensing.

 

Don't worry, because the stations owned by CBS are every bit as capable of covering the games. Take TNN for example. They are the leaders when it comes to sport innovation. Michael Tollin and Mason Gorgon took basketball to new heights, literally. They glorified the art of dunking by adding eight trampolines, four at each basket, which would allow players to put on an acrobatic and amazing show of dunks in a game called Slamball. TNN is a perfect candidate for the NCAA Tournament.

 

How about Nickelodeon? I can see it now, Tommy Pickles and Chucky doing play-by-play commentary while Spongebob Squarepants works the game for sideline interviews.

 

Let's not forget MTV, honestly the best bet. Mixing basketball and hip-hop. DJ Scribble on the ones-and-twos and halftime shows by the best in the music industry.

 

I can't wait.

 

Seriously, this proposal will merely replace current scheduling of the selected station and air every game CBS is unable to air with the CBS commentators. 

 

I truly believe this war isn't important enough to interrupt other networks programming. The war against Iraq is more of a struggle for power and control than it is about ending potential terrorist threats.

 

But that's a whole different discussion. 

 

For now, I say the propaganda will be televised and any measures to keep the people of this country blinded, excuse me, informed, right black at'cha.

 

Being a college student, my days depend on the Powerpuff Girls and Samurai Jack; and who can forget the late nights of Adult Swim and Tom & Jerry?

 

As long as they don't touch my Cartoon Network, we're straight.