Giving Tuesday was the day in which Americans show their stripes by giving to charities, volunteering, and helping people in need. But as ABC’s World News Tonight and the CBS Evening News were showcasing Americans at their best, NBC Nightly News used their so-called “Inspiring America” segment to knock them down, with correspondent Harry Smith smearing all of them as uncaring and distant during the pandemic.
After a brief lead-in that featured anchor Lester Holt noting that “this year Giving Tuesday has taken on an urgent new dimension,” Smith immediately started kicking the country: “Nine months into the COVID epidemic and our empathy reservoir feels nearly depleted. Today, was kind of a gut check.”
Never talking about what people were doing for charities and their fellow citizens, Smith launched into accusations suggesting Americans weren’t doing much.
“Non-profits and charities of all kinds asking for help. Their needs never greater. Their resources spent. Many of us have pulled ourselves into a kind of COVID cocoon, keeping our distance both physically and emotionally,” he chided.
Now, it’s accurate that there have been declines in donations to certain charities while demand had spiked. But as the media had reported extensively, the increased demand on food banks and other charities was driven by many people seeking help for the first time. And with many people out of work due to the shutdown (or afraid they’ll lose their job), they don’t have extra to spare.
Americans shouldn’t be browbeaten for that reality.
But Smith continued to suggest that Americans just needed to be made to care:
The needs, though, of our neighbors are great. Many have never asked for help before. If we are healthy, if we are employed, we are rich by comparison.
Charity comes from the Latin "Caritas," which means love of humankind.
So on this Giving Tuesday might we suggest think of your fellow man. Lend him a helping hand. Put a little love in your heart.
In contrast, ABC anchor David Muir was grateful that people were doing what they could during the latest America Strong segment. “After so much spending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, thank goodness for Giving Tuesday,” he touted ahead of a report (in the video above) that featured a FedEx driver who bought a new basketball and hoop for a little boy and his brothers.
“There are so many ways to help, large and small. We've been tracking Feeding America...Tonight, Feeding America telling us so many of you have responded. Donations pouring in,” he reported. And speaking about a mother who bought groceries for a stranger, Muir praised: “What a powerful lesson for her little boys. The small acts of kindness all over this country.”
And for their part on CBS, anchor Norah O’Donnell wanted to “introduce you to a 13-year-old in Georgia who’s made it his mission to help others.” In the report, correspondent Janet Shamlian spoke with C.J. Matthews who gathered blankets and donated them to kids in need. Despite COVID canceling his December drive, he managed to get 150 donated blankets and the funds to buy close to 1,000 more.
“It's going to feel really good to me because I'm helping another soul, another soul be happy in life,” Matthews explained.
The individuals showcased by ABC and CBS were truly remarkable. But NBC couldn’t share their sentiment. They could have featured how one of their own teamed up with Gap to donate khakis to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. But as NewsBusters previously noted, NBC was addicted to despair porn.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
NBC Nightly News
December 1, 2020
7:27:55 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: Finally, it's the day we're asked to give what we can. And this year Giving Tuesday has taken on an urgent new dimension. Here's Harry Smith.
[Cuts to video]
HARRY SMITH: Nine months into the COVID epidemic and our empathy reservoir feels nearly depleted. Today, was kind of a gut check.
Non-profits and charities of all kinds asking for help. Their needs never greater. Their resources spent.
Many of us have pulled ourselves into a kind of COVID cocoon, keeping our distance both physically and emotionally.
The needs, though, of our neighbors are great. Many have never asked for help before. If we are healthy, if we are employed, we are rich by comparison.
Charity comes from the Latin "Caritas," which means love of humankind.
So on this Giving Tuesday might we suggest think of your fellow man. Lend him a helping hand. Put a little love in your heart.
Harry Smith, NBC News, New York.
