PBS Uses Old Fireworks Footage In Live 4th Of July Broadcast, Public Outrage Ensues

  • 8 years ago
PBS used old footage for live July 4 broadcast and people are not happy.

Every year, PBS broadcasts the Washington, D.C. 4th of July festivities live from the U.S. Capitol's West Lawn, reports NPR.
However, this time, due to viewing of the fireworks display being impaired by clouds and rain, PBS, “…intercut fireworks footage from previous A Capitol Fourth concerts for the best possible television viewing experience…” 
The public was not pleased, notes NBC News.
Shortly after the segment aired, disgruntled Internet users took to Twitter to share their feelings on what they felt was deceit on the part of the network. 
Paul Schwartzman of the Washington Post called the event "the Milli Vanilli of fireworks,” and many punctuated their posts with #fake. 
PBS responded, “We showed a combination of the best fireworks from this year and previous years. It was the patriotic thing to do,” but the network's explanation failed to appease the masses. 
One user commented on the drama in general noting, “Only in DC could a PBS show become a scandal.” 

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