Flight 253 ‘hero’ wants cash for disclosure
Welcome to the brave new world of temporary celebrity. From Mediaite:
Here is a lesson in how journalism (and really, life) works in 2009: the passenger on Northwest Flight 253 being billed as a hero for helping subdue Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab will tell you his story – but only if you pay him money.
But Jasper Schuringa was already on CNN, you say? Well CNN paid up.
You’ll notice CNN’s eight-minute interview with Schuringa earlier today was a little awkward, especially at the end. Around the five-minute mark, Schuringa looks uncomfortable, saying “but I don’t really want to talk about that,” and “ok, well thank you very much,” while trying to end the interview. Anchor Fredricka Whitfield, continued the questions however, while what sounds like an argument can be heard off-screen.
Here’s what it sounds like happened: CNN tells Mediaite they paid a “licensing fee” for the exclusive cell phone image, which they have been using throughout the day. TVNewser reports, “Insiders tell us other networks are vying to buy the image for upwards of $10,000.”
CNN clarifies the network did not pay for the actual interview during CNN Newsroom. However, there’s a reason Schuringa has not appeared any further on CNN or any other network – we hear he has asked for additional payment for any future interviews.
Nice. Apparently, Jasper not only had the presence of mind to tackle the potential terrorist, he also had the foresight to grab a cell phone pic that he could later make some money on, since of course, legit news organizations “don’t pay for interviews…” Read more here, including the fact that our hero isn’t doing anything all that new. Oh, and he might already have a publicist. Meanwhile, if you want more Jasper Schuringa, become his 2,501’st fan on Facebook. And he’s not the only passenger finding post-almost-terror-attack fame. Another Flight 253 passenger has a blog post up at the Huffpo (no word on whether he was paid for it.)
So how much has Mr. Schuringa taken in so far? Gawker has the breakdown:
Here’s how this happens.
All the media organizations found Schuringa’s company website, which had his cell phone number on it. By the time he finally got to Miami, his final destination, CNN and The New York Post had gotten to him.
Once the Post and CNN got through to Jasper, he handed over all negotiations to his friend who lives in Miami who he came to the U.S. to visit. His name is Shai Ben-Ami. He’s an Israeli guy who’s in the restaurant business, as a Google search would turn up. He owns some kind of Pick Up Stix imitator. Though their Orange Chicken sounds good about now.
Schurnga sold the “TV Rights” of the first of his two photos to CNN for $10K.
The “print rights” went to the Post for $5K.
Later, Schuringa was paid upwards of $3K by ABC News for a second photo, which Schuringa tried to sell to other local news outlets for $5K, unsuccessfully.
Jasper Schuringa made at least $18,000 from two shitty, blurry photos.
Why?
Because the only way to get interviews with this guy was to pay him, so CNN and The New York Post ponied up. Fox News used the Post’s interview, because, well, welcome to Murdoch-land. NBC apparently didn’t pay because they don’t have an interview. Neither does the New York Daily News or the New York Times. But the New York Daily News did take CNN’s photo (albeit watermarked) and interview quotes for their story in this morning’s paper for the low price of free-ninety-nine. Thrifty!
You knew there had to be a South Florida connection, didn’t you? … See what CNN got for its money here:
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