People Are Mad At PBS, But Was It Wrong?

PBS viewers watching “A Capitol Fourth” witnessed a spectacular fireworks show, but it wasn’t the hazy spectacle everyone in DC saw.

The clear sky shown on the television broadcast was the result of the producers’ decision to use stock footage from previous celebrations.

Of course people were upset that they weren’t getting a live 2016 DC fireworks experience. However, the fireworks show on TV was much more visible than the live footage.

Is this the equivalent to a singer lip-syncing? #PBS Showed Fireworks Footage over Washington DC from Previous Years https://t.co/q1HHd7ttYx

— Jeff Reynolds (@JeffWReynolds) July 6, 2016

Washington Post defended the producers’ decision, claiming it was necessary for the show to be entertaining.

Thoughts on this? We know you’re angry — but PBS did the right thing to ‘fake’ their fireworks – https://t.co/dp9HgLRwZJ

— lori aratani (@loriara) July 6, 2016

*sarcasm ahead*

PBS "fixed" bad weather on July 4 by broadcasting archival fireworks footage—what any reliable news source should do https://t.co/7bvCYQYtis

— Shira Inbar (@shira_no_filter) July 6, 2016

Eventually PBS apologized for the mishap.

PBS Apologizes After Airing Fake Footage of 'Live' Fireworks https://t.co/Z2QQMspnp5 via @UsWeekly

— Ernie Schell (@ernieschell) July 6, 2016

Maybe there are worse things to be worrying about – for example, deleted emails, corruption, elections and such.

People are really that pissed about PBS showing old fireworks footage? Pretty sure there are WAY worse things to be mad about.

— Katy⚡️Schamberger (@KatyWrites) July 6, 2016