Drawing the Line
Journalists greet Sen. Barack Obama at the Unity conference.
When Senator Barack Obama appeared at the UNITY: Journalists of Color conference in Chicago, the crowd had an unusual reaction for a group of hardboiled journalists. They applauded, and with some enthusiasm. That moment of applause has received more attention than most of the tough questions that were asked. (Leonard Pitts sure put Senator Obama on the hot seat.) But it raised some interesting questions — mainly, what should the relationship between journalists and campaigns be? Lisa Shepard, NPR's Ombudsman, has some thoughts on the matter... and we want to hear what you think. Was the applause appropriate?
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have we all forgotten when John McCain and Barack obama spoke before the National Press Corp and John McCain received a standing ovation and a box of donuts and Mr. obama got mild applause?
I am an african american and i'm thoroughly disgusted by the reaction of the minority news services to Barrack Obama. If you are an advocate of someone you cannot keep your personal bias out of your personal work. Barrack Obama is a mild, bland candidate, but the media reacts to his baking soda like carbon dioxide. They create his "explosive dynamism". I am sure Barrack Obama is not a rock star, but the media treats him like he's the beatles or something. i don't like mccain because i'm not a conservative, but i also don't like Barrack Obama, because he is also pretty conservative.
I think this is an excellent discussion. I am very impressed with Lisa's views. I think reporters this year, specifically, have gone way over board in their enthusiasm for Obama. I agree it's a problem. Neutrality needs to return on the left, right and the middle.
maybe I missed this, but didn't McCain invite journalists to a bbq not to long ago?
I can't believe we are having a discussion about people (Journalists) applausing.
Of course everyone should be claping just for the one reason that Obama represented us (American's) in a way we should be represented to the world.
Journalists are people & should have the right to applause. Applausing doesn't mean anything. They probably don't even support Obama.
A number of years ago, someone asked Ted Koppel what he thought of Sam Donaldson giving his liberal opinions on some programs he participated in. Mr. Koppel replied that everyone has an opinion, even him. Were you better off trusting his reporting because he kept these opinions hidden (but, he said, I assure you I have them), or Mr. Donaldson, whose opinions you know?
Presumably if they're both being perfectly professional, neither is slanting their stories, but if you don't trust them not to slant their stories, he asked, aren't you better of knowing which way they're slanting them?
If you trust a reporter to not slant a story, it doesn't matter what their opinions are, and they might as well be public. If you don't trust a reporter to not slant a story, then it's important to know their opinions to know which way they're slanting it and process it accordingly.
It really ought to be the case that reporters are encouraged to express their views (on their own time, of course). It's bizarre that the reverse is true. But it's media -- you have to take public perception into account, even when it makes no sense at all.
Discussions such as this beg the question of "bias" promotion. It is a perfect example of what my big sister pulled me aside and explained a long time ago: Some people practice deceit. It's all about appearance.
Sen. Obama visited national leaders overseas in a poised and dignified manner. American Whites put out the code word "presumptuous". McCain's scores went up.
Sen. Obama returned home having been received positively as a citizen of the world. He was applauded a genuine role model for anyone who would like to aspire to the same--and an audience of American journalists applauded him appropriately.
Now run and tell that.
It's no surprise NPR raises its arms on this with an Obama event, not a McCain event. The pro-McCain slant to NPR's reporting has been unmistakable on nearly every program as McCain talking points have been routinely propped with little fact-checking balance. Why not explore AP D.C. bureau chief Ron Fournier's connection to McCain? Here you go: http://mediamatters.org/columns/200807220006. Is NPR afraid of being labeled as part of the so-called "liberal media"? Maybe NPR's "discussion" on this matter could actually have some balance next time.
It's those who aren't open about their bias but slide it in their reporting that concern me. NRP does not disclose that Mara Liasson works for FOX News on her bio at NPR or in her intros. Her reporting on speeches and events by Obama that I have heard fail to convey any of the points he discussed. And managed to hit long dead and RNC talking points like the "flag pin".
It would be great if she did wear a button. Then the viewers could identify her bias.
From the Fox News site for the record "Mara Liasson is a political contributor for FOX News Channel (FNC.) She joined the network in 1997 and serves as a regular contributor to FOX News Channel's "Special Report with Brit Hume," the top-rated political program on cable television. She also serves as a panelist on "FOX News Sunday,".
