PressEthic

This week, the Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz wrote an article about “sparring” between President Bush’s press secretary, Scott McClellan, and journalists. McClellan says he has to “mix it up a bit” because “reporters like to swing away at others, but they don’t like it when you punch back.”

As an undergrad, I remember hearing that the press could be considered the fourth arm of government, helping with checks and balances and, of course, taking information directly to the people. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that there should be a little elbowing between reporters and the person whose job it is to answer to them.

The problem is McClellan isn’t countering with evidence. The whole liberal/conservative media battle has gotten to the point where it appears McClellan can use it to thwart a good question. McClellan’s response to a question about Iraq is quoted as, “I’m sure you’re opposed to the broader war on terrorism.”

CBS’s John Roberts is quoted saying, “I’m not quite sure who he’s playing to – maybe the segment of the Republican Party that believes we’re a bunch of liberals who have our own agenda.”

After some classroom study on the topic of liberal vs. conservative, I’m beginning to wonder if the distinction has become a moot point. For the most part, we now know the leanings of many journalists and the companies they work for. And after so many scandals involving lies and fabricated stories, we want journalists to be honest and effective more than anything else. The public can decide what it thinks about the reporter and their work once they’ve seen it. Why should it still be a weapon to accuse reporters of either liberalism or conservatism? The political climate might require that sort of discussion, but perhaps the journalistic one shouldn’t.

“I don’t take it as a personal affront that someone who’s an advocate is going to try to present things in the best light,” says CNN’s Bob Franken in the Kurtz article. “We are foils, because we’re riffraff in the eyes of the public, the ink-stained wretches.” Buck up Bob!

The article goes on, “Some reporters say they do not regard McClellan…as a valuable source.” Ink-stained wretches unite! Write an article about why this might be the case. Report on more instances where McClellan goes overboard and discuss why. Let the people know when the fourth arm is being cut off at the knees.