Journalism Ettiquette - Don't Pat Yourself On The Back On The Air

[Median Democrat]

Tim Russert did this on occassion when he would ask a question and cheerfully point out how tough it was, and how his subject got defensive. Today, during Obama's press conference, a CNN reporter asked this rambling question with multiple subparts that Obama gamely answered. Following the press conference, on CNN the reporter was busy patting himself on the back about what a good question(s) it was, and how he had put Obama on the defensive.

Message to journalist: YOU ARE NOT THE STORY. Also, don't pat yourself on the back on the air, particularly if the question was rambling and difficult to follow. As the audience, I don't give a shit about your career capping moment, and if am having trouble following all the subparts to your question, then your question is not that great. In other words, the media needs to get over itself.

Of course, right wing media is an entirely different animal since they think they run the Republican party, and given the influence of Rush Limbaugh and William Kristol, they may be correct.

[pgh_dem]

1. Best example/parody of this: Rob Corddry on The Daily Show

(I hope I'm remembering this right)
At the 2004 DNC, Corddry asked a long and complicated question of Joe Lieberman, then just as Lieberman was about to answer, Corddry turns on his heel and walks away from him, pumping his fist and shouting 'YESSSS!' congratulating himself for his awesome question as he leaves a confused Lieberman behind.

[fasttense]

2. Sounds like CNN have some very poor and inexperienced journalists.

But it has been a trend ever since Fox Fake News appeared on the scene to have idiots posing as journalists. Journalists are made out to be "personalities" instead of real investigators or reporters. There are very few real journalists remaining since the media Corporate Monopolies have taken over.

[Median Democrat]

3. Exactly - Every Journalist Is Trying To Be A Celebrity

The CNN reporter was simply not skilled. If you ask a tough question, there should be no need to do a victory dance. The purpose of the question is not to ask it, but to elicit a clear answer, and if the question is rambling and in multiple subparts, then there is no way to get a clear answer. Also, it shows a lack of courtesy to other journalists in a press conference, because it is a time suck. Obama has had three press conferences in three days, plus an interview tonight. Obama is giving the press access, so there is no need to cram five or ten issues into one multi-part question. It is irritating to me, the audience, trying to get some real information, rather than trying to parce through some rambling question by an unskilled journalist.

Someone also asked some stupid gotcha question before the CNN reporter about shopping. It was cute in a bad way in that it was reminicent of Bush's "go shop" admonition to the American people following 9/11. It was an invitation to Obama to smack Bush down, but for what purpose. I think Obama handled the question well, in that he was not a complete buzzkill about the Christmas holidays in that he said that people need to be careful about their spending decisions. I DO wish Obama did say that families should not buy so much crap on credit, but that would be asking too much, and it would have caused retail stocks to dive.

[anonymous171]

4. Oh so NOW the press cares about asking hard questions?

:eyes: How typical.

[JaneQPublic]

5. Wasn't it Ed Henry?

He is often far to impressed with himself for my taste. One of those reporters who considers him/herself superior to elected officials and anyone else covered.

[Cha]

6. Rec'd~ This is so important and thank you

for bringing it to light on DU.

We need media reform..and they will just keep going like they've been unless the American Public Demands Better.

The reporter in Obama's press conference made an ass of himself.