By Dustin Rowles | Politics | March 14, 2016 |
By Dustin Rowles | Politics | March 14, 2016 |
You wouldn’t know it if most of your media consumption comes from websites like ours, or MSNBC or Fox News, but objectivity still exists in the media. For outlets like the Associated Press, it’s still very important, even if Justin Bieber’s life now constitutes “Breaking News” for the AP. At least they cover Bieber objectively.
NPR is also an objective outlet, although some conservatives might disagree, because “facts” and “science” often work against their opinions. Meanwhile, some liberals in recent years have also been critical of NPR because of what they feel is an organization bending over backwards not to alienate conservatives (most NPR listeners are center-left, and some of us want NPR to cater to us).
NPR's terror of being perceived as liberal is pathological, absurd, & warps their work: https://t.co/El8OoTonQQ
— Matthew Cheney (@melikhovo) March 14, 2016
That’s the backdrop to why NPR expressed disappointment in Cokie Roberts — a long-time contributor, often considered the “founding mother” of NPR — for expressing an opinion about Donald Trump. In a syndicated column published several weeks ago, Roberts wrote that “[Trump] is one of the least qualified candidates ever to make a serious run for the presidency. If he is nominated by a major party — let alone elected — the reputation of the United States would suffer a devastating blow around the world.”
Personally, that sounds like an objective fact to me. He is unqualified, and the reputation of the U.S. would suffer worldwide if he were elected.
NPR, however, wasn’t pleased. On Morning Edition today, host David Greene expressed disappointment. “Objectivity is so fundamental to what we do. Can you blame people like me for being a little disappointed to hear you come out and take a personal position on something like this in a campaign?”
However, Roberts has been considered a “commentator” on NPR since the 1990s, and while some people don’t understand that (and NPR is seeking to clarify her role), that “opinion” is allowed under commentary, as Roberts explained.
“If I were doing it in your role, you should be disappointed. Or if I were doing it covering Capitol Hill every day. I can’t imagine doing that. But the truth is [that commentary] is a different role. And there are times in our history when you might be disappointed if I didn’t take a position like that.”
Roberts added, “Here is my basic approach to life. I am a totally unpartisan human being. I don’t care which party has the right ideas — or which party has the wrong ideas. I am very, very, very interested in civility. I am interested in government working.”
Is it partisan to call an objectively dangerous man “dangerous”? Is it partisan to call for civility if the leading GOP candidate is creating incivility? I don’t think so, and while I understand NPR’s position, I also think that NPR should chill out.
Much of Twitter agrees.
Cokie Roberts is saying what so many media folks think, but are afraid to say. Trump means trouble! #NPR #ImWithHer pic.twitter.com/BWKaoiGzCb
— Cornelia (@PaladinCornelia) March 14, 2016
Far more disappointed in @npr than Cokie Roberts here. https://t.co/1CsdAPkfgM
— The Elf Himself (@3lfs3lf) March 14, 2016
takeaways:
— Durrie Bouscaren (@durrieB) March 14, 2016
1-Need a clear line between news & op
2-but we're human
3-& I might prefer a slant toward human decency. https://t.co/nfIkvoD2Ri
Nothing but Admiration and Respect for Cokie Roberts who just had to say what we all already know and condemn anti-american ideologies!
— Jimmy The Kid (@Jimmy_Benzo) March 14, 2016
Too bad Germany didn't have a Cokie Roberts at a time when it might have helped. @NPR #NPR #ImWithHer #UniteBlue pic.twitter.com/KL9PBinDDQ
— Cornelia (@PaladinCornelia) March 14, 2016
Thank you Cokie Roberts, for speaking the truth about Trump and his message. @NPR #ImWithHer pic.twitter.com/8fQA8Qft4o
— Cornelia (@PaladinCornelia) March 14, 2016
Yep, #Cokie is definitely the problem here.
— AMR (@AnthonyRisicato) March 14, 2016
Dear #News: Objectivity ≠ Ignorance. @NPR Clarifies Role #Election2016 https://t.co/0IVqiHxC5I
Not everyone agrees, of course.
who tf is Cokie Roberts anyway? never heard of her before she tried blaming Trump for children being bullies
— Teridax (@Teridax) March 14, 2016
Joke of the day: @NPR and Cokie Roberts take taxpayer money, then pretend to be objective.
— Frannie LaBrador (@franniel333) March 14, 2016
Cokie Roberts has a sister named Pepsie.
— A.L. Balloonstein (@Balloonstein) March 14, 2016
OK, that last one made me laugh.