Journalism 101

A report comes on TV news. An accident. Storm damage. Celebrity in public view. Sports results. Weather forecast. Social problems and what is being done about them. A death of a well known person. A good news item that uplifts our spirits. Maybe there is a cultural happening – play, concert, stunning performance that grabbed a lot of attention, or a plot twist on a TV drama that excites attention.

We consume the bit of information. We file it away in our mind for something to think about or to pair up with another item that somehow resonates meaning within our mind.

So far this is ho-hum boring. But then a ratings buster. An announcement that an authority figure, politician, or major elected official, has been accused of a wrongdoing. The juicier the better. Why does this grab our attention? Is this a favored person who is endangered? Is this a political foe you want to see embarrassed and torn down? Why do we find these sorts of news items fascinating?

Indeed, what is journalism’s role?

Yes, that is the real question. Someone says something about another person, and we call it news. It might be news, and then it might not. It depends on the factual basis of the report. Is there credible evidence that an accused leader has done wrong? Or is it supposition?

Take the Cuomo matter. Here’s a governor of a major state, a state that is home to much culture and international leadership, a governor who has demonstrated courage and strength to battle the COVID pandemic in New York City and New York state. The political environment was national because the sitting president at the time was from the opposing political party. The president was a political bully and name caller. He worked to polish his own image and the quickest way to do that was tear others down.

The governor did well with the pandemic. Instilled public trust and hope that all would be well, and the state was moving mountains to safeguard its people. He did battle with the president and won. All was not perfect. There were questions about deaths reported at senior citizen long-term care centers. Problem was the deaths were from many causes, mostly pre-existing conditions, and health officials simply didn’t know how to classify the deaths. Were they COVID, COVID-related, or not? The definitions were imprecise, especially at the pandemic’s start. In fact, the definitions kept changing. What reports were available on this matter? Were the data being changed and for what purpose? Were the reports in error intentionally or by happenstance?

New York state politics – and that of the Big Apple alone – are rife with competition for political advantage. If one pol is dissed another’s reputation by comparison is enhanced. Manipulation and political-speak is often employed to create competitive advantage. And Governor Cuomo is a prime target.

So, a staffer, beautiful and young steps forward and claims she felt sexually harassed by the governor. Journalists jump to cover this sensational story. In the early days of the story, the focus is on a possible wrongdoing. Is there substance to the issue? If so, what next is done?

In New York City, the news industry is driven by competing news organizations, both local and national. They fight one another to create headlines that sell papers or draw electronic media audience ratings. It is not about the fact but about the sensationalism factor that matters most to these people. Even national news programs that are highly respected, get caught up in the competition for audience. NBC national news takes up the story. ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX News Network, and all the rest jump into the fray.

Interviews and press conferences are hurriedly arranged. The principals in the issue are splashed across the papers, newsmagazines and electronic media.

Still, what is the role of journalism in all of this?

Simply this: to determine the factual basis on the matter. To carve out fairness for all parties in the matter, both the accused and the accuser. If the issue is actionable, then authorities need to process the matter as a case for the criminal justice system. Standards of evidence, witnesses, protection of rights employed. All of these things need to be used to provide balanced perspective on the issue. Will the accused be found guilty? Or will the accuser be found to be a manipulator for her day in the sun, or a tool of a political power boss who wants to remove the governor from power? Or some other motivation?

Journalism’s role is to lay out the issue clearly and logically. It should report on the remedies at hand to determine the factual truth of the matter. Then it should report the results of that process. Meanwhile, it ought to avoid a rush to judgment or trial by public opinion.

I find it disturbing that people in leadership are always fair game for this attack to destroy. Some are good at avoiding negative fallout or defusing its sting. The past president was good at that. Cuomo may not be quite as good. But then he need not be. Instead, rely on facts, process and fair treatment to determine the truth.

So far that treatment has not been present to either the accused or the accuser. Shame on the public spectacle this has caused. We are much better than this.

March 9, 2021