Monday, April 03, 2006
Political Correctness gone too far!
I am normally not one to criticize when a news reporter or other public figure gets hammered for expressing a dumb opinion in public. Lots of people in the media say stupid things in front of the camera that they should just be quiet about, regardless of whether or not I agree with them. However, when a somebody news producer says something in a private email, and then gets suspended over it, that's pretty ridiculous!
The second quote, about Madeline Albright, is a little bit inflammatory for obvious reasons, and he was clearly using his personal opinions about her to block having her on the show, and that's inappropriate and the guy should be suspended for that. But the first quote about Bush is completely legitimate. Reporters, news producers, etc, are allowed to have opinions about what they see going on around them. When Bush says something stupid during a press conference or debate or, really, anytime he opens his mouth, people all around the world are allowed to have an opinion about it and to state that opinion through private conversations. Simply sending an email to a colleague stating your opinion is NOT grounds for being suspended, regardless of your job. Now, if the guy had stated his opinions on the air, then that's not appropriate, or if he had then blocked Bush from appearing on GMA, that's not appropriate. When a news reporter or producer is doing their job, they should be impartial. But when they're outside of their job, when they're talking to friends and co-workers, they should be free to express whatever opinions they want. That's a core freedom, that's the reason this country exists.
The second quote, about Madeline Albright, is a little bit inflammatory for obvious reasons, and he was clearly using his personal opinions about her to block having her on the show, and that's inappropriate and the guy should be suspended for that. But the first quote about Bush is completely legitimate. Reporters, news producers, etc, are allowed to have opinions about what they see going on around them. When Bush says something stupid during a press conference or debate or, really, anytime he opens his mouth, people all around the world are allowed to have an opinion about it and to state that opinion through private conversations. Simply sending an email to a colleague stating your opinion is NOT grounds for being suspended, regardless of your job. Now, if the guy had stated his opinions on the air, then that's not appropriate, or if he had then blocked Bush from appearing on GMA, that's not appropriate. When a news reporter or producer is doing their job, they should be impartial. But when they're outside of their job, when they're talking to friends and co-workers, they should be free to express whatever opinions they want. That's a core freedom, that's the reason this country exists.
# posted by Chris @ 10:02 AM 
