After the news of this week, It appears that Wright, at least when painted into a corner, can spout views that run contrary to mainstream thought (as is the case with Pat Roberson, Jimmy Swaggart, the late Jerry Falwell, etc.).
But, the question is not whether the Wright story was valid or if the media went too far in the depiction of the man. The question raised is whether a network used the public airwaves to push a political slant that serves it’s interests. Is that democratic? Is that responsible journalism? Are news organizations allowing fortunate journalists (those in positions of power) to use the public airwaves to push their own personal political agenda (for loyalty or power or, in Charlie Gibson’s case, to lower his own personal taxes)?
UPDATE 5/2/08
Joe Gandelman, Editor and Chief of the Moderate Voice, has an article on his website titled "The Compromising of ABC News?"
In his piece, it states that ABC News will air a Town Hall event in Indianapolis on Sunday. Who's the host of this Town Hall event? Former Clinton Senior Advisor George Stephanopoulos.
http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/19324/the-compromising-of-abc-news/
Gandelman says in his piece that "after the debate, Stephanopoulos was highly controversial, suspect in Obama quarters and basically damaged goods. ABC would have been better served if it had arranged for another ABC reporter to conduct its Town Hall."He continued: "By its choice of a controversial host who many believe is not above the Democratic primary fray, ABC’s Town Hall will be closely watched — but perhaps in ways ABC and Stephanopoulos did not originally have in mind."
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