It isn’t unusual for reporters who obtained information off the record to persuade these original sources to agree to go on the record with at least some of the information. Indeed, journalists themselves seldom agree on the finer distinctions between such phrases as “off the record,” “not for attribution,” “on background” and “on deep background.” Often, anonymity is what the source wants. Often the problem is rooted in a simple misunderstanding. Even the most careful, scrupulous reporters are ultimately accused of making factual errors, of misquoting somebody, quoting something out of context, of violating someone’s privacy, or of quoting someone on the record who thought he was speaking off the record. We assume different standards for interviewing for public officials and, say, their mothers. Reporters often venture into gray areas and encounter unique circumstances that affect our judgments. People don’t care about Newt Gingrich’s private observations to his mother because they were just that-private-and would have remained so if Connie Chung cared more about her own credibility and that of her profession. Connie Chung, as the saying goes, just doesn’t get it. It has little to do with Hillary-bashing, Newt-bashing or liberal-media-bashing. Now, just who is trying to divert attention here? Gingrich has whipped up a frenzy about this, drawing attention away from the question about the issue of what he said about the First Lady,” Chung said. When Newt Gingrich said Chung’s interview tactics were “unprofessional” and “despicable,” Chung accused him of trying to deflect “attention away from a controversial statement he has not denied he made with an attack on the ‘liberal’ media. (If only she’d spoken in a normal tone of voice. Gingrich spoke in an obvious stage whisper. It was clear that what she said would be broadcast.” Gosh, all that technical gear-but nothing to edit with.įinally, CBS News President Eric Ober, speaking before a meeting of the Television Critics Assn., noted that Mrs. Gingrich was sitting before three cameras and television lights with a microphone on. Gingrich came to tell us what she says is her son’s five-letter opinion about the First Lady than about her son’s opinion himself. Odd, but that same Webster’s says that solicit means “to ask or seek earnestly or pleadingly,” or “to tempt or entice (someone) to do wrong,” or “to approach for some immoral purpose, as a prostitute does.”Īfter airing the full 12-minute interview on her show “Eye to Eye” last Thursday, Connie Chung exonerated herself of solicitation charges, explaining: “There’s been more talk about how Mrs. Gingrich volunteered an unsolicited view,” CBS brass explained in a statement. Murrow and Walter Cronkite, would so blithely air video that shows one of their star correspondents betraying a smarmy confidence? But who would have thought that CBS News, the station of Edward R. Newt Gingrich and his mother were mad as heck, though Newt himself may have been smiling inside, since CBS News somehow managed to have people feeling sorry for a guy who wants to take children away from poor moms. Newt’s private opinion of Hillary Clinton is hardly surprising, but it was the hottest video this interview produced, and CBS decided to go with it. Science, remember, has found strong links between personality and DNA.Īlas, Chung sweet-talked herself into an ethical corner. Gingrich’s coy “I can’t” with a sweet “Oh, come on, you can tell meee, “ or an aghast “My goodness! It must be awful! Did he call her a counter-culture McGovernik baby-killing Commie masturbation teacher or what?”, Newty’s mom no doubt would have said what she was dying to say before long. Who could blame her? If Connie Chung had matched Mrs. Gingrich was plainly proud, flattered, delighted and just itching to gossip with her famous new confidante about her “Newty’s” take on Hillary Rodham Clinton. And I can’t tell you what he said about Hillary.”Ĭhung: “Why don’t you just whisper it to me, just between you and me?” Gingrich, what has Newt told you about President Clinton?”
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