I don't disagree with most points in this thread, but I'd expand it to say the problems of journalism in the age of Republicans won't be solved by any one tactical solution (like follow-up questions) but rather a strategic one, which is to begin *assuming* bad intent and lies.
Journalists do this for other authoritarian regimes who have proved themselves non-transparent, self-interested, sociopathic, and untruthful.
The only reason to not treat Republicans in the same way is that they are *our* untruthful sociopaths.
It's past time to make the shift.
The only reason to not treat Republicans in the same way is that they are *our* untruthful sociopaths.
It's past time to make the shift.
A thread of every shocking lie would take me all weekend and the rest of the paid time off I'm lucky enough to still have to compile and present.
They're liars by reflex. They're led by the biggest most shameless liar imaginable.
Every story about them has to reflect this.
They're liars by reflex. They're led by the biggest most shameless liar imaginable.
Every story about them has to reflect this.
This should include a wide array of tactical responses, including treating all White House statements as likely propaganda requiring outside verification, and referring the fact that Trump has told thousands of provable lies during his presidency in every media mention.
I think it should include refusing to televise his toxic rallies, quarantining his press releases and national address behind a scrim of practical and proactive journalistic skepticism.
And yes, aggressive and confrontational questions, coordinated (this is key) across platforms
And yes, aggressive and confrontational questions, coordinated (this is key) across platforms
The reason aggressive questions don't work is, as the quoted thread suggests, format. The president can just tell another lie and move on.
The entire journalist core needs to refuse to allow moving on. The dodged question becomes the ONLY question until answered.
The entire journalist core needs to refuse to allow moving on. The dodged question becomes the ONLY question until answered.
We know the President lies every day. This is known. It's an irrefutable fact. We know his administration lies on his behalf. We know his party does the same.
They have no credibility. That's part of the story, and has been for years.
Make it part of the story. Because it is.
They have no credibility. That's part of the story, and has been for years.
Make it part of the story. Because it is.
The story of the coronavirus is a story about a virus, but it's also a story of an entire political party that lies about it.
As the story develops, those lies remain part of the story.
Statements from the liars need to include their demolished credibility as part of the story.
As the story develops, those lies remain part of the story.
Statements from the liars need to include their demolished credibility as part of the story.
The correct response a president who lies constantly is to treat him as if you assume he's lying.
The correct response to a political party that carries water for him is to treat them as if you assume they are acting in bad faith, because they are.
The correct response to a political party that carries water for him is to treat them as if you assume they are acting in bad faith, because they are.
Let me make this point again.
The fact that Republicans have shown themselves utterly disinterested in truth or public safety is an INTRINSIC part of the story of a global health emergency, and it needs to be a part of every story either touches, or the story is incomplete.
The fact that Republicans have shown themselves utterly disinterested in truth or public safety is an INTRINSIC part of the story of a global health emergency, and it needs to be a part of every story either touches, or the story is incomplete.
It's an intrinsic part of any story about the Covid-19 emergency.
It's an intrinsic part of any story about Republicans.
It's foolish to presume good faith or truthfulness. Wiser to treat every utterance as if they were coming from authoritarian propagandists, because they are.
It's an intrinsic part of any story about Republicans.
It's foolish to presume good faith or truthfulness. Wiser to treat every utterance as if they were coming from authoritarian propagandists, because they are.
So, to circle back, it's not that aggressive questioning is the wrong tactic, just that any tactical adjustment is insufficient.
The shift needs to be strategic and holistic. Treat this president and this party as the type of regime they've proved themselves to be.
The shift needs to be strategic and holistic. Treat this president and this party as the type of regime they've proved themselves to be.
Lives depend on this. They always did, but now, as we face global pandemic, the sheer number makes the urgency of the demand inescapable.
People will die and they don't care.
They're liars with bad and selfish intentions. Let that assumption bleed into everything.
People will die and they don't care.
They're liars with bad and selfish intentions. Let that assumption bleed into everything.
Abandon access as worthless. Report on press conferences and White House briefings and statements from Republican government officials as if they were coming from North Korea. Exactly that way.
"A spokesperson from Fox News, the media arm of the autocratic Republican regime, made a statement today, which was mostly untrue."
Then the truth of the matter.
Then the statement.
Then. "Now here's the truth again."
Then the truth of the matter.
Then the statement.
Then. "Now here's the truth again."
