I’ve watched the replay 20 times. I’ve read the
transcript. I’ve heard the jokes on the late-night talk
shows. But I still can’t figure out why conservative
commentator Bob Novak flipped out on CNN’s “Inside
Politics.”
I’ve always liked liberal strategist James Carville, but
even I can understand why someone would want to curse at him.Though
I usually agree with him, there’s something about
Carville’s manner that makes you want to start swearing.
But Carville’s comment to Novak was hardly defamatory
““ for Carville, at least. “He’s got to show these
right-wingers that he’s got backbone. The Wall Street Journal
editorial page is watching. You show ’em you’re
tough!” For Carville, that was mild, albeit derogatory and
probably uncalled for.
Yet Novak went ballistic and swore at Carville before storming
off the set. Carville said his own statement was just a joke.
Some pundits, including Carville, have suggested that Novak used
the opportunity to avoid answering questions about undercover CIA
officer Valerie Plame. Novak was the first to reveal her, and has
been silent on the subject since.
Most members of the fourth estate have criticized Novak’s
temper tantrum, calling it unprofessional. But I have to say that,
as far as egregious media comments go, cursing at James Carville
nears the bottom of my list.
For example, a traffic reporter made the following comment
during a report: “A very serious accident right here on the
southbound 5 freeway at Rye Canyon. Two vehicles here, one smashed
into the other one. Right now the fire department is removing one
body; we understand that there is one fatality. But here’s
the real story ““ look at this backup right here. The
southbound 5 looks like it’s stretched almost five miles into
the pass right now.”
Here’s the real story? I’m sorry, but I believe the
family of the deceased would beg to differ.
Although I assume the reporter did not mean to imply that a
traffic jam was more important than the loss of human life, his use
of the phrase “here’s the real story” certainly
suggested as much.
Reporters need to be more sensitive about the language they use.
Journalists are held to a higher standard, whether it’s the
local traffic guy or a media commentator. Journalists have to act
responsibly.
You cannot allow your personal feelings toward specific people
or peoples influence your reporting. You must remain sensitive to
those you report for and about. You must speak the truth. You must
think about what you are saying and what impact your words
have.
As consumers of news, we need to hold reporters accountable for
their words. We cannot permit journalists the same laxity in speech
that we ourselves often practice. If we do, we risk allowing
journalism to become little more than entertainment.
Whether it is an objective report or a debate between partisan
analysts, we must demand that journalists maintain the highest
ethics.
And yes, this means that you can’t swear at James Carville
on CNN, even if he deserves it.
Sutton was an assistant Viewpoint editor for
2003-2004.