During the video, he asks her about Pakistan, and she tells him that if they needed to invade Pakistan in order to stop terrorists and protect our people, she would do it, "absolutely."
The problem? McCain's policy is not in agreement with that statement for the most part. Obama had a position similar to Palin on this issue, and McCain criticized him for it. He said that we shouldn't tell countries we're going to invade them. We should do what we have to if needed, but we should not talk about it.
The real issue was not so much what was said - but how it was presented: as "gotcha" journalism.
This term was used by McCain and Palin to describe what they thought the media did in this instance. In a Katie Couric interview, they talk about the Pakistan incident as a "gotcha" soundbite meant to hurt their campaign.
"Couric asked: Is that [going into Pakistan to fight terrorists] something you shouldn't say out loud, Sen. McCain?
John McCain: Of course not. But, look, I understand this day and age of "gotcha" journalism. Is that a pizza place? In a conversation with someone who you didn't hear … the question very well, you don't know the context of the conversation, grab a phrase. Gov. Palin and I agree that you don't announce that you're going to attack another country … "
Couric later said:
It wasn't a "gotcha." She was talking to a voter.
McCain: No, she was in a conversation with a group of people and talking back and forth.
Sarah Palin, when asked what she learned from the ordeal, replied: That this is all about "gotcha" journalism. A lot of it is. But that's okay, too.
The media storm (see here, here, and here, to name just a few) instantly jumped on this accusation.
But Palin isn't the only one being attacked - Joe Biden also had his struggles with the media in recent days. There is a video of him apparently saying that his ticket would not support coal - which is something BarackObama.com clearly rejects. The McCain camp ran an ad highlighting the gaffe.
This is another case of what could be called "gotcha journalism." Someone was videotaping the senator, put it up on YouTube, and caught him saying something that contradicted his presidential candidate.
So what do I think of these events? I don't like that they refer to is as "gotcha journalism." I think its journalism - plain and simple. As a journalist, I want to see everything represented - in a truthful AND complete way. If someone says something ... I want it reported. In our society, things shouldn't necessarily be "off-limits" just because they are said to a voter rather than in a televised debate. However, I do think that certain issues can be exaggerated. When the media constantly harps on issues that are of minimal importance, I think they have taken it too far. The objective has to be balance.
Any opinions on this?
7 comments:
In this case, I agree that journalism should not be referred to as “gotcha journalism,” but simply as journalism. However, I feel a sub title is needed in situations when referring to (for example) a sports reporter versus a news reporter because it highlights an individual specialty.
In relation to “certain issues be[ing] exa ggerated,” reporters report what people want to hear, no matter how often, rarely, over the top, or moderate it is. In other words, reporters are people pleasers.
haha. I like how you labeled your links ( here, here and here.)
I think I agree with you, balance is the key.
In political campaigns especially, candidates use "gotcha phrases" all the time as one-liners to attack the opposing candidates.
It's not all that uncommon, and it makes for great small talk around the table at lunch in a Mcdonalds.
But for the news to report such a minor insignificant quote repeatedly like it was breaking news seems childish.
Great post! I loved the Palin video as well (she is so aweseome).
I would have to say that this type of media coverage is not necessarily "gotcha journalism". It is only natural that this type of occurrence is going to happen on boths sides of the fence, and it has happened before.
It is just media coverage, plain and simple.
Palin has received a LOT of exposure recently. The media's obsession with covering every aspect of her life does not surprise me. Also, it does not surprise me that the media CONTINUES to harp on her every move - every time she does something wrong. They did the same thing less than 48 HOURS after she came into the national public eye with her daughter's pregnancy.
I am ready to see something else...
Amazing post... Amazing video... just amazing thought the whole thing tickled my brain. I see this everyday and my newspaper articles when I start my day and I would like to think that I am not drawn into those "gotcha" lines but sometimes temptation will always get to every person but I definitely agree with you its getting out of control and there is a need for "balance".
The person asking the question was most likely a democrat. Its messed up but, she should know the stance of the man who selected her as his VP candidate so she doesn't contradict him.
I just read what Wilder said and I completely agree. Canidates in political campaigns use "gotcha phrases" all the time and while it's not using the media at it's best it's just a part of campaigning. If there wasn't "gotcha journalism" these debates would be a lot less interesting. It's not really a bad thing it's just a way of manipulating the media in your favor.
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