JOY REID : INVESTING IN INTEGRITY
By Thom Palmer
August 8, 2016
While a Reporter takes notes of what they see and hear, and report accordingly, they rarely ask the questions required to determine if statement made, for example, are being made with integrity and truth. Frequently, Joy's boss Chuck Todd will ask questions of a political surrogate for a candidate. When an answer is given that absolutely defies logic or honesty, told as fact when the point has already been debunked, it insults our very intelligence. Many times we'll hear "OK, well...thank you for your time", and he moves on to the next topic or guest. Now, being fair to Todd, I believe he's starting to learn from Joy, and more often we hear a challenge come from him, but not nearly often enough. Chuck Todd is what we would classify as a REPORTER who sometimes moves into the roll of Journalist. Being the Political Director of MSNBC, he is also responsible for ratings, which requires more viewers. More viewers can be obtained by catering to both sides of an argument, without actually clearing up the confusion or debunking lies.
Joy Reid is an Investigative Journalist. She does her homework and is always ready for battle if necessary, yet treats all guests with respect. Joy will invite guests of all parties and ideologies on her show, but there is a difference on how she handles things. Currently the host of MSNBC's weekend "AM Joy", she lost her daytime show, "The Reid Report", because she refused to trade in her own journalistic integrity for ratings. However, the woman who seemed a bit skittish about challenging false claims made by guests then, has come into her own, and over the last year especially, and has demonstrated her ability to tackle a challenging interview with bold confidence. She is still respectful, which is why Republicans are still willing to sit down with her. They're starting to learn that they can't bullshit Joy and get away with it, but she still treats them with respect, and allows them to change the direction of their response if she feels they are being ridiculous. In my opinion, she has become a giant in political journalism.
For example, if Chuck Todd and Joy Reid asked the same question of Paul Ryan, there would be completely different outcomes of the interview. This hypothetical interview did not happen, but it makes the point. Many of their interviews reveal the same dichotomy.
Todd: "Donald Trump indicated that he would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons in Europe. How do you respond to that?"
Ryan: "The real problem here is President Obama's failed foreign policy...."
Todd: "OK, thank you for your time."
Same question from Joy....
Reid: "Donald Trump indicated that he would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons in Europe. How do you respond to that?"
Ryan: "The real problem here is President Obama's failed foreign policy...."
Reid: "No..no... I asked you a specific question. I want you to respond to Donald Trump threatening to use nukes in Europe. What is your answer? I didn't ask you about President Obama. Do you feel that someone who brags that he might use nukes in a first strike is good for our nation?"
And the conversation would continue until she receives an answer. If the answer beats around the bush, she'll be applying pressure until she gets what she needs, and will not stop until forced into a station break. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this, or how badly the public needs this type of journalism in today's media environment. Joy Reid is truly a breath of fresh air.
Reid receives FIVE THUMBS UP for Truth in Politics. I encourage her to continue with honest Investigative Journalism, and not to fall into the ratings game. Sacrificing integrity for maximum profits has been far too common in journalism, and we applaud Joy for sticking to her honesty and integrity while others take the low road.
Chuck,
If you're reading this... There are many Journalists that I hold in high regard and plenty I don't. Too many of your loyal MSNBC viewers are now refusing to tune in, citing "TABLOID REPORTING" and lack of honesty. TRUTH IN JOURNALISM is required in a Democratic society, and when lies are allowed to be told, or statements made by a candidate are allowed to be edited down to a sound bite that renders a completely different meaning, it needs to be challenged and debunked. Failure to do so can change election results, affect the makeup of the House and Senate, and render negative consequences to the direction of our nation. Failure to free the facts is a VIOLATION and an INSULT to the intelligence of your viewers, and does a great disservice to our nation. Freedom of the press comes with a responsibility to be honest. If you're reading this, MTP Daily is a failure, with equal time given to provable liars without a challenge to get at the truth. Go back to just Sunday mornings with it. Your audience is ready for "The Reid Report" now.....daily.....at 5pm Eastern time. I, for one, have canceled my Tivo recordings of MTP Daily, and I know that many of your viewers have done the same. We want truth and nothing short of it.
Give Joy Reid a raise and a promotion. Go back to Sunday mornings, then take the time you've saved by doing some meditation. You need to figure out who you are and how you want to be remembered. Are you more closely aligned with the National Inquirer or would you prefer to be remembered in the regard of someone like Brokaw?
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