"A Childish Obsession With Race And Gender"
(IFC photo)
During a panel discussion hosted by IFC earlier today at the Newseum, newly-named FNC contributor Tucker Carlson contended that the media in the Age of Pres. Obama has shown "a childish obsession with race and gender."
Pointing to a recent headline that used the word "Latina" in the announcement of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as Obama's SCOTUS nominee, Carlson questioned whether this was the most important thing to know about Sotomayor. Fellow panelist/NPR's Juan Williams responded, "There's never been one before, dude!"
The event, which was billed as an examination of the media's coverage of the Obama administration, was moderated by Gideon Yago (of MTV fame) and also featured ABC's George Stephanopoulos, FNC's Greta Van Susteren, CNN's John King, Washington Post exec. ed. Marcus Brauchli and cong. scholar Norman Ornstein.
Asked if Obama is making good on his campaign promise to be transparent, King said there are different types of transparency. He noted, for example, that Obama's reversal on the release of detainee photos was pitched understandably as a matter of nat'l security. Meanwhile, Williams, who earlier recalled crying on camera when Obama was elected, said there has been "a consistent pattern" of the media not covering the WH's lack of transparency.
Much of the conversation, however, turned to the news industry's economic woes and the role technology plays in the business. Most of the panel agreed that local news coverage is being hit the hardest -- and to a great detriment to the American people. Ornstein mentioned the two CA journos responsible for exposing the ex-Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-CA) scandal who won a Pulitzer and were later laid off as an example of how the industry is hurting. Williams later added: "Shoe-leather reporting is what is being lost."
King agreed, saying, "I care more about [coverage of] the school commitee than the president of the United States as a parent."
During the Q & A portion, Stephanopoulos was asked about his "Twitterviews" with Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO). Ornstein interjected, asking for a short answer from his colleague. "In 140 characters or less, George," he said.
Admitting he was "late" to the phenomenon by joining Twitter in Feb. or Mar., Stephanopoulos said the technology was "fun and one more tool."
Asked why the media isn't more proactive in the use of new technologies, Carlson answered, "'Cause we're really busy.'" Van Susteren, meanwhile, defended FNC and King's CNN as two nets that have been invested in using newer technology. King: "Well, as the hologram in the room..."
King said while the success of the hologram technology used during CNN's election coverage is "debatable," the experiment was well worth it. The net did find success with its renowned Magic Wall, he said. The challenge to stay ahead technology-wise, King said, is money restrictions.
As for the future of the industry, Brauchli said students in journalism schools who decide not to go into public relations will pioneer the next wave of storytelling. Brauchli: "The appetite for news is undiminished."
The panel closed on a contentious note when, unprompted, Williams, a regular panelist on "Fox News Sunday," said of fellow FNCer Van Susteren, "People watch Greta and they think they are watching a news show." Van Susteren barked back: "At least people watch!"
The event was held in conjunction with the "IFC Media Project" (airs Sundays at 11pm), "a documentary series that draws back the curtain on news coverage and seeks to uncover the truth behind the news."
(KATHERINE LEHR)