Is there room for media censorship? I think so. Hear me out before you call me a faschist.
Yesterday the President of Nigeria was visiting D.C on a state visit. Nigeria population est 170million, one of the largest oil producers in the world, the lsrgest economy in Africa and the 20th in the world with a key Atlantic coast and always been a western partner(even when under Muslim Presidents) in the battle against extremist and terrorism. I mention their stats to emphasize the importance of having a state meeting with their leader.
The usual cereomonial actions took place, flag on each side, handshake followed by the walk with the American president to the Rose Garden podium for the press conference.
This is not about Nigera nor is it about the current POTUS. This is in general when this takes place. Do we need to inact rules for the press that you are NOT allowed to ask domestic questions to POTUS when he is holding a bilateral press conference.
I say yes. PoTUS is hosting a key world digntary to discuss trade and other bilateral issues and the press does not ask a single question regarding Nigerian/US relations. Perhaps if a US based Nigerian diaspora magazine or newspaper had a reporter present they might get their reporter to speak over the national press corp to ask a question related to the relationship from the Nigerian President or POTUS. If not, Stormy this, Russia that, Guilliani...
The press needs to be bounded by a rule not allowing domestic issues to be questioned during these joint county sessions. There are more than enough American only press conferences where they can all out for this.
Please refrain from answerimf you are going to say its Trump and he is a dumbo. This rule shoulf apply to all Presidents.
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No. The president can simply inform the press that he will not be answering domestic questions, and say ”no comment” when they are asked. It seems like a much more simple and flexible way of handling things.
indirect76
Level 7
May 3, 2018
0
@Davidthinks Agreed
The press needs more delineation between true non-biased news and editorial journalism so we can convince some of the idiots watching FOX News that their news is not news.
Other than that no, the press does not need more rules and there are slippery slopes that are worth traversing and others that are not. This one is not.
The second amendment would be one I'd be more willing to chance.
mattersauce
Level 7
May 3, 2018
2
I'm all for free press and I don't agree with any rules/bounds placed upon them regarding any questions they ask
jamrock876
Level 6
May 3, 2018
3
And I'm all for the persons interviewed by the press not to answer to questions not related to a particular event.
No sir. The press needs more freedom to ask ANY question at any time. You want rules about what journalists can and can't ask? Move to Russia.
OpposingOpposum
Level 9
May 3, 2018
4
@Davidthinks honestly I can't decipher your reply enough to tell if I agree or not. Just what?
Journalist of course need to be free to ask any question at any time but by the same token the persons interviewed are equally free not to answer them because they don't consider them relevant to the event they've invited the press to.
@Davidthinks Are you sure about that? What’s the big deal if all the questions are being directed at the other guy? The President of Nigeria just stands there, keeps his mouth shut, and watches the guy next to him get barbecued by the press. Doesn’t sound like very hard work to me.
JimG:
you're absolutely right. We have a president who is a pathological liar and is waging a misinformation campaign to discredit the media. By putting him on the spot with unexpected questions, they're more likely to trip him up. With luck, even his supporters will see the inconsistencies. If the American people were as interested in U.S.com/Nigerian trade negotiations as they are in whether or not there is a traitor in the White House, the media would probably be more concerned about that too.
@Algernon of course. Neither freedom should be restricted.
If the president were to do regular press briefings, where he answered live questions, then maybe. Otherwise, they get SH Sanders passle of lies and nothing else.
I am pretty sure this practice is not new.
The president does these dog and pony shows to "look presidential." That comes with some responsibilities.
phil21
Level 7
May 3, 2018
4
Absolutely not. The press should not be vetoed from asking politicians any questions about any matter that’s of public concern. The press’ justification for its existence is not to expand on or disseminate ideas or knowledge about events that politicians favor. In fact, the press is not there for the benefit of politicians. The main purpose of the press is precisely to question government—all government—on behalf of the people.
On the other hand, if politicians want to pay for airtime and explain things to the citizenry that they believe the press didn’t cover sufficiently well, I’m all for that.
ArturoS
Level 6
May 3, 2018
4
@Davidthinks nope. Not the place of law to censor journalists like that.
@Davidthinks Bear this in mind: journalists are not really free to ask absolutely anything that they want to ask. if a journalist wastes time by asking things in no one has any interest, bye bye journalist.
@Davidthinks What important thing wasn’t asked?
In my humble opinion, something more important would be the restoration of the fairness doctrine. Our country was far less divided politically when it was enforced. And since it's repeal, we have suffered as a people. The implementation of the Fairness Doctrine would help resolve a lot of issues.
I do have another solution (one presented in the world I write my novels in) but I'm sure it would take a catastrophe before it could ever be considered.
DerekD
Level 7
May 3, 2018
3
You might have something there.
[en.wikipedia.org]
@Davidthinks I usually look to Reuters and BBC. Domestically, I've found that CBS (of all places) tends to be more balanced than any of the other majors. And while NPR is indeed left leaning, they are a lot closer to the middle than ninety percent of their counterparts.
@DerekD @Davidthinks opinions on AFP or Bloomberg?
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