A trained seal should have nothing in common with a journalist.
We have to admit we were a bit surprised last week when the press corps assembled at the now famous Ramos/Trump news conference did nothing when Univision anchor Jorge Ramos was thrown out of the room.
As surprising to this observer was the fact that none of the other reporters walked out of the news conference in support of Ramos.
The Laurel – August 26
Over the weekend Robert Mann made the same observation writing for Salon.
This docile approach by the press to news conferences is a relatively recent development. It is one thing to be deferential to crime victims or emergency management officials at the scene of a crime or natural disaster, but politicians and government leaders are not in the same league. They have chosen to engage in the public forum and once they have made that decision they should expect a free for all.
We’re glad to say that here in Connecticut the press corps hasn’t lost its edge when it comes to standing up against politicians who try too hard to make the rules. This standard was on display earlier this year in what has come to be known as “The Hughes Incident.”
