Oh, and I neglected to mention that 60 Minutes offered Trump the same high profile interview, but he turned it down. To whine about your opponent’s interview when you didn’t have the balls to sit down for one yourself is the height of - of -of - what’s the right word here?
Didn’t take balls to turn it down. DJT rightly knew it would be nothing but a antagonist-smear in the making, nothing like the easy ride afforded Harris
A thorough answer would be too long so please accept my brief statement of agreement with your commentary on the 1st amendment responsibility of the media. Just like "academic freedom," we rely on the private sector to be guardrails of some of our most important democratic institutions. Bravo.
As you point out, the consequences of a settlement are terrifying, as are the consequences of so much of what is coming from this republican administration. Once again, so grateful for you and other ethical journalists who continue to provide a balance perspective. Thank you.
Thank you for keeping us inform, but action helps keep despair at bay, so if you could include and action we can take, such as contact info for CBS so we can register support for them to resist such actions to suppress free speech and the media. Thanks
Barb, I would normally advise writing a letter to CBS News, but in this case, the news division wants to fight. The settlement, if it happens, is coming from way up the food chain at Paramount. Not sure a letter will make much difference to them.
Many, myself included, consider 60 Minutes a hallmark of journalism. If they go down, who will have the spine to stand up to the Trump retaliation machine? We're getting precariously close to state-run Media.
I insist that Trump benefited from the Iowa Poll he is suing about. The poll signaled to his voters that they better get out and vote against Harris, and they did.
Neither Trump nor CBS 60 Minutes have any credibility. Donald J. Trump and CBS have ZERO credibility!!! None!!!
Alleged so called "News", as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a report of recent events. This is a vague and simple definition which can and is interpreted in many ways. News is another Soap Opera getting people to watch and sway peoples opinion or feed them ideologies based on what some might think inportant at the time. For example, there is no News on the California Fires. Trump empties bathtub, California Fire is out! Hooray!!! Another example was the sudden no News on the South Dakota Pipeline after Trump was allected in 2016. Dam, I now wish Kanye, or Ye or Black Jesus allegedly addicted to Porn Ye wold have won the Election!!!
Neither Twice impeached, Felon, Rapist Donald J. Trump nor CBS have any credibility.
IF you go back, IF you were to go back to studying History and go back in time, CBS 60 Minutes was used as a tool to spread lies about "the Ukraine" and how "the Ukraine" needed to give up it's Nuclear weapons because they were an alleged "Nazi" Country.
CBS 60 Minutes falsely accused and potrayed Byzantine Ukrainian Greek Catholic Cardinal Major Archbishop Myroslav Lubachivsky as being a Nazi supporter and even implied that he was one himself. GASP!!!
I was offended by this particular statement because I personally knew Fr. Myroslav Lubachivsky. He was my Spiritual Director in High School and I knew him personally. No, not Donald J. Trump!!! Trump was never my Spiritual Director!!! Fr. Myroslav Lubachivsky was my Spiritual Director and he was a humble well educated man caught in the grips of US Capitalism, Soviet Communism and German Naziism. And let's not forget that he was also caught in between the Ukrainian Orthodox and the Ukrainian Catholics... Oh, so much division.
I hope and pray "the Ukrainians" sue CBS 60 Minutes and there is a 1 Billion Dollar Lawsuit settlement against 60 Minutes for that f*ck-up of a so called journalism propganda News reporting. I mean it was outright defamation and discriminatory. I am not greedy, not like Twice impeached, Felon, Rapist Donald J. Trump.
Putin of Russia is screamming the same misinformed Nazi propoganda about Ukraine today. Oh, what happened to "the Ukraine"? Now it's Ukraine?
And now Felon Rapist twice impeached Trump is making another illegal act of Quid Pro Quo deal with alleged Nazi Volodymyr Zelenski, who happens to be a Jew, for mineral rights to Ukraine.
CBS has manipulated and misinformed the people of the United States into an opinion which was wrong and manipulative, a mere useful tool for then President Bill Clinton.
I am calling out the bullshit on journalism and independent journalism.
As a Democrat myself, I did not like what the Dems were doing and it was impossible to support them and their bad behavior as well.
Slava Natzii
This article better explains the lies of 60 Minutes
I happen to believe that my ex-Mother-in-Law is a Nazi but I cannot directly prove it. I mean she specifically stated she hated the Jews, came the the US through Argentena from Ukraine and well, went to Church every Sunday but was not a nice lady. She beat her husbands dog!!! Oh, but she's an American, a legal Tax Paying immigrant as well so, I guess that makes it ok.
Do you think Nora Roberts reassignment had anything to do with Trump's war against women, wokeness etc. I just know I miss her and her more relaxed format than two guys (very good reporters by the way) who were much better when they weren't behind a desk. I've quit watching CBS after some 60+ years of watchin some of the best broadcasters in American history who installed a love in me for good journalism. I hate seeing CBS go the way of so many other good journalism platforms. I expected more from the home of people like Douglas Edwards and Walter Cronkite!
I'm not able to pass judgment whether the longer or shorter sound bite better reflected the long rambling original answer Harris gave. But as you said, Dave, CBS did no wrong in exercising news judgment. Even if it was a wrong decision, I can still hear Dale Spencer telling us 50 years ago that the First Amendment allows journalists the right to be wrong.
Right! And if we’re wrong, we usually admit it. Reporters make hundreds of judgments every day about what’s a story, what to leave in, what to leave out. If news consumers consistently don’t like those judgments, they can get news somewhere else. They can write a letter to complain. They can comment on social media. Filing a ten billion dollar lawsuit is a publicity stunt. Period. But if owners cave in on such a weak case - well they get what they deserve.
Right on, Dave! And what would’ve happened if the New York Times had caved in 1964 in New York Times v. Sullivan in which SCOTUS found that newspapers AND JOURNALISTS could publish or voice false statements as long as it was done without actual malice. Disney (the owner of ABC) paid $15M to Trump to settle the lawsuit against them and George Stephanopoulos over his error in using the word “rape” instead of the words “sexual assault” in an interview on tv. There was no malice in Stephanopoulos’s use of the word rape. Trump used his finger(s?) to attack E. Jean Carroll. So what? Penetration is penetration. Disney settled in order to placate Trump and make him go away.
Now he says under Iowa’s consumer fraud laws he wants treble damages for Selzer’s erroneous poll which hurt his feelings. How greedy. How farcical. He won the election for God’s sake.
If I were a judge I would throw the case out and fine the lawyers for bring a specious case. And
IF the case is dismissed for lack of damages, and IF I were Selzer, I would sue Trump for defamation. Lawsuits are being used as weapons to shake people down and shut them up. It’s as though we’re living in North Korea where you dare not speak ill of The Dear Leader. Will those of us who do start disappearing?
Sadly, there’s a move on the right to overturn Sullivan. And a few SUPCO justices have stated their support for overturning it. That would be a big step toward tyranny. Owners need to fight, not cave in.
Thank you for continuing to explain the dangers of these court cases against media, Dave. Anybody who interviewed Terry Branstad knows the value of editing so that rambling comments that stray could be boiled into an accurate depiction of what he really meant.
Had several discussions at the Iowa Newspaper Association convention yesterday about Terry Branstad‘s availability versus what exists now. Interestingly, Branstad spoke at noon at the convention.
I kinda doubt it, too, Mike. Lawsuits are expensive. Plus you’d have Trump in your life longer than you might like. But let’s not put the cart before the horse. A long way to go, I’m afraid. Might be state court or federal. Seems like a judge would toss this quickly but the courts move slowly, and Trump has repeatedly taken advantage of that.
Spot on, again, Dave! We need strong, independent journalism now more than ever.
Oh, and I neglected to mention that 60 Minutes offered Trump the same high profile interview, but he turned it down. To whine about your opponent’s interview when you didn’t have the balls to sit down for one yourself is the height of - of -of - what’s the right word here?
Didn’t take balls to turn it down. DJT rightly knew it would be nothing but a antagonist-smear in the making, nothing like the easy ride afforded Harris
A thorough answer would be too long so please accept my brief statement of agreement with your commentary on the 1st amendment responsibility of the media. Just like "academic freedom," we rely on the private sector to be guardrails of some of our most important democratic institutions. Bravo.
Accepted!
Will the same scrutiny apply to every interview aired on Fox News?
Not holding my breath.
As you point out, the consequences of a settlement are terrifying, as are the consequences of so much of what is coming from this republican administration. Once again, so grateful for you and other ethical journalists who continue to provide a balance perspective. Thank you.
Thank you for keeping us inform, but action helps keep despair at bay, so if you could include and action we can take, such as contact info for CBS so we can register support for them to resist such actions to suppress free speech and the media. Thanks
Barb, I would normally advise writing a letter to CBS News, but in this case, the news division wants to fight. The settlement, if it happens, is coming from way up the food chain at Paramount. Not sure a letter will make much difference to them.
Many, myself included, consider 60 Minutes a hallmark of journalism. If they go down, who will have the spine to stand up to the Trump retaliation machine? We're getting precariously close to state-run Media.
Mark, I fully agree.
Trying to enjoy my Friday morning brew (coffee ☕), and everything I read this morning is very disturbing news 😔😔😔
Never in my 70 years have I seen so many Republicans Cower to the King 👑👑👑.
Its not the Republican Party of the decades past.
RINO -- Ed
Agree. Owners need to show some spine.
I completely agree. Thanks Dave.
I insist that Trump benefited from the Iowa Poll he is suing about. The poll signaled to his voters that they better get out and vote against Harris, and they did.
That’s one way of looking at it. Probably makes more sense than the poll encouraging Democrats to turn out.
Neither Trump nor CBS 60 Minutes have any credibility. Donald J. Trump and CBS have ZERO credibility!!! None!!!
Alleged so called "News", as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a report of recent events. This is a vague and simple definition which can and is interpreted in many ways. News is another Soap Opera getting people to watch and sway peoples opinion or feed them ideologies based on what some might think inportant at the time. For example, there is no News on the California Fires. Trump empties bathtub, California Fire is out! Hooray!!! Another example was the sudden no News on the South Dakota Pipeline after Trump was allected in 2016. Dam, I now wish Kanye, or Ye or Black Jesus allegedly addicted to Porn Ye wold have won the Election!!!
Neither Twice impeached, Felon, Rapist Donald J. Trump nor CBS have any credibility.
IF you go back, IF you were to go back to studying History and go back in time, CBS 60 Minutes was used as a tool to spread lies about "the Ukraine" and how "the Ukraine" needed to give up it's Nuclear weapons because they were an alleged "Nazi" Country.
CBS 60 Minutes falsely accused and potrayed Byzantine Ukrainian Greek Catholic Cardinal Major Archbishop Myroslav Lubachivsky as being a Nazi supporter and even implied that he was one himself. GASP!!!
I was offended by this particular statement because I personally knew Fr. Myroslav Lubachivsky. He was my Spiritual Director in High School and I knew him personally. No, not Donald J. Trump!!! Trump was never my Spiritual Director!!! Fr. Myroslav Lubachivsky was my Spiritual Director and he was a humble well educated man caught in the grips of US Capitalism, Soviet Communism and German Naziism. And let's not forget that he was also caught in between the Ukrainian Orthodox and the Ukrainian Catholics... Oh, so much division.
I hope and pray "the Ukrainians" sue CBS 60 Minutes and there is a 1 Billion Dollar Lawsuit settlement against 60 Minutes for that f*ck-up of a so called journalism propganda News reporting. I mean it was outright defamation and discriminatory. I am not greedy, not like Twice impeached, Felon, Rapist Donald J. Trump.
Putin of Russia is screamming the same misinformed Nazi propoganda about Ukraine today. Oh, what happened to "the Ukraine"? Now it's Ukraine?
And now Felon Rapist twice impeached Trump is making another illegal act of Quid Pro Quo deal with alleged Nazi Volodymyr Zelenski, who happens to be a Jew, for mineral rights to Ukraine.
CBS has manipulated and misinformed the people of the United States into an opinion which was wrong and manipulative, a mere useful tool for then President Bill Clinton.
I am calling out the bullshit on journalism and independent journalism.
As a Democrat myself, I did not like what the Dems were doing and it was impossible to support them and their bad behavior as well.
Slava Natzii
This article better explains the lies of 60 Minutes
https://romaninukraine.com/how-ukrainians-were-treated-in-us-media-until-recently-60-minutes/
PS.
I happen to believe that my ex-Mother-in-Law is a Nazi but I cannot directly prove it. I mean she specifically stated she hated the Jews, came the the US through Argentena from Ukraine and well, went to Church every Sunday but was not a nice lady. She beat her husbands dog!!! Oh, but she's an American, a legal Tax Paying immigrant as well so, I guess that makes it ok.
Hail Trump (sarcasm)
Do you think Nora Roberts reassignment had anything to do with Trump's war against women, wokeness etc. I just know I miss her and her more relaxed format than two guys (very good reporters by the way) who were much better when they weren't behind a desk. I've quit watching CBS after some 60+ years of watchin some of the best broadcasters in American history who installed a love in me for good journalism. I hate seeing CBS go the way of so many other good journalism platforms. I expected more from the home of people like Douglas Edwards and Walter Cronkite!
Kathy, I think Norah O’Donnell was just ready to move on. I like her and liked her broadcast.
I'm not able to pass judgment whether the longer or shorter sound bite better reflected the long rambling original answer Harris gave. But as you said, Dave, CBS did no wrong in exercising news judgment. Even if it was a wrong decision, I can still hear Dale Spencer telling us 50 years ago that the First Amendment allows journalists the right to be wrong.
Right! And if we’re wrong, we usually admit it. Reporters make hundreds of judgments every day about what’s a story, what to leave in, what to leave out. If news consumers consistently don’t like those judgments, they can get news somewhere else. They can write a letter to complain. They can comment on social media. Filing a ten billion dollar lawsuit is a publicity stunt. Period. But if owners cave in on such a weak case - well they get what they deserve.
Right on, Dave! And what would’ve happened if the New York Times had caved in 1964 in New York Times v. Sullivan in which SCOTUS found that newspapers AND JOURNALISTS could publish or voice false statements as long as it was done without actual malice. Disney (the owner of ABC) paid $15M to Trump to settle the lawsuit against them and George Stephanopoulos over his error in using the word “rape” instead of the words “sexual assault” in an interview on tv. There was no malice in Stephanopoulos’s use of the word rape. Trump used his finger(s?) to attack E. Jean Carroll. So what? Penetration is penetration. Disney settled in order to placate Trump and make him go away.
Now he says under Iowa’s consumer fraud laws he wants treble damages for Selzer’s erroneous poll which hurt his feelings. How greedy. How farcical. He won the election for God’s sake.
If I were a judge I would throw the case out and fine the lawyers for bring a specious case. And
IF the case is dismissed for lack of damages, and IF I were Selzer, I would sue Trump for defamation. Lawsuits are being used as weapons to shake people down and shut them up. It’s as though we’re living in North Korea where you dare not speak ill of The Dear Leader. Will those of us who do start disappearing?
Sadly, there’s a move on the right to overturn Sullivan. And a few SUPCO justices have stated their support for overturning it. That would be a big step toward tyranny. Owners need to fight, not cave in.
Thank you for continuing to explain the dangers of these court cases against media, Dave. Anybody who interviewed Terry Branstad knows the value of editing so that rambling comments that stray could be boiled into an accurate depiction of what he really meant.
Ha! I did that many times. One thing about TB - he always made himself available to reporters. He was accessible.
Had several discussions at the Iowa Newspaper Association convention yesterday about Terry Branstad‘s availability versus what exists now. Interestingly, Branstad spoke at noon at the convention.
Great article. Any chance there is a way to counter sue for frivolous intent and damages?
Good question. I wonder if one of our lawyers readers could chime in on that. My gut says it would be a long shot.
Great column.
Concerning the suit against Ann Selzer and The Register, I doubt this will happen, but Ann should counter sue alleging defamation of character.
I kinda doubt it, too, Mike. Lawsuits are expensive. Plus you’d have Trump in your life longer than you might like. But let’s not put the cart before the horse. A long way to go, I’m afraid. Might be state court or federal. Seems like a judge would toss this quickly but the courts move slowly, and Trump has repeatedly taken advantage of that.