I respectfully disagree regarding Mr. Moran. Remember the CBS icon Walter Cronkite who stuck to reporting facts and not opinion. He famously broke from that when he opined about the Vietnam War which was severely dividing the American public. LBJ knew he was mortally wounded politically when that happened.
We now have an administration hellbent on inflicting much more damage to our unity than that war. Present times dictate that responsible journalists inform the public of the presence of monsters in the White House. They must do this especially to counter the flood of lies coming from the extreme right wing press in America and Russian-based bots.
Fair enough. Important to point out, though, that Cronkite merely questioned the administration’s claims of progress in the war. He called for a negotiated settlement. He didn’t personally attack Nixon or use name-calling. And he only made these comments after returning from Vietnam where he witnessed firsthand what was happening. It was unusual. It was uncharacteristic. And, it was a different time. Cronkite had earned enough credibility to get away with it. I’m not sure Moran comes anywhere near to Cronkite’s reputation in America.
Totally agree with your column. But, I do have to say it was refreshing to hear the bold honest truth from a journalist, even though it was a little over the top. The media is so afraid of being sued that they aren’t even telling us what is really going on anymore. I rely more on independent news sources these days to get the facts.
Roxanne, I believe most mainstream media outlets are doing a good job, under challenging circumstances, telling us what’s going on. There’s no shortage of stories about this administration’s moves to intimidate universities and law firms, to slash important government jobs, to corruptly enrich themselves, and to use the criminal justice system to exonerate their political supporters while attacking political enemies. We know about all these horrible things because of the work of journalists. And they’re doing it while under constant attack by Trump and his cronies.
As you clearly point out, Terry Moran is no fool, and we don't know what he ABC legal/management may have demanded of him leading up to his comment. We should ask ourselves what we would do if, for example, required to apologize to Trump on prime-time in order to keep ABC solvent. Moran is protected from Trump by the 1st Amendment, although ABC is not.
"It is a beautiful thing when Truth trots out the door before Oops can catch him."
Harrison, I just don’t think this is the way to handle it. I admit to being old school. Plus, taking shots like this if you already know you’re heading out the door just seems so self-important. It’s an “I’ll show them!” moment. And those rarely look good with the passage of time. My opinion! Thanks for sharing yours.
I agree with your advice to working journalists but our democracy is being ripped apart before our very eyes. 65, likely not being renewed, or retiring, working for a cowardly company that capitulated to a despot, I say, atta boy, Terry! I’ll bet that last shot across the bow felt pretty good after covering these soulless cretins. Can’t fault a man for being human.
Steve, I think he’s guilty of violating Ron Burgundy’s rule. Stay classy! I don’t see that it gets him anywhere. He could have retired and gone the Jim Acosta route. Get a Substack and opine to your heart’s content.
Thank you for this perspective - I like the blaze of glory decision. Each of us must do something to resist. Moran leaves the stage with his head up, knowing he did something.
Laura, I get it. But it’s not a journalist’s job to resist. The job is to inform you so you know enough whether to resist or not. Journalism is a great job, but reporters do sacrifice a few rights that non-journalists enjoy. Reporters give up their rights to take part in political campaigns or controversial issues. And they should willingly keep their opinions to themselves.
I remember that at my former employer in 2008 we were ORDERED to get on Facebook and Twitter mainly to promote our stories, and we were told in no uncertain terms we were representing the paper in anything we posted at any time.
Social media offers temptations that weren't there 30 years ago. As my son's high school football coach told players and parents during a season-opening potluck about the conduct he expected from his players, "Facebook is a DANGER ZONE. Not only will everyone see what you post, WE WILL TOO." That was 12 years ago and it certainly applies to other now-more-popular social media platforms as well.
I certainly think it's appropriate for a journalist to "see the forest for the trees," sum up a set of facts and say so if the facts point in a certain direction, or to convey the import and emotion of a situation. I still remember watching President Kennedy's funeral as a six-year-old boy and hearing Walter Cronkite say of Jacqueline Kennedy and the incredible way she carried herself through a very public, traumatic, staggering personal loss as well as a national tragedy, "America has never had a king. But today she has a queen." I think he was only saying what a huge portion of us were feeling at the time. She was carrying her grief, and her nation's and a good part of the world's grief. Moments like that cry out for such a statement and the most trusted man in America certainly rose to the occasion.
But the lines between straight reporting an opinion have been blurred. The evening infotainment shows you see on Fox News and MSNBC are opinion, not straight that's-the-way-it-is Walter Cronkite stuff. Sean Hannity himself has said he is a talk show host, not a journalist. CNN seems much more dispassionate and balanced, at least to me, and they try to represent a variety of opinion across the political spectrum. Kaitlan Collins on "The Source" seems to do a very fine job and seems pretty unflappable.
I remember ABC anchor Frank Reynolds once was asked by an interview subject dodging a question, "What do you think" to which Reynolds immediately retorted, "It isn't important what I think." Old Frank could get fired up sometimes but he knew where the line was and he didn't cross it.
As far as reporters spouting personal opinions, a saying of one of my old publishers comes to mind: "Say it over a drink, but never in ink." And that includes online.
And while you're having that drink you better be darned careful of the company you're with too.
Spot on, Pat. You’re right about the temptations of social media. But it’s really not that different from everything else journalists do in their daily lives. You just watch what you say and watch what you do because it’s one of those jobs that is always on. You’re in the public eye. You represent your news organization at all times, on and off the clock. Just use common sense!
Something I learned as a reporter and all over again as a news director has become a mantra of mine: There's always more to the story.
I suspect you're right, Dave, about the context of the comments by Terry Moran, and about the calculations that went into them. We can't be sure, but we can probably assume that someone of his experience knew -- or certainly should have known -- that crossing the line would have consequences.
Unfortunately, as you point out, the consequences are not for Moran alone. The same is true for ABC's settlement with Trump.
Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from consequences, and private employers are not bound by the First Amendment. That sometimes comes as a shock to students in my intro class. I doubt that it was a shock to Moran.
His only crime in today’s DC journalism is that he used social media instead of writing a “tell all” book. Obviously he has been to busy watching Miller cosplay Goebbels to plot out his book advance.
The takeover of media journalism by talking heads has neutered any semblance of credibility. Thankfully independent journalists are helping fill the void.
Perhaps Julie Gammack can convene a couple person panel about this journalistic issue as a springboard to discussing what J schools are doing to combat lies and demands of social media, while maintaining ethical principles.
Dave, Many excellent points. Moran's posts came after midnight. Many may have parents who had the mantra,"nothing good happens after midnight." I think Moran was sending a message as he has always seemed like a cards to the chest guy. He will be on Substack per his announcement of yesterday. One of my favorite Iowa journalists, James Q Lynch, formerly of CR Gazette, was one that did journalism down the line of no demarcation. James retired but so often I would like to know what he personally thought of the people, events and issues he covered. The comments to your piece are also appreciated. Thanks Dave, so much to read these days but I navigate to those who have been in the bowels of real journalism.
Mary, as I mentioned in a comment above, I don’t believe it’s a journalist’s job to say what they personally think. The job is to inform you the news consumer so that you can have informed opinions. Yes, those of us in “the bowels of journalism “ (some days felt like it) might know a little more than we put into a story. I always tried to stick to the facts while lending some perspective that experience gave me. It’s possible to do it ethically without stepping way over the line like Moran did. Glad to see he’s now on Substack. Makes me wonder if this was his plan all along.
I agree with you Dave. However, the line from Network spoken by a news broadcaster rings in my brain. "I am mad as hell and can't take it any more." I think the 2025 version of that broadcaster is Moran.
As a HS PT'er I covered a JV FB game. I wrote something like ...Bill Allen made a great run for a TD..." I shared the story with my dad, who worked at the Oelwein Daily Register but not as a journalist. 60 years ago he gave me the best advice I ever got: Tell what he did and let the trader decide if it was great.
I'm reminded of this because I hear you saying...Moran should have reported truthfully on what Miler has done and let viewers decide if he's racist.
Like you, I avoided yard signs and political rallys (except Iowa caucuses) until I retired.
I respectfully disagree regarding Mr. Moran. Remember the CBS icon Walter Cronkite who stuck to reporting facts and not opinion. He famously broke from that when he opined about the Vietnam War which was severely dividing the American public. LBJ knew he was mortally wounded politically when that happened.
We now have an administration hellbent on inflicting much more damage to our unity than that war. Present times dictate that responsible journalists inform the public of the presence of monsters in the White House. They must do this especially to counter the flood of lies coming from the extreme right wing press in America and Russian-based bots.
Fair enough. Important to point out, though, that Cronkite merely questioned the administration’s claims of progress in the war. He called for a negotiated settlement. He didn’t personally attack Nixon or use name-calling. And he only made these comments after returning from Vietnam where he witnessed firsthand what was happening. It was unusual. It was uncharacteristic. And, it was a different time. Cronkite had earned enough credibility to get away with it. I’m not sure Moran comes anywhere near to Cronkite’s reputation in America.
Totally agree with your column. But, I do have to say it was refreshing to hear the bold honest truth from a journalist, even though it was a little over the top. The media is so afraid of being sued that they aren’t even telling us what is really going on anymore. I rely more on independent news sources these days to get the facts.
Roxanne, I believe most mainstream media outlets are doing a good job, under challenging circumstances, telling us what’s going on. There’s no shortage of stories about this administration’s moves to intimidate universities and law firms, to slash important government jobs, to corruptly enrich themselves, and to use the criminal justice system to exonerate their political supporters while attacking political enemies. We know about all these horrible things because of the work of journalists. And they’re doing it while under constant attack by Trump and his cronies.
As you clearly point out, Terry Moran is no fool, and we don't know what he ABC legal/management may have demanded of him leading up to his comment. We should ask ourselves what we would do if, for example, required to apologize to Trump on prime-time in order to keep ABC solvent. Moran is protected from Trump by the 1st Amendment, although ABC is not.
"It is a beautiful thing when Truth trots out the door before Oops can catch him."
--Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, Nov. 13, 2014
Harrison, I just don’t think this is the way to handle it. I admit to being old school. Plus, taking shots like this if you already know you’re heading out the door just seems so self-important. It’s an “I’ll show them!” moment. And those rarely look good with the passage of time. My opinion! Thanks for sharing yours.
Dave, your last sentence is the best summary of the situation.
I agree with your advice to working journalists but our democracy is being ripped apart before our very eyes. 65, likely not being renewed, or retiring, working for a cowardly company that capitulated to a despot, I say, atta boy, Terry! I’ll bet that last shot across the bow felt pretty good after covering these soulless cretins. Can’t fault a man for being human.
Steve, I think he’s guilty of violating Ron Burgundy’s rule. Stay classy! I don’t see that it gets him anywhere. He could have retired and gone the Jim Acosta route. Get a Substack and opine to your heart’s content.
Good point.
Thank you for this perspective - I like the blaze of glory decision. Each of us must do something to resist. Moran leaves the stage with his head up, knowing he did something.
ABC deserves a black eye.
Laura, I get it. But it’s not a journalist’s job to resist. The job is to inform you so you know enough whether to resist or not. Journalism is a great job, but reporters do sacrifice a few rights that non-journalists enjoy. Reporters give up their rights to take part in political campaigns or controversial issues. And they should willingly keep their opinions to themselves.
I remember that at my former employer in 2008 we were ORDERED to get on Facebook and Twitter mainly to promote our stories, and we were told in no uncertain terms we were representing the paper in anything we posted at any time.
Social media offers temptations that weren't there 30 years ago. As my son's high school football coach told players and parents during a season-opening potluck about the conduct he expected from his players, "Facebook is a DANGER ZONE. Not only will everyone see what you post, WE WILL TOO." That was 12 years ago and it certainly applies to other now-more-popular social media platforms as well.
I certainly think it's appropriate for a journalist to "see the forest for the trees," sum up a set of facts and say so if the facts point in a certain direction, or to convey the import and emotion of a situation. I still remember watching President Kennedy's funeral as a six-year-old boy and hearing Walter Cronkite say of Jacqueline Kennedy and the incredible way she carried herself through a very public, traumatic, staggering personal loss as well as a national tragedy, "America has never had a king. But today she has a queen." I think he was only saying what a huge portion of us were feeling at the time. She was carrying her grief, and her nation's and a good part of the world's grief. Moments like that cry out for such a statement and the most trusted man in America certainly rose to the occasion.
But the lines between straight reporting an opinion have been blurred. The evening infotainment shows you see on Fox News and MSNBC are opinion, not straight that's-the-way-it-is Walter Cronkite stuff. Sean Hannity himself has said he is a talk show host, not a journalist. CNN seems much more dispassionate and balanced, at least to me, and they try to represent a variety of opinion across the political spectrum. Kaitlan Collins on "The Source" seems to do a very fine job and seems pretty unflappable.
I remember ABC anchor Frank Reynolds once was asked by an interview subject dodging a question, "What do you think" to which Reynolds immediately retorted, "It isn't important what I think." Old Frank could get fired up sometimes but he knew where the line was and he didn't cross it.
As far as reporters spouting personal opinions, a saying of one of my old publishers comes to mind: "Say it over a drink, but never in ink." And that includes online.
And while you're having that drink you better be darned careful of the company you're with too.
Spot on, Pat. You’re right about the temptations of social media. But it’s really not that different from everything else journalists do in their daily lives. You just watch what you say and watch what you do because it’s one of those jobs that is always on. You’re in the public eye. You represent your news organization at all times, on and off the clock. Just use common sense!
Something I learned as a reporter and all over again as a news director has become a mantra of mine: There's always more to the story.
I suspect you're right, Dave, about the context of the comments by Terry Moran, and about the calculations that went into them. We can't be sure, but we can probably assume that someone of his experience knew -- or certainly should have known -- that crossing the line would have consequences.
Unfortunately, as you point out, the consequences are not for Moran alone. The same is true for ABC's settlement with Trump.
Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from consequences, and private employers are not bound by the First Amendment. That sometimes comes as a shock to students in my intro class. I doubt that it was a shock to Moran.
Scott, I would love to audit your class sometime and see what’s on the minds of today’s aspiring journalists. Maybe you could write a guest column?
Dave, you would be most welcome to sit in on any class of mine anytime.
And I'd be honored to write a guest column sometime. As every teacher knows, you can learn a lot from students.
Great. When the spirit moves you on a topic of your choice, write something up and we’ll take it from there. Looking forward to it.
It’s quite rich reading ABC’s rationalization of Moran’s contract non-renewal in light of its own capitulation of its own journalistic integrity.
True. About as rich as Trump calling in troops to “protect the police”.
As usual, Dave: Great analysis. Thanks!
Thanks, Denny. So glad we connected a few weeks ago.
Thank you for your column
His only crime in today’s DC journalism is that he used social media instead of writing a “tell all” book. Obviously he has been to busy watching Miller cosplay Goebbels to plot out his book advance.
The takeover of media journalism by talking heads has neutered any semblance of credibility. Thankfully independent journalists are helping fill the void.
Perhaps Julie Gammack can convene a couple person panel about this journalistic issue as a springboard to discussing what J schools are doing to combat lies and demands of social media, while maintaining ethical principles.
Maybe Terry Moran would join this zoom.
Dave, Many excellent points. Moran's posts came after midnight. Many may have parents who had the mantra,"nothing good happens after midnight." I think Moran was sending a message as he has always seemed like a cards to the chest guy. He will be on Substack per his announcement of yesterday. One of my favorite Iowa journalists, James Q Lynch, formerly of CR Gazette, was one that did journalism down the line of no demarcation. James retired but so often I would like to know what he personally thought of the people, events and issues he covered. The comments to your piece are also appreciated. Thanks Dave, so much to read these days but I navigate to those who have been in the bowels of real journalism.
Mary, as I mentioned in a comment above, I don’t believe it’s a journalist’s job to say what they personally think. The job is to inform you the news consumer so that you can have informed opinions. Yes, those of us in “the bowels of journalism “ (some days felt like it) might know a little more than we put into a story. I always tried to stick to the facts while lending some perspective that experience gave me. It’s possible to do it ethically without stepping way over the line like Moran did. Glad to see he’s now on Substack. Makes me wonder if this was his plan all along.
I agree with you Dave. However, the line from Network spoken by a news broadcaster rings in my brain. "I am mad as hell and can't take it any more." I think the 2025 version of that broadcaster is Moran.
As a HS PT'er I covered a JV FB game. I wrote something like ...Bill Allen made a great run for a TD..." I shared the story with my dad, who worked at the Oelwein Daily Register but not as a journalist. 60 years ago he gave me the best advice I ever got: Tell what he did and let the trader decide if it was great.
I'm reminded of this because I hear you saying...Moran should have reported truthfully on what Miler has done and let viewers decide if he's racist.
Like you, I avoided yard signs and political rallys (except Iowa caucuses) until I retired.
A good lesson from dad!
Good riddance. Not a journalist.