100% correct! What makes NBC's "after the fact" fact checking is that they had time between the interview and the broadcast to do that fact checking. They didn't. They failed the American people.
And many commentators are defending the interview today on the grounds that Trump incriminated himself. So, what? He incriminates himself every time he talks. Let him do that on Fox, not on Meet the Press, which has now become a platform for Trump's lies.
thanks for this post, David. I will promote tonight in my newsletter.
David, that will never happen on broadcast or cable TV news. Why? From Jonathan V. Last at the Bulwark just this am: "Access is the currency of TV news. The medium wants ratings. Access is the easiest way to get ratings. And access to Donald Trump is the shortest of ratings shortcuts."
TV news is business. If the interviewer were to follow your simple suggestion, she wouldn't get him on the next time, in which case the network's ratings will suffer. He knows this. He knows they need him more than he needs them.
This is the sad state of TV news. It's an infotainment business. I don't know what the solution is.
I had been thinking the same as you Sandy, but after some more thought, I disagree. The Trump tactic of bullying with lies is becoming increasingly common. It would be exciting newsworthy for the Pepper tactic to be deployed, and it could have established the new MTP and Welker as a paragon -- a place to turn to where the truth is revered. I think its got to happen. I suppose that's a naive position, Yes, Trump would never go on MTP again, and NBC will be his constant target. But there are plenty more people to interview. It would not be the end. It will require courage, and that rare display in the press could be celebrated by all of us.
Management, yes. Shareholders aren't consulted. Management would fear their wrath. But I agree that NBC is not the place to look for journalistic courage of that level. But I think someone in the mainstream media may pull it off. We'll need a few to adopt the "Pepper tactic". Trump and others will be on the alert, then, but that's good.
I wholeheartedly agree. If Trump were being pressed in that way, he would almost certainly walk out first. It seems the interviewer will need to be prepared to take the inevitable heat from that.
Touchè! David! What a crock of BS was that interview! It was embarrassing to see Welker sucking up to Trump...she would have been a STAR and really scored big time with viewers if she walked out on him...but now she’s a nothing burger and just repeating the wimpy style of Chuck Todd’s pathetic interviews !
I like it, and it would be great if someone would use this method. But you know they won’t. They’ve got airtime to fill. The ads have been sold. --Certainly an interviewer should press for the interviewee to tell the truth. But if they won’t, the editors can add old fashioned MTV pop up video bubbles sharing the facts! I’d watch that.
I’ve seen interviewees leave 60 Minutes (with Leslie Stahl), but never the reverse. One of the best was recently with Mehdi Hassan, who after pressing Vivek Ramaswamy to “answer the question” 3 or 4 times, said “ ok, so you’re not going to answer the question so we’ll move on”.
Yes he had a list, but Vivek did not lie, he just deflected.
Brilliant and clearly stated..... the only problem is that this is "entertainment" not "information" at this point. I agree, David Pepper - but who will listen? Only when enough of us stop watching....I have not watched TV in 3 years.....for this very reason. I figure if more of us refuse to watch, they'll stop.
100% correct! What makes NBC's "after the fact" fact checking is that they had time between the interview and the broadcast to do that fact checking. They didn't. They failed the American people.
And many commentators are defending the interview today on the grounds that Trump incriminated himself. So, what? He incriminates himself every time he talks. Let him do that on Fox, not on Meet the Press, which has now become a platform for Trump's lies.
thanks for this post, David. I will promote tonight in my newsletter.
Thank you Robert. Honored that you’ll amplify it. Thanks for all you do!
This!!! This is what the media should have been doing along! Argh!!!!
Thank you for stating it so very clearly.
David, that will never happen on broadcast or cable TV news. Why? From Jonathan V. Last at the Bulwark just this am: "Access is the currency of TV news. The medium wants ratings. Access is the easiest way to get ratings. And access to Donald Trump is the shortest of ratings shortcuts."
TV news is business. If the interviewer were to follow your simple suggestion, she wouldn't get him on the next time, in which case the network's ratings will suffer. He knows this. He knows they need him more than he needs them.
This is the sad state of TV news. It's an infotainment business. I don't know what the solution is.
I had been thinking the same as you Sandy, but after some more thought, I disagree. The Trump tactic of bullying with lies is becoming increasingly common. It would be exciting newsworthy for the Pepper tactic to be deployed, and it could have established the new MTP and Welker as a paragon -- a place to turn to where the truth is revered. I think its got to happen. I suppose that's a naive position, Yes, Trump would never go on MTP again, and NBC will be his constant target. But there are plenty more people to interview. It would not be the end. It will require courage, and that rare display in the press could be celebrated by all of us.
The courage would have to be displayed by NBC management and their stock holders. I just don't see that.
Management, yes. Shareholders aren't consulted. Management would fear their wrath. But I agree that NBC is not the place to look for journalistic courage of that level. But I think someone in the mainstream media may pull it off. We'll need a few to adopt the "Pepper tactic". Trump and others will be on the alert, then, but that's good.
I would LOVE to see this happen! It’s so frustrating watching the next journalist tee him up for another “winning” interview.
I have always been so frustrated when the interviewer moves on. It is a capitulation. How can we pressure the media to use this strategy??
I wholeheartedly agree. If Trump were being pressed in that way, he would almost certainly walk out first. It seems the interviewer will need to be prepared to take the inevitable heat from that.
Mehdi Hasan showed how it was done with his interview with Vivek.
Oh - I need to look that one up. Thanks!
Share widely!
Yes!!!!
Touchè! David! What a crock of BS was that interview! It was embarrassing to see Welker sucking up to Trump...she would have been a STAR and really scored big time with viewers if she walked out on him...but now she’s a nothing burger and just repeating the wimpy style of Chuck Todd’s pathetic interviews !
I like it, and it would be great if someone would use this method. But you know they won’t. They’ve got airtime to fill. The ads have been sold. --Certainly an interviewer should press for the interviewee to tell the truth. But if they won’t, the editors can add old fashioned MTV pop up video bubbles sharing the facts! I’d watch that.
I agree with you David. But if it was for me, I will never give Trump the chance and pleasure of being interviewed.
I’ve seen interviewees leave 60 Minutes (with Leslie Stahl), but never the reverse. One of the best was recently with Mehdi Hassan, who after pressing Vivek Ramaswamy to “answer the question” 3 or 4 times, said “ ok, so you’re not going to answer the question so we’ll move on”.
Yes he had a list, but Vivek did not lie, he just deflected.
I fully agree!!! You have hit on the perfect solution! Now if only the media will listen ... which, of course, they won't.
Brilliant and clearly stated..... the only problem is that this is "entertainment" not "information" at this point. I agree, David Pepper - but who will listen? Only when enough of us stop watching....I have not watched TV in 3 years.....for this very reason. I figure if more of us refuse to watch, they'll stop.
Axios Jonathan Swan did it a while ago ( during tfg administration) and got him off balance...