BBC America
I often tune into BBC America, just as I often read the UK Guardian on-line, in order to remind myself of what reporting can be, and is not - at least not as often as one might wish.
Tonight, Thursday, presenter Matt Frei questioned an Iraqi minister who was at the UN in New York to discuss what the US presence in Iraq might be when the current agreement with the US forces runs out. How many bases would there be, and how many troops? The minister was obviously well practiced at avoiding making statements of any kind that could be even remotely definitive. Mr Frei was not to be put off. He had no hesitation in interrupting, in asking for his question to be addressed, in insisting that clarification was needed, even saying at one point that the minister’s statements were ‘as clear as mud’.
I’m not advocating bellicose tactics as a way forward. But I was impressed that Mr Frei did not play the polite little reporter and hum and ha deferentially, or attempt to make the minister’s life easy by completing the man’s ideas and phrases. The result achieved was exactly what we, as viewers, needed - - we gained the unmistakable impression that there is no plan, that no one knows what will or will not be needed, that there is no real leadership, and that those Iraqis who are getting rich would rather the US stayed for as long as possible and take all the risks, thank you very much.
And when was the last time anyone in the media in the US ‘news industry’ dared to ask difficult questions that might rock a boat or two, and did so in this direct way, posing the questions to the person himself, face to face?
If you know of any examples I’d like to hear of them. My memory can’t dredge up any cases.
on June 15th, 2008 at 4:49 am
Totally agree. The BBC is showing us how a journalist can be persistent for the purpose of gaining a truthful answer rather than for the purpose of creating an argument. At this point, we need the truth. If the interviewee refuses to answer we still know what the truth is from his evasion. Could be the BBC World News is one of the best news broadcasts available here.
on June 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Can’t help thinking that if our journalists were less about promoting their own shows and more about getting to the truth we might be better informed and make better choices as voters etc. Well, there’s hope, at least!
on June 17th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Anderson Cooper comes to mind.
During the days of Hurricane Katrina, he put himself in jeopardy as he traveled to the places the federal government was refusing to see and did not want us to see.
Cooper asked the tough questions and expressed his outrage at the government’s failure to respond.
More than that, he gave his microphone to the people directly affected - mostly poor, mostly black, and the many old and sick. Those who had now means to leave the city. Cooper’s footage showed the world those directly affected and he also showed the rich, white president’s “flyover.”
When the world responded with outrage, pressure was put on America’s leaders.
Like the best war correspondents,Cooper’s reportage illuminated and mobilized.
MLou
on June 17th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Dear Mary Lou,
Yes, Anderson Cooper is a splendid example of good and courageous reporting. No one could deny the importance of what he has done and continues to do.
My point is slightly different in that the thing that irks me is that US reporting can be very fine, but the tendency when there is an interview with an important person, face to face, is for the interviewer to be rather timid. This is all the more surprising since the programs with talking heads from different political backgrounds are far less deferential, - - and much more lively. But of course those are not always powerful figures, as they are composed of commentators and people with opinions.
It’s the deference thing that makes me squirm….
Allan
on June 18th, 2008 at 1:34 am
Point taken. I agree.
MLou