Trial coverage is an example of broadcast “news” inability to play it straight, to cut back on the drama and actually used a functional definition of what news is. If it’s Trump, it’s wall to wall….
JOHN STEWART ripped media coverage of the Donald Trump hush money trial Monday night. Actually, he was ripping broadcast media. I found myself nodding my head.
I spent my career in print media. I once applied for a job at a TV station, back in the 1970s, and was told I was “too fat.” I had all the journalistic credentials they wanted, but “too fat.”
While I watch broadcast media I’ve never been a huge fan, just because of the nature of the beast. Now that broadcast is 24/7 the ratings competitions are tense and ratings, sadly, require drama. I am not saying print journalists and editors have been guilt-free when it comes to headline hype, but because we could only punch the button on the press once a day, we tended to have time to think things through. And contrary to what you see in movies a single story doesn’t “sell papers.” What sells papers, day in and day out, is having a community believe it can trust you.
Stewart points out that after 2016 TV media vowed to do better, to behave like responsible grown-ups when it came to Trump going forward. In typical Stewart fashion he went on to show just how wildly broadcast had failed on that pledge.
So, this morning I decided to go on line to broad cast sites and see the sorts of things they were reporting. Was Stewart over-stated it when he ridiculed the medium for over-stating the obvious and going to absurd lengths – lengths that probably insult a lot of viewers – in covering the trial.
So, here goes..
CNN
Trump and his attorney are whispering before judge enters courtroom
“Attorney Todd Blanche and Trump were whispering before Judge Juan Merchan entered the courtroom. He and Blanche were leaning in close to each other to talk. Trump then veered to his right to talk to attorney Emil Bove, who in now sitting in the first chair.” (ME: Shocking! Who would have thought an attorney and his client might have talked, even in whispers?!)
Trump back in courtroom
“Former President Donald Trump has reentered the courtroom. He is holding a stack of papers, some held together by binder clips.” (ME: Wow. He was holding papers held together by binder clips. That’s good to know. Not paper clips, not a rubber band, but “binder clips’”.)
Trump whispers to lawyer after heated exchange with judge
“Prosecutor Chris Conroy is now back at the microphone following defense attorney Todd Blanche’s tense exchange with Judge Juan Merchan. Merchan grew exasperated as he repeatedly asked Blanche questions. Donald Trump is now whispering to Blanche, who is seated beside him.” (ME: Wow! More whispering! A client and his attorney talking!!!)
Trump appears to look at judge, who is having a back-and-forth with defense attorney
“Donald Trump appears to be looking at Judge Juan Merchan as the judge is engaged in a back-and-forth with defense attorney Todd Blanche.” (ME: A defendant looking at the judge? Does that ever happen or just in this trial?)
HUFF POST
Trump Confers With Lawyers
“The former president is going back and forth between Blanche and Bove, whispering intently. He shook his head slightly. We are waiting for the judge and jury to enter.” (ME: Trump confers with his lawyers? He shook his head? Did he shake it up, or down?)
Trump Arrives For Day 6
“The former president is now seated in the courtroom with his attorneys.” (ME: Was he expected NOT to show up?)
FOX NEWS
Uh, hardly any coverage. Period.
POLITICO
Trump and Blanche appear to share a laugh
“Trump is waiting at the defense table in the courtroom and is speaking with his attorney Todd Blanche. At one point during their chat, Blanche appeared to be laughing while holding his hand over his mouth.”
Just a sampling. Meanwhile, on the air live….panel after panel analyzing the same things in the same language and with the sort of urgency one would expect for coverage of The Second Coming or a massive meteor about to enter the ozone layer. Yeh, I watch some of it but only at the end of the day for recap.
Stewart got it right. Trump is the traffic accident the broadcast media can drive by without slowing down and looking. This trial is like almost every trial I covered – long on procedure, short on drama. Which is exactly how it should be…
Rich Heiland, has been a reporter, editor, publisher/general manager at daily papers in Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and New Hampshire. He was part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team at the Xenia Daily (OH) Daily Gazette, a National Newspaper Association Columnist of the Year, and a recipient of the Molly Ivins First Amendment Award from the Walker County (TX) Democrat Club. He taught journalism at Western Illinois University and leadership and community development at Woodbury College in Vermont. Since 1995 he has operated an international consulting, public speaking and training business specializing in customer service, general management, leadership and staff development with major corporations, organizations, and government. Semi-retired, he and his wife live in West Chester, PA. He can be reached at heilandrich1@gmail.com.