Reaction To Ronica Cleary: Press Ought to Change Its Conduct

What is it about reporters in this day-and-age that they think being a reporter will make them a star? Because they sit in the White House Press Briefing Room? Because the camera is on them all the time? Because they can interrupt whenever they want to? That’s not what America is or should be. 

Just ask Ronica Cleary, a friend of mine who I have had disagreements with on occasion. However, she wrote a very important opinion article back in September that took me a while to process and understand fully. At first I couldn’t believe it at first. I thought she was attacking the press, the way the reporters have become stars just by having a camera shine a light on them, and the way reporters constantly interrupt the President, the Press Secretary, and many others who are just doing their jobs the best they can. I couldn’t believe it. 

I was almost angry the first time I read it, because I thought Ronica was just being a sore loser. Now I don’t believe she is. This is the truth and the way things are now, especially one in which the more controversial you are, the more money you get, and a bigger contract you’ll receive from a network or other media source.

So why am I saying this now? Why did I wait so long to write this, other than taking a while to process it? It’s because right now the press should know better. I get that they have a hard job, but did their teachers not tell them to not interrupt anybody when they’re talking? To not be gracious to other reporters when they’re pregnant? To treat others like they want to be treated? Look, I get it, it’s all about free speech. It’s a free press. But I’m now starting to wonder if there’s a press corps that’s lost its way in being fair and respectful. I’m hoping that this is not the case, but Ronica’s opinion article is starting to make sense on why she believes the press has become a bunch of movie stars, instead of actual reporters trying to earn a day’s work.

Now look, I can’t speak as a reporter or a writer who has been a part of the White House Correspondents Association. However, the things they teach you in preschool or kindergarten seem to have flown out the window the minute you’re in that press room. They have tough jobs and I understand why they act this way. But maybe it’s now time to rethink how the press should be and how it should be run.

A reporter should not want the spotlight. A reporter should just ask questions without a camera being put on them just for asking the questions. In fact, how about we get rid of the cameras that show the reporters? It would definitely change the way we view the press and maybe even for the better. Being a reporter is not a spectacle. It shouldn’t be. They shouldn’t be paid to be put on a camera. They should be paid to ask questions, get answers, and then report it. That’s it.

I doubt my opinion will change the minds of these reporters. In fact, they’ll probably feel more threatened and think I’m attacking their profession. I’m not threatening them and I’m not saying they need to change the way they report it or how they use free speech. However, they should be civil, be respectful, treat elders with respect, and remember what you were taught in school: Be kind, generous, and thoughtful. That goes a long ways.