Cherry picking interviews?
Sydney H. Shanberg in the Village Voice notes that Judith Miller has been very…um…selective…in choosing what TV interviews to do… (via Romenesko)
In the days since her release from jail, she has, in my opinion, not helped herself or her paper. She has given interviews only to TV personalities who will gush over her. At this writing, there have been two such appearances, with Lou Dobbs on CNN and with ABC’s Barbara Walters on Good Morning America.
Both hosts melted on camera. Walters introduced her guest thusly: “I’ve known Judith as a friend and a journalist for years. I visited her in jail.” Later, Walters, in an awe-filled voice, said: “You were in jail longer than any other journalist.” Miller quickly corrected her, “Twice as long as any other journalist.”
Miller keeps saying that she is not seeking to be a hero or a martyr. Unfortunately, her demeanor — the little we have seen of it — belies this claim. This perception on my part may be a generational thing, but I was taught that a reporter does not go forth patting himself on the back for doing his job.
Any bets Judy will appear on “The O’Reilly Factor,” or for that matter, any other Fox News Channel program? Any bets she will be Joe’s guest on MSNBC’s “Scarborough Country?”
Comment by Bob — October 7, 2005 @ 11:50 pm
Good thing for the choice of going on a program/channel or not. I guess miller won’t go on fnc and therefore folks are pissed.
Comment by Sally — October 8, 2005 @ 3:47 pm
I think what the point was is that she’s only going on programs where she can get sympathy, and won’t have to defend or explain herself to a national audience. She wants to play the “victim” card, and getting in a debate with Scarborough, O’Reilly, or anyone else who ask informed questions might deter from her “victim” status. A weep-and-cry interview is easier for the public to digest, too.
It’d be a real clever strategy, if it weren’t see-through.
Comment by Charles — October 9, 2005 @ 2:38 pm
Ms. Miller appeared on Fox News before she went to jail and it was a really great interview, and a compelling segment that made me think a lot about what was being done to her. You people really need to either watch more cable news and form your opinions on FACTS, or take your fox hatred and go away. There’s so much hate for fox out here, it’s nauseating.
Comment by Gregg — October 9, 2005 @ 8:25 pm