Mark Halperin of the ABC News Political Unit says no.
NBC News anchor Brian Williams says yes.
Here's the debate, according to MediaBistro.
Halperin said he doesn't vote and doesn't think any objective reporter should.
"I don’t vote, because I think that just opens up the question of how can I say I’m being objective, and fighting for truth, if I’m making a decision about who to vote for in a presidential race.
More:
"I just don’t think it’s appropriate, if you’re covering presidential politics, to put yourself in the position, in both actuality in your head, and in appearance, that you’re going to weigh in. Plenty of other people in America vote, everyone should vote. I think the country can survive if the 180 of us who cover presidential campaigns understand the objectivity we must get to, if we’re going to restore faith and trust in these news organizations."
Williams said he won't forfeit citizenship just because he's covering a political race.
From MediaBistro:
Williams says he disagrees with recent statements by ABC News political director Mark Halperin that journalists should not vote so as to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Not voting "is a sacrifice that any sane and rational reporter should make," Halperin said.
"I've thought long and hard about this," Williams says. "I think it's important to vote. People fought and died for the right to vote, and I don't believe I forfeit my citizenship because I'm a journalist."
What Williams doesn't do is discuss his personal politics with anyone - including his wife and kids, who get grilled about his views. "I give them plausible deniability."
"I defy anyone to figure out my voting record. Nobody on the planet knows it but me."
1 comment:
Kudos to Williams. I think he has the right idea! His citizenship has priority over his job! One should never hold lightly his privelege AND responsibility to vote!!!
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