Series: Trying Trump (NY Criminal)
Unveiling the Ethics Crisis: How Media Coverage of the Trump Jury Threatens Justice
This week (April 15-19) marks not only the beginning of jury selection for The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump, but it is also Ethics Week for the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). Unless you are a member, you probably wouldn’t know that. But, I am a member of both the National Chapter and my local Los Angeles Chapter. I sit in this interesting space as a Legal, Political and Cultural Analyst. Some analysts treat their job as a license to spray opinions like a garden hose. Opinions are worth nothing on television and radio, and they don’t advance the obligation of journalists to provide facts and information. There is a saying about opinions that holds true. Understanding whether an analyst is giving you an opinion or is explaining, teaching, you information is important to know.
I lean more closely to journalism. When I am wearing my Legal Analyst hat, I want to be a teacher, someone who is providing you with information, explained simply, so that you can understand what is being reported. When I am asked for my opinion, I do my absolute best to signal that what I am giving you is an opinion, and depending on what network I am on, what show I am on, I will duck the opinion question and pivot to a factual answer if I can.
Today, on day three of Jury Selection, we heard reports of one juror, after being selected and sworn on Tuesday, asking to be released (they were). This juror was the subject of Fox News’ Jesse Waters program the night before; and because of the