Will there be hyperventilating? Oh, there will be hyperventilating.
I find it difficult to get worked up over the fact that some journalists materially support specific political causes. At least by giving money to candidates, they’re being transparent about it. Though apparently sometimes unintentionally so. A number of journalists reacted as though caught with their figurative pants down: angry, defensive, embarrassed. Sometimes all at once.
The best response, by far, comes from former MTVer Gideon Yago, which is worth reading in full; here are the highlights:
“I don’t understand. Things that I do as a private citizen?
“We’re not a traditional news network in the sense of NBC or Fox or CBS.
“We’re sensitive about equal time or fairness. We’re non-biased.
“I mean, what the f—, man?
“I came back from doing coverage in Iraq and was very moved by what I saw. I was never told by my boss or anyone that we couldn’t give to a campaign.
“I’m not a journalist now. Writing fiction.
[snip]
“”OK, I’ve been rebuked. Thank you for spanking me in public.
“Do you hand in all your rights as a public citizen when you do this?
“I mean — who’s your editor? I’m going to call him right now.”
Tuned In has more developed thoughts here.