Comments on: "Gotcha Journalism"

By: Paul DeFlorio

Paul DeFlorio — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:31:29 +0000

Now that we are on the downslope of our most recent spike of "gotcha" journalism, it is clear that lives only amongst candidates in pursuit of a public office. I have failed to find it brought up by any other type of person who media hounds bother. I find it fantastic coincidence that journalists employ "gotchas" only on candidates for public office. I guess it's a matter of either believing those evil media types have so much spite for candidates that greasy tactics like "gotcha" is their only play OR cooking up a little sensationalism helps fill the columns in papers/websites. I believe a little helium is applied to every humble story in order to make the them attractive enough to read. I also believe there has always been plenty of stupid stuff attached to candidates to write about. I think candidates need to learn using the high road more often. I'm sure Gov. Palin can simply explain the selection process of multiple bridge building projects and show that the reduction to one bridge build was not a self-centered choice. Maybe I have too much faith in assuming all choices by public officials are reasonable, but c'mon. I think public officials need to try using moments with journaists as opportunites to win blessings from the public as opposed to a weird contest of contradiction & blaming journalists for "gotchas".

By: Harry Katz

Harry Katz — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:51:37 +0000

I don't have an American car, my clothes aren't made in America, I outsource my work to India, and I am very, very happy.

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:59:07 +0000

A certain part of the republican base seems unwilling to criticize ANY republican no matter how flagrent their incompetence, unpreparedness or corruption. In the 80s, republicans would turn on a republican candidate or elected official if they violated their own standards, now it is swept under the rug and any mention of anything that recalls their flaws is called "Gotcha" Journalism.

By: Perusing-Through

Perusing-Through — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:01:38 +0000

"GOTCHA JOURNALISM":

A down & dirty simple definition of "gotcha journalism" is when a reporter ask a question that corrupts the subject matter from the interviewee's perspective while leaving the interviewee short on 'camera time' and resources to articulate a response that refutes the fallacies, inaccuracies, and false assumptions of the reporter's question.

Gotcha journalism is when the reporter put an interviewee on the spot with a 'loaded question', where the question is designed to smear a particular person or target; and/or accomplish the following two things:

(1.) – Frame the subject being discussed in such a way that the interviewee is presumed guilty before he/she responds to the reporter's question,

(2.) – Forces the interviewee to use extensive 'camera time' to first reset and correctly reframe the question. Followed next by having to use more camera time to articulate a response that navigates the viewing audience to what the interviewee considers the most appropriate response to the reporter’s question.

By: Saltyboy

Saltyboy — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:49:24 +0000

It is selective gotcha, that is the problem.
Tony Rezko (Serian national) in jail, freind and supporter of guess who?
Where is the investigation?

By: Mandi

Mandi — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:57:42 +0000

She's signing up for a tougher job: being vp (or perhaps president). I hope you guys know that this isn't an easy job. If she can't answer a few questions, proving to us that she is qualified, then god help her if she is put in the position where she has to walk the walk.

By: steve from nc

steve from nc — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:21:32 +0000

ken:
obama was interviewed by bill o'reilly. you should find it and watch it. that is how a politician handles "gotcha" questions. there are four parts, and he went toe to toe with o'reilly. let's see palin or mccain go on such a hostile show and deal with the harsh questions. you won't see it.
besides, what do they expect when they keep a vice presidential candidate wrapped up so tight they can't answer truly random questions.

yes, media is human and has its favorites, but it goes both ways. and if one side is really messing up, should they ignore important aspects just to appear impartial? is that what you really want?

By: john y

john y — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:14:09 +0000

Gotcha journalism is clearly an effort by liberal leaning media at all three networks +CNN to ask obscure trick questions like "what is the Bush doctrine" . What % of people would really know what it is, how about the Clinton doctrine? "The View" is an excellent example. The View women swooned over Nobama and asked questions about his kids, while McCain was badgered. This country does not need the #1 and #3 liberal senators running this country. 25% of the people pay 85% of the taxes. The philosophy of the limousine liberals like Kerry, Edwards, Kennedy,Pelosi is so hypocritical. These pontificating ultra-rich politicians should donate 98% to charity and live like the rest of the middle class.

By: DavidL

DavidL — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:20:49 +0000

Pround Independent. Yes I watched the Debate. She clearly said that administrations, and present have made mistakes, and those mistakes should learned from.

I was also responding to your comments about Gov. Palin not being educated or experienced. I think being a Governor and a Mayor qualifies as experience . You obviously believe that having a BA in Journalism is not an education.

You might want to consider leaving the sarcasim out of your comments, as most of what you say falls into that realm, and is one of the reasons I responded to your remarks. It clearly shows that your a very angry individual.

Yes, Barrack Obama has a very impressive education, and served in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004, and the other things you mentioned.

Actually he will probably be the next president of the United States. Hope all the education makes him a good 'Commander and Cheif'.

By: pghezzi mich

pghezzi mich — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:22:13 +0000

i dont believe that palin had any gotcha questions. most of what whewas asked should have been answerred, like what do you read. she is not qualified to be vice president its a sad comentary on the intelligent of voters is they think she would make a good vice president. on the debate, she did not answer most questions, only the ones she had the answers to. i feel mcain really goofed in picking her. i am voting for obama biden, as are my friends and family.