Norah O'Donnell had been discussing the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association dinner, the annual event where politicians and reporters go to suck each other's toes. After the break she handed coverage over to Chris Jansing, and the following exchange took place.
NORAH: Chris, it was great to see you here in Washington last night.
CHRIS: It was great to be there! Did you have fun?
NORAH: I did, I had a good time! How about you?
CHRIS: We were the two party poopers, the main dinner ends, the two of us go home, everyone else stays until who knows what hour. Right?
NORAH: Exactly, but I've already gotten the scoop on some of those that stayed out late, it sounds like they had a lot of fun.
CHRIS: Really? Can you call me later because I haven't heard a thing.
NORAH: I will call you later, yeah.
CHRIS: Okay, alright. Well thank you Norah.
Now, obviously this was a jokey exchange, but it made me cringe. Why is one reporter telling another that she'll call her privately later to give her the "scoop." Am I not watching a "news" channel? Aren't the reporters supposed to be giving ME the scoop?
Of course I understand it was a bit of lighthearted fun, an amusing way for one anchor to hand over coverage to the next anchor. But I guess I'm one of these people who think that the press should be, oh, I dunno, giving us the facts about the activities of our elected officials so that we can make better-informed decisions about our government. Ha ha! How foolish of me.
These schmoozy events featuring reporters who think that "access" is more important than reporting the whole truth, are one thing. Watching these same reporters rubbing it it in - even in a jokey way - is just plain irritating.
