“Mr. Putin, will you commit to not killing any more civilians?” Simple question, asked of Russian President Vladimir Putin by ABC News’ Rachel Scott before the failed meeting with President Trump in Anchorage. He wouldn’t answer or acknowledge it, and shortly thereafter, Trump had the press removed from the room.
Finally, someone asked a real question, one which wasn’t a setup for the usual bloviating response. That Putin wouldn’t answer it spoke volumes, much more than if he’d actually answered it with anything other than the truth, which is what you get from most politicians. It wasn’t a biased question; it was just asking a dictator what he doesn’t want to acknowledge.
All political interviews should be asking questions like that. Most don’t.
The insistence of political reporters and talk show hosts on adhering to what they think are traditional journalistic standards is an interesting choice when the nation and the world are experiencing a five-alarm fire that has a considerable body count.
Because reporters don’t ask the right questions and follow up, politicians get away with, well, murder. Why doesn’t anyone ask Trump why he insists tariffs aren’t effectively taxes on American consumers who will ultimately shoulder the cost (and are already paying more at the supermarket; don’t use the “just shop at Aldi and Walmart” argument, because prices there are going up, too)? Why does Netanyahu get away without answering for the deaths of journalists, civilians, and children in Gaza?
Why isn’t anyone pressing Hakeem Jefferies on why Democratic leadership appears to be hiding rather than doing anything about what they ostensibly oppose? Where’s the questioning of Ron DeSantis about… well, anything? Why, oh why, do American reporters stand there at news conferences and ask “neutral” questions, letting the politicians off the hook when (theatrical wave across the entire world)?
Of course, the politicians won’t likely give you an honest answer, or any answer at all. So, repeat it. If someone else asked it and didn’t get an answer, ask it again. Maybe they’ll throw you out of the room, but so what? If they won’t answer questions, what’s the use of being there in the first place? Why have them on your show if there are things that are off limits?
Never, ever agree not to ask about any topic, not with politicians, not with celebrities, nobody, and never agree to submit questions in advance. No conditions. If they insist, they’re hiding something and the interview isn’t worth the trouble. Besides, it’s more interesting if a guest hangs up on you anyway.
And if someone (like the president) calls your question stupid, ask him why it’s stupid; he won’t have an answer for that.
News interviews and press conferences aren’t supposed to make anyone comfortable. That’s not your job. Your job is to get to the truth. Ask the tough questions and keep asking them until you get an answer or get ejected. You’re not anyone’s spokesperson.
Perry Michael Simon is a weekly news media columnist for Barrett Media. He previously served as VP and Editor/News-Talk-Sports/Podcast for AllAccess.com. Prior to joining the industry trade publication, Perry spent years in radio working as a Program Director and Operations Manager for KLSX and KLYY in Los Angeles and New Jersey 101.5 in Trenton. He can be found on X (formerly Twitter) @PMSimon.
Absolutely correct. News people must ask tough and honest questions in this very perilous time.