Barbara Walters: Journalistic Ethics or Not?
Earlier this month, Barbara Walters and Star Jones Reynolds had a public spat. The two shared the spotlight on ABC's daytime money maker - -The View. Apparently, Star's contract with ABC was not up for renewal. With this Star would have to find another job. Star was supposed to walk away with dignity. Yet, dignity in TV terms meant make up a story as to why she was leaving the show.
The View for those who don't know is a daytime talk show. The show has sustained ten years of television history and is marked by success. Women who gab around a table, drink coffee, discuss life, love, nature, and all - is just a glimpse on what the show has to offer.
No disrespect to Ms. Barbara Walters, but what in the world was she thinking?
Think about this - -Barbara Walters - acclaimed journalist admitted to the world that she was ready to lie and thus, back up Star's story as to why Star was leaving the cast of The View. When Star announced to the world that her contract was not up for renewal Barbara despised this. So, if Star had decided to tell the world that she in fact, was joining the circus Barbara would have nodded her head and said…good luck with taming the lions and we will miss you on The View? What is all this entertainment drama, behind the scenes, keep it a secret stuff about?
How many seasoned journalists cringed when they read or heard that Ms. Walters daytime Diva was set to lie on behalf of the soon to be former co-worker? Moreover, how many viewers will still remain faithful to The View following Barbara's slip of the tongue? Or was it a slip of the tongue? That's the real question.
Perhaps, the laypeople (those who are not show business savvy) are just ignorant to game. The game may include the need and the RIGHT to lie. How does this relate to ethics in journalism?
First, let's put things in perspective. Is Barbara Walters an entertainment talk show host and then a journalist? If that is the case, then inform the world of such - then and only then our shock may be nonexistent when Ms. Walters announces she was ready to lie. However, isn't Barbara Walters supposed to be a journalist FIRST and then an entertainment talk show host SECOND.
Whatever the case may be, someone who is in Barbara Walter's position should never admit that a lie is justified. Out of all the reporting that Barbara has done doesn't she know this already? Or does it simply come down to a paycheck?
What is the message that we should learn from the Barbara Walters and Star Jones Reynolds public spat? By the way, when Star did the People Magazine interview and stated that she felt like she was canned, how was this disloyal to Barbara or ABC? Was it wrong for Star to tell the truth? She was canned! Dismissed! Out the door! See you in the next life time! It was like that, plain and simple.
Perhaps it is like this…the POWERS THAT BE are the ones who really call the shots? You know the big wigs who sign off on contracts and sign off on paychecks. Did Barbara fall into the trap? The do as I say do and nothing else trap. Integrity and ethics in journalism stand in the midst of this.
Ms. Barbara Walters, world-renowned journalist has given us the skinny on many hot topics, world issues, politics, and the like. How can we get with the fact that Barbara Walter's was ready to lie? What else has Barbara lied about? Aspiring journalists need to know that ethics should be ever compromised. Not even when it comes to a hefty paycheck and a contract renewal. Be a journalist FIRST, and then play the money game SECOND. Bottom line.
Published by Ramona The Great
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12 Comments
Post a CommentShame on the View. You are so biased I can't stand it. I was so disappointed in the disrespect of Whoopie(who I usually feel is balanced) to Senator John McCain. The faces she made during the interview where ridiculous. I too respect a women's right to do what she wants wwith her body, but when she becomes pregnant,who is going to protect the body of that baby. I think she has made a decision at the time she became pregnant and it is no longer just her body Also Barbara saying we white folks would take care of Whoopie and Sherry, was condescending. Barabara was not kind as she said at the end of the show ,and to say they would ask Senator Obama to be on the show if Mccain got Govenor Palin on the show was tackie.
i am on the web site and wish to get tickets for the show, but it is not easy to figure out help thanks anne
What a shame! What a big mistake on ABC and Barbara Walters part...Since Rosie has joined the View I have been watching religiously. She is frank, honest, and will say the things that so many of us are feeling, but too afraid to speak. What a great loss on the part of the View. I know that I, along with many my friends will miss Ro, & will no longer watch a show that was quite frankly, "dying" before O'Donnell bothered to resurrect it.
PS...Shame on all of you for ganging up on her that way. She deserved better!
Hooray for Elisabeth for finally telling off big mouth Rosie. Maybe now they can have a discussion without her there to monopolize the entire conversation. Rosie ruined that show and shame on Barbara Walters for letting this go on. I will enjoy watching the program again without hearing about Rosie's lesbian life which was injected into everything. Thanks Elisabeth for freeing us from her daily laments.
Rosie is TRASH!!! I can't stand her!!! She is one bitter gay woman! She always sounds upset and thinks she is always right. I use to watch the show until Barbara made "THE BIGGEST MISTAKE" in hiring her. I hope she's gone for good!!!
I never really knew much about Rosie; although, after she started on "The View" I really got to know her. I think that she changed the show completely!!!! Elizabeth H. is very argumentative, one sided and thinks that she knows everything. She never sees the other side of anything. The funny thing is, is that I am 41 years old and I can truely look at any situation and try and understand all views. Elizabeth is very one sided and never can see another side of anything. She thinks that she is always right!!!!!!!! I sometimes hate watching the show because of her.!!!!!!! I have watched the show for many years but I sometimes hate to see what she brings to the "View".
Rosie is very offensive in the way she shouts down everyone else. No one else can express their views. I was very offended when she actually accused the govt. of bringing down the second of the twin towers! for sake of going to war. Boy, the govt. must have reacted fast.
Please take her off the show, so it can be an open discussion again.
I no longer watch The View because of Rosie and have lost respect for Barbara Walter for supporting her. Rosie needs to be replaced.
I have stopped watching "The View" mainly because of Rosie and her BIG mouth. I am sorry that she is on the show now because I really loved watching it before. Now my friends and I watch things we have TIVOed the night before, so not a loss, we can catch up on things we enjoy seeing instead of this program that has lost it's appeal for all my friends and family. I feel the only reason people are still watching is to see which lie is being told today, or who is bashing who. What a waste of time.....
Barbara - PLEASE replace Rosie AND Elisabeth as soon as posible! Rosie has a very Big and offensive mouth and Elisabeth is very narrow minded and neither has ANYTHING to offer your viewers. YOU
and JOY are fantastic and always enjoyable and even in disagreement are great!