Editorial: It's time for the networks to stop live broadcast of Trump's briefings

[douglas9]

The president’s daily Coronavirus Task Force presentations have morphed into a beast that bears no resemblance to the informative crisis briefings they were originally intended to be. Once managed by a composed and eloquent Vice President Mike Pence, they are now the vehicle for the uninterrupted rambling and factually suspect musings of President Donald Trump. Whenever other officials speak, as if by command, their first-spoken words typically are in praise of Trump’s decisive, bold, courageous leadership. If the crisis weren’t so serious, the scene would be comedy material.

It’s time for the major television news networks to abide by their own professional standards and cease live broadcasts of Trump’s briefings.

He has less of an interest in keeping the public informed or helping beleaguered cities than in ensuring the spotlight stays on him. Aid dispensed must include praise and thanks to Trump. He erupts merely upon being questioned about his words not matching his deeds, or his words not matching the facts.

State governors who fail to properly acknowledge Trump’s decisive, bold, courageous leadership will risk being placed at the back of the line for federal assistance. Woe to the journalist who dares read back the president’s own words to him and ask for accountability.

https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-its-time-for-the-networks-to-stop-live-broadcast-of-trumps-briefings/article_5754dc67-bcfc-5638-a0c4-012a92598998.html

[Iliyah]

1. Amen . . .

It's in your face no concerns for the American people and look at me I'm perfect and everybody else is at fault.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. I would agree, but it seems like a tough decision...

The press, in general, has a lot to lose pissing off the president-like-object.

It's not just these stupid public events, but access to anyone in or around the White House, could be reduced, which can stop basic reporting or information gathering. Reporters spend months, or years, building relationships to get little pieces of the puzzle to put together.

You don't think that Natasha Bertrand wakes up in the morning to find those scoops slipped under her door, do you? Even if they are slipped to her a la "Woodstein's" parking lot revelations, she had to work for that trust.

(Oh, btw, the women have to work twice as hard to avoid the "what she did to get that" smirks. Even if some of them did that.)

One of my fondest wishes is that at one of the more outrageous Trumpian lies the entore WH press corps rises as one and yells "BULLSHIT!" But that just ain't gonna happen. We have seen what happens to reporters who show even a little spine.

[lagomorph777]

5. Access to the WH has nothing to do with information-gathering; it's a fact-free zone.

It has to do with looking important on TV. To me, WH reporters look like people wasting airtime, not important or cool at all.

Natasha Bertrand, as far as I can see, wastes no time on such nonsense; she uses less visible sources and methods. There are many more like her, producing great information rather than wasting time in the White House.

[mitch96]

3. One of my local stations is already doing this

Then at the next news broadcast they show the highlights of the briefings minus the lies...
I guess they have the fact checkers go over it and "sanitize" it..
m

[lagomorph777]

4. "the informative crisis briefings they were originally intended to be" ...?

WTF? They were never intended to be anything but a MAGAt rally full of lies and blaming.

[Rebl2]

6. Absolutely!

A couple of our local stations will show maybe 20 minutes then go back to our local news. If he has to do these, I wish he would do it at 2pm and quit messing with our local news!

[dreamland]

7. I disagree he should co to use with his pressers but the media

Should also be putting up numbers infected and numbers dead alongside his ramblings. Let the American people see him for what he really is. Right now, it's all one-sided, his side and no one hears the other side. We need media to be unbiased.

[Paladin]

8. YES! Enough of these pointless, thinly-disguised campaign rallies. (nt)

[Haggis for Breakfast]

9. Exactly, he couldn't attend any of his red-meat

to the drooling crowds rallies, so now he's using this platform to bloviate.

It would be one thing if he was dispensing helpful information and facts. But, honestly, how many times has he used these things to tell us how "horrible" President Obama was ??

[Martin Eden]

10. Responsible journalism does NOT spread misinformation

Cover the press briefings, but televise it afterwards with whatever useful information it contains.

Also, be sure to fact check the statements of this POtuS to ensure that misinformation is corrected.