PC Journalism?

By: Daren Copely
College Press Staff Writer

    Has journalism changed in America? Is every word that a reporter utters a potential career ender if taken the wrong way, or is this the poetic justice to a career that scrutinizes everyone else's words for that ultimate story? Should people relax or should the way they speak be monitored for those who are sensitive to specific diction?

    As College Press reported earlier, In a recent report, MSNBC’s David Shuster mentioned, on a live television broadcast, that Hillary Clinton was “Pimping out her daughter.” Referring to how Hillary has been allowing her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, to stump for her in recent campaign rallies. This comment received massive scrutiny and subsequently caused Shuster to be suspended from his position at MSNBC indefinitely.

    Viewer reaction has been mixed on the issue. Should the public allow such language about a potential president of the United States?

    “I think this is stupid.  Relax and watch TV. If someone doesn’t like what is said, he can change the channel,” said Brian Kenwell.

    “Who cares, if I don’t like it. I don’t watch it,” said Alison Krieg.

    Has America become a nation of overly sensitive consumers? A litigious nation of bleeding ears who shout from the rooftops on how certain language should never be in the public realm?

    In 2007, Nationally syndicated radio host Don Imus mentioned that Rutgers’ girls Basketball team looked like ‘Nappy headed hoes.” In 2002 Fox News Channel’s main daytime anchor Shepard Smith said that fans of Jennifer Lopez were “more likely to give her a curb job than a blow job.” Imus was fired Smith was not. There have been a myriad of ‘slips’ on national feeds and as many lawsuits to follow them.


    As young journalists, you have thoughts. Send them to stories@thecollegepress.com