Who Is Off Limits?

By: Daren Copely
College Press Staff Writer

    With the political season in full steam and the families of candidates propelling themselves into the spotlight in order to help the campaigns of loved ones, who is off limits to the media? Should the media focus solely on the candidates themselves and give their families and friends involved a pass on criticism or should anyone and everyone be fair game to the local and national press?

    Recently MSNBC host David Shuster was the victim of national media damage control when he was suspended from his position with the media giant. NBC corporate released this statement about the controversy:

    "On Thursday's "Tucker" on MSNBC, David Shuster, who was serving as guest-host of the program, made a comment about Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton campaign that was irresponsible and inappropriate. Shuster, who apologized this morning on MSNBC and will again this evening, has been suspended from appearing on all NBC News broadcasts, other than to make his apology. He has also extended an apology to the Clinton family. NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks.” –NBC
    
         The Webster Dictionary term for ‘pimping’ is: "One who solicits customers for a prostitute or a brothel, usually in return for a share of the earnings.” So does Shuster mean that Chelsea is actually sleeping with people to help her mother’s campaign?

    “Of course he didn’t mean she was sleeping with people to help her mom’s campaign,” said media consumer Debbie Osisek. “We are smart Americans and we should be able to tell what to take as literal on the news.”

    But, others who watch network news on a daily basis disagree and feel that it was well deserved.

    “He thought he was being cool. He is not a stupid man and he knew that this would cause controversy,” said MSNBC viewer Shelley Halverson.

    With the shock value diluted in today’s culture should Shuster’s comments even register in our minds? If these comments were said thirty years ago, would the reaction have been the same?