Follow on Twitter
Subscribe by RSS
A captivating tidbit from Friday morning Twitter: CNN anchor Chris Cuomo admitted he shows “deference” to all public officials whereas addressing their spokesperson. A couple of different journalists, together with Glenn Greenwald, pounced on him for the remark.
The alternate started out when an anonymous Twitter user lamented that Cuomo had acted “self-important” on Friday morning’s New Day through asking Vatican spokesman Greg Burke to send the convey’s regards to the Pope:
@ChrisCuomo @Pontifex When u ship personal regards to Pope, starting to sound self essential. Love u, hate this pattern.
— Karen Mallaber (@toughcook) August 8, 2014
Cuomo spoke back that it’s the “opposite” of shallowness:
.@toughcook it is the reverse of self-importance. i show deference to all officers when addressing their spox. dont learn into it.
— Chris Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) August 8, 2014
Journalist (and occasional Mediaite contributor) Michael Tracey noticed the tweet and, regardless of Cuomo’s warnings, learn into it:
CNN host @ChrisCuomo on his journalism philosophy: "i exhibit deference to all officials when addressing their spox" https://t.co/zd38jKwadu
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) August eight, 2014
Cuomo fired back that he simply intended he shows “respect for the office,” however Tracey honed in on the anchor’s extraordinary use of the word “deference”:
@ChrisCuomo You used the word "deference" — that suggests now not challenging their claims out of some perceived sense of propriety
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) August 8, 2014
Enter Greenwald, who mocked the CNN anchor:
Not satire: just incredibly candid RT @ChrisCuomo i convey deference to all officials when addressing their spox. (by way of @mtracey)
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) August 8, 2014
Cuomo stated not to read an excessive amount of into his words, however it’s difficult to keep away from when a TV big name is so candid. The media is normally supposed to act as a take a look at on authority, giving voice to the voiceless and speaking truth to energy in exposing wrongdoing or questioning motives. Recognize the administrative center, certain, however “deference” — i.e., humble submission? In all probability not the perfect phrase possibility.
The issue is that, as we see too often on cable information shows like Morning Joe, respectful deference to public officials virtually always turns into affection and possible protection.
Telling a Vatican spokesman to offer your regards to a formidable figure like the Pope is perhaps harking back to that; and also a bit of self-aggrandizing.
