Ex-ABC News Head Westin Defends Ban on American Flag Pins Even in 9/11 Aftermath
Appearing as a guest on Sunday's Reliable Sources on CNN to plug his book, Exit Interview, former ABC News president David Westin recounted his decision to continue barring journalists from wearing American flag lapel pins on air even after the 9/11 attacks, and ended up defending his decision. Westin: (Video at bottom)
And we'd long had a policy at ABC News that we wouldn't let people wear any lapel pins of any sort, the theory being that when you're reporting the news, you should be reporting the news, not taking a position.
And I said quickly, "We're going to stick with our policy and stand by that." And I believe to this day that was the right decision.
In October 2001, Westin's desire to be neutral about the 9/11 attacks went so far that he advised a group of students at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism that it was important that he as a journalist should not have a "position" about whether it was "right or wrong" to attack the Pentagon.
Asked by a student, "Do you believe the Pentagon was a legimate military target, even if the missile was not?" Westin responded:
The Pentagon as a legitimate target? I actually don't have an opinion on that, and it's important I not have an opinion on that as I sit here in my capacity right now. The way I conceive my job running a news organization, and the way I would like all the journalists at ABC News to perceive it, is there is a big difference between a normative position and a positive position. Our job is to determine what is, not what ought to be, and, when we get into the job of what ought to be, I think we're not doing a service to the American people.
I can say the Pentagon got hit, I can say this is what their position is, this is what our position is, but for me to take a position this was right or wrong, I mean, that's perhaps for me in my private life, perhaps it's for me dealing with my loved ones, perhaps it's for my minister at church. But, as a journalist, I feel strongly that's something that I should not be taking a position on. I'm supposed to figure out what is and what is not, not what ought to be.
The then-president of ABC later apologized after the MRC drew attention to his words.
Westin, in an email to the MRC in October 2001:
I was wrong. I gave an answer to journalism students to illustrate the broad, academic principle that all journalists should draw a firm line between what they know and what their personal opinion might be.
Upon reflection, I realized that my answer did not address the specifics of September 11. Under any interpretation, the attack on the Pentagon was criminal and entirely without justification. I apologize for any harm that my misstatement may have caused.
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Comments
And what 'position' is
Submitted by ant on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 1:27pm.
And what 'position' is wearing a flag lapel pin taking? That you're an American or that you love and appreciate the freedom and liberty that America was founded on? Can't have that, can we? Let's get rid of last names too, they certainly reveal a 'position' and we don't want that getting in the way of the media's well-known 'blank-slate' objectivism.
Not for America but totally
Submitted by pilgrim4jc on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 1:37pm.
Not for America but totally in the tank for Obama-land.
Self-Righteous Liar
Submitted by stratman on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 2:10pm.
Under Westin's leadership, ABC took "positions" by virtue of the stories they reported, or not reported, as well as the wording or emphasis of those stories.
If Westin had ABC do straight-up news without the activism then he would have a point. But that didn't happen and the bias is even worse now.
Westin may believe the crap from his piehole, or pretends and wants us to believe people do not notice the charade he and his fellow Leftists are scamming America with, but it's not working like it did for so many years now that there are independent media sources, particularly the internet.
What a creep.
Strat, it's a classic dissembling game played by liberals.
Submitted by drsamherman on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 6:56pm.
In the fuzzy-valued world of the liberal, they can say anything they want and later deny. Whether the dog ate the nuclear codes, the same grandma died four times or they have their fingers crossed behind their back, it is the same gambit. They don't mean a damn thing they say, they don't live up to their word and the certainly don't have any sense of personal responsibility as witnessed over and over and over ad nauseam.
If you cite their words back to them, it's "hate". If you answer what the three colors of the flag are they will call "racist!" when you get to the "white" part. If you tell them they have violated an agreement, the reasons for doing so will never be based on logic, but always on emotion. And make that stunted, inappropriate or conflated emotion at that.
Westin, like all other liberals, is not sorry that he did it. He has no capacity to be sorry for anything, nor does he take any personal responsibility for injury or insult that his words or deeds might have done. He was sorry he was caught and he is sorry he can't retaliate for that.
Sam
Submitted by stratman on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 7:12pm.
When were you in Cleveland consulting on one of my relatives? Next time let's get together. ;-)
Most kidding aside, you just summed up at least half of Cleveland.
Rubbish
Submitted by misterbee241 on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 2:23pm.
..
Pinhead or Patriot??
Submitted by Paul G on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 2:47pm.
You be the judge...lol
Liberals are Liberals first, Patriotic Americans second or third
Submitted by Rush Fan on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 3:47pm.
or fourth or......
Westin reminds me of two other disgraceful, unpatriotic Leftist journalist, Peter Jennings and Mike Wallace. In the late 1980s, public television had a series called Ethics in America. One particular segment,"Under Orders, Under Fire," clearly highlights the lack of patriotism of Leftist journalist.
James Fallows in Why We Hate the Media describes the ethical scenario of Under Orders, Under Fire. Here is a portion of the disgraceful VIDEO of Wallace and Jennings.
Author and Conservative Talk Radio host Dennis Prager provided an excellent description for why those on the Left behave dishonorably: "Leftism, though secular, must be understood as a religion (which is why I have begun capitalizing it). The Leftist value system’s hold on its adherents is as strong as the hold Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have on theirs."
You can watch the video of the complete two part series Under Orders, Under Fire HERE. If you use AdBlock, turn it off, as the video is in a popup window.
Westin
Submitted by mmilesll on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 3:35pm.
This guy is making the rounds trying to sell his book, bottom line, he is a lib just like the rest of the LSM.
TRAITOR!
Submitted by Herbster on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 5:20pm.
Vidkun Quisling lives! Mata Hari lives! Axis Sally lives! Lord Haw Haw lives! Joseph Goebbels lives! They are all alive and well and working for the administration's propaganda arm known as the state run media here in the USA. I saw this mealy-mouthed leftist being interviewed by O'Smiley on Fox News. You know, one of O'Smiley's "Tough" interviews. What a joke - no tough questions here....O'Smiley spent most of the time talking about himself - as usual. Westin sounds like Mike Wallace - when Wallace was asked if he saw the enemy preparing to ambush our troops, woulld he give that info to our men? The answer was "No, I'm a "Journalist" and don't take sides." I would call it being a traitor. I remember the flag pin flap after 9/11. Wasn't brokaw one of the media scum who wouldn't wear a flag didn't "Want it to appear he was taking sides." I wonder if he, and all his ilk, would "Take sides" if they learned of a plot for people to break into their homes and kill their families? Would they "Take sides" and call the police, or would they, after the fact, state they did not call the police since they were "Journalists?"
This Westin creature, and all his leftist, America hating buddies are a disgrace to humanity. Journalism, TRUE journalism, is truly dead - and propaganda spouted by empty suit and empty skirt enablers has taken its place.
Pray for our n
He's right
Submitted by proudamerican1990 on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 9:03pm.
You shouldn't take a position.
But America isn't a position.
Don't need or want you
Submitted by Andrew H. on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 8:04am.
Don't need or want you Westin... clown disguised as a "journalists."
The so-called mainstream media is the propaganda arm of the criminal DNC.
TheLoudDreamer
Submitted by TheLoudDreamer on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 5:59pm.
Even wearing certain clothing that admits you support something, a policy or public figure, is merely stating WHAT IS. It is stating the fact that you suport them, as surely as you report on the news that this guy supports that and that guy supports this. First, ignore the fact that they obviously have positions on everything, just like every one else AND that they never hesitate to let that color their reporting. Focus on this: If news anchors aren't allowed to show anything about who they are and what they believe, they aren't allowed to wear earings, since the morality of puncturing your body for nom medical reasons is disputed in some small circles and they are taking a stand by wearing them. They should have to wear ski mask on air, since their expressions give them away. They should TYPE or use electronic voices whenever they want to talk since their tones are too colorful, too supportive or disaproving or confused or affimative. They shouldn't be allowed to admit they are Americans, since the only thing that wearing a flag dose is show they have an attachment of some sort to America which is far more vauge than saying it is your birthplace. You shouldn't be allowed to wear a tie, since it purpetuates the idea that one needs to wear clothes that are in tune with your work enviroment and sutible to your occupation, which many youngsters are fighting today. Or even casual clothes, since that is rebelling against the dignified and air of being a go between for the comman man and the states man. They should be naked, nothing but a ski mask. They need the ski mask (because of expressions and) so that they don't appear to side with nudists.