( - promoted by ctblogger)
WNPR interviewed Joe Lieberman this morning about his new book about the Sabbath. It was a predictable, yet still sad, cream puff interview by John Dankosky. Mr. Dankosky only permitted questions from listeners that were related to Lieberman's book, and with one exception only asked Lieberman about the Sabbath, and his views on religion. The interview was virtually devoid of tough questions: no question about why he sold out the public option; why he questioned whether Obama was a socialist; why he attended the Republican national convention and questioned Obama's commitment to America. Nada.
The only political question came at the very end of the program, and it was pretty tame: Dankosky asked Lieberman about his statement after meeting with Qadaffi in Libya that Libya and America shared common enemies, and whether the U.S. had intended to arm Libya. And it only left Lieberman a short period of time to answer. So no possible damage.
Is this ethical? Did Dankosky agree to limit questions only to Lieberman's new book? Is it non-profit public broadcasting's job to help Lieberman sell books? If Lieberman refused to come on unless the discussion was solely about his book, shouldn't Dankosky have refused the interview? Dankosky has done this before. A previous interview did not permit call-in questions.
Contrast this cream puff interview with Dankosky/WNPR's treatment of Lieberman's erstwhile opponent Ned Lamont during last year's gubernatorial race. Dankosky unilaterally declared that WNPR would be holding a debate on air, and if Lamont refused to show up, Dankosky would give the full hour to Malloy. He then proceeded to repeatedly lambast Lamont for not agreeing to participate, waxing indignant about the importance of public debate and the people's right to know. Of course, Dankosky had never demanded that Lieberman show up for an on-air debate with Lamont in 2006 when Lieberman refused to debate except for the one time. And he never raised Cain over the previous governor's refusal to even be interviewed on WNPR.
So it might be me, but there seems to be a double standard at play at WNPR. Let's be clear: WNPR has permitted exactly one Democratic commentator to come on their show: Bill Curry, while several conservatives have made appearances. No minority voices are brought on as rwegular commentators. Politics, Burgers & Beer refuses to bring on a Democrat to comment on Connecticut politics.
Is this fair and balanced? Was this sort of whitewashed interview with Lieberman really ethical? Should Dankosky and WNPR demanded that Lieberman answer questions about all aspects of politics, and not just served as a PR outlet to push book sales? I believe so. |
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