‘A Little Bizarre’: Media Ethics Experts Question Scrubbing of Malia Obama Spring Break Story
- Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:32pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Story Highlights:
- White House admits to asking media outlets to scrub Malia Obama spring break story
- Media ethics experts see outlets’ response as “a little bizarre” and “outside of standard practice”
- Experts agree that a story clarification would have been a viable substitute to ensure the public’s trust in media
- Malia’s trip leads to a number of journalistic questions surrounding government resources and citizen safety
On Monday, a curious pattern was observed and documented on The Blaze. Stories about Malia Obama – Barack and Michelle Obama’s eldest daughter — and her purported spring break trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, were mysteriously disappearing from various outlets’ web sites.
President Obama with daughters Sasha (left) and Malia (right) (AP)
From The Telegraph to The Huffington Post, numerous news sites essentially deleted related stories, creating plenty of questions among observers. Following the removals, It didn’t take long for the Obama administration to admit to asking the media to scrub the stories. Earlier today, The Blaze spoke with Kelly McBride of The Poynter Institute and Jane E. Kirtley, a professor of media ethics and law at the University of Minnesota Law School, to gain expert insight on the ethics issues associated with this scenario.
(Related: White House Admits to Asking News Agencies to Pull Malia Obama Vacation Story)
As The Blaze has noted, the First Lady’s communications director, Kristina Schake, explained that the White House has requested, since the beginning of the Obama presidency, that the children not be photographed or reported on when they are without their parents. While this request is understandable, the sociopolitical situation in Mexico and the rapid removal of stories about Malia creates a litany of questions about media ethics and the appropriateness of outlets’ responses.
“It doesn‘t surprise me that the White House would request that journalists not cover the spring break of the president’s daughter,” McBride explained. “It surprises me that [outlets] would just take the stories down.”
Rather than simply removing the pieces, McBride said that the media could have replaced them with a note that fully explained that a decision had been made to respect the private affairs of Obama’s family members. The decision to remove them, she says, could potentially lead to public distrust.
(Related: Rick Santorum Reacts to Obama Allowing Daughter to Vacation in Mexico: ‘Set an Example’)
McBride also argues that the incident could “feed conspiracy theory,“ as the decision was ”outside of standard practice.” In she end, she contended that the removal “causes a different type of harm to the [news] organizations.”
“Part of the problem is that it leaves the audience wondering what type of power the Office of the President has over the media,” she continued. “I think that if you’re transparent and you say, ‘We’re not going to cover [Obama's] 13-year-old daughter’s trip to Mexico, but we are going to cover the president’s affiliations, associations, etc.,’ then I think the audience can have some sort of assuredness that the media loyalty remains with the audience and not with the president.”
Glenn Beck discussed his take on Malia’s trip on his radio show this morning:
Kirtley reflected these same sentiments, calling the removals “a little bizarre” and claiming that it is “virtually impossible” for media outlets to take something back once it’s been published. A correction, she agreed, would have been the best way to handle the situation.
“The piece that seems strange is that they’re removing the story. It isn’t so much that the White House yelled at them…that kind of back and forth between the media and the White House is common,” she explained. “For me, the question is, ‘Why did these news organizations take out the stories?‘ It’s an act of futility and I simply don’t see the justification of it.”
When asked if the media that did decide to keep the article online were violating any ethical standards by publishing the piece, McBride said that they were not, as the agreement that exists between media and the White House is an informal one. This “gentlemans’ agreement,” of course, is the notion that journalists will refrain from covering the president’s children in specified or compromising situations.
This morning, The Blaze’s Editor-in-Chief Scott Baker addressed the media ethics issues associated with this story on Beck’s radio show as well:
“It’s not written down anywhere and nobody signs a contract. Once a story is out there it’s impossible to figure out who would be governed by this gentleman’s agreement,” McBride explained. “I think it’s fine to enter into such agreements as long as members of the media can maintain their own independent judgment.”
In addition to questions surrounding the media‘s reaction to the White House’s “reminder,” as Schake referred to the government’s interactions with various outlets following reports about Malia, questions about a U.S. State Department travel warning have also run rampant.
In February, the government issued a warning to Americans that proclaimed that “homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery” are all currently serious risks when traveling throughout portions of Mexico. It is important to note there is currently no warning in effect for Oaxaca, the location where Malia purportedly visited (or is currently visiting), however, there have been concerns about that area in the past.
In speaking about the State Department warning, McBride seemed to indicate that it wasn’t enough, in itself, to definitively warrant a story. But she went on to explain that it is understandable for reporters to ask other viable questions about the practicality and cost of the trip.
“It is reasonable to ask if it is an appropriate use of resources to send 25 Secret Service agents to guard a 13-year-old in Mexico and her entourage,” she said.
Kirtley, though, did seem to think that the State Department angle could make for a legitimate journalistic discussion.
“To me, that’s a legitimate discussion. I respect the idea that children, as a general proposition, might need to be off limits. Not saying I agree with it, but I respect it,” she explained. “From the perspective about issues of safety for American citizens…I think this is a legitimate question about whether one of Obama’s children might be at risk…if they’re confident she’s not what steps are they taking to ensure her safety?”
In speaking specifically about journalistic ethics, Kirtley said that she personally sees no problem with reporters covering the fact that Obama’s daughter may have gone to Mexico with some friends.
“This is always tricky in the context in children,” she said. “There are different ways that one could approach the story. Would I be providing real time coverage about route of travel? Probably not. There’s no need to know those details.”
So it seems the question on experts‘ minds is why the media so willingly and quickly removed stories about President Obama’s daughter. With the collective journalistic enterprise in America acting as the nation’s Fourth Estate, this willingness, despite no official mandate governing relations between the press and federal government, does raise important questions.
This report follows another piece The Blaze published last year about the role of truth in investigative journalism.
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Comments (106)
shogun459
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:33pm“It doesn‘t surprise me that the White House would request that journalists not cover the spring break of the president’s daughter,” McBride explained. “It surprises me that [outlets] would just take the stories down.”
He obviously doesn‘t understand the ’Master / slave” dicotomy.
Report Post »Michael61
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:51pmWell, I have personally witnesssed the removal of many news stories depicting Our Dear Leader in unfavorable light…
Articles about his membership in Socialist Democrats of America? Gone, from Chicago Tribune, and Socialist Democrats web site, and from local newspaper. Now, instead of web pages, you will get only “404 page not found”.
Articles about his participation in the One Million Men March on Washigton? Gone, from Wikipedia, Biography.org, et cetera. Now, instead of saying that “Louis Farakkhan, Barack Obama, and Al Sharpton organized the march“ it says ”Louis Farakkhan and other black activists organized the march”.
Web pages are gone all over the Internet.
Report Post »johnpaulkuchtajr
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:08pmGee, how many 13 year olds fly off to Mexico on their personal, perpetual vacation schedule?
It’s not a security problem, it’s a perception problem that Obammie created by honoring himself at every turn with our money! How many lavish vacations? How many parties? He fiddles while the country burns in the flames of his treasonous, debt-financed spending of our grandchildren’s future.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:17pmDry run by obama and the White House.
They have now tested the loyalty and obedience of the news agencies.
(as though 4 years of campaigning on obama‘s behalf wasn’t evidence enough?)
What is scary, is, if news agencies will willingly pull THIS story down, what WON’T they pull down?
What will they omit? What will they cover up? What will they blatantly LIE about?
Should some absolutely career-ending, Anti-American evidence/proof about obama come to light, like, oh, a videotape of him giving a pro-communist, Anti-American speech, what would so-called “news” agencies do ?? Would they run it? Would they covet it up? Would they lie about it? Would the three-letter agencies scrub it off of YouTube?
Our broadcast networks have ceased fulfilling their function. As such, they should no longer be allowed to use publicly owned broadcast spectrum. As I understand it, they are a public service on the event of emergency, and in RETURN for that service, they are PERMITTED to use OUR frequencies. But, that permit must be renewed every so often. If complaints are lodged against them, the complaints are considered when considering whether or not to renew their permits. Failure to fulfill their duty to report the FACTS, might be a problem for them, if we submit formal complaints. This only applies to BROADCAST stations (ABC, CBS, NBC, etc.). It does not apply to cable.
Report Post »reired44
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:24pmAgain it’s do as I say not as I do, his whole presidency has been that way.
Report Post »Michael61
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:32pm@Tom
What would you call the membership in Socialist Democrats of America (the off-shot of the Communist Party of America)???
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:49pmOnly the 1% would send their underage children to other countries for an unsupervised vacation, right Occupy?
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 5:02pmI haven’t trusted the media since Walter Cronkite was around …
Besides the federal government, the state controlled media is the second biggest enemy the American people have.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 5:24pmWhy is it surprising? The media has pandered to this man since 2008. The L.A. Times refuses to release video footage of Obama praising Irael hating Rashid Khalidi. Why is this surprising? We‘re seeing the left allowing it’s mask to slip..that’s all.
Report Post »Plan B
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:31pmRemoving this story is just plain spooky. I have much more faith in the Blaze because they brought this out in the open quickly. I seem to remember the Bush girls getting alot of bad press while he was in office. Simply stating that Malia is in Mexico is not the type of thing that needs to be kept out of the news, especially when she is taking 25 ss members with her.
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:39pmFor someone who is trying to get Americans to eat HEALTHY, doesn’t it look like the First Lady has ADDED A FEW POUNDS IN THE THIGHS? I will just bet you that SHE SNEAKS BURGERS AND FRIES when no one is looking.
This Administration is so DECEITFUL IN EVERYTHING IT DOES. How could Obama EVER be re-elected EXCEPT THRU DECEIT.
I do NOT want those kids to be in harm’s way, no matter how I feel personally about this evil man and his evil wife.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 5:29pmIt was very creepy indeed. But it’s not unsual. I recall Yahoo news running an Associate Press story on the rebels in Libya where one was quoted as pleading “Bring Bush” in an effort to urge military support for the rebels. Drudge ran the story and the Yahoo page was flooded with Drudge readers making comments about how when push came to shove, Bush was seen as more effective than Obama by these elements. Not even an hour later, the quote from removed from the AP article. I witnessed it with my own eyes. No…this isn’t unsual for the leftist media to sanitize stories or entirely remove them in order to protect Obama.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:28pmThe President has been having photo ops and using the girls for different stories and to spread his agenda so what is wrong with one more.
Report Post »shogun459
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:36pmHe is better and smarter than the rest of us.
How dare you question his reasons, there is a camp with your name on it.
Report Post »2barbraw
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:28pmNot only erasing internet stories but re-writing history as well. A new report recently released will make your hair stand on end. This report solely about politics. it is about factual history being changed for political correctness. History that will affect generations to come and school children from the 6th – 12th grade. Everyone must read this report, even tho very extensive and covering 200 plus pages, everyone should read the first 15 pages just to sink your teeth into the meat of the report. http://www.howieunveilsgodsshield.com/EducationOrIndoctrinationMarch2012.pdf
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 5:06pmThank, I read this. Is it no wonder we have so many people who think Palestineans are victims and shout Zionism conspiracy everywhere? No I know why and how these people came to be.
Report Post »Fortunately, I was educated before this came to fruition.
GP100
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:24pmEveryone knows they (the MSM) are Obama’s lapdog. Is anyone surprised?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:13pmThe thing I have to wonder about is did the White House ASK or did they THREATEN?
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:24pmI don’t have to wonder, considering that Obama has never asked for anything. It’s always his way or the highway.
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:17pmIt would take a keen ear to discern the difference.
Report Post »Patriot
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:13pmBlaze, Please do a FOIA requst to find out exactly HOW these requests to pull the story went out. This is a thread that needs to be pulled.
Report Post »Thighmaster
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:12pmat least she won’t be having sex on the beach with all those SS agents. Now if that statement offends you it should just as you should be offended by schools handing out condoms to OUR 12 year olds..
Report Post »bigmel754
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:01pm“Part of the problem is that it leaves the audience wondering what type of power the Office of the President has over the media,” I am sure it past the wondering stage quite some time back, say 2008. I personally cannot understand how so many people with intelligence cannot see their role of being a pawn! It even flows down to our local news stations; I just quit watching.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:00pmWhen are we going to stop being surprised by the media operating without ethics.
Oh, and why the hell does a 13 year old need to “Spring Break” in Mexico?
Report Post »USPATRIOT101
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:00pmbarack will take this opportunity to grandstand and take shots at the flat earth society again.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:57pmObama’s act like royalty!
Report Post »Texan4ever
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:55pmThis administration is so dishonest and criminal, it’s breathtaking. Does the media really think they will have freedom of the press if he and his thugs succeed in turning our country into a dictatorship? They bow and scrape for obama, but did they refrain from attacking President Bush’s daughters? I think not. Warning to the media: be careful what you ask for, you might get it. Stupid suckers.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:53pmIt’s not bizarre at all – obama is a dictator – this is the sort of thing that dictators do.
If we are to survive as a nation, obama must be removed from power.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:52pmHow stupid is Obama and liberals in general??
Obama doesn’t want the media to know about his daughter vacationing in Mexico…which is a yawner of a story anyways…So he orders it pulled from the web.
Now the story is all about the story being pulled, and everybody will be talking about it all week! That’s brilliance right there! Another Nobel prize in the making…
Report Post »HumbleCitizen
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:51pm“Could lead to the mistrust of the media”???
Too late. Waaaaayyyyyy too late.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:55pmAmen!
OMG 2012!
Report Post »Kinnison
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:49pmThe State Department says that Mexico isn’t safe for Americans to vacation… Oh, wait—it’s fine if the taxpayers can afford to send 25 Secret Service agents with you to protect you. Nothing to see here. Just about every 13 year-old girl gets to go to Mexico on Spring Break along with her closest friends and a 25-agent security posse…
Report Post »yellowhair3
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:48pmI have to question the judgement of a leader who puts our troups in harms way putting his daughter and twelve of her friends in harms way in the unstable country of Mexico.
Report Post »aggiebrewer
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:38pmtroops…just sayin
Report Post »Mapache
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:48pmDoesn’t Obama drag out his children whenever it is convenient for him? He brought them into the Fluke kerfuffle about wanting to protect them….wouldn’t sending his daughter to Mexico in the face of what is going on there be an issue. By the way, who is the adult supervision being provided by? I hope it is not the US Secret Service as it not their job. It would have made more sense for a 13 year old to stay in the USA. Sometimes being President means that you cannot (or should not) do everything that everyone else does.
Report Post »Diablo4965
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:48pmSounds like this should be reported to CPS what kind of parents would send their 13 year old child to one of the dangerest countrys in the world without one of them being present.
Report Post »Thighmaster
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:09pmThere are enough muslims in Mexico to protect one of their own..
Report Post »Economist
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:47pmI think it is important to find out how the Administration “told’ the news agencies to can the story. With the Governement, it is always a “gun under the table negotiation”
It could have been like Obama says:
“Remove the story… We have a lot of extra IRS agents ready for your taxes…. if you don’t.”
This would be a violation of our constitution. And the President should be arrested.
Report Post »Just in time
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:46pmCan you say shifty and underhanded
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:42pmObama, MSM and ethics?
OMG 2012!
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:56pm“Obama, MSM and ethics?”
Report Post »—————————————-
LOL! Using those three in a sentence together just caused my brain to crash into its own “blue screen of death”…Recovery will take awhile…
yellowhair3
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:41pmClose to censorship.The pigs are starting to walk on their back legs.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:47pmAwesome comment….’on their back legs.’…classic!!
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:37pmOf course, they don’t want those Fast and Furious weapons to be turned on their own! Have to keep this vacation QUIET, since Obama says he FEELS the pain of people who can’t afford GAS to get to work! WORK… he should TRY that sometime! Hard to JUSTIFY the expense of this little jaunt for his daughter and her TWELVE friends. He is busy taking time out from vacationing to campaign! haha
Report Post »Ann
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:52pmWe also get the Privilege of paying for the 25 Secret Service people who are covering them.
Report Post »At least she is learning to take many vacations. Her mamma should be proud! She taught her well.