Video: Former CNN reporter says Roesgen should apologize
posted at 12:55 pm on April 22, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Danny Glover continues looking at the strange debate that Susan Roesgen initiated at the Chicago Tea Party while she was supposed to be covering it, and reports for Accuracy in Media that even her colleagues in the media think she crossed the line. Former CNN reporter Eileen O’Connor, who now trains people to work in national media, says that Roesgen owes an apology to her interview subjects for rudeness and unprofessional behavior:
A former CNN reporter who served in key national and international reporting roles today criticized the network and Chicago-based reporter Susan Roesgen for their coverage of last week’s “tea party” in Chicago.
Eileen O’Connor, who is now a Washington-based lawyer and media trainer, said Roesgen’s on-camera confrontation with two protesters “crossed a journalistic line.”
“She needs to apologize,” O’Connor said of Roesgen. “She crossed a line. She crossed a journalistic line. … She was rude to people she was interviewing. I think there’s no excuse for that.”
O’Connor makes a good point here about the rebuttal coming from Roesgen’s defenders, in essence that she got antagonistic because protesters were mean to Roesgen and uncomplimentary to CNN. First, a seasoned reporter should have expected some of that, but more to the point, O’Connor notes that journalists reporting from riots and war don’t get this indignant. On the scale of provocations in the field, a chant of “CNN sucks” ranks pretty low.
Speaking of CNN, O’Connor also agrees that her former employers are doing everything they can to botch the response. A simple apology for Roesgen’s unprofessionalism would have cost them nothing and ended the story. Instead, CNN has gone into full Nixon mode, trying to kill off the video from YouTube and putting Roesgen out of reach on “vacation”. If Roesgen was unprofessional, then CNN is being childish and self-defeating. Maybe they should rehire O’Connor to train some of their executives.
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Ain’t. Gonna. Happen.
Knucklehead on April 22, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Rude?
cons are rude to me everyday.
They should apologize too.
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Oh my, a journalist with integrity. Momentarily restores my faith in the profession.
sherry on April 22, 2009 at 1:01 PM
It’s very likely she was harassed just by showing up with a CNN emblem… unless conservatives join the journalism project then they deserve what they get…
http://www.americasfuture.org/doublethink/2008/05/19/electric-kool-aid-conservatism/
ninjapirate on April 22, 2009 at 1:01 PM
See Knucklehead @ 12:59PM
sherry on April 22, 2009 at 1:01 PM
getalife… I am sorry… so so damned stupid!
upinak on April 22, 2009 at 1:02 PM
It was on Beck’s show yesterday, so there’s no way CNN can squelch it out now.
BadgerHawk on April 22, 2009 at 1:04 PM
To apologize in their minds would be to validate the tea parties in particular and their supporters’ concerns about Obama’s economic plans in general. That’s not going to happen because it upsets the talking points for CNN (and others) that all this is just staged events by a bunch of redneck racists being led around by Fox News merely to attract ratings.
jon1979 on April 22, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Perfect example of victim and entitlement mentality.
canditaylor68 on April 22, 2009 at 1:04 PM
You start every post with an insult towards somebody, if not everybody.
Then you get whinny when people are rude to you.
Yup, typical liberal.
MarkTheGreat on April 22, 2009 at 1:05 PM
If MSDNC & Katie “fecal measurement” Couric couldn’t mock the messenger then how would the CauseKidz have message boards and Keify UberdouchemanN do their, um, er, uh, “news” programs. “Come on Eileen,” get with the program…….
Branch Rickey on April 22, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Does Bill O ever apologize for shouting over guests, cutting mics or ambushing people?
No, give it a rest cons and man up.
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Dry your tears, moron! :p
Branch Rickey on April 22, 2009 at 1:06 PM
She was only doing what she knew CNN wanted…
d1carter on April 22, 2009 at 1:07 PM
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Well since I’m not a journalist (which is the point of the post) let me make you feel at home by being rude you to you and asking you to shut up, please!
catmman on April 22, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Here, let me be the first to issue an apology.
I’m so sorry that you’re an ObamaCo drone.
There, I feel so much better now.
44Magnum on April 22, 2009 at 1:07 PM
you love it, otherwise you would stay away. But saying “cons” is rude too, k? jackass <- term of endearment for DemocRats.
kirkill on April 22, 2009 at 1:08 PM
This is just a matter of someone who is a light weight and as I said once, should be only sent out to cover bake sales and bike races.
seymour on April 22, 2009 at 1:09 PM
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Interesting how you view facts as rudeness. But, then again anytime a lib is corrected they always assume the “victim” position.
milwife88 on April 22, 2009 at 1:09 PM
“Journalist” – just another term that has been dumbed-down in the America of today. Like “hero” and “honor student,” the term has no meaning now.
If she’s a “journalist,” I’ve left footprints on the moon.
OhEssYouCowboys on April 22, 2009 at 1:09 PM
I usually just read these threads and don’t comment too often…but why do you guys even acknowledge this troll? He highjacks threads all the time. His comments are off topic and asinine, it’s not like he’s providing some difference of opinion with any merit. Do what you want obviously, I just don’t know why you bother with him at all.
hollygolightly on April 22, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Branch Rickey on April 22, 2009 at 1:10 PM
CNN should be thanking the tea party attendees. They have probably had more traffic from their rudeness than they ever would have gotten from not showing up at all. Maybe that was their plan in the first place.
canditaylor68 on April 22, 2009 at 1:10 PM
can’t take the heat? stay outta the kitchen.
homesickamerican on April 22, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I asked the same thing, yesterday. I guess that it’s some kind of symbiotic relationship. The misfit needs the attention, and the people here need to give it to him.
I, for one, don’t understand it.
OhEssYouCowboys on April 22, 2009 at 1:11 PM
getajob, Bill O is not a reporter, there’s a big difference. Same as Keith Olberdouche.
kirkill on April 22, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Hi, Liar!
Maybe they would not be rude if you weren’t a liar and you didn’t claim they were racist! Just a thought!
___________
She shouldn’t apologize. She should be fired.
Spirit of 1776 on April 22, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Only when his guests spin and try to insult our intelligence, like you do on a daily basis.
Del Dolemonte on April 22, 2009 at 1:12 PM
If a reporter had been covering a gay pride parade and started proselytizing the people she was interviewing about the sins of their lifestyle, you know they’d be fired or relegated to spell-checking or something. I don’t see why this is any different. The oft-vaunted “independence” and “objectivity” of today’s media is obviously just a convenient canard behind which they can hide their activism.
Socratease on April 22, 2009 at 1:13 PM
I wonder if Susan Roesgen has ever heard of Bill Stewart. Somehow, I don’t think her travails compare.
Mr. D on April 22, 2009 at 1:13 PM
spin and try to insult our intelligence, like you
do on a daily basis.just did.Del Dolemonte on April 22, 2009 at 1:12 PM
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Okay, glad I’m not the only one then. Having an intelligent conversation with someone who disagrees with you is one thing, it can actually be fun, but this getalife person is just a parroting bore.
hollygolightly on April 22, 2009 at 1:14 PM
I think the biggest irony of that video was when she said that the tea parties weren’t for family viewing. This coming on the same day that her own network was making hundreds of tea-bagging jokes.
jbohanon on April 22, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Just think, a Socialist masquerading as a “watchdog” over a Socialist government.
That is the “media” and “journalist” of today.
OhEssYouCowboys on April 22, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Socratease on April 22, 2009 at 1:13 PM
+1, spot on, just another case in the growing pile of biased reporting that is defended as being unbiased as specified in the Orwellian Double Speak bible that is liberalism.
kirkill on April 22, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Normally, I would wholly agree.
But in this case, I answer this troll to show it a mirror. It’s not even a troll, actually. Just a liar.
Spirit of 1776 on April 22, 2009 at 1:16 PM
You spelled honest wrong.
lorien1973 on April 22, 2009 at 1:17 PM
getalife, Bill O is not a reporter. He is a commentator – hired to voice his opinion. There is a difference between a reporter and a commentator. But, I’m sure you already knew that.
Conservative_SAHM on April 22, 2009 at 1:17 PM
This incident just goes to show that the media have abandoned all pretense of fairness and balance. They have given themselves over to rank partisanship and apparently feel that everyone, or at least the vast majority, is a lefty now and that it’s open season on anyone they can identify as coming from the right. Just like the real estate market, when everyone comes to believe rising prices will never end — the fall is near. Their fall is near and they don’t even have a clue.
littleguy on April 22, 2009 at 1:17 PM
She was beyond rude, she was loud and she was in the face of a man holding a two-year-old. Not only that, but she interrupted him after allowing him to speak for about 10 seconds and then had the audacity to tell the lady who stood up for the tea partiers there was no need to be so antagonistic?? I think the lady that confronted her was excellent, but instead of asking her if she was just acting stupid, maybe she should’ve asked her if she thought we were stupid. The whole act was just so transparent.
hollygolightly on April 22, 2009 at 1:18 PM
i.e. I’m just serving as it’s proverbial scarlet letter.
Spirit of 1776 on April 22, 2009 at 1:18 PM
liberalism = envy
Keep it simple / keep it real
Ris4victory on April 22, 2009 at 1:20 PM
This is true, but we all know libs run on feeeeeelings, not facts ;)
hollygolightly on April 22, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Good point. CNN is having a hard time figuring out their story, let alone keeping it straight.
sherry on April 22, 2009 at 1:20 PM
This con was rude and should apologize using con logic:
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:20 PM
I am truly sorry that it sucks being you.
Feel better?
jdkchem on April 22, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Will your mother apologize for hatching you?
jdkchem on April 22, 2009 at 1:22 PM
You are right, as usual.
Spirit of 1776 on April 22, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Typical liberal… “It’s all about me!”
dominigan on April 22, 2009 at 1:24 PM
It’s futile. Those on the left are wholly incapable of drawing appropriate analogies. Add to that their unwillingness to own up to facts, and you’re left with nothing but an exercise of futility.
This reporter (not commentator) clearly didn’t understand the purpose of these Tea Parties. Three (or so sentences) into the subjects response, she launched into her nitwit advocacy of the puny $400 “tax cut” (read “welfare transfer payment”). What’s a puny welfare payment when the Congress is spending wildly on non-stimulus Left agenda items and unaccountable bailouts? I think most protesters would trade a functioning economy for Obama’s $400 worth of cotton candy.
Sorry, maybe too many in the lowest economic rungs have bought into the Dem line. I’m hoping that the middle class wakes before they get sucked into the welfare state.
BuckeyeSam on April 22, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Something about that is just so Python-esque!
jdkchem on April 22, 2009 at 1:25 PM
An apology?
From Roesgen?
Would be worth as much as a Zimbabwe dollar…if not less.
Perhaps the Nation, and the media, would be best served if Roesgen merely found another career path.
Tico Taco is hiring.
coldwarrior on April 22, 2009 at 1:28 PM
I know we’re “better” than sites like DKos and DU, but enough is enough.
Ban this troll. If getalife were here for honest discourse, there’d be honest discourse. Instead, he lobs bombs with the expected result.
Red Cloud on April 22, 2009 at 1:28 PM
No mention that the con you narrated was a citizen – not media, entitled to express his opinion. Roesgen is a REPORTER who is supposed to be nonpartisan in her approach. She was not. Try to keep up.
Conservative_SAHM on April 22, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Red Cloud on April 22, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Whaaaa!
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Next to “duh” that’s the smartest thing you’ve ever written.
lorien1973 on April 22, 2009 at 1:31 PM
She was clearing seeking out folks who would say something like this. Still, it’s somewhat ironic, given the similar characterizations of President Bush in the media and amongst main-stream lefties. Now Obama wants show trials for former members of the Bush administration — do you lefty nutjobs realize how offensive, not to mention third-worldish, that is? Any idea what-so-ever?
littleguy on April 22, 2009 at 1:31 PM
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Perhaps the guy would have explained why he thinks what bhe does if the “reporterette” hadn’t cut him off and moved on to another person?
Which is the whole point behind the post and behind the problem people have with this CNN hack?
catmman on April 22, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Good luck finding one on gop news.
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:31 PM
You mean when Fox News showed up in Denver trying to cover the DNC Convention?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D74Xs1VuYAE (Language Warning)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDGhs_LN7Fk (Language Warning)
Compare that to Roesgen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zNbWtl4wgM
Funny, I have to warn people about the liberals language where the conservatives are calm and actually try to talk to Roesgen about how wrong she is. Interesting comparison.
Unfit For The Internet on April 22, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Wouldn’t it be nice?
It’s not about discourse, anymore. It’s about traffic.
Spirit of 1776 on April 22, 2009 at 1:33 PM
getalife How about you go getaskin…
I am sure you would FEEL better if people who attended the T.E.A. Parties were in a camp somewhere. Tough. We are here and we are not going away. It will be my pleasure to get in your face everytime I can.
Kuffar on April 22, 2009 at 1:33 PM
While the person didn’t have an answer – and he should’ve – he was correct in his assertion.
The economic component of fascism is State control over the private sector. When you inject the private sector with monies which are to be confiscated from the taxpayers, you are doing so with strings attached. Those strings include demands for the restructuring of production and contracts, all of which should be controlled by the market, not the State.
Obama is a Fascist, because he desires State control over private industry.
OhEssYouCowboys on April 22, 2009 at 1:35 PM
The topic in this thread is Roesgen and her inability to be objective. If you would like to open up a new thread about the objectivity of another network, email the mods and ask for one. Otherwise, stick to the topic at hand.
Was Roesgen nonpartisan in her approach?
Conservative_SAHM on April 22, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Ain’t. Gonna. Happen.
Maybe when everyone virtually disappears from HA, maybe someone will wake up and see the damage that this turd getaclue is causing.
Knucklehead on April 22, 2009 at 1:35 PM
When Sarah Palin answers a question wrong – Republicans immediately scramble to jump off her wagon.
When Trent Lott says nice words about an elderly man at his birthday party – Republicans denounce him and remove him from his leadership in the Senate.
When Bill Clinton Lies to a Grand Jury – Republicans fire Sen Bob Livingston to attone for it.
But you people are crazy to think the Dem’s will do that stuff – they ELEVATE their corruption and deceipt.
This woman will be a high ranking member of the Obama administration soon. Maybe even WH Press Secretary.
HondaV65 on April 22, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Apologize? How about Roesgen resign. That would be a more effective action to send a message to journalists: if you are a reporter, report only or get out.
Mallard T. Drake on April 22, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Much like most “cons” I know, I am typically polite and respectful to strangers in public, unless a person shows him/herself to be a loud, overbearing jackass, at which time I tend to go over them like a Honda Mower. With that said, I’m guessing we’ve met, and you found me to be rude.
Patrick S on April 22, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Stop whining, man up and debate.
As long as there is gop news, bias is fair game.
You can’t have it both ways cons.
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Yep. I think calling it rude or unprofessional is hiding the actual nature of Roesgen’s bias. If you call a Hitler with horns mask a Bush look-alike and act like she did at the protest, it’s clear she’s doing something quite purposefully. Comparing it to being hit and pushed during a riot is not the same.
I’m just not that impressed with Eileen O’Connor’s criticism.
MamaAJ on April 22, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Thank you dear ;)
hollygolightly on April 22, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Perhaps a blow hard trying to act tough.
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Bingo. I, for one, am sick of a Daily Kos misfit hijacking Hot Air threads. Of course, this is what the misfit wants to have happen. To the extent that Hot Air regulars give him attention, he will continue to hijack Hot Air threads, and to that extent, I will be closer to finding another site to post on.
That’s not a threat. Hot Air regulars are free to do what they will on this site. I’m just saying that I’m tired of seeing one misfit posting 20 posts per thread, because he’s been given the attention justifying same.
OhEssYouCowboys on April 22, 2009 at 1:41 PM
+1000
Not to mention when Michelle Malkin had death threats tossed at her when she covered one of the lefties protests. http://purplepeoplevote.com/2008/08/27/michelle-malkin-mobbed-and-threatened-in-denver/
Crazy left wing extremists.
Conservative_SAHM on April 22, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Susan Roesgen should interview Olbermann. Hit the 3. mark and enjoy.
canditaylor68 on April 22, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Just stating facts there, Mary.
Patrick S on April 22, 2009 at 1:42 PM
OhEssYouCowboys on April 22, 2009 at 1:41 PM
I don’t post at dkos.
They banned me.
Too Independent.
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:43 PM
getaclue
littleguy on April 22, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Patrick S on April 22, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Ok patty cakes.
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Maybe Roesgen is on “vacation” at the White House interviewing for Gibbs’ job.
She couldn’t be any worse.
tru2tx on April 22, 2009 at 1:43 PM
I agree with hollygolightly; just as you did with the annoying kid in school who tried to get under your skin, ignore it and it will eventually tire and go away. I realize the temptation is great to respond to Hasnolife, but in doing so, we only validate the liberal victim mentality (so much anger, so little logic).
College Prof on April 22, 2009 at 1:44 PM
OK, getaclue, I’ll play. See my post above (1:41). I don’t recall the con in your example threatening the life of Roesgen. Did you?
Conservative_SAHM on April 22, 2009 at 1:44 PM
And a misfit who can’t think of more than three six syllable sentences at a time…
loudmouth883 on April 22, 2009 at 1:44 PM
The behavior of Susan Roesgen is emblematic of how far CNN has sunk in terms of journalistic integrity.
Ms. Roesgen treated the gentleman with a two year old son like he was a terrorist or at least ungrateful for the beneficence of the Messiah.
technopeasant on April 22, 2009 at 1:44 PM
To heck with firing her for rudeness how about for being stuid. She thinks the tooth fairy bring the federal gov. it’s revenue.
Cindy Munford on April 22, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Don’t be surprised if MSNBC hires her away.
Hilts on April 22, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Agreed
Well said
Fake8 on April 22, 2009 at 1:47 PM
…to provide “balance”.
littleguy on April 22, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Good point.
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Roesgen was more than simply rude!
She took an anti-protester stance, dismissively launched an argument of her own before the man she was putatively “interviewing” had even stated his opinion, and when the crowd reacted to her virtual assault, cut off coverage and declared the protest not safe for viewing.
Roesgen was an anti-protest participant in the event she was sent to cover. She further compounded that fundamental journalistic sin by misrepresenting the entire basis of the demonstration.
JM Hanes on April 22, 2009 at 1:50 PM
This con was rude and should apologize using con logic:
con: He’s a fascist.
Roesgen: Why do you say he’s a fascist? He’s the President of the United States. Do you realize how offensive that is?
con: I think he’s a fascist.
Roesgen: Why?
con: Because he is.
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 1:20 PM
do you think for a nanosecond that Roesgen would have pointed out to ANYONE that thinking George Bush is a fascist and stating it was offensive?
max1 on April 22, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Roesgen is the only BFF of getalife. That friendship is gone if roesgen appologizes.
seven on April 22, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Libs don’t “get” that. They think if you’re on TV (jon stewart) you’re a news guy. Explains a lot, actually.
vapig on April 22, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Of course, in the past CNN has been busted for falsely reporting that the US dropped nerve gas on civilians, for falsely reporting that US soldiers murdered Iraqi journalists, and actually gave presents to Saddam Hussein and his family, while at the same time totally ignoring his atrocities against his own people.
Can you give us some similar malpractice on the part of “GOP news”? I’ll be here.
BTW when I mentioned O’Reilly earlier, I meant to say that he only yells over guests when said guests try to spin something. Such as your cousin Jeremy Glick, who claimed that 9/11 was an inside job:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BAFb97L3KU
Del Dolemonte on April 22, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Maybe you need to getaclue?
barton on April 22, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Most conservatives do not suffer fools lightly.
That given, the issue here is that, Ms. Roesgen was acting in a professional role as a journalist for CNN when she was rude. In doing so, she raised questions about the professionalism at both CNN and of journalists in general. In other words, she did her job so poorly that she embarrassed her bosses and her profession. For that, she needs to apologize.
Had she been there as a private citizen, a pundit or a blog commenter, she would not have been violating any of her company’s standards or the stated ethics of her profession by being combative. In that case, there would be no apology necessary (unless, of course, she regretted her rudeness).
JadeNYU on April 22, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Rude?
cons are rude to me everyday.
They should apologize too.
getalife on April 22, 2009 at 12:59 PM
You defeat the purpose of your comment, that some are rude to you, by using the word “cons”.
If you want to be treated in a manner you think you should be, perhaps you can start the ball rolling? Do unto others.
capejasmine on April 22, 2009 at 1:59 PM
That’s just the cell block your in. You’ll get better treatment in solitary.
portlandon on April 22, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Ed, thanks for summarizing the video for us. The sound quality was terrible and my old ears could not make out what they were saying. (Must search for online lip reading guides.)
Based on your summary, I think O’Connor is absolutely correct.
CNN should apologize, publicly, personally and privately, to each interviewee that their employee harassed. Roesgen should do the same, or she will never again have any credibility as a “reporter.”
Loxodonta on April 22, 2009 at 2:04 PM
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