At CBS News, a Journalist Gets in Hot Water for Practicing Journalism
SAN DIEGO — I’m Team Tony Dokoupil. Any professional journalist who cannot say the same has forfeited the right to call themselves “journalists.”
After 35 years in the field—spanning newspapers, television, and radio—certain truths have crystallized. One such truth is that it is the duty of the Fourth Estate to confront the powerful and the influential. These individuals are often more accustomed to praise than criticism, so they don’t react well to challenges.
However, that wasn’t the case with Ta-Nehisi Coates, a significant Black thought leader and bestselling author, who appeared on “CBS Mornings” on September 30 to promote his new book, “The Message.” Coates engaged professionally and courteously with Dokoupil, who co-anchors the show, even when faced with pointed questions.
Coates’ book discusses the long-standing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, though he acknowledges it is not a complete depiction. His sympathies seem to lie more with the Palestinians than with Israel, which sparked a nuanced dialogue with Dokoupil, who is Jewish and has deep connections to Israel through family.
During the interview, Dokoupil pointedly questioned Coates’ approach, particularly his comparison of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to the Jim Crow-era treatment of Black Americans. He also highlighted the omission of the existential threats Israel faces from neighboring countries and terror groups.
“Why leave out that Israel is surrounded by countries that want to eliminate it? Why leave out that Israel deals with terror groups that want to eliminate it?” Dokoupil pressed, asking crucial questions that deserved an audience.
Coates responded, stating, “There is no shortage of that perspective in American media. I am most concerned, always, with those who don’t have a voice.” A solid answer, showcasing the complexity of the issue at hand.
Following the interview, reactions varied. Some claimed Dokoupil crossed a line, insisting that television anchors should refrain from expressing their opinions publicly. Ironically, such criticism did not emerge when Black journalists voiced their outrage over the murder of George Floyd in May 2020.
As I watched the interview unfold, I found myself torn between appreciation for the journalistic integrity being displayed and a concern for Dokoupil’s future. Indeed, he faced backlash.
During a recorded staff call that emerged in the press, CBS News executives expressed their discontent with Dokoupil’s interview style. Adrienne Roark, who oversees news-gathering at CBS, stated that they had received “concerns” from employees, including members of the “race and culture unit.”
This term, to me, raises red flags. As a Mexican American, the idea of being lectured on authenticity by white liberals or left-leaning people of color is troubling. Roark asserted that Dokoupil’s questioning did not align with CBS News’s “editorial standards,” insisting, “We have to check our biases and opinions at the door. We are here to report the news without fear or favor.”
While this sounds commendable, it raises eyebrows. In the media landscape, biases often surface, particularly against public figures like former President Donald Trump. The mainstream media frequently displays their preferences unrepentantly.
However, Dokoupil has supporters within the organization. Shari Redstone, the media mogul who leads the Paramount empire owning CBS News, criticized the network’s management regarding this incident. “They made a mistake here,” Ms. Redstone stated. “I think we all agree that this was not handled correctly.”
This situation feels all too familiar for those of us in the news industry. I’ve often been called into the principal’s office during my career, which has at times felt more like a punishment than an assessment of my work. I’ve encountered good bosses but also a fair share of those who have lost sight of what journalism fundamentally entails.
In the end, it seems that those who run networks have sometimes transformed from journalists into management figures, prioritizing public perception, PR, and political correctness over journalistic integrity. Such shifts take their toll, and discussions like the one between Dokoupil and Coates remind us that asking the tough questions is essential to uncovering the truth.
