McCrory Plays the Media

I haven’t kept count, but I guess that so far Pat McCrory has “announced” he’s running for Governor about – I don’t know, say a bazillion times.
 
So this tweet from Blair Miller, anchor-reporter at WSOC-TV in Charlotte, caught my eye:
 
“Asked the McCrory camp (twice) when/where “official” announcement for his candidacy will take place. Their response: ‘very soon’.”
 
Well, I certainly can’t wait to hear what he decides. Do you think he’ll run???
 
So I tweeted something snarky, wondering how many times the media would let McCrory announce. To which Miller sent two replies:
 
“I think you have to look at volume of coverage.. if it gets 1:30 every time there’s an announcement, might be interesting.”
 
And earlier: “It’s a good question.. but if we ignore.. accused of bias.. if we cover, bias.. delicate balance, but good Q.”
 
Which raises this question: Should the media make news decisions on the basis on whether they’ll be accused of bias? That’s a path fraught with peril.
 
If, instead, the basis for news decisions is what constitutes news, then it’s hardly news that McCrory is running.
 
If he makes an appearance or gives a speech, fine, cover it. Just like you would with Governor Perdue. But, really, the “announcement” story line is worn out. Just report that he’s running for Governor and he’s delaying an announcement so he can maintain a façade of being non-political as long as possible – or as long as the media will let him.
 
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Gary Pearce

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McCrory Plays the Media

I haven’t kept count, but I guess that so far Pat McCrory has “announced” he’s running for Governor about – I don’t know, say a bazillion times.
 
So this tweet from Blair Miller, anchor-reporter at WSOC-TV in Charlotte, caught my eye:
 
“Asked the McCrory camp (twice) when/where “official” announcement for his candidacy will take place. Their response: ‘very soon’.”
 
Well, I certainly can’t wait to hear what he decides. Do you think he’ll run???
 
So I tweeted something snarky, wondering how many times the media would let McCrory announce. To which Miller sent two replies:
 
“I think you have to look at volume of coverage.. if it gets 1:30 every time there’s an announcement, might be interesting.”
 
And earlier: “It’s a good question.. but if we ignore.. accused of bias.. if we cover, bias.. delicate balance, but good Q.”
 
Which raises this question: Should the media make news decisions on the basis on whether they’ll be accused of bias? That’s a path fraught with peril.
 
If, instead, the basis for news decisions is what constitutes news, then it’s hardly news that McCrory is running.
 
If he makes an appearance or gives a speech, fine, cover it. Just like you would with Governor Perdue. But, really, the “announcement” story line is worn out. Just report that he’s running for Governor and he’s delaying an announcement so he can maintain a façade of being non-political as long as possible – or as long as the media will let him.
 
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Gary Pearce

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