Anything Goes : The Real Energizer Bunny by James David Sullivan

Isn't it a reporters "primary" responsibility to report news, not make it? All too often now-a-days we hear and see reporters/journalists make statements or saying or doing inflammatory things to get a rise out of interviewees, so their interview can get ratings or to get "themselves" notoriety. There are some people/celebrities who just aren't gonna play that game... and they shouldn't. Controversy has its place. Having said that, if a promotional interview is being done, why not just stay on point w/ that? The old saying is, you can trap more flies w/ honey than you can w/ vinegar, or something to that effect. Class act people, like the incident w/ Patti LaBelle and a fan who dissed her stage and got corrected by her, should be the rule rather than the exception. For those mega stars (of which I am not, yet), or anyone earning some press from having done something [positive], should not be blindsided, cajoled, set up or misled to the dark side, so they (the interviewer) can hope to score points. What's your take? Journalistic/reporter license, or debasement? Duh!

I think if there are current additional issues (such as Robert Downey, Jr., or Charlie Sheen with drug abuse; or Bill Cosby and his former "dating" habits), then it is fair game. But, if no such issues presently exist, then turning a promo interview into a snare is way out of line. The celebrity wouldn't be there if it weren't for promotional purposes, so digging for news then is inappropriate. And it's a good way to let celebrities know you never want to interview any more of them.

The celebrity should be notified in advance if any topics other than the movie, book, etc., will be discussed. That way, the celebrity has a choice of whether to do the interview. That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

The thing is reporters who ask baiting questions never really reap any rewards. The only way to climb the ladder as a journalist is to write great articles