#2 On the PBS series Ethics in America on March 7, 1989, Harvard professor Charles Ogletree set up a theoretical war between “North Kosan” and U.S.-supported “South Kosan.” What would a TV reporter do if he learned the enemy troops with which he was traveling were about to launch a surprise attack on an American unit?
At first [Peter] Jennings responded: “If I was with a North Kosanese unit that came upon Americans, I think I personally would do what I could to warn the Americans.” [Mike] Wallace countered that other reporters, including himself, “would regard it simply as another story that they are there to cover.”
Jennings’ position bewildered Wallace: “I’m a little bit of a loss to understand why, because you are an American, you would not have covered that story.”
“Don’t you have a higher duty as an American citizen to do all you can to save the lives of soldiers rather than this journalistic ethic of reporting fact?” Ogletree asked.
Without hesitating Wallace responded: “No, you don’t have higher duty...You’re a reporter.” This persuaded Jennings, who changed his view: “I think he’s right, too. I chickened out.”
Military advisers and generals on the panel suggested “Americans first, and journalists second.” Wallace remained mystified by the concept, wondering “what in the world is wrong with photographing this attack by North Kosanese on American soldiers?”
Later, Ogletree noted the “venomous reaction” from Marine Corps colonel George Connell, who angrily declared: “I feel utter contempt. Two days later they’re both walking off my hilltop, they’re 200 yards away and they get ambushed... And they’re going to expect I’m going to send Marines up there to get them. They’re just journalists, they’re not Americans....and Marines will die, going to get a couple of journalists.” |
Hillary Clinton