I watched Sunday’s interview with Adolph Hitler Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on 60 Minutes and I was sick. This stomach-churning was caused not by the Iranian president but by Mike Wallace. There are many old fools out there, but that a large news organization would give this “interview” air time suggests that their priorities are ratings and Bush-bashing and not honest journalism. Dennis Prager has a good response, noting that Wallace “probably laughed more with Ahmadinejad than any American news reporter has ever laughed on camera with the president of the United States.” Prager poses some questions the “useful idiot” should have asked, including:
In countries with a free press and where history is understood as consisting of verifiable facts, anyone who denies the Holocaust, the systematic murder of approximately 6 million Jews by the Nazis, is regarded as either an anti-Semite or a kook or both. You have repeatedly denied the Holocaust. Why should the world not regard you as either a kook or an anti-Semite? And do you understand why most free societies wish to prevent you from acquiring nuclear weapons?
Why do you believe that millions of Iranians chant “death to America” and “death to Israel” but no Americans or Israelis chant “death to Iran”?
Prager’s conclusion: “As it happens, Mike Wallace and CBS News did what they set out to do — win in the ratings war Sunday night. But they hurt America and abetted evil in the process. Not deliberately, but knowingly.” It’s worth a read to better understand why Iran’s leaders are evil and how journalism should work.
(HT: Fred Butler)
Well, consider the source. CBS hasn’t been known for ethical journalism in the past few years. The Dan Rather incident was another fine example.
As a former journalist I do believe it is legitimate to interview Ahmadinejad. He is, technically, a world leader. However, any interview should be hard-hitting, nail-biting, and not overtly casual. The problem with interviews like this is that they are often controlled by the other side. Any interview I do is controlled by me and I ask those tough questions. It should be unbiased. It’s OK to give the guy a chance to speak his mind, but by all means … ask the tough questions.
As for Bush bashing, well, I’ve sort of lost faith in Bush. I won’t go so far as to bash him, but I really do feel Bush has made some uncanny blunders domestically and internationally. I like the guy, but I think he could do a better job.
I would love to see those questions put to Adolphinejad. Wallace seemed to too in love with the “privilege” of conducting such a rare, high-profile interview to bother confronting him on any of his hateful statements. It was truly a wasted opportunity and who knows if another will come along.
Todd, thanks for your insights and the article by Dennis Prager. I wish Happy and I had a TV to see the interview he was criticizing! Interestingly enough, on the way home from work (in rush hour traffic) I was listening to Frank Pastore on KKLA. It was very nearly a reproduction of your blog! He even mentioned the article by Prager.
To add to what you said, Pastore had callers commenting on the interview. One man said that he was impressed by Ahmadinejad and his rapport, despite the fact that he represents such evil. Pastore also said that he thought Ahmadinejad’s purpose was to look “more human” to the American public so they won’t see him as such a bad guy or threat, which would make Americans less approving of miliary action against Iran. Would you agree? I hope Americans are more discerning than that!
comment about your question “Why do you believe that millions of Iranians chant “death to America” and “death to Israel” but no Americans or Israelis chant “death to Iran”?
IRANIAN PEOPLE DO NOT CHANT DEATH TO AMERICA AS MATTER OF FACT MOST PEOPLE IN IRAN LIKE AMERICAN PEOPLE,PEOPLE WHO ARE RELATED TO GOVERMENT OR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE DO THAT, ME AS AN IRANIAN LOVE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THEM,GO BACK TO 9/11 AND SEE HOW IRANIAN PEOPLE GOT UPSET WITH 911.IT IS GOOD IF WE SPERATE IRANIAN PEOPLE FROM IRANIAN GOVERMENT