Jim Acosta violated one of the oldest rules of journalism | NY Post

There was a time not long ago when young journalists were taught not to become the story. Apparently, many news organizations have flipped that lesson on its head.

Source: Jim Acosta violated one of the oldest rules of journalism | Michael Goodwin | NY Post

As some or many of The Anglophilic Anglican's readers may know, CNN's Jim Acosta (pictured above) has been stripped of his White House press credentials for what this opinion piece by Michael Goodwin accurately (in my view) defines as boorish, disgraceful, and narcissistic behavior during a press conference on Wednesday.

[CNS News points out that

"The announcement came after a contentious exchange earlier in the day during a press conference where Acosta repeatedly interrupted and badgered President Donald Trump and refused to give up the microphone when a female White House aide tried to obtain it to pass it on to another reporter.

In her statement, Sanders stated the White House will 'never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young women just trying to do her job as a White House intern.' Sanders called Acosta’s behavior 'absolutely unacceptable' and disrespectful to other reporters he refused to allow to ask their questions."]

Goodwin notes,

"There was a time not long ago when young journalists were taught not to become the story. Apparently, many news organizations have flipped that lesson on its head...

"The Republican president, the likely speaker of the Democrat-controlled House and the Senate’s Republican majority leader each started Wednesday by talking about working together to get things done. They talked to each other privately and talked separately in public about what they thought they could accomplish for the country.

"For most Americans, that would make for a very good day. Given the overheated environment leading up to the midterms and the fear among many that we are drifting toward an era of disunion and spreading political violence, bipartisan pledges to work together for the common good were like the sudden emergence of a bright candle flickering in the wind.

"Alas, it was the last thing some members of the White House press corps wanted, so they tried to snuff it out. The conduct of a handful of so-called reporters during President Trump’s news conference was disgraceful beyond measure. This is not journalism, this is narcissism."

Pointing out that Acosta and others of similar ilk would never have treated former Presidents the way they regularly treat President Trump – "Even if they didn’t like Obama or Clinton, the political reporters would never dare accuse them publicly of anything, argue with them or interrupt them. Even when skeptical, they were respectful" – Goodwin continues,

"White House press credentials are not a universal right. There are implicit expectations of proper behavior, and the White House decision to suspend Acosta’s credential is warranted...

"The anti-Trump antics are no longer a sideshow. America has serious problems as well as dangerous enemies, and the mere prospect of Trump, Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell working together is the best news we could have hoped for Wednesday [following a brutal midterm election season, and Election Day on Tuesday].

"Instead, it was overshadowed by a few narcissists chasing their own vanity."

Sadly, that seems to be par for the course, these days. God help us all.