Becoming the News

It used to be that Reporters never tried to become part of the story. Now, it's almost standard practice.

CNN Reporter Chloe Melas’ was interviewing actor Morgan Freeman during a junket for his 2017 film “Going in Style.” 

Melas said that during a junket she was six months pregnant, Freeman shook and held onto her hand, looking her up and down and saying variations of the words “I wish I was there.” (He was caught on camera saying “Boy, I wish I was there” while sitting a few feet from her.) Melas said Freeman also told her, “You are ripe.”

Instead of having Melas tell her story to another Reporter, CNN let her report the story herself. 

The Wrap reports that CNN's decision to employ Melas as both reporter and witness raised eyebrows among some journalism traditionalists, who strive to avoid any hint of potential conflicts of interest.

But, CNN said Melas’ reporting was completely appropriate, and conducted in coordination with others.

“Her efforts were supported by a robust editorial team, as well as her co-author An Phung, and together they carefully reported this story out over many months.

Per CNN standards, it was rigorously vetted by senior editors throughout the process. Their piece is an example of investigative journalism at its finest.”

I'm thinking "CNN standards" is not a very high bar these day. 

Would CNN let Harvey Weinstein file a report on his saga? Or is it only the victims that get to report on their own stories? 

You know what? Don't answer that....I'm not sure I want to know.