The AP takes action on John Solomon — the wrong kind of action

June 7, 2006

Last week, the [tag]AP[/tag]’s [tag]John Solomon[/tag] decided that he wanted to tarnish Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. One story, followed by another, and then a third, tried to characterize a non-story as an ethical scandal from a man who not only has great integrity, but who hadn’t done anything wrong. It reached a point in which Solomon felt it necessary to mislead readers, it would seem deliberately, in order to make an argument the facts wouldn’t support.

I had heard a rumor that the AP was cognizant of the criticisms and might take some kind of action. This is not at all what I had in mind. Consider an email sent to AP staffers this week.

It was the most talked-about, blogged-about political story of the week – twice.

First, John Solomon in Washington broke the news that Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid had accepted free ringside seats to three pro boxing matches from the Nevada agency that was trying to influence his legislation to bring federal oversight to the sport.

Then Solomon followed up by describing how Reid returned home to Nevada and misstated the ethics rules in an effort to defend himself. Ultimately, the Senate leader reversed course, admitted he misstated the rules and promised never again to accept free tickets from special interests. […]

The story and video won widespread play on the Web fronts and newspaper fronts, and stirred an enormous debate in the blogosphere, generating more than 10,000 postings and more than a dozen newspapers wrote editorials chastising Reid, including USA Today.

For his work giving AP ownership of this high-profile story, Solomon wins this week’s prize of $500.

Yes, instead of reassigning [tag]Solomon[/tag], or apologizing for his errors, or maybe even firing him, the Associated Press has [tag]reward[/tag]ed Solomon for his “work.”

The runner-ups for the $500 weekly prize were serious and accurate reports on the killing of an Iraqi man in Hamandiya and an outbreak of bird flu on Sumatra

I try and keep an optimistic attitude, but it’s instances like these that lead me to think the traditional [tag]media[/tag] is literally hopeless.

Can this be considered the death knell to the phrase “Liberal Media”?

  • Kind of like when Bush gives somebody the Medal of Freedom…

    I can’t help but think that is a giant “Fuck You!” from the AP.

  • To them, viewership is clearly the only thing that matters, and even that only in the short term. Long term this has to hurt them, I for one will never trust anything they publish again.

    The general deemphasis of honesty over the last few decades is the biggest reason our society is declining. How can you have a genuine debate on anything if you can’t trust people to tell the truth?

  • “I try and keep an optimistic attitude, but it’s instances like these that lead me to think the traditional media is literally hopeless.”

    They are solidly part of the Republican establishment in this nation, and will remain so unless the American people demand change, starting in November. And that’s not looking so good.

  • There is no journalism, only infotainment. According to AP, Solomon’s story was a success because it became the story — back when I was in college my friends in journalism were taught that was the cardinal sin for a reporter or an outlet. We now see where an economy based on leisure and greed and a culture based on dumbing down meet: in the AP award of the week.

  • WaPo did an editorial on this today. It was full of the same half-truth and outright lies. Including the notes about him getting front row tickets for free. I am writing a letter and canceling my email subscription. Argh.

  • let’s get something straight: it WAS NOT John Solomon who “decided he wanted to tarnish Harry Reid” any more than it was the kids in Abu Ghraib who “decided” to initiate humiliating and demeaning treatment of detainees.

    Just like Abu Ghraib, this was a management decision, and everything that has played out around this proves my point.

    Solomon’s first article was shot down full of holes. In most news organizations, the editors would take that as a sign they needed to check things out further and at least get more information from the reporter in question. Most news organizations do not follow up one mistaken article with two more even-more-egregiously-wrong articles. Most news organizations do not put out public press releases and e-mails attacking those who have pointed out the inconsistencies, mistakes of fact and outright fantasies (i.e., lies) in the article.

    And most of all, most news organizations do not jump such an article and series to “best of the week” over substantial, important, newsworthy articles such as has happened here. Any one of the articles passed over is deserving of the kind of praise lavished on Solomon.

    No, this was not a case of some “out of control” reporter saying “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

    Management came up with it, management gave Solomon the assignment. Management supported Solomon against any and all comers. Management gave Solomon a public reward for his loyalty in carrying out orders, just the way the Pentagon gives out medals to generals who toe the company line.

    This was the Associated Press engineering a drive-by “hit” on Harry Reid and announcing that this is what they will be doing the rest of the year as they work to defend “their side” of the political struggle.

    Various Associated Press reporters – probably the majority – are still ‘good guys’ just like the overwhelming majority of Marines and soldiers are not murdering scum like the assholes who carried out Haditha. But the Associated Press as an organization has taken a side and declared themselves no longer an objective news organization.

    They’re the enemy. Treat them as such, and for God’s sake get rid of this goddamned Democratic civility that says “we can’t go after them.” I’m going to say it again: SOLOMON DIDN’T DECIDE TO DO THIS. MANAGEMENT TOLD HIM TO DO IT.

    You don’t need to be some radical lefist to figure out what is what in all this. All you need is the ability to touch your nose with your forefinger on consecutive attempts and the knowledge that 2+2=4. This ain’t rocket science.

  • I’m with Cleaver. I’ve worked at papers, and this is no mistake. It’s a company wide effort. The organization wanted to fabricate a story Reid. The only question is why.

  • “Lance took my comment.” – jhupp

    Pyshic powers, don’t you know 😉

    And I agree with Tom, this should be laid at the door of the AP editorial board. I’m not to fond of the WaPo either. They seem to be sliding right of center damn fast.

  • I thought the expresion “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” applied to only sports players and Hollywood glitterati. Guess AP honchos are getting in on the act and searching for their fifteen minutes these days. With a $500 reward, I see the culture of corruption has reached it’s sleazy hands well into the news media. That’s why I’ve come to trust the Carpetbagger more than any major media outlet.

    Atrios had a notable comment yesterday where he noted that the AP says its customers are not the end consumers of the product – – the readers, but rather its the newspapers. Guess the AP is giving the newspapers what they want … and that’s a terrible indictment of the print media.

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