In a lively interview with ABC News’ Terry Moran, President Donald Trump, while discussing deportations, remarked on Moran’s presence in the prestigious interview, suggesting that it was a personal decision to include Moran. “They’re giving you the break of a lifetime, you know,” Trump commented during the primetime segment. Adding a note on choice, Trump stated, “I picked you because, frankly, I never heard of you, but that’s OK,” before chiding Moran for not exhibiting politeness. The theme of whether Trump had influence over the selection process for his interviewer raises ethical issues within the media industry, given that allowing newsmakers to choose their interviewer is generally frowned upon.
ABC News has chosen not to publicly detail any arrangements that preceded Trump’s interview focused on his administration’s first 100 days. Although ABC denies Trump received a list of preferred interviewers, it remains uncertain if other candidates were discussed. Moran’s selection might seem surprising since he has been less prominent at ABC News in recent years. A seasoned journalist, he served as ABC’s chief White House correspondent during George W. Bush’s administration and held several exclusive interviews with Barack Obama. Presently, Moran anchors the “ABC News Live” streaming service and reports on the Supreme Court.
Typical alternatives might include prominent figures like “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir, known as the face of ABC’s news division, or current chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce. Jonathan Karl, author and co-host, and Martha Raddatz, rotate hosting the program “This Week,” offering substantial choices. However, an interview involving George Stephanopoulos is unlikely, considering Trump’s lawsuit against him was resolved last December.
A fundamental reason why journalists resist allowing interview subjects to pick their interviewer is that it compromises journalistic independence, according to Kelly McBride, a media ethics specialist. “It undermines our independence as journalists,” McBride explained. She emphasized that journalistic authority over interviews, including choosing questions and editing, serves the audience’s interest. If powerful figures choose their interviewer or questions, it betrays the media’s promise to represent the public’s interests.
Practically, however, a president holds significant sway over these processes. News organizations value exclusive presidential interviews due to their rarity and influence. A president’s communication team continually manages an influx of interview requests, each often linked to a specific journalist. Trump’s administration has been explicit in its attempt to control which journalists gain access to press events. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has introduced new, predominantly sympathetic journalists to the White House briefing room and hinted at further alterations regarding access.
Reflecting on past experiences, former news executive Mark Whitaker confirmed discussions occur regarding interviews, but choosing from an interviewer selection remains unusual. Andrew Heyward, ex-president of CBS News, indicated that though the principle of independent interviewer selection is vital, practically, it sometimes involves negotiation. He noted he has no direct knowledge of what transpired between ABC News and Trump this week.
In some scenarios, the thrill of securing an interview overtakes the principle of controlling who facilitates the interview. This dynamic often results in high viewership, as exemplified by nearly 4 million people tuning into Trump’s interview with Moran, capturing top ratings for the night. Historically, the competition for high-stakes interviews, especially during the frenzied “Wild West” period of network rivalries at the end of the 20th century, always saw a shift in control dynamics to the interviewee.
Connie Chung, a seasoned journalist, recalled how high-demand interviews during this period placed more power with the interviewee, making journalists compete for exclusives. Networks didn’t always present a united front, with figures such as Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters at ABC vying for identical guests. Chung relayed a personal account when ABC allocated the Gary Condit interview to Walters, but negotiations steered it her way due to network dynamics.
The current complexities surrounding interview dynamics, especially involving presidential figures, shows a nuanced area. Former CBS News President Heyward described it as a “gray area,” signifying the balance between journalistic independence and pragmatic negotiations within the industry.