Looks like this idea of publicly calling out Jay Severin’s errors and omissions may be catching on. Yesterday Scott Lehigh called for reports of Severin’s incivility. Then Dan Kennedy responded with an example of what in my mind is a much greater sin: misleading his audience.
A caller ripped the media for hounding poor Sarah Palin while letting Sonia Sotomayor get away with not giving interviews. At least Palin answered questions, the caller said. How can the media let Sotomayor get away with not giving interviews? (I’m paraphrasing from memory, but that was the gist.)
"Great point," Severin responded, without bothering to point out that Supreme Court nominees, by longstanding custom, are not allowed to grant interviews. As Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said yesterday, he wants to begin hearings sooner rather than later so that Sotomayor can finally be heard.
Severin had to know better. By not only not correcting the caller’s error, but by amplifying it and giving him an "attaboy," I’d say that qualifies as an error. So put it on your list, Scot.
At one point I’d hoped that SeverinWatch would be the definitive source for Severin criticism, but I’m happy to see others jumping on the bandwagon. It’s vital to get Severin’s on-air statements transcribed and posted contemporaneously; otherwise, it’s far too easy for him to deflect criticism with a simple “that’s not what I said.”
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