Register for E-mail alerts. Comment on articles. Sign up today, it's easy.
Close
The Washington Times Online Edition

When authors cross a fine line

Most news organizations forbid their employees from endorsing commercial products, but what about “celebrity journalists” who become authors?

When a television anchor or a prominent newspaper reporter publishes a book and hits the talk show circuit to plug it, isn’t that a kind of commercial endorsement?

Take recent books by Tom Brokaw and Tim Russert, two of NBC News’ biggest stars.

“The Greatest Generation,” Mr. Brokaw’s 1998 tribute to World War II veterans, has sold several million copies and spawned two sequels.

Mr. Brokaw stepped down from his longtime “NBC Nightly News” perch in December but still contributes to the network. The success of his books has made him a frequently quoted source on World War II.

Similarly, Mr. Russert was a ubiquitous presence on TV and radio talk shows last year when he published a tribute to his father, “Big Russ & Me: Father and Son — Lessons of Life.”

The public appearances Mr. Brokaw and Mr. Russert make to promote their books do not make them pitchmen, said Barbara Levin, an NBC News spokeswoman.

“Discussing one’s own work is not at all the same as promoting [or] endorsing a commercial product,” she said.

But books are products, and people should keep that in mind when a reporter turns up in the news media to hawk one, said Scott M. Libin, an ethics specialist at the Poynter Institute, a journalism school in St. Petersburg, Fla.

“When a journalist who has written a book gives an interview to a radio program or sits down with a feature reporter from a newspaper, that person becomes the subject of the story,” Mr. Libin said.

Tom Fenton, who retired last year as CBS’ London correspondent, has been touring since last month to promote his sharp critique of the press, “Bad News: The Decline of Reporting, the Business of News, and the Danger to Us All.”

“I wasn’t uncomfortable selling a book, because I was really selling an idea. As a journalist, what I really found uncomfortable was being an advocate” for better news coverage, said Mr. Fenton, who estimates he has given about 70 interviews promoting “Bad News.”

He said he waited until he retired to write his book because he feared he would be tempted to pull punches if he wrote it while still on CBS’ payroll. Since the book’s release, he said he has received “poison pen” e-mails from three network vice presidents.

Mr. Fenton did not discuss his financial information, but said “Bad News” won’t make him rich. “I’ll be lucky to break even,” he said.

The Washington Times and other newspapers often publish excerpts of newsworthy books written by their reporters.

Story Continues →

View Entire Story
Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus
You Might Also Like
  • Employees at the Boeing assembly plant in Renton, Wash., work on a 737. U.S. manufacturers' and builders' December satististics showed hopeful gains. (Associated Press)

    Obama’s visit to Boeing plant viewed as a ‘victory lap’

    By Dave Boyer - The Washington Times

  • Washington state Gov. Chris Gregoire is surrounded by legislators and others Monday as she signs into law a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. The law is to take effect June 7, but opponents are mounting a repeal effort. (Associated Press)

    Washington ballot best chance for foes of same-sex marriage

    By Valerie Richardson - The Washington Times

  • **FILE** Director of National Intelligence James Clapper (Associated Press)

    Sanctions may be changing Iran’s nuke plans

    By Shaun Waterman - The Washington Times

  • In Case You Missed It
    Happening Now

          Independent voices from the TWT Communities

          The Tygrrrr Express

          A politically conservative and morally liberal Hebrew alpha male hunts left-wing vipers.

          Basic Parent

          You don’t have to be a super-parent to make baby happy. Get pointers on parenting tips to make life easier.

          Globally Green

          An inside look at the world highlighting not only green issues affecting us all, but everything from green travel to green technology.