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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Tim Russert. (Discuss) |
Television journalist Tim Russert, and long-time moderator of NBC's Sunday morning interview show Meet the Press, died suddenly on June 13, 2008. Public reactions to his death came from people in the media and pop culture, as well as from the sports world and politics. Several cable news stations aired tributes dedicated to Tim Russert over the course of the week following his death. This extensive media coverage and the labeling of his death as a "national tragedy" was criticized as overkill by some reporters afterwards. [1][2][3]
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Media coverage and reaction
Democratic strategist James Carville and wife, Republican strategist Mary Matalin, regular Meet the Press guests, burst into tears during taping of the Tim Russert tribute show on 15 June 2008.
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On the evening of his death, the entire, nearly commercial-free half hour of NBC Nightly News was dedicated to Russert's memory, featuring previous news segments with Russert and interviews with some of his colleagues. The broadcast also included tributes to Russert by presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama, as well as Keith Olbermann, Ethel Kennedy, Bob Schieffer, Tom Brokaw, Bob Woodward and others. Dateline NBC also devoted its entire broadcast to his early life and political and journalistic career in television. MSNBC, the cable network at which he had spent much time working, devoted its weekend coverage exclusively to interviews and analyses of Russert and his impact. The following Sunday's edition of Meet the Press was devoted entirely to a remembrance of Russert, with the moderator's chair empty and Tom Brokaw leading a discussion among several of Russert's colleagues, including James Carville, Mary Matalin, Gwen Ifill, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Mike Barnicle, and Maria Shriver.[4]
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Other major news agencies, including CBS, ABC, CNN and Fox News spent large segments of their programming on June 13 reporting about Russert's life and career. The BBC also reported on his death. Statements were made by journalists from a variety of news organizations, including CBS News anchor emeritus Walter Cronkite[5], Washington Post columnists Carl Bernstein[5] and Sally Quinn.[6].
However, not all journalists were happy with the amount of coverage. Jack Shafer of Slate criticized the amount of media coverage surrounding Ru sert's death, calling NBC's coverage a "never-ending video wake."[1] Washington Post writer Paul Farhi also expressed concern about the amount of coverage, noting that a print journalist would likely not have received similar attention.[3] Chicago Tribune columnist Julia Keller questioned not only the volume of coverage but questioned the labeling of Russert's death as "a national tragedy."[2] Some liberal political organs criticized Russert as being a mouthpiece for the Bush administration, especially prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq,[7][8] [9][10] while some right-wing commentators, including Michael Savage, labeled Russert as a left-wing ideologue that disguised himself as an objective journalist.
Reaction from politicians
President George W. Bush praised him as a "tough and hardworking newsman" and "always well-informed and thorough in his interviews", adding that "he was gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it."[11] Former President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton released a joint statement acknowledging Russert's "love of public service" and "dedication to journalism that rightfully earned him the respect and admiration of not only his colleagues but also those of us who had the privilege to go toe to toe with him."[12]
Presidential candidates and Senators John McCain and Barack Obama both released statements following Russert's death. McCain referred to Russert as "a man of honesty and integrity", "hard, but he was always fair", and "at the top of his profession".[13] Obama noted "there wasn't a better interviewer in television nor a more thoughtful analyst of our politics".[13]
On June 17, 2008, the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed House Resolution 1275, "Honoring the life of Timothy John Russert, Jr., public servant, political analyst, and author."[14] The bill was sponsored by Rep. Brian Higgins and co-sponsored by 89 other representatives.[15]
A number of local politicians offered praise and memories of Russert at a candlelight vigil which was held in Tim Russert Park in his hometown of Buffalo on June 15. Mayor Byron W. Brown, who talked about Russert’s “continuing love affair with the City of Buffalo,” proclaimed Sunday “Tim Russert Day.” [16][17]
Entertainers
Many entertainers made mention of Russert's death. Radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh posted a statement on his website[18], and comedian Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, dedicated the "Moment of Zen" to Russert's memory.[19] Former Daily Show correspondent Stephen Colbert, host of The Colbert Report, made a similar tribute.[20] Both Conan O'Brien, of Late Night with Conan O'Brien[21] and Jay Leno offered tributes to Russert as part of what are usually their comedy routines. Another friend of Russert's, Bruce Springsteen, offered an on-stage tribute to Russert while performing in Cardiff, Wales on June 14, dedicating the performance of "Thunder Road" to his memory. [22][23]
IBS employee and Wikipedia article
The New York Times reported that against policy, an Internet Broadcasting Services (IBS) employee changed the Wikipedia article on Tim Russert 40 minutes before Russert's death had been made public. Although IBS did not say exactly what measures were taken, according to NBC News, IBS told them the employee was fired.[24]
References
- ^ a b Shafer, Jack. "The Canonization of Saint Russert, The media overdo the death of a journalist.", Slate.com, June 16, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-06-21.
- ^ a b Keller, Julia. "The tempest over Tim: Did the media overplay Russert's death?", Chicago Tribune, June 20, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-06-21.
- ^ a b Farhi, Paul. "Station Break", Washington Post, June 17, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-06-21.
- ^ CNN (2008-06-15). NBC remembers Russert on first 'Meet the Press' since his death. CNN.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
- ^ a b Reactions to Tim Russert's death. msnbc. Retrieved on 2008-06-13.
- ^ Quinn, Sally. "'Meet the Press' Host Tim Russert Dies at 58", The Washington Post, June 13, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-06-14.
- ^ 'A Discordant Note on Tim Russert", Matthew Rothsschild The Progressive [1]
- ^ "How the Russert Test Failed America" Linda Hirshman, The Nation [2]
- ^ Tim Russert honored: A “state funeral” for services rendered. Alex Lantier and David Walsh. [[3]
- ^ Tim Russert and the decay of the American media. David North and David Walsh [4]
- ^ Espo, David and Laurie Kellman. "NBC's Tim Russert dies at 58 of heart attack", Associated Press, June 13, 2008.
- ^ "Tim Russert, 'Meet the Press' Host, Is Dead at 58", The New York Times.
- ^ a b Obama, McCain on Tim Russert. Baltimore Sun. Retrieved on 2008-06-13.
- ^ Text of House Resolution 1275
- ^ Sponsor, co-sponsors and roll call vote
- ^ Buffalo News (2008-06-16). Hundreds attend candlelight vigil at Tim Russert Park. thebuffalonews.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
- ^ WGRZ-TV (2008-06-16). More Than 1,000 People Attend Candlelight Vigil For Tim Russert. wgrz.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
- ^ Rush Limbaugh's website statement on Tim Russert's death, posted 13 JUNE 2008 [5] Accessed 13 JUNE 2008
- ^ Moment of Zen - Tim Russert Homage | The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Comedy Central.
- ^ Tim Russert Tribute | The Colbert Report | Comedy Central.
- ^ Conan on Tim Russert | Late Night with Conan O'Brien | NBC.
- ^ Bruce Springsteen Tribute, [6] Accessed 16th June 2008
- ^ msnbc.msn.com
- ^ Cohen, Noam. "Delaying News in the Era of the Internet", The New York Times, 2008-06-23. Retrieved on 2008-06-24.