Is there a moral obligation to tell the truth when speaking to the news media?

[fantome profane]

I've no opinion.

If Elisabeth Warren said what Lewandowski said I bet you would express some very strong opinions.

 

[Revoltingest]

If Elisabeth Warren said what Lewandowski said I bet you would express some very strong opinions.

Given that I don't even know what he said,
I find your partisan speculation self serving.

 

[BSM1]

Yes I do. I consider it a moral imperative to understand and express the truth as best I can.

Interesting that you don’t.

Wonder if your loved one had put on a few noticeable pounds and she/he asks you if a particular piece of clothing makes them look fat (when actually the clothes have nothing to do with it), how honest are you then?

 

[fantome profane]

Wonder if your loved one had put on a few noticeable pounds and she/he asks you if a particular piece of clothing makes them look fat (when actually the clothes have nothing to do with it), how honest are you then?

So when Lewandowski told this lie, do you think he lied so as not to hurt Donny Trump’s feelings?

 

[BSM1]

So when Lewandowski told this lie, do you think he lied so as not to hurt Donny Trump’s feelings?

I think he didn't feel obligated to telling the media anything, truth or lie. None of us has that obligation; nor should the 'media' be entitled to that power.

 

[fantome profane]

I think he didn't feel obligated to telling the media anything, truth or lie. None of us has that obligation; nor should the 'media' be entitled to that power.

This line about talking to the “media” is bull****. This is not about talking to “the media”. This was not a private conversation he was having. He lied on national television. He lied to the public, to the voters. He lied to you. You have to get that into your head. When Lewandowski lied, he lied to you! Forget about “the media”, “the media” is a tool, a tool that is used to lie to you, because there is no moral obligation to tell the truth to you.

Think about it. As you are forming your opinions, constructing an argument to post online here or somewhere else, or in real life, you might be basing that on something said by Lewandowski or someone like him who feels no obligation to tell the truth (to you!).

Think about something Obama might have said that turned out to be a lie. Under your theory that is ok, because Obama had no obligation to tell the truth to the media.

Think about the next time some Democrat lies, You cannot complain because to you there is no obligation to tell the truth to the media. (to you!)

 

[Shad]

Some will be quick to point out that there is no law against lying to the press. And that is true. But what about morality, integrity? Do theses things not matter in the era of Trump?

Corey Lewandowski said in his Congressional testimony:
“I have no obligation to be honest with the media,"

Does he? Does anyone?

No one does. However the optics look bad especially when caught. On the flip side the media isn't obligated to tell the public the truth.

There are good reasons to lie to the press such as in the case of war plans. It would be foolish to tell the media the truth as the media does nothing to control the audience it reaches. So it could easily inform an enemy just to release a story for a newspaper. Consider D-day. If leadership told the media that Caan was decoy the Germans would find out. Military leadership used the press to spread misinformation about the decoy such as making Patton the leader of the decoy force. Patton being one of the only Western Generals the Germans considered competent.

 

[HonestJoe]

I’ve no idea about the specifics of this example but I think the general principles are fairly clear regardless;

He said, "I have no obligation to be honest with the media because they are just as dishonest as everybody else," and he's certainly not wrong about the second part.

So what if he is? “The other kids did it first!” wasn’t a valid defence in the schoolyard and it isn’t a valid defence in adult life. I mean, couldn’t the media just reverse the argument; if politicians aren’t honest, the media has no obligation to be honest either. A rush to the lowest common denominator doesn’t benefit anyone.

Our own moral obligations and our own moral decisions (because even if we don’t have the obligation to do something, we can still choose to anyway), are independent of what anyone else does. If anything, other people doing the wrong thing can make it more important and significant for us to do the right one.

 

[Shad]

When he thinks that "the media" isn't a trustworthy vehicle to convey his message, he shouldn't use "the media".

It was on C-span which isn't exactly the same type of media he is talking about. Keep in mind it was an answer to Congress.

 

[fantome profane]

There are good reasons to lie to the press such as in the case of war plans.

But I hope you will agree with me that trying to cover up a crime committed by the sitting President is not a good justification for lying to the press.

I am sure a lot of people lied to the press to try to cover up Watergate. That was not ok.

 

[Shad]

But I hope you will agree with me that trying to cover up a crime committed by the sitting President is not a good justification for lying to the press.

Sorry I lack the context of exactly what the answer was in response to. I haven't bothered looking it up.

I am sure a lot of people lied to the press to try to cover up Watergate. That was not ok.

Like I said it is situational. At times one must lie to the media as the media organizations will run a story regardless of impact as it gets rating thus revenue.

 

[BSM1]

This line about talking to the “media” is bull****. This is not about talking to “the media”. This was not a private conversation he was having. He lied on national television. He lied to the public, to the voters. He lied to you. You have to get that into your head. When Lewandowski lied, he lied to you! Forget about “the media”, “the media” is a tool, a tool that is used to lie to you, because there is no moral obligation to tell the truth to you.

Think about it. As you are forming your opinions, constructing an argument to post online here or somewhere else, or in real life, you might be basing that on something said by Lewandowski or someone like him who feels no obligation to tell the truth (to you!).

Think about something Obama might have said that turned out to be a lie. Under your theory that is ok, because Obama had no obligation to tell the truth to the media.

Think about the next time some Democrat lies, You cannot complain because to you there is no obligation to tell the truth to the media. (to you!)

"If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. If like your insurance,you can keep your insurance." We will start turning back the rising oceans". "The Cambridge police were stupid". et, al....

 

[Father Heathen]

When people claim that truth isn't important, it's likely because the truth isn't on their side. Also, if someone isn't honest, it follows that they're not trustworthy. As the old adage says "A man is only as good as his word."

 

[Revoltingest]

Wonder if your loved one had put on a few noticeable pounds and she/he asks you if a particular piece of clothing makes them look fat (when actually the clothes have nothing to do with it), how honest are you then?

A wise man knows that truth is best used in moderation.

 

[BSM1]

When people claim that truth isn't important, it's likely because the truth isn't on their side. Also, if someone isn't honest, it follows that they're not trustworthy. As the old adage says "A man is only as good as his word."

Sooo....your significant other, who has definitely put on an extra pound or three, ask: "Does this (insert item of clothing) make me look fat?" What do you say?

 

[fantome profane]

When people claim that truth isn't important, it's likely because the truth isn't on their side. Also, if someone isn't honest, it follows that they're not trustworthy. As the old adage says "A man is only as good as his word."

And you are saying this is all ok, because Obama had no obligation to tell the truth to the media.

 

[Father Heathen]

Sooo....your significant other, who has definitely put on an extra pound or three, ask: "Does this (insert item of clothing) make me look fat?" What do you say?

"You look amazing, baby!"

 

[Revoltingest]

Sooo....your significant other, who has definitely put on an extra pound or three, ask: "Does this (insert item of clothing) make me look fat?" What do you say?

To honor one's word bespeaks integrity, ie, that one can be relied upon.
But honesty can sometimes get in the way.
Its judicious application best achieves integrity.

 

[fantome profane]

But honesty can sometimes get in the way.

Honesty often gets in the way for criminals trying to cover up their crimes.

 

[BSM1]

When people claim that truth isn't important, it's likely because the truth isn't on their side. Also, if someone isn't honest, it follows that they're not trustworthy. As the old adage says "A man is only as good as his word."

You ever tell a kid Santa's real?