Managing editors in real life often seem like they're straight out of central casting. Think of characters like Lou Grant of the TV series, Perry White of the Superman stories, or Walter Burns of the movie "The Front Page."
Cynical and aggressive, but they are also protective of their staff even as they demand objective and neutral reporting.
Reporters, in turn, are thick-skinned and able to ignore resistance by newsy subjects as they chase down important stories.
However, there are limits, and the more someone tries to suppress a story or prevent journalists from doing the job of providing important information to the public, the sharper their curiosity and their pencils get.
This situation goes with the territory, and reporters don't let it bother them. But when a political candidate resorts to personal abuse in an effort to control news media and dictate how a story is handled, then reporters double down in their efforts to expose any public figure's failings. Moreover, they are supported by their editors.
In the latest episode, one current candidate was heard today telling NBC reporter Katy Tur to "Be quiet." This same candidate told Jorge Ramos of Univision to "Sit down, you weren't called on." In addition, the press credentials of several media outlets were revoked because the candidate did not like the coverage. He also publicly mocked a reporter's physical disability, as well as insinuating that a woman TV interviewer was asking tough questions because she was menstruating at the time.
This candidate should learn that the more you try to muzzle the press, the louder they growl. Journalists will continue to do their jobs, reporting exactly what is said.
How those quotes are handled is another issue.
There are ways.
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