Courtesy and Respect

   "I don't hate you, but neither am I your friend," is a good motto for reporters to keep in mind when dealing with those in the news. In that sense, apathy in a reporter is a virtue, says resident cynic Pug Mahoney.
   A good reporter's strongest feeling is the urge to get the story.
   The current president of the United States fails to understand that reporters may be friendly, but this is a professional friendliness -- they cannot and should not be friends with those they cover on their news beats.
   President Donald Trump went on at some length during his news conference about the "hatred" and "anger" coming from the media.
   Here's a reality: Reporters ask tough questions because they need to be asked. They do this as part of the job to get at the truth underlying the story. Lawyers actually do the same thing when prosecuting a case. One difference is that prosecutors want the truthful information in order to convict someone of a crime. Journalists do it solely to provide knowledge to the public.
   Journalists should be courteous and respectful when asking questions of politicians and government leaders. Lawyers are often far more aggressive when prosecuting a case.
   But some are resentful of those who question their comments, and conclude that any disagreement is equal to opposition bordering on and sometimes going into the realm of anger and hatred.
   This seems to be the president's problem.