By Lina Bryce
After working 18 years in order to establish a career, George Stephanopoulos’ credibility as an unbiased journalist is being called into question. Last Friday, he admitted to donating $75,000 to the Clinton Foundation, just as the presidential race with Hillary Rodham Clinton is gearing up as a leading Democratic candidate. The Post reports that he signed a seven-year $105 million dollar contract which would keep him in front of the cameras through 2021.
Stephanopoulos made two apologies within one week on what he considers a matter of public record. On “Good Morning America” he admitted to making donations in three increments to the foundation started by his one-time boss and former President Bill Clinton, reports The Post.
“I should have gone the extra mile to avoid even the appearance of a conflict,” the “GMA” and “This Week” host said. “I apologize to all of you for failing to do that.”
This disqualifies him from moderating a GOP primary debate, according to some Republicans. Sergio Gor, a spokesman for US Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), stated on Monday, “Senator Paul believes that Stephanopoulos’ ties to the Clintons makes it impossible for him to be a fair reporter. He has avoided being on his program for over a year and will continue to do so.”
Democrats are less concerned with Stephanopoulos’ conflicts of interest. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is Hillary Clinton’s only declared primary opponent, told CNN that Stephanopoulos “should have made [his donations] public,” but added that the scandal wasn’t “the biggest deal in the world.”
And spokeswoman for former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who is floating the idea of a presidential run, said, “We’ve always found [Stephanopoulos] to be fair.”
There is a general perception that journalists are independent and nonpartisan and there is clearly a double standard with how Democrats are responding to what is considered fair in journalism. Democrats have always taken a clear stance on campaign financing, with regard to Citizens United, asserting that corporations are not individuals when it comes to campaign donations, yet, appear unperturbed by a partisan journalist conducting interviews of opposing candidates in elections. How could his questions be fair? The media is one the most powerful tools in getting elected. It is arguably a much more powerful platform than monetary donations to a campaign, as they are not only broadcasting a message or idea from a much larger platform, they have the ability to sway public opinion.
Just after Brian Williams “misspoke”, which brought about the NBC anchor’s suspension, ethics in news coverage is still harboring much skepticism with viewers. Now, with Rhodes Scholar George Stephanopoulos’ close connection to the Clintons, it calls into question the issue of journalistic integrity during a major upcoming election.
What the network will do with Stephanopoulos is unclear, however, it would appear that ABC has a bit of a problem-a $105 million problem, to be exact.