[Volokh] Jonathan Adler: Does Ifill Have a Conflict of Interest?

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Jonathan Adler:
Does Ifill Have a Conflict of Interest?
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_09_28-2008_10_04.shtml#1222965360


   The internet has been buzzing with charges that tonight's debate
   moderator, Gwen Ifill, has a conflict of interest because she is
   writing a book, [1]The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of
   Obama, that is due to be released on inauguration day in 2009. If
   nothing else, it creates the appearance of a conflict of interest,
   much as would a journalist's participation in a political rally or
   partisan political activity. This is the view taken by the [2]Columbia
   Journalism Review:

     Gwen Ifill has done solid, important journalism. Sheâll likely be a
     good, tough, and neutral moderator to the vice-presidential debate.
     Letâs set that aside, for now.

     Conflict of interest is often about appearances. There appears, to
     us, to be a conflict in Ifill moderating tomorrow nightâs vice
     presidential debate.

   The CJR also suggests that the potential financial interest in an
   Obama victory may raise a different sort of conflict issue than prior
   debate moderators' personal affinities or preferences for individual
   candidates (e.g. CBS' Bob Schieffer's friendship with George W. Bush).

   I think CJR is correct that there is an appearance of a conflict. I
   also think that Ifill should have disclosed the book project and its
   title to the Presidential Debate Commission (which she apparently
   failed to do). But I also think that the debate should go on with
   Ifill as the moderator, and partisans of either stripe should wait and
   see how Ifill performs before casting judgment. Like all professional
   journalists, she is expected to put aside her personal views and
   interests when doing her job, and if she is less-than-neutral in her
   performance tonight, it will be out in the open for us all to see. In
   sum, any conflict of interest, whether real or perceived, should have
   a minimal effect because the voting public will be able to evaluate
   Ifill's fairness for themselves when watching tonight's debate.

References

   1. http://www.amazon.com/Breakthrough-Politics-Race-Age-Obama/dp/038552501X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222964561&sr=8-3
   2. http://www.cjr.org/the_kicker/drudge_raises_a_point.php