There is a reason why Aaron Brown was at the top of my list. He wasn't everyone's favorite. I didn't care. Aaron's practice was highly ethical to the extent is allowed him to work within the venue of CNN.
That level of ethics required and does require no matter the profession a dispassionate approach. The 'competition' are shows like 'The Daily Show' and all the other 'entertainment news' programming. Oddly, that wasn't the clientele of Aaron Brown. He had hardline political viewers. They wanted the facts. They didn't mind the political approach so long as it was reasonably balanced. They wanted the news that was timely whether fashionable or not.
Aaron delivered.
I had the profound pleasure of being a viewer that also found a journalist who recieved messages from the public and took them seriously and compassionately. Aaron was a nice guy besides an excellant practioner. He took his public so seriously, he saw no reason for their injury and with that in mind he had 'A Golden Journalist's Rule.' Every report required two verifible sources.
In know 'airing on the side of caution' is not fashionable, but, in this case; regardless of the reaction of the families; should journalists have held back rather than becoming part of the emotional state of 'the scene' perhaps the ultimate reality could have been buffered. Even buffered for the families actively praying for a miracle.
See, Aaron would have done that. He would have been the "Party Pooper" until all the facts were in. That type of pragmatic journalism is what this country needs. It is leadership quality journalism. It is the perfect practice of the profession most at risk and Aaron's dismissal along with the retirement of NewsNight is testimony to the sorry state of affairs in this country.
I don't know what "Slate" would say about Aaron. I am not seeking to displace him over Mr. Cooper. I am simply saying, I appreciate the 'caution' aired here with "Slate" to put the 'trend' at notice. I find it prudent.
