Emanuel cited recent New York Times photos ofBetty Currie, President Clinton's personalsecretary, surrounded by a mob of journalists asproof that the media is taking the scandal toinappropriate heights. The American public "sawwhat a media frenzy is like," he said.
The press should learn that "it is moreimportant to get it right than right away," hesaid.
Journalists are in a risky position for otherreasons, according to Borger. They are dealingwith an unusual situation in which the informationis "completely mediated" by biased sources andleaks.
In order to more accurately report the issue,she said reporters should judge the motivations oftheir sources and should make their readers awareof potential bias.
"The stakes could not be higher," she said.
The audience asked questions about the WhiteHouse response to the scandal and about thedangers of public skepticism.
Greg F. Cobett '96 said he was "pleased by thehonesty" of the panelists. They were "veryforthright. They didn't dodge the issues," Cobettsaid.
Jeffrey P. Yarbro '99, chair of the IOP'sStudent Advisory Committee, disagreed.
The press representatives "did not adequatelydefend the 'feeding frenzy' that the otherpanelists were talking about," Yarbro said.
Nevertheless, Yarbro said he was satisfied withthe "well-balanced panel" that representedmultiple perspectives.