Maybe I just misunderstood.
Apparently, I missed the class in which it was deemed OK to sport the logos of the beat you cover on the pocket of your polo. It was my understanding that, as a reporter, you were to remain objective.
As an employee, your loyalty is to your company. But as a journalist, your loyalty is to the public — not necessarily to the team you have been instructed to cover.
As a reporter, you’re supposed to provide an objective viewpoint based on facts and the results of a game, not create a fan club.
Sounds simple, right?
Maybe not.
WRC sports anchor Lindsay Czarniak and Comcast SportsNet reporter Kelli Johnson were both sideline reporters in the preseason game telecasts on WRC and Comcast SportsNet, the “official” stations of the Redskins during the preseason.
Apparently, it was mandatory to wear official Redskins shirts as they executed their on-air work during the games.
See the problem?
Legitimate sports journalists, whatever their form of media, shouldn’t wear team apparel when they’re on the job — for all the obvious reasons.
They’re supposed to be neutral, and by displaying their team of choice, they have given the audience reason to believe sports journalists will favor one team over the other.
