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The Folly of the Media ‘Condemnation’ and ‘Disavowals’

The Folly of the Media ‘Condemnation’ and ‘Disavowals’
President Donald Trump and moderator Savannah Guthrie during an NBC News town hall event at the Perez Art Museum in Miami on Oct. 15, 2020. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Sharyl Attkisson
Sharyl Attkisson
contributor
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Commentary

It’s all the rage. Political figures are urged to apologize for something offensive they said or did. Their opponents hound them, often even dictating the precise verbiage the offender is supposed to use in his mea culpa ... or else. “Disavow!” “Condemn!” The funny thing is the apology typically doesn’t change anything. The politician is usually only sorry he got caught.

Sharyl Attkisson
Sharyl Attkisson
contributor
Sharyl Attkisson is the New York Times bestselling author of “Stonewalled,” “The Smear,” and “Slanted,” a five-time Emmy Award winner, and the host of Sinclair’s national investigative television program “Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson.” She is a recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for investigative reporting and has reported nationally for CBS News, PBS, and CNN.
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