Journalists: Stop asking “gotcha” questions and do your job
Demanding yes or no answers to “when did you stop beating your wife” questions is useless
Many so-called journalists have decided that the best approach to interviewing politicians is to repeat questions and demand a yes or no answer when the question deserved a more thoughtful (and yes, lengthy) response.
While this is sometimes a legitimate approach, more often the “journalist” is asking a “gotcha” question designed to make the respondent look evasive or to trap them into saying something that can be used against them later.
Consider:
Is Joe Biden too old to be president, yes or no?
It’s not a yes or no question. There is no upper age limit on who can occupy the office of President of the United States. The issue is not age, it’s the ability of that person. Some people go into cognitive decline in their 70s; others remain sharp through their 90s. It’s a “gotcha” question that doesn’t provide any value to the audience (viewers or readers).
Will you support the outcome of the election, yes or no?
It’s an incomplete question. The outcome as determined by whom? The outcome at what stage of the process? Again, a “gotcha” question that…
