After the reporter asked a couple of normal questions, he then asked Tejada how old he was. Tejada answered 32. Wrong answer.
The reporter who apparently works for the FBI, called Tejada out on live television, with a copy of Tejada's birth certificate and all, asking him why he would lie about his age and if the federal government knows his real birthdate.
Tejada decided he didn't have to answer to this guy and left the interrogation... I mean interview room.
Some journalists might see this as a big step in their career. You can see the excitement in the reporter's eyes when he realizes Tejada just lied to his face on live tv. I just don't understand what makes this journalism. ESPN obviously lied about what they wanted to talk to Tejada about and then proceeded to ambush him.
Charles Barkley stood up for Tejada, saying he doesn't agree with the way ESPN handled the situation.
"I thought what they did to Miguel Tejada was one of the most Bush League things I've ever seen," Barkley said. "I would have slapped the hell out of that guy."
Miguel Tejada comes from a poor family in the Dominican Republic and had to lie about his age in order to come to the United States and play baseball. Of course it's not right to lie about your age, but is it really necessary to call somebody out on live television with documents? More importantly, is this journalism?
4 comments:
I think this is just another example of shoddy journalism. As an avid sports fan (and especially for the 'Stros!), I love ESPN and what they do. But the reporter obviously had his own interests in mind, regardless of who it affected. I do believe ESPN should have pursued the story if they had reason to believe Tejeda wasn't really 32. But was it necessary to embarrass the man on live television? An Outside-the-Lines report or ESPN First Take investigation would have been more appropriate. But after everything he's already endured this year, I'd say he handled it very professionally.
I wouldn't say it isn't journalism. But Tejeda was right to walk out. It shouldn't matter what his age is. This is a free country, which includes the freedom to lie about your age. This isn't a case of cheating, or lying to a grand jury. How many women out there lie about their age, weight, ect. Are we going to call them all in for an interview and ambush them with documents?
This is definately not journalism in my opinion. This is a personal attack on national television that ESPN should be ashamed for broadcasting. Tejada should not have been embarrassed on live television. Just because it is something that viewers would be interested in hearing, does not make it legit. This is more of a gossip type issue than news or journalsim. Tejada totally kept his cool. I would have done what Barkley said and slapped him.
This doesn't seem ethical to me. Maybe it was the truth, but this reporter had no right to embarrass Tejada on live television and attempt to ruin his reputation.
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