Prof. Jane Kirtley Interviewed by Reuters About Appropriateness of Correspondents’ Dinner

Professor Jane Kirtley, Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law, was interviewed by Reuters about the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in light of the foiled attack at the event last Saturday. Questions have deepened about whether the event should continue in its current form, as journalists and officials weigh new security risks along with longstanding ethics concerns. The annual gala – a  Washington fixture for more than a century – raises funds for journalism scholarships and celebrates the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment, which guarantees free speech and a free press. But there has been increasing debate about whether journalists should mingle with the officials they cover. Prof. Kirtley said, “I think it’s ⁠not a good look for journalists to be ⁠dressed in tuxedos and gowns and hanging out with the people they cover. It’s always been a really tricky proposition.”