Origins: After the September 11 terrorist attacks on the USA, some news outlets asked or ordered their on-air personnel not to wear American flag lapel pins, red, white, and blue ribbons, or other patriotic symbols in order to "maintain an image of impartial neutrality" and to lessen the chances that overseas reporters could be harmed by those who might view them as an arm of the American government. Prominent among these outlets was the ABC network: ABC News has asked its staff not to wear American flag pins in their lapels, or even red, white and blue ribbons, in an effort to protect their credibility as objective sources.
"I don’t see a contradiction at all between being a patriotic American and being a solid journalist," Trouw said. "Displaying the flag is not a symbol of the government. It’s a show of support for fellow Americans." to outrage expressed by conservative pundits: These TV news directors and newspaper editors act like they’re lethally allergic to red, white and blue. Do they plan on boycotting the Fourth of July, too? Wouldn’t want to give the appearance of endorsing either side of that little armed struggle between Mother England and the rebel colonies, right?
Seriously, the hypocrisy is nauseating. "Ethical" news editors wave the high-minded banner of objectivity in wartime. But in peacetime, they don’t think twice about allowing — even encouraging — their reporters to participate in such highly politicized activities as AIDS fund-raisers, race-based affirmative action lobbying efforts, anti-gun proselytizing, pro-abortion rallies and environmental propaganda.
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