General Discussion

drray23

(8,434 posts) Fri Jul 25, 2025, 02:45 PM Jul 25

Playing dumb when asking questions is journalism now.

I have noticed this trend becoming really prevalent. A good example of a practitioner of this method is Katy Tur.

One of her guest was commenting on how bad it is that Todd Blanche who not only is a political appointee but also Trump former personal lawyer was meeting with Maxwell.

Tur replied , why is it a bad thing ? The guest had to explain its an obvious conflict of interest and make it more likely than not that this is driven by political considerations to help Trump rather than pursue justice for the people.

Is she playing dumb or is she dumb? Is it because she thinks her audience is dumb so she had to force the guest to spell it out ?

Tur is not the only one doing that. It's very common now.

6 replies

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Highlight:

Playing dumb when asking questions is journalism now. (Original Post) drray23 Jul 25 OP

In some cases it's a useful way of getting an interviewee to explain something. Ocelot II Jul 25 #1

I was about to make both of those points senseandsensibility Jul 25 #2

Exactly n/t SickOfTheOnePct Jul 25 #4

When your audience is stupider than you are, you have to ask basic questions to review for their benefit Bernardo de La Paz Jul 25 #3

"Is she playing dumb or is she dumb?" Wiz Imp Jul 25 #5

Sometimes reporters ask sarcastic questions BigmanPigman Jul 25 #6

Ocelot II

(127,468 posts)

1. In some cases it's a useful way of getting an interviewee to explain something.

Reply to drray23 (Original post)

Fri Jul 25, 2025, 02:47 PM

Jul 25

In the case of Katie Tur it's probably because she isn't very bright.

senseandsensibility

(24,003 posts)

2. I was about to make both of those points

Reply to Ocelot II (Reply #1)

Fri Jul 25, 2025, 02:49 PM

Jul 25

but you saved me the trouble! I agree completely.

SickOfTheOnePct

(8,673 posts)

4. Exactly n/t

Reply to Ocelot II (Reply #1)

Fri Jul 25, 2025, 02:53 PM

Jul 25

Bernardo de La Paz

(58,959 posts)

3. When your audience is stupider than you are, you have to ask basic questions to review for their benefit

Reply to drray23 (Original post)

Fri Jul 25, 2025, 02:51 PM

Jul 25

But often the same thing can be achieved in less time as well or better by the journalist doing the quick review / reminder.

It is also maintains more ethical distance, avoids inserting one's own points of view.

I made this post to reinforce the Ocelot II post before me.

Wiz Imp

(7,537 posts)

5. "Is she playing dumb or is she dumb?"

Reply to drray23 (Original post)

Fri Jul 25, 2025, 04:37 PM

Jul 25

In Tur's case, I'd say both are true.

BigmanPigman

(53,837 posts)

6. Sometimes reporters ask sarcastic questions

Reply to drray23 (Original post)

Fri Jul 25, 2025, 07:32 PM

Jul 25

Sort of like "playing dumb". Tur is just stupid.

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