Lingle in
a media job:
Is it ethical?
Journalism professors say
By Mike Yuen
ethical questions will arise if she
does political commentary
Star-BulletinMaui Mayor Linda Lingle, who narrowly lost her bid to become the state's first Republican governor in 36 years, is mulling what she said are job offers from media organizations.
But if she uses her forced hiatus from public service to become a political commentator or reporter for radio, television or print, her move could be marred with ethical questions, several University of Hawaii journalism professors believe.
The intensity of the controversy that would engulf Lingle would depend on what journalistic venue she chooses, they said.
It would be "less offensive" if she hosts a radio talk show, which is "not journalism but a form of entertainment," said Gerald Kato, an assistant professor of journalism who was a veteran newspaper reporter covering state government and politics.
However, the state's two leading newspapers, which endorsed Lingle, and the isles' four network-affiliated TV stations could find their credibility jeopardized, particularly if they hired Lingle to cover the news instead of offering commentary, added Kato and Tom Brislin, chairman of the journalism department who also teaches journalism ethics.
"She's made it clear that she is not retiring to journalism and that she will be running for office again. This would be a forum for her next campaign," Kato said.
Brislin added: "Certainly it would be a direct conflict of interest to have someone with the stated interest of challenging the established government reporting on it."
Lingle, who has a journalism degree from California State University-Northridge and who ran a community newspaper on Molokai for four years before entering politics in 1980, said questions of ethical problems were "too hypothetical" at this point since she has nearly two months to decide whether she'll take a media job after she leaves office Jan. 2.
She declined to discuss in detail the media jobs before her. She did not seek the job queries, but she would like to be able to comment on public policy issues, Lingle said.
There has been "a normal, traditional relationship" between politicians and the media nationally and locally, Lingle added, pointing, for example, to New York Republican Susan Molinari, who left the U.S. House for a brief stint as a CBS News anchor.
It wouldn't matter if Lingle were to be a reporter or commentator, state Democratic Party Chairman Walter Heen said.
"I don't think she will be saying anything good about Democrats.
"I wonder if equal-access questions might be raised. She would be doing this -- maintaining her image before the public -- as a way to establishing her base for another run for something."
Mike Kelly, general manager for radio stations KCCN-AM, KCCN-FM and KINE-FM, said his program director, Keaumiki Akui, has spoken with Lingle campaign manager Bob Awana about a possible job for Lingle. No offer has yet been made, but one could be forthcoming as Akui and Awana continue their discussions, Kelly said.
If an offer were to be made to Lingle, it would probably be a talk show focusing on community issues, he added.
"She is certainly good on the radio," Kelly said.
Lingle has appeared on the KCCN-AM talk shows hosted by Akui and Bob Jones.
Lingle has also been a guest on the talk show hosted by Rick Hamada, who is the station and program manager for KHVH-AM radio. Hamada could not be reached for comment yesterday. Hamada, who has a loyal following among conservatives and Republicans, has been honored by Republican state Sen. Sam Slom's Small Business Hawaii organization.
News executives at KHON-TV, the Fox network affiliate, and MidWeek, the direct mail newspaper, said they have not had job discussions involving Lingle. Star-Bulletin Editor and Publisher John Flanagan could not be reached, but the paper's managing editor, David Shapiro, said he was not aware of any offers to Lingle.
