Here is NPR's take on the matter from their ombudsman... http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?columnId=2781901
Lynn Cheney on 'Fresh Air with Terry Gross'
One bright spot in an otherwise fraught week was on NPR's Fresh Air.
On Thursday, Feb. 10, Terry Gross interviewed Lynn Cheney, author, conservative and wife of the vice president.
Mrs. Cheney was there in part to talk about a history book she has authored. She spoke about how Americans should have a better sense of their own history, the story of America is one of progress and freedom, and she spoke about how Americans should take pride in the accomplishments of the country. The interview also covered her critique of how history is taught, the influence of the women's movement on her own life and career, and what it was like to grow up in a small Wyoming town.
Some listeners did complain, though. When Terry Gross moved the interview to conservative positions on gay rights, listener Doug Jorrey wrote:
It was very clear to me that Ms. Gross had an agenda for the interview that was much different than what was promised. Her comment to Mrs. Cheney that "I know you don't like to talk specifically about your daughter's sexuality BUT..."' was typical ambush journalism. I found this and other attempts to pull Mrs. Cheney (out) of the closet on gays and faith to be childish and far beyond the scope of the promised discussion. Does Ms. Gross always do this with folks she doesn't agree with? It's poor journalism, and probably the reason why I don't often listen to Fresh Air.
Tough, But Respectful
A few listeners, such as Dulce McLeod, disagreed and thought it was a tough but respectful interview with a very articulate spokesperson for the conservative side:
Terry Gross is the type of interviewer that asks the right questions. It is sometimes uncomfortable to hear them but appreciate her spunk.
Danny Miller is the executive producer of Fresh Air:
It was frankly not surprising that Ms. Cheney was less enthusiastic discussing other topics in the news (in particular: the call for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, how that issue impacted on the election, and the Buster controversy). While we respect Ms. Cheney's desire for privacy specifically in regard to her daughter Mary (no questions were asked about her), that doesn't mean that the entire topic of gay rights and gay marriage was off the table. Many Americans are interested in what a public figure with Ms. Cheney's influence would have to say on these topics, especially given the fact that one of her children is gay. And for the record, our producer Amy Salit made it clear over the course of several phone calls with Lynne Cheney's office that we would talk about her children's book, but that other issues would be covered as well.
I also thought there were moments when Terry Gross was too persistent in her questioning of Mrs. Cheney. But overall, I thought it was a model of how good public radio interviews can be when people in the public spotlight need to be held to account.
Unlike Bill O'Reilly in a Fresh Air interview some months ago, Mrs. Cheney did not run away. She stood her ground, and so did Terry Gross. It was tough and nobody blinked.
That accounts for the tension many listeners felt during the 38-minute interview.
I felt it, too, but I couldn't stop listening.
Good job.
