NORMAL – Carl Hulse worked his way up journalism’s job ladder, learning his craft as a student at Illinois State University and working at its newspaper, The Vidette, which was published daily when Hulse worked there, to getting his first reporting job at the LaSalle News Tribune to moving up to the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.
From there in his career, he worked his way far enough to be able “to bring greetings from the failing New York Times†to 300 people, most of them either Journalism or Public Relations majors, in the Circus Room of the Bone Student Center on ISU’s campus for the annual Constitution Day event on Sept. 17.
“The failing New York Times†is the moniker President Donald Trump has frequently referred to the publication by. Hulse is Chief Washington Correspondent for the Times, and a December 1976 graduate of ISU, having majored in Speech Communication. He began his career at the New York Times in 1985 in Washington, D. C. covering national politics and government.
“I love the Constitution,†Hulse told the gathering. “A lot of us at the Times carry it with us.†He then produced a pocket-size version of the document which he carries with him. He said he often wonders if the Founding Fathers would believe all the changes in society since they originally crafted it 228 years ago.
“It’s a challenging time right now,†Hulse said. “Media is a big part of our lives. As long as I’m careful and factual, should I be sued, I’m constitutionally protected.â€
On the subject President Trump admonishes the media for what he says it produces – Trump refers to it as “fake news†– Hulse calls the situation that sort of talk creates “scary†and added Trump labels anything he’s not happy with “fake news.†Countering Trump’s argument, Hulse said genuine “fake news†comes in the form of Russian propaganda.
Hulse said the damage done by claims of fake news which Trump has made “has already been done and will take years to have undone.†He called “disingenuous†former Presidential advisor Steve Bannon appearing on CBS’ “60 Minutes†broadcast on Sept. 17.
“It’s our job to provide information to help people make informed decisions,†Hulse said of what the media’s role in society ought to be considered. He added he believes Trump is alone in his assertion about Russian infiltration in Washington.
Hulse said some people in this country believe journalists should go from being neutral and objective on some issues to choosing sides. “My job is to talk to people and report fairly. But people don’t think we do that.†He added the New York Times “is needing to show readers actual documents they have gathered†related to stories as proof of that.
Hulse said recent talks between Trump and Democratic minority leaders Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Nancy Pelosi of California, give the veteran journalist hope the government’s legislative branch is trying to take back some power it ceded to Trump.
Hulse spoke for about 40 minutes and then opened up the floor for questions which came from both students and some local residents.