Media admits failing to cover Biden's cognitive decline effectively

In recent events that took place in Chicago, authors Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson confronted tough questions regarding how the media covered Joe Biden's cognitive decline. During their book tour for "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," they discussed the media's shortcomings in reporting on Biden's mental acuity, especially following significant incidents like the 'Where's Jackie?' gaffe where Biden mistakenly called for a deceased congresswoman. This moment served as a catalyst for reflection on how the press has handled Biden's health issues leading up to the 2024 election. Thompson openly stated that the press failed to adequately cover the story, emphasizing that if they had been thorough in their reporting, this topic would not have been as shocking during debates. He dismissed the idea that there was any collusion among news organizations to shield Biden, instead attributing the lack of coverage to reporters being overly integrated into the social fabric surrounding the Biden administration. He suggested that such proximity may have altered the incentives for critical journalism, resulting in a broader failure to investigate potential issues. In conjunction with Thompson, Tapper urged for soul-searching within legacy media over their approach to covering the president's cognitive challenges. He noted that although right-wing media addressed Biden's mental decline earlier, they often resorted to sensational tactics rather than substantive reporting. This prompted discussions about how news organizations should strive for investigative rigor rather than simply relying on viral moments as a basis for reporting. Media critic Erik Wemple of the Washington Post subsequently reflected on his own inadequacies in scrutinizing the press's coverage of Biden. Particularly after the 'Where's Jackie?' incident, Wemple criticized legacy media for avoiding a deeper exploration of the president's capabilities and decisions. He lamented that coverage should extend beyond superficial observations and ought to include a more robust examination of Biden’s competency in governance as well as the inner workings of the administration. Overall, there seems to be a growing recognition among journalists that they need to hold themselves accountable for their previous reporting standards regarding Biden's presidency.