Viewers debate Sean Penn's journalistic ethics
On Sunday's 60 Minutes, Sean Penn told Charlie Rose that he considers himself an "experiential" journalist - one who doesn't need to hold El Chapo accountable for his cartel's reputation for brutal murders and drug trafficking.
"Mmm, yes you do...that's what journalism is," quipped the host of Comedy Central's "The Nightly Show," Larry Wilmore. "That's like showing up for your first day at Taco Bell and saying, 'I don't make tacos.'"
Sean Penn defends his #El Chapo interview on @60Minutes: https://t.co/UjQm0EtqIY pic.twitter.com/s1Tu2PRGR5
— The Nightly Show (@nightlyshow) January 19, 2016
One viewer objected to Penn giving the Mexican drug lord veto power over the story's publication:
Failing to ask obvious questions, regardless of the circumstances, then submitting the interview for the gangster's approval - Penn can call it what he likes, but it is not journalism.
Posted by David Ransom on Friday, January 15, 2016
Some viewers dished out low blows:
@60Minutes Mexico's Most Secure Prison and Sean Penn is a journalist...
Two complete oxymorons...
— JoeLo (@Joelo432) January 18, 2016
60 Minutes took some of that heat as well:
@60Minutes love your reports. But a story on Sean Penn and his stupid idea to 'interview' one who has killed many , shouldn't have aired.
— Gio (@_mode_101) January 18, 2016
And there were a few zingers for Charlie Rose:
This interview seems less about Sean Penn's meeting with El Chapo than it does about Charlie Rose accusing Penn of being...
Posted by Adam Zanzie on Monday, January 18, 2016
Unfortunately, Charlie Rose didn't "get it". Penn's point was that "journalism" is not doing what it is meant to do - inform - and in this case, he was talking about the war on drugs. Rose failed.
Posted by Jackie Newberry on Monday, January 18, 2016
But some viewers did not fail to forget Penn's portrayal of Jeff Spicoli in the 1982 film, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High":
@kmattio @60Minutes I was hoping to hear him say " Hey Bud " at the beginning of every answer he gave
— Barry (@bar545) January 18, 2016
@60Minutes it's so hard to think that this Sean Penn is that Sean Penn
#ElChapo pic.twitter.com/uZZaWcboLX
— DAISY (@OllieLove44) January 18, 2016
@60Minutes @charlierose pic.twitter.com/ZN10oJAPLq
— D.W. Dalrymple (@biggDWD) January 18, 2016
Amateur or not, the actor managed to find and talk with one of the most wanted men in the world -- and that, one tweet pointed out, is more than can be said for professional journalists and law enforcement on both sides of the border:
@60Minutes Everybody is a Journalist, some just source better than others. say what you will, #SeanPenn got the interview. @RollingStone
— It's Allgood! (@GJMooseMan) January 18, 2016
60 Minutes' "Fan-tastic" Post of The Week:
The moment I meet a girl who loves @60Minutes as much as I do I am proposing.
— Junior Mwemba (@KillaJunebug) January 19, 2016