At the risk of double-dipping in Great Falls Tribune Capitol Bureau Chief John S. Adams’ blog, his depiction of the unbelievably rude behavior by KBLL AM radio news jockey Jay Scott during the pledge of allegiance and prayer before the State of the State address Wednesday night is a must-read. It’s titled, “Classlessness at the Capitol, the State of the State Edition.”
In a nutshell, Scott allowed his cellphone to ring loudly, then talked loudly on the phone during the pledge and prayer, infuriating lawmakers and embarrassing fellow journalists – but this brief synopsis doesn’t do Adams’ blog justice.
Want an idea of how offensive it was? Here’s what Whitefish Senator and decorated Navy war veteran Ryan Zinke said to Scott: “Being here is privilege, not a right. You desecrated my flag and you desecrated my God.”
Behavior like this gives ammunition to those who seek to revoke the House and Senate floor privileges of journalists covering the Legislature, the vast majority of whom are deeply respectful of both the institution of the Legislature, as well as the people who serve and work there. The best reporters know it’s possible to maintain that respect while still holding lawmakers to account for their policies, beliefs and actions. Montana Newspapers Association Executive Director John Barrows read my testimony over the summer before a legislative panel arguing why journalists should continue to be allowed on the Senate and House floors. Whether you appreciate the press or not, our ability to closely cover Montana government serves everyone, and when journalists act like this, it endangers every reporter’s ability to do their job well.
From Adams’ blog:
One would think that after such an embarrassing display of disrespect for the pledge Scott would turn his phone off. Well, one would have another think coming.
A few minutes after the first awkward incident, Bishop George Thomas began to lead the chamber in prayer. That’s when Scott’s phone blared to life…again.
Again Scott let it ring three times, during the prayer, and again he answered it. This time he talked even louder than before. From where I was sitting, just a few feet away from Scott, it sounded as though the Bishop was doing his level best to raise his voice above the radio man’s obnoxious conversation. You literally could not hear the prayer from our side of the floor over Scott’s voice.
At one point Rep. Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse, got out of her seat and scolded Scott.
“You have to hang up that phone!” she hissed, furiously waving her hand in front of Scott’s face. “You can’t do that!”
Scott seemed irritated but didn’t immediately hang up. He seemed completely oblivious to how disrespectful—not to mention annoying—his actions were. I heard from folks who were sitting in the upstairs gallery who said they could hear Scott talking over the prayer.