Terry Moran, a veteran reporter at ABC News, was let go last month after violating the network’s policy by criticizing President Trump and aide Stephen Miller in a social media post, referring to them as promoting “hate.” In an interview, Moran defended his remarks, declaring he stood by his statements as they reflected his beliefs.
ABC’s decision to first suspend Moran was, perhaps, justifiable to uphold standards of objectivity and professionalism. However, firing him seems like an excessive measure.
As a mainstream news outlet, ABC typically aims for objectivity and balance, though, let’s be honest, complete impartiality is pretty much impossible. Still, the effort to maintain fairness is crucial to distinguishing themselves from more opinionated outlets like Fox News and MSNBC. According to media watchdog sites, ABC News skews slightly left but remains close to the center.
Ideally, reporters should refrain from sharing their personal opinions, especially in a manner that feels like personal attacks. When opinions do surface, they should stick to the issues at hand. This lapse on Moran’s part did warrant an initial disciplinary action.
That said, considering his long-standing tenure at ABC—he joined in 1997 and had been a senior correspondent since 2018—firing him feels harsh.
His social media post appears to be an isolated incident, unlike the multiple and serious breaches seen in scandals like those involving Stephen Glass or Jayson Blair. Moran deserved another chance, and a suspension could have served as a proper caution against future outbursts. It would be unfortunate if his career ended over this single event.
By letting Moran go, it almost feels like Trump has taken another shot at the media, continuing to label it as “fake news.” His media battles, which include tightening pressures on CBS and NPR, show a broader trend of challenging journalistic integrity. Recently, Paramount settled a lawsuit related to a CBS interview with Kamala Harris, which adds layers to this ongoing conflict.
After the 2024 election, ABC settled a lawsuit with Trump regarding a defamatory statement alleging that he was civilly liable for rape against writer E. Jean Carroll. This ongoing tension makes you wonder if ABC’s actions against Moran were influenced by fears of further legal or public backlash, especially after receiving pressure from Trump supporters.
Moran later mentioned he’d be sharing content on Substack, but who knows how far that will go after losing his platform at ABC.
Typically, news organizations have conflict of interest policies to maintain the appearance of independence and impartiality. This includes guidelines that prevent reporters from engaging in political campaigns or expressing overt political affiliations publicly.
The perception of journalism has seen a decline in trust over recent years. Various surveys, including Gallup’s 2023 report, reveal that only a small percentage of people believe journalists uphold high ethical standards. Maybe this contributes to the ongoing conversation about the role of personal opinions in journalism.
There’s a fine line here. Journalists may feel compelled to voice their opinions, especially when they’re controversial. Still, the essence of journalism is about maintaining a balance between personal beliefs and fair reporting. If anyone were to read Moran’s post, it could come off as biased against Trump and his administration.
Advocacy and opinion journalism definitely have their place in the media landscape. But mainstream outlets need to strive for a degree of neutrality, positioning themselves as credible news sources for everyone. ABC should focus on distinguishing itself from more opinion-driven journalism.
In conclusion, ABC was right to discipline Moran but firing him may have crossed the line.
Larry Atkins teaches journalism at Temple University and Arcadia University and addresses social and ethical issues in sports at Arcadia. He has authored “Distorted: A Critical Thinker’s Guide to Media Bias” and “Foul or Fair? Ethical and Social Issues in Sports.”
