Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” has been criticized by media ethics experts for his staunch defense of President Joe Biden’s mental fitness. Dr. Dan Axelrod from St. Thomas University noted that Scarborough’s passionate support for Biden blurred the lines between journalism and public relations. In March, Scarborough declared Biden to be in his best intellectual and analytical state, which Axelrod likened to the rhetoric of a publicist.
After Biden’s shaky debate performance, Scarborough briefly suggested that Biden consider dropping out of the race. However, following a subsequent interview with Biden on “Morning Joe,” Scarborough shifted his stance, encouraging Democrats to focus on opposing former President Donald Trump.
Axelrod highlighted the importance of adhering to the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, which calls for truth-seeking, transparency, and independence. Scarborough and his co-host Mika Brzezinski’s family ties to the Biden administration, including Brzezinski’s brother serving as Biden’s ambassador to Poland, underscore the need for disclosing potential conflicts of interest.
The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining journalistic objectivity, especially when personal connections may influence coverage. As concerns about Biden’s mental fitness persist, “Morning Joe” and its hosts are likely to face further scrutiny regarding their journalistic integrity and potential biases in their reporting.
