I think you see more of those judgment calls when reporters have the space given to them on section-front stories. They’re less likely to do it on smaller inside news stories like this Greenberg one. I understand the instinct to just report the news, but readers deserve better context.
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Agreed. I worked at AIG for 4 years in the '90's and can verify that Greenberg knew EXACTLY what was going on at AIGFP. As pointed out in the excellent Wa Post piece, many of the derivative contracts that blew up were in place before he left.
That being said, there are two other reasons why AIG melted down. (1) Greenberg built a beautiful but too-complicated machine and was not willing to pay enough to staff it properly (yes, AIG pays less than other financial firms, despite recent news stories). (2) Spitzer did no one any favors (least of all the AIG shareholders) by ousting Greenberg, essentially to satisfy Siptzer's own ego.
Yes, poor management is bad but poor oversight (Spitzer) can make it worse. Something to keep in mind in this ongoing crisis...
#1 Posted by JLD, CJR on Fri 3 Apr 2009 at 01:14 PM
I saw that story this morning and had the same reaction: Who's right here (or more right)? Not having time or inclination to go looking for myself, I just find out via a nice piece of media criticism. Thanks, Ryan.
Here: "Why cut [EDMUND L. ANDREWS} slack with a he said/she said?"
How about moving this question from the rhetorical to the informative? Why not ask him directly? And then, let us know what he said.
#2 Posted by Tom, CJR on Fri 3 Apr 2009 at 03:14 PM
Sorry, but my favorite "false balance" story today was "Fuzzy Picture of Taxes, Spending and Debt" By David M. Herszenhorn:
"Democrats say their budget would provide a tax cut for 95 percent of Americans. Republicans say the Democrats’ budget 'spends too much, taxes too much and borrows too much.'
"Wondering who is right? There is no simple answer."
Actually, it is pretty simple: The Democrats are correct, the Republican are indulging in typical hyperbole, and you're comparing apples and oranges. Shame.
#3 Posted by Dan, CJR on Fri 3 Apr 2009 at 06:48 PM
i am ready to settle please tom its been so long of the same things acc.06-00404511 car my son hit in sanford nc i was a passager i was hurt . i need to settel now . please you can emaile me or call any time but you knew that
#4 Posted by sheila blackwell, CJR on Tue 26 May 2009 at 02:58 PM
Good call.
The business press has been letting Greenberg get away with murder for years now. He is a direct competitor and litigation adversary of AIG, but they still use him as a source to comment on the company, as if he was a disinterested party.
Watching the CNBC types gush over him is embarrassing. It's as if they are so happy he will help them suck up airtime that they don't care how incredible he is. Just once I would like to see them introduce him as "unindicted co-conspirator Hank Greenberg", just to see what would happen.
#5 Posted by garhighway, CJR on Tue 26 May 2009 at 07:12 PM