Newsbusters hates journalism

Newsbusters -- the Media Research Center blog that thinks news outlets that produce accurate reporting should be fined -- is unhappy that CBS' Harry Smith dared to challenge a Republican Senator's talking points:

Responding to Senator Jeff Sessions describing Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor as a "typical liberal activist judge" CBS Early Show co-host Harry Smith argued: "You feel like her record indicates that? I mean, she gets a glowing review from the American Bar Association. Her record doesn't seem to necessarily match up with her - what - some of the things she said."

So, Sessions broke out the tired old "activist judge" talking point, and Smith challenged him to explain what he means, pointing out that Sotomayor's record doesn't substantiate that charge.  That's what reporters should do when politicians make baseless charges.  That's journalism.  And Newsbusters just hates it.

But here's what's really funny: Sessions acknowledged that Smith was right.  Here's the transcript, as presented by Newsbusters:

SESSIONS: Well, I think there's some truth to that because I believe we are in this country debating about the directions our courts could go and should go. I believe this nominee, from what I've seen so far, is the typical liberal activist judge who will push the law, who believes that – in identity type politics and seeing people as groups more than individuals. Who is-

SMITH: Would her record – you feel like her record indicates that?

SESSIONS: Harry, you know, she-

SMITH: I mean, she gets a glowing review from the American Bar Association.

SESSIONS: I understand-

SMITH: Her record doesn't seem to necessarily match up with her – what – some of the things she said.

SESSIONS: Right. There is a disconnect there, I will agree. Her record is better than her speeches. Her speeches tend to reflect, I think, her philosophy.