A lawmaker accused a female reporter of Colorado politics of being a “gossip and a mean girl” in response to an article exploring what Democratic dominance in the November election could mean for next year’s policy decisions. .
The comment comes from State Representative David Ortiz, D-Centennial, who is committed to fighting LGBTQ+ rights and the discrimination faced by wheelchair-using individuals like him in his first two years in the state legislature. made a name for itself.
Ortiz’s comments on Twitter drew silence from House Democratic Speaker-elect Julie McCluskey and D-Dillon. About 24 hours after the tweet was posted, a spokesperson said McCluskie, who was “still offline during the holidays,” could not be reached. A spokesman said other members of the caucus were “out of office on vacation.”
Caucus members often view silence as complicity in cases of discrimination.
Ortiz’s tweet complained about what he described as desperation by the print media, revealed by pursuing “narratives of drama and clickbait” instead of “doing real journalism.”
“Report facts and news. Don’t try to gossip or mean girls for clicks and ratings,” the tweet continued.
The print media in Colorado craves drama and clickbait stories rather than doing real journalism based on headlines I’ve seen over the past few weeks. Report facts and news. Don’t gossip or be mean to girls to get clicks or ratings. #Communist Party #COLeg
— David Ortiz (@DavidDOrtizCO) December 27, 2022
He said his assessment was based on headlines in articles about Congress in recent weeks.
When a Twitter user asked Ortiz to provide an example, he posted a link to a Colorado Politics article published on Dec. 24.
Twenty-four hours later, Ortiz stepped up his criticism.
“Speculation and gossip are not what I consider good coverage. , we can do the actual reporting,” Ortiz said.
Hey @DavidDOrtizCOIt is absolutely unacceptable to describe a young female journalist’s job as “gossiping and being mean to try to get clicks and ratings.” @hnmetzger reported to pic.twitter.com/TqYRJaDc9d
— Pat Poblete (@byPatPoblete) December 28, 2022
“I don’t agree, it’s your right,” Pat Poblete, deputy editor of the Colorado Department of Political Affairs, told Ortiz. It’s sexist, and the fact that you didn’t admit it and gave three different reactions speaks for itself.”
That prompted a response from ABC Field producers in Colorado.
Ms. Metzger and her coverage of Colorado politics is more useful, sober and mature than anything this is ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Xp9289gWP1
— Jeffrey Cook (@JeffreyCook) December 28, 2022
Jeffrey Cook told Ortiz, “Also, please say you’re sorry for being sexist. ‘If it wasn’t for young women, I wouldn’t have said this.'”
Ortiz apologized, but not directly to Metzger.
“I’m sorry. It was clearly not my intention. I apologize a million times,” he said.
I apologize. It was clearly not my intention. I apologize a million times. Still, I express my gratitude for that kind of reporting.
— David Ortiz (@DavidDOrtizCO) December 28, 2022
