1. The “media bias” scapegoat is so transparent at this point. You can bank on the person employing it being a hater of truth. Those who utilize it regularly despise the inconvenience of true journalism exposing their words and actions as being shitty.
2. Really looking forward to the updated World Press Freedom Index in the coming days. I’m feeling a sub-65 drop for the U.S.
OMG that NYTimes 'profile' of Lauren Bezos made me ill - I couldn't and didn't finish it!
Speaking of revulsion: I stopped caring about the Correspondents Dinner after seeing (MS)NBC's Brian Williams cavorting and 'rapping' on stage with members of Dubya's administration. BLECH!!!
Despite that our watch dog press has become the lapdog press and the “talking hairdos” on national and local news programs do literally no journalism whatsoever, and the leading legacy newspapers are nothing more that huge bullhorns for a political class of obscenely wealthy individuals and families, honest journalism is still very much alive. Truth does continue to effectively fight its way through the crap it’s buried under. Why else would the powers that be continue to relentlessly attack and chip away at our First Amendment rights? The power of the pen is still mightier than the sword. Granted its much harder to find the truth these days, but it’s doable. It’s just a matter of caring enough to do the extra work.
I never thought I would consider The Atlantic as the bastion of good journalism, but beggars can't be choosers?
I remember an episode of the old Mary Tyler Moore show in which Ted Baxter (the TV new anchor) considers taking a job as a game show host. There follows a very funny scene in which Lou Grant (his boss) tries to explain why it is more prestigious to be a newscaster than a game show host, intoning the phrase "quiz master" as if it were the antithesis of anything honorable.
Too many of todays journalists are happy being well paid game show hosts.
And I agree with all the other comments in high praise of your closing paragraphs!
Great read. I've been fighting against access journalism at the local level my entire life. It sickens me to see some of my colleagues having chummy relationships with those in power. At the end of the day, they're being used, and the public quietly notices. Without credibility, the puff pieces they write have no effect.
One of the benefits of true journalism is that it tends to reveal the character of the people you're dealing with. I've gained a lot of respect for people I've been compelled to write negative things about, depending on how they react. The majority take it personally and throw a fit, but the good ones understand you have a job to do, say their piece and move on.
Excellent!
“Happy pets coming home from the vet with no balls, still wagging their tails. They’re just happy to be there.”
That made me feel like Les Grossman did after the grip punches the director in the face. Nicely done.
I pulled the same quote. Absolute perfection.
1. The “media bias” scapegoat is so transparent at this point. You can bank on the person employing it being a hater of truth. Those who utilize it regularly despise the inconvenience of true journalism exposing their words and actions as being shitty.
2. Really looking forward to the updated World Press Freedom Index in the coming days. I’m feeling a sub-65 drop for the U.S.
OMG that NYTimes 'profile' of Lauren Bezos made me ill - I couldn't and didn't finish it!
Speaking of revulsion: I stopped caring about the Correspondents Dinner after seeing (MS)NBC's Brian Williams cavorting and 'rapping' on stage with members of Dubya's administration. BLECH!!!
Agree about the Boebert piece and, of course, the “review “ of the Melania propaganda movie!
Despite that our watch dog press has become the lapdog press and the “talking hairdos” on national and local news programs do literally no journalism whatsoever, and the leading legacy newspapers are nothing more that huge bullhorns for a political class of obscenely wealthy individuals and families, honest journalism is still very much alive. Truth does continue to effectively fight its way through the crap it’s buried under. Why else would the powers that be continue to relentlessly attack and chip away at our First Amendment rights? The power of the pen is still mightier than the sword. Granted its much harder to find the truth these days, but it’s doable. It’s just a matter of caring enough to do the extra work.
As always. Deeply insightful. Thank you.
I never thought I would consider The Atlantic as the bastion of good journalism, but beggars can't be choosers?
I remember an episode of the old Mary Tyler Moore show in which Ted Baxter (the TV new anchor) considers taking a job as a game show host. There follows a very funny scene in which Lou Grant (his boss) tries to explain why it is more prestigious to be a newscaster than a game show host, intoning the phrase "quiz master" as if it were the antithesis of anything honorable.
Too many of todays journalists are happy being well paid game show hosts.
And I agree with all the other comments in high praise of your closing paragraphs!
Great read. I've been fighting against access journalism at the local level my entire life. It sickens me to see some of my colleagues having chummy relationships with those in power. At the end of the day, they're being used, and the public quietly notices. Without credibility, the puff pieces they write have no effect.
One of the benefits of true journalism is that it tends to reveal the character of the people you're dealing with. I've gained a lot of respect for people I've been compelled to write negative things about, depending on how they react. The majority take it personally and throw a fit, but the good ones understand you have a job to do, say their piece and move on.
Smoking!