2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumIn what a sorry state we remain when Republicans spew lies over and over and go totally unchallenged
Tragically, this maddening state of discourse is nothing new. Yes, it was heartening to read the recent op-ed excerpted below by Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein calling for journalists to try to find out which 'politician is telling the truth.' What a concept! Yet these men have been totally ignored by most of the main stream media--which is very telling of the state of today's 'mainstream journalists.'
We understand the values of mainstream journalists, including the effort to report both sides of a story. But a balanced treatment of an unbalanced phenomenon distorts reality. If the political dynamics of Washington are unlikely to change anytime soon, at least we should change the way that reality is portrayed to the public.
Our advice to the press: Dont seek professional safety through the even-handed, unfiltered presentation of opposing views. Which politician is telling the truth? Who is taking hostages, at what risks and to what ends?
When will journalists start to do their jobs? Evidently, no time soon.
ladjf
(17,320 posts)EC
(12,287 posts)one of them say, "Well, to set the record straight, (such and such) was not quite accurate about (such and such)." Then set the record straight with whatever facts apply and citing the source. Is it really too hard for these guys to really report the NEWS as it is instead of lies? They aren't reporters, they are readers - figureheads - ciphers - pretenders...especially David Gregorey.
Iceberg Louie
(190 posts)because, God forbid, they should validate the notion the they have a liberal bias.
WingDinger
(3,690 posts)"I dont think it is the place of media to ask the hard questions." Right before he was promoted to new Tim Russert, another sycophant.
flpoljunkie
(26,184 posts)just1voice
(1,362 posts)for being such great citizens.
We're a criminal nation, full of propaganda and greedy-ass corporate cronyism. Here's the latest war criminal book:
http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/9698-colin-powell-another-war-criminal-cashes-in
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Where the hell is James Carville when you need him?
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)imjalar
(1 post)Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)These are "television shows" and, just like the Tonight Show and Letterman and Conan, they live and die off their ability to book A-List guests. So when you have shows like "Meet the Press" and others that rely on guests coming on their program, the hosts are loathe the beat up on them. The guest won't come back and other A-List politicians will stay away. Think about it. When was the last time Nancy Pelosi or ANY prominent Democrat appeared on Fox News?
So the MSM journalists treat their guests with kid gloves, whereas print and internet journalists will rough them up.