Does the White House really need a press corps? What purpose

does it really serve these days? Gibbs could daily announce what the President's agenda is, who he is meeting with and what has been discussed. Those meetings will be covered by reporters. In the age of technology we now enjoy, what exact purpose do they serve? Their newspapers are dying off daily. I've noticed their intent and purposes seem to be focused on "gotcha" instead of answers to questions of content.

A press corps in this day and age seems like a hold over from before the days of television. They would run out of the room, go to the press room and call their editors, etc. That is no longer necessary. It is also obvious to many of us that many in the corps are not really journalists (see Ed Henry). CNN and other outlets can watch the President make his statement on television and go from there. Press Corps?? Who needs 'em....

He had a pool of stenographers.

They all pretty much ask the same questions, and cover the same stuff, right?

Just have Pravda tell the papers what to print. That should get the job done. Who needs the press?

and more accountability, rather than less. That's the take home message that the shrub years taught me.

So long as the government (the people) builds communication infrastructure, awards licenses, and protects the interests of the corporations (private interests) that dominate the media, there is no reason why the government (the people) cannot require broader access and public service (covering the news for example) in exchange for the favors done for private industry.

Handing out government granted privileges and immunities (corporate charters and media channels and systems) to wealthy people, and then asking for nothing in return and allowing them to use those privileges any way they like, is wrong - morally, socially, and politically.


...

that it's always possible for someone in some department to surrender to the siren song of money, influeunce peddling and a promise of a job later and I know we all remember the deep reach that corporatism has had into all branches of government and both parties. The government is the people, run by all too human people and for that very reason it needs to be watched by the people. That used to be the fourth estate, back when reporters broke news stories and spoke truth to power and were hailed as heros. Now, the big corporations own much of MSM, even more reason for internet news hounds and independent bloggers to get into to the mix and keep them honest. Of course, the downside is that there is much work and little money with blogging and the MSM attracts journalists because they can compete financially with big salaries and then corrupt the best of them, or, like faux news, have trained clowns reading a teleprompter.

Press Corp sat on their thumbs while jeff gannon asked the questions. Now, on the whole they act like jackals on a feeding frenzy at the zoo.

Not sure Gibbs plans on taking any crap from them.