Transcript:
Journalists once held a revered position in the public discourse, scrutinizing politicians, tracking down corruption, waste, folly, cronyism, and ineptitude, exposing them all with a relentless, inspired dedication.
Such scrutiny was a problem that we had to solve, because
nothing is more dangerous than a nosy reporter.The downfall of Richard Nixon taught us one very important thing: do not make enemies of the press.
That is precisely how NOT to handle jounalists. Richard Nixon’s contempt for the press was his undoing. If only he had befriended Woodward and Bernstein, given them a taste of the good life, made them feel like one of the club.
Perhaps if Nixon had invited the press corps to a barbeque at his estate and gotten to know them on a personal basis, there might never have been such a thing as “deep throat”. But we have surely learned our lesson.
Really funny to see the juxtaposition of D.C. reporters at my cabin in Sedona. And not even the slightest hint of irony.
Kudos, and thank you, Meghan McCain, for doing what we have been trying to do for 30 years – normalizing the mechanism of complicity between Washington reporters and the politicians they are expected to be scrutinizing.
Our human metaphor, Holly Bailey, is the White House correspondent for Newsweek magazine.
She is ostensibly part of the fourth estate which the public assumes is toiling diligently in order to shine a bright light of objectivity on flaws, shortcomings, and inadequacies of our would-be leaders.
But
once you’ve been on the tire swing, dangling a wine glass, you’re not going to venture out to a parking garage at 3 o’clock in the morning to meet with a whistleblower.
You’re not even going to ask pointed questions that might embarrass or jeopardize a politician’s career. You’re just not going to do it.David Gregory of NBC News, rapping and dancing with Karl Rove
Doh! Had to think about that just a little too long David Gregory. Of course it’s because
you know that the only reason you’re allowed to socialize with Karl Rove and yuck it up on stage is precisely because you will go easy on him the next time you have to pretend that you’re a journalist.You now have access to a wealthy, powerful friend, who would of course vanish in an instant if you ask the wrong question. You would go from insider to outcast in the blink of an eye.
Controlling the message is crucial in political posturing, and message control is why we want reporters on the swing. Because
a reporter who has been on the tire swing isn’t going to jeopardize their privileged position.And as we help elevate their professional status, the journalists themselves become minor celebrities, and are all the more reluctant to rock the boat.
Some victories are won at the ballot box and some are won on the tire swing.
In overseas news, we are 6 months away from total victory in Iraq.
You will continue to support President George W. Bush and you will report the names of any persons heard criticizing the president, the party, or the war.
Have a pleasant evening.
http://prolefeed.tv/2008/09/06/journalists-swing-the-tire/#comment-120
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