White House Reporter Helen Thomas Profiled on HBO

White House Reporter Helen Thomas Profiled on HBO
by Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES - As a tireless questioner of authority and a consummate Washington insider, pioneering White House correspondent Helen Thomas has covered nine U.S. presidents over a span of nearly a half century.


Next week on cable network HBO, Thomas, 88, makes a rare appearance as an interview subject in a documentary produced and directed by filmmaker Rory Kennedy, whose uncle “Jack” was the first Oval Office occupant Thomas followed as a reporter.

The 38-minute profile, “Thank You, Mr. President: Helen Thomas at the White House,” features the journalist reflecting on her life, career, and devotion to the ideal that democracy thrives best when a vigilant press holds leaders accountable.

“I think that presidents deserve to be questioned, maybe irreverently, most of the time, (to) bring ‘em down a size,” the plain-spoken Thomas says of the particular role of the White House press corps.

On the other hand, she adds, “Access to a president doesn’t mean you’re gonna get the truth.”

It’s a simple but astute observation from a reporter who walked the line between West Wing insider — hobnobbing with presidents, their families and aides — and watchdog.

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http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/08/15/11013/

Thanks!

This was back in April 2007. I wish I got HBO here to see it. I'll expect a full report, or links to the show!