Fear and Anxiety in Network Newsrooms

[Walt Starr]

Much that is commonly "understood" among journalists is rarely voiced in public. A pre-convention event this week in Cambridge -- where network anchors went on the record about the partisan and corporate pressures they feel -- was a bracing exception. The Shorenstein Center program was mostly noted in the news for Jim Lehrer's chastisement of the big three anchors for their stinted convention coverage. But even rarer was the theme kicked off by Dan Rather at the start: "Fear has increased in every newsroom in America." The three anchors (Rather, Peter Jennings, and Tom Brokaw) sparred with one another about whether it was "fear," "caution," or "anxiety," but its existence seemed clear.

Rather started by noting this: When you're a reporter contrasting what someone in the administration says with what you know to be the facts, pointedly laying out the differences, "You're gonna catch hell." "And those who are willing to pay the price," Rather said, are fewer today than before. In a later remark, he said the strong feelings nationwide and the guarantee that they'll be voiced not only calls up more caution than ever -- sometimes a good thing -- but causes some to ask: "You know what? We run this story, we're asking for trouble. Why do it?"



http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=54&aid=69110

[bloom]

1. I caught that on Cspan

I thought Rather seemed to be saying that they caved into pressure from the right.

[Walt Starr]

Yep

This is teh smoking gun that the corporate masters determine what gets passed off as news.

When John Kerry becomes president, the (false) fourth Estate's reign comes to an end.

[Ripley]

2. "We're asking for trouble" sounds ominous.

I mean that says it right there in black and white. BushCo not only bullies liberals and the rest of the world, they obviously THREATEN the media. And the media caves.

Thugs. The Sopranos are running the country, only they don't eat as well.

[blm]

5. Anyone remember these guys were sent ANTHRAX?????????

Anyone doubt that anthrax was sent to them courtesy of the BFEE shortly after 9-11 as part of their fascist attempt to take over this nation?

[Ripley]

9. Yes, and I did feel Dan Rather had a right to be "reserved" at first..

then I got pissed and thought "This is outright criminal... attempted murder!" Why doesn't Dan use his position as a soap box for this issue. Another miserable failure by this administration... WMD's were used right here in America and people died. Yet John Ashcroft doesn't seem to want to investigate it!

[blm]

20. Families, friends, coworkers are ALL targets.

I wish they had the brassest balls on earth and could speak up. The idea of a murdered grandchild may stop them from doing so.

I'm not so much excusing them as understanding what the BFEE is capable of doing. Hell, look how they put McCain on a leash when they need to...you think he doesn't have something hanging over him?

[lottie244]

36. And no one wants to say this regime is like the Nazis?

I don't get it? OK, lets say they are like the KGB.

[Joanne98]

43. Who was it that made the "necklaces" comment.

About getting a burning tire hung around your neck? Jennings or Rather?

[apnu]

3. How can I believe what these morons say?

After the open-faced crapping they did this week on the democratic process of America!

To hell with the big 3!

To hell with cable news!

I'm gonna freaking read my news and back check it myself from now on with other sources!

:mad:

[Fleshdancer]

4. Their fear and anxiety won't get any better if they don't make it stop

They're being bullied by the WH. Sure, it may be easier at first to give the administration what they want, but it won't stop until they ban together and say they're not going to take it anymore.

What's the point of having freedom of speech if you're unwilling to use it?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. They're being bullied by the WH....

Mmmmmmm like this?? I look back fondly on the days of Ari..... not.

[bloom]

11. Seemed like they were saying

they get a lot of pressure from people I assume listen to Limbaugh, etc. and then give the news stations and advertisers a lot of grief. The "Liberal" news doncha know.

Of course - they wouldn't want to talk about what favors they are doing for the White House and why.

[Zen Democrat]

35. No pressure needed. Viacom, Disney, GE & Murdoch are in control. n/t

[Fleshdancer]

12. That quote still gives me chills

Never, in a million years, would I expect the spokesperson for the US President to say such crap.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

15. That quote still gives me chills

It was a good trial run for fascism.... at least with the press... shocking it was.... absolutely shocking.....

[Walt Starr]

31. There is one more aspect that is even more chilling

It was diabolically effective against the press.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. The Bush cabal, the Right, and corp. ownership, has greatly endangered...

our Constitutionally-protected free press.

[redqueen]

24. And do you know what else we stand to lose without a free press?

Our very democracy... our republic.

[DeepModem Mom]

27. You're right, redqueen; a free press is essential to democracy. n/t

[Renew Deal]

7. It's airing tomorrow night on CSPAN at 8:00pm EDT

You might be able to watch it on the first link here.

[Gothic Sponge]

10. If they did speak up, who would carry their dissent?

The corporate media? Not gonna happen! Welcome to State Televison.

[TWiley]

13. This is another disaster of the bush Legacy.

I wonder if the damage done to free speech can ever be undone in this nation. The fight for control will probably go on for decades.

His extremist hard ball politics have taught everyone else how the game must be played. Don't be surprised when other nations or groups begin to use his tactics against us. Gawd only knows when the last person will feel comfortable enough to give up the dirty tricks.

I firmly believe that bush publicly declared war against dissenters during a televised interview on the Sunday after his inauguration, and after he sat smirking in that big church. I believe Sam Donaldson was interviewing him at the white house and there were thousands of protesters outside. When asked about that, bush announced his "fire back strongly" policy. "Do you mean that you intend to attack the protesters outside mr president?" was roughly the question. "Yes" bush replied "my policy means exactly what it sounds like" Then he targeted other groups like the Sierra Club by name.

I wish that I had a copy of that interview. I would make a political ad out of it. Bush threatening - bush attacking americans - back and forth and so on. I bet it would make a good one.

[calimary]

14. ALL THE MORE REASON to hound the media!

Start HERE:

(404) 827 - 0234 - Viewer Comment Line - when it answers, hit 8 to bypass the long recorded message and reach a real human being.

Other media contact info is freshly updated in Activism/Events.

[Joanne98]

39. who does that number reach?

[AwakeAtLast]

16. If that is the case..

then get the hell out of the business!!!! Isn't that what reporters have to accept to a certain degree when they decide to do that for a living? Is it not common knowlege that reporting can sometimes be dangerous work? Sheeesh, what crybabies! :grr:

[Gothic Sponge]

18. They should not have to get out of the business!

The business needs to get out of journalism.

[AwakeAtLast]

22. In a perfect world maybe...

the business will never totally get out of journalism. I just think it would be nice if they would do their jobs without worrying about what might happen. I'm just pointing out that it has never been a totally "safe" position.

[goforit]

17. Brokaw and Woodruff are accomplices to this Political coup d'etat

I will never lose sight of their recklessness!!!!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

19. .........

[Gin]

21. saw that panel too..it was very interesting and we actually heard some

honest dialogue.

MM told them all shame on you for not doing your jobs.

[redqueen]

23. What the hell is wrong with those people?!

Why do it?

WHY DO IT?

"Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that (freedom) be limited without danger of losing (our liberty)." Thomas Jefferson

Are they crazy, stupid, or just selfish and greedy (don't want to lose those fat paychecks)?

[Ladyhawk]

26. My gut tells me that the "pressure" was more than just talk.

Mr. Brokaw was sent Anthrax, wasn't he? What other kinds of "messages" did he get?

While I might be willing to sacrifice my own life in pursuit of journalistic integrity, I would NOT be willing to sacrifice the lives of those I loved.

Threats must have been made.

[redqueen]

28. I wish more of those guys had the courage our founding fathers had

They risked everything...

[Jackpine Radical]

25. Jeez--this explains it all.

I guess the talking heads just feel safer and more comfotable with expressing criticism and negativity when the Dems are in power.

[BillZBubb]

29. It shouldn't surprise you.

The right wing is well organized to threaten boycotts and letter writing campaigns. Since they move like a herd, they can pick off one network any time to set an example to the others.

So, when a winger is in the White House, they blast the media for telling the truth. When a Dem is in the White House they blast the media for not reporting all the lies and innuendo. They have been very effective.

The media being corporate, bottom line oriented, isn't going to do anything to piss those guys off too much. So, every Clinton or Kerry accusation will be investigated to the fullest, while every serious offense by Bush* will at best get cursory coverage--then quickly forgotten.

[Jackpine Radical]

33. I guess I really should get in the habit of using sarcasm markers

to keep people from always explaining the obvious to me.

[redqueen]

34. *snicker*

thanks for the chuckle. :hi:

[BillZBubb]

37. I guess you should really get into the habit of

nevermind.

[donkeyotay]

30. I think Rather is on our side

I think people like Rather really get it, and would like to say more... he's educating people.

"And those who are willing to pay the price," Rather said, are fewer today than before..."

Too bad there are so many whores. (why does Chris Matthews come to mind?) There'd be safety in numbers. Organize! Rise up, reporters! Make a break for it! They can't shoot you all!

[Tight_rope]

32. Are we starting to see the light in this dark gloomy country!

[Hubert Flottz]

38. I love to see Dan come on 60 minutes and tell the country ...........

EVERYTHING!

[Joanne98]

40. What about the pressure from our side?

Aren't we having any effect. I thought we were starting too. I answer e-mails and faxes everyday. We have been unfreeping the on-line polls. The reporters just need to have some courage. The right has been successful because they had their fatcat Repig funders and they got started earlier. But look how much DU has done. The whole e-voting
story started here. Just today we got a new rawstory exclusive. We're kicking ass folks. The Rather's and the Jenning's just don't feel it yet. If the journalists is this country are too afraid to tell the truth then GIVE THE DAMN INFO TO US!!!!! We'll do it. Right guys.
We also need to attack the EDITORS who vote 80% Repig. Or the OWNERS who vote 95% Repig. Who the large shareholders who vote 100% Repig. Rathers needs to look at what Lou Dobbs has done. Now he has BALLS.

[greekspeak]

41. "We run this story, we're asking for trouble. Why do it?"

Because it is your FUCKING JOB as the media to run stories and ask for trouble, when the truth has to be uncovered! Christ, Dan! Where was the fear when America was bombarded with All Monica All the Time? Where was the fear of trouble when the media shamelessly whored for Shrub in 2000?

Gosh golly gee...we better sit here like good little see/hear/speak no truth monkeys and wait for the White House to give us the propegan...uh...news to report. GAWD!!!!!

[Joanne98]

42. Don't forget all Shandra Levy all the time.

The only thing that stopped the Monica syndrome was 9/11.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

44. If they're being threatened, they need to RAISE HELL about it!

All of them together, Dan, and Tom, and Peter. Then it would look real suspicious if anything happened to them or their families.

Say, they could pick a night and agree to end their newscasts with a personal statement about the pressures they're under. Sure, they'd probably get fired immediately, but none of them would starve.

I've heard low-ranking print and broadcast journalists talk privately about pressures from advertisers and political figures, but never one of the national media celebrities in a national forum.