Cheney Versus Journalism

[struggle4progress]

John Nichols
Sat Jun 11, 8:02 AM ET

... Cheney is scheduled to present the Gerald Ford Journalism Awards during a closed-door luncheon on Monday, June 13, at the National Press Club in Washington. The Ford Awards honor what Cheney refers to as "distinguished reporting on the presidency and national defense" -- which, considering the Washington press corps' stenographic coverage of the White House prior to the launch of the US invasion and occupation of Iraq, is something of an oxymoron.

But there could be no greater oxymoron than the association of the name "Dick Cheney" with the craft of journalism. No wonder the organizers of the event felt it necessary to include four explanation marks on the notice that: "THIS EVENT IS FOR MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS ONLY!!!!"

The crowning irony of Cheney giving out journalism awards is that the vice president hates everything about journalism, unless, of course, it is the journalism of Rupert Murdoch.

Dick Cheney does not have a taste for media that might challenge his preconceived notions. And he has never approved of reporters who believe the White House has a duty to communicate critical information to the American people. Cheney is not joking when he says, "It's easy to complain about the press -- I've been doing it for a good part of my career" ...

<emoticon difficulty with this link?> http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20050611/cm_thenation/13331/nc:742

[teach1st]

1. Link doesn't work N/T

Here's one:

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=3331

[struggle4progress]

2. Thanks, teach1st. I think I fixed the problem. eom