Journalists, heads up. *'s all-out war on you is coming fast.

[seafan]

This hit piece is in today's Southwest Florida's Naples News.

This is a very red, very VERY wealthy conservative area of this state. I would venture a strong opinion that this administration, now that it is backed into a corner for the first time, will be coming after your profession with a stunning vengeance, aiming to gut your ability to report the ugly truth to Americans everywhere, that this murderous, greed-driven group betrayed America with a viciousness beyond imagination.

Courageous journalists are the key to kick starting this regime's demise. We, the people, are ready for sweeping change for good in our country, and will never stand for a fascist dictatorship now being forced upon us with lightning speed.

It's time to bush-hog this administration with everything you've got. We on these blogs, boards and groups are working around the clock to help you get news items in front of the people of this country.

Again, a heads up. *'s record with journalists ain't good.




Jackal journalism

By Don Farmer
Friday, February 24, 2006


You sit there watching the White House press corps screaming at the president’s spokesman on live television.
They growl, you grimace. They snarl, you shake your head. They yell, you change the channel.
So it goes with the contentious, conceited newsmen and women who love their roles in the power drama of Washington, D.C.

Some of the questions are on the mark. Others are self-important, insulting or just plain stupid.
Did you hear reporters demanding to know whether Vice President Dick Cheney might resign after the hunting accident? Or whether his gun mishap should make him rethink the war, where troops have to shoot guns at people?

snip

Covering big government is a blood sport for reporters, who lurch between barking accusatory questions by day and kissing up to the power people by night.
They love talking to America from the White House or the Capitol, parroting whatever news their pack journalism coughs up that day.

snip

That sort of hubris is hard to avoid. When you are invited to have lunch with the president or when senators and vice presidents come to your birthday party, egos swell to towering heights. You’re in high cotton. It’s seductive and it’s professionally dangerous.

So when you see Washington reporters making fools of themselves, twisting necessary freedom of the press into freedom to insult officials gratuitously, understand that they are abusing their power and influence, not using it responsibly.

The good ones, and there are many, can challenge policies, question competence and hold officials accountable. It’s their job to be tough. But there ought to be some inoculation for the pox of celebrity that taints so many media people in the capital city.

snip

Don Farmer is a former ABC News correspondent and CNN anchor

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/feb/24/don_farmer_jackal_journalism/?local_news

[babylonsister]

1. Bookmarked to read; looks good. nt