The Nation: Silence of the (MSM) Lambs

[Cirque du So-What]

Silence of the (MSM) Lambs

The liberal media
By Eric Alterman

This article appeared in the June 30, 2008 edition of The Nation.
June 12, 2008

The past few weeks have been thrilling politically. Barack Obama's victory in the Democratic primary offers our country not merely the opportunity to turn the page on America's most destructive presidency but also to open up as exciting and promising a new chapter in our history as any since the birth of the New Deal. Alas, one of the myriad roadblocks standing in the way of this hopeful new direction are the members of our mainstream media.

For instance, when Scott McClellan--following Paul O'Neill, Richard Clarke, John DiIulio and Matthew Dowd--reconfirmed virtually all the significant charges leveled by Bush critics against this corrupt, extreme and incompetent Administration, the reactions of the MSM were difficult to distinguish from those of the Bushites. Sadly typical was that of Mike Allen, chief political writer of the allegedly nonpartisan Politico, who complained that McClellan had adopted "the vocabulary, rhetoric of the left wing haters," demonstrating once again that anyone who tells the truth about this Administration--even someone with impeccable insider credentials--will be called a "hater" for doing so.

No less disturbing was the sight of ABC News nightly anchor Charles Gibson actually praising the MSM for their mindless (and spineless) credulity. Gibson, speaking with Katie Couric and Brian Williams on the occasion of the release of McClellan's book, insisted, "I think the questions were asked," before adding, "It was just a drumbeat of support from the Administration. It is not our job to debate them. It is our job to ask the questions."

And so the man who holds the most prestigious and influential position at ABC News does not think it the job of a "journalist" to engage in a "debate" over the facts with an Administration bent on misleading the public into war. Apparently the job description requires nothing more than to "ask questions," accept the answers and salute smartly.

more...

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080630/alterman

Preaching to the choir? Most likely so - but no less worthy of discussion.

[Echo In Light]

1. Everyone should read Alterman's book, What Liberal Media?

http://www.whatliberalmedia.com/

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Media_control_propaganda/Media_Control.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=liberal+media+myth

[KoKo]

3. Yes...and Eric Boehlert's "Lap Dog Press" is good read, too. n/t

[5X]

2. Pass the gravy and poop on it. n/t