Russert (2002): "In times of war, the media should lower our voices, modulate our tone"

[Swingstater]

In 2002, during the atmosphere of fear created by the Bush administration, Russert was the best example of the timid media which rolled over for the President.

The USA Today article in question is here:
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/270843861.html?dids=270843861:270843861&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Dec+23%2C+2002&author=Peter+Johnson&pub=USA+TODAY&edition=&startpage=D.05&desc=Meet+%27Big+Russ%2C%27+Tim+Russert%27s+dad

USA Today makes you pay to read beyond the first few paragraphs, but the website Daily Howler (link below) has the free transcript here: http://dailyhowler.com/dh062008.html

JOHNSON (11/1/01): NBC Meet the Press host Tim Russert says that covering the war on terrorism is not like covering politics, a presidential impeachment or a missing intern.

"In times of war, the media should lower our voices, modulate our tone. Yes, we are journalists, but we are also Americans," Russert said in a speech Friday to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Russert said that as the war on terrorism unfolds, the media and the government "will have serious disagreements over what is fair, timely or relevant—or even what should be defined as a threat to national security. But we should not and will not report anything which puts our troops at risk, and we must always reject any attempt to suggest a moral equivalency between the United States of America and the terrorists."

[nomorenomore08]

1. That quote explains a lot.

Media talking heads wouldn't want to be seen as "unpatriotic," would they?

[Bozita]

2. Well, that seems to explain the firing of Phil Donahue.

[tularetom]

3. Pretty goddamned sick IMO

No fricken wonder cheney used russert as his go to guy when he wanted to get some bullshit out there.

Mofo was complicit in the deaths of 4000 plus US servicemen.

Hope he's enjoying the nice warm weather where he's at.

[Middle finga]

4. Sound like he was speaking on behalf of state run media