Moyers on the Role of Journalism in Democracy

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If you haven't yet, consider these words by Bill Moyers from his speech upon receiving the Ridenhour Award. A prism through which to evaluate each and all of the people who are bringing you your information in the media these days:

Temptation to co-option is the original sin of journalism, and we're always finding fig leaves to cover it: economics, ideology, awe of authority, secrecy, the claims of empire.

In the buildup to the invasion of Iraq we were reminded of what the late great reporter A.J. Liebling meant when he said the press is "the weak slat under the bed of democracy."

The slat broke after the invasion and some strange bedfellows fell to the floor: establishment journalists, neo-con polemicists, beltway pundits, right-wing warmongers flying the skull and bones of the "balanced and fair brigade," administration flacks whose classified leaks were manufactured lies - all romping on the same mattress in the foreplay to disaster.

Five years, thousands of casualties, and hundreds of billion dollars later, most of the media co-conspirators caught in flagrante delicto are still prominent, still celebrated, and still holding forth with no more contrition than a weathercaster who made a wrong prediction as to the next day's temperature.

Only one thing else need be added to Moyers' words: shame on them for their shamelessness. Read the full text here.

UPDATE:
Devilstower at Kos has excellent thoughts, too, on the state of journalism these days.

"Mrs." Newhart

I remember reading a TV Guide article penned by a youngish actress talking about getting an early role. They asked me if I could ride a horse, said she. Of course, was the reply. When she got the part, the first thing she did was go out and learn to ride a horse.

Woman, who roared before it was kewl.

Rest in peace, Suzanne Pleshette. Or shake up the good ol' boys Upstairs....