The aptly named Matt Drudge has once again proven why the blogosphere will likely mean the death of ethical journalism. Drudge's exposure of Britain's Price Harry and his combat unit in Afghanistan not only put the royal at risk, but also all of his comrades, endangering the lives of those who serve for us, in places where none of us would want to go.
For some, jounalistic ethics is an oxymoron. But journalists are indeed honorable people, and the calling is the lifeblood of democracy. Bloggers -- myself included -- are rank amateurs by comparison. The blogosphere is rife with untrained, unprofessional wannabes whose opinions matter less than the cyberspace they are produced in. Most of the drivel churned out by bloggers can be ignored, and should be.
Except when it puts lives in danger, royal or otherwise.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Bad Times for the Times
The New York Times -- the chief news source for thousands of journalists nationwide -- has hit a rough patch. Jayson Blair, Howell Raines, Judith Miller and now the incendiary flap over the John McCain story last week insinuating that the Senator had more than a professional relationship with a telecommunications lobbyist.
Executive Editor Bill Keller must feel besieged. On this one, he should. The timing of the story -- after McCain had all but clinched the Republican presidential nomination -- and the fact that sex was in the lead is not representative of the Times's best work. The overuse of anonymous sources did not help, either. The more important aspect of this story -- published by The Washington Post on February 22 -- is the potential quid pro quo between McCain and the lobbyist in terms of legislative favors. One realizes that this is business as usual on Capitol Hill, but for McCain, the anti-pork, anti-K St., pro-campaign finance reform maverick to have engaged in such behavior is the real revelation here.
Yet Keller need not despair. Rush Limbaugh would never sing the praises of the Times. Each week in the paper's pages Tom Friedman, Paul Krugman, David Brooks and Frank Rich inspire Americans to think about issues, and the overall reporting is still the gold standard. Sure, the Times has its troubles right now, but it is still the dream target for PR professionals. The influence of The New York Times cannot be overestimated. ; a piece in the Times spawns dozens of stories in other outlets.
The New York Times is still the paper of record, and always will be.
Executive Editor Bill Keller must feel besieged. On this one, he should. The timing of the story -- after McCain had all but clinched the Republican presidential nomination -- and the fact that sex was in the lead is not representative of the Times's best work. The overuse of anonymous sources did not help, either. The more important aspect of this story -- published by The Washington Post on February 22 -- is the potential quid pro quo between McCain and the lobbyist in terms of legislative favors. One realizes that this is business as usual on Capitol Hill, but for McCain, the anti-pork, anti-K St., pro-campaign finance reform maverick to have engaged in such behavior is the real revelation here.
Yet Keller need not despair. Rush Limbaugh would never sing the praises of the Times. Each week in the paper's pages Tom Friedman, Paul Krugman, David Brooks and Frank Rich inspire Americans to think about issues, and the overall reporting is still the gold standard. Sure, the Times has its troubles right now, but it is still the dream target for PR professionals. The influence of The New York Times cannot be overestimated. ; a piece in the Times spawns dozens of stories in other outlets.
The New York Times is still the paper of record, and always will be.
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