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Fessing Up Has Lost Its Shock ValuePosted on May 28, 2009By David Sirota Without a bailout, newspapers will lay off staff, fewer journalists will report important stories, there will be no Fourth Estate check on state and corporate power, and the country will suffer. So goes the pro-democracy case for government and/or altruistic investors to save the newspaper industry with an infusion of cash. Except, amid the debate about such a bailout, it seems government and investors are already subsidizing the industry with in-kind contributions of damning honesty. These outbursts of candor are so brazen and self-explanatory as to require almost zero reportorial resources for blockbuster scoops. It started in January, when it seemed America would need enterprising journalists to find out whether President Obama’s Wall Street-connected economic team was focused on helping average Americans or on protecting the super-wealthy speculator class. Typically, newspapers have to go all Woodward and Bernstein to answer such questions of influence and loyalties. They have to circumvent diversionary press-secretary spin, dig up documents and ferret out leaks—and all of that takes money they increasingly do not have. But then Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner came right out and said, “We have a financial system that is run by private shareholders, managed by private institutions, and we’d like to do our best to preserve that system.” As Bloomberg News correctly noted, the White House was open about its primary “goal of preserving the private banking system.” Motives admitted, objectives acknowledged, no expensive investigative reporting necessary. Advertisement Then came the story of the dethroned Republican Party and its allegedly “new” direction. It is a drama that would have been nuanced and difficult to report in the past, but now requires little enterprise journalism at all, as the GOP is openly heading off the right cliff. Indeed, Republican obstructionists in Congress vote against almost everything, and top party leaders like Dick Cheney have said “it would be a mistake for us to moderate.” On Wall Street, forget needing a resource-bolstered business press to cut through saccharine-yet-deceitful corporate-speak. J. Christopher Flowers, one of the finance industry’s richest speculators, has been publicly noting that when it comes to the federal rescue plan, “the government has all the downside and we have all the upside,” meaning “lowlife grave dancers like me will make a fortune.” And no need for a corps of gotcha correspondents to catch contrite and newly ascetic Wall Streeters secretly living it up—execs long ago said they are still paying out big bonuses and salaries, with one insisting that pay caps are unacceptable because “$500,000 is not a lot of money.” Maybe the ruling class knows that after the Bush years’ blatant extremism, corruption and robbery, horrifying truth has lost its shock-and-gag value and, thus, its potential for consequences. And maybe if Americans figure out how to re-create tangible ramifications for wrongdoing, officialdom’s in-kind contributions of honesty will end and democracy’s survival will require a newspaper renaissance. Until then, though, the biggest threat to democracy is less the regrettably decimated journalism industry than the disenfranchised public. If we cannot or will not turn already reported news into immediate action, then no newspaper, however profitable or aggressive, can bail us out in the future. David Sirota is the best-selling author of the books “Hostile Takeover” (2006) and “The Uprising” (2008). He is a fellow at the Campaign for America’s Future. Find his blog at OpenLeft.com or e-mail him at ds@davidsirota.com. © 2009 Creators Syndicate Inc. Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment
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By garth, May 30 at 7:37 pm #
What’re you talking about?
Does the phrase, “off the wall” mean anything to you?
Report thisBy garth, May 30 at 5:40 pm #
Cathy,
Thank you.
I’d call that a level-headed, honest appraisal of what is going on, not a rant. I appreciate it.
Report thisI didn’t know that they were jetting to the NYC to take-in a play. The press will be all over that story like a cheap suit. Now, school children saluting the flag with a large image of Obama next to it reminds me of a famous commercial that was done several years ago where a big computer company was portrayed as Big Brother.
I agree with you about Bill Moyers. I watched his show last night. It showed part of a documentary that gave an honest account of our torturing people. It left me with the feeling that something has to be done to bring justice to this crime. It can’t be swept under the rug, and I have a feeling it won’t go away by ignoring it.
I agree with you about single payer. The health insurance bill needs to be passed, but single payer is the best answer, and we should not let what is acceptable to congress replace what is the best.
Senator Ben Nelson (DINO from South Park) said the other day that he’d give the insurance companies seven years probation, and if they got out of line and started abusing the system again, then he’ll agree to further changes.
That is unbelievable! It’s like telling bandits that they can keep doing what you’ve been doing.
By Cathy, May 30 at 3:59 pm #
I find one of the few places to get real news, if you will, these days is watching some of the programs that PBS has aired on Bill Moyers. But today I was wondering what would happen if I googled “Obama worship”. I did this because I was so sick of reading comments on the Huffington Post about Obama’s date nights out with Michelle (in case you haven’t heard, this week’s date is taking the company jet and taxpayer entourage to my city, NYC, to take in a Broadway show and whatever) and I swear three-quarters of the posts are I heart (I kid you not about the use of that word) my President, I adore my President, my President is doing so many great things.
The problem with googling “Obama worship” is that it leads to clearly-biased site—very right wing. Now, grant you, there are some actual reports from papers on these various blogs—troubling stuff—of kids being forced to pledge allegiance to a giant projected imagine of Obama next to a flag. Etc.
I’m sure there are true independents like myself who are alarmed by this. Frankly this is exactly why Bush was able to do what he did. And now the same thing is happening with Obama—and it seems more blatant and worse with him, but that is probably because he can speak with correct pronunciation and pretty speech. I already see in certain comments the same as with Bush—if you’re against Obama you’re against the country.
Bill Maher talked about this a lot on his show that criticism of your government and what your President and Congress is doing is very patriotic.
And then there’s the media. I am, of course, always happy when shows like Maddow or Olbermann question Obama’s policies. Also, will anybody be reporting on the many rallies that were held in cities all over the U.S. today for single-payer universal health care? Why should the media report on something that three-quarters of Americans want and are fighting for? They didn’t bother to report on the big protests that were held in Wall Street protesting the first bailout. It was reported on Maddow and on YouTube, but little to nothing anywhere else.
If I didn’t hear about it on HuffPo and Bill Moyers I would not have known that advocates for single payer health care, including doctors and nurses, were arrested on the order of Baucus. They weren’t rowdy. They simply wanted to know why there was no representative for the public’s point of view. How many people who do not watch CSPAN or PBS or browse the internet hear about this? Probably not the people who have the biggest stake in health care reform policies—the uninsured like me, the underinsured and those who are insured but have such big deductibles they’re afraid to use their policies?
An unbiased media—few and far between. Frankly, I am feeling more sick over the Obama Administration than I was over Bush, because I cannot figure out where we go from here.
And for those who think four or five months into office is too early to criticize, think about it. Health care reform is being rushed at breakneck speed. Obama says if he can’t get it done in the next few months it will not happen. What does that mean? I would like health care reform tomorrow, too, but I would like it done right. I would like the media to do their job and talk about this vital issue, but it’s not happening.
I don’t know, folks, I am so frustrated. Thank you for letting me vent.
Report thisBy TAO Walker, May 30 at 2:47 pm #
Abigail David and others here who go on about “our America” are CONveniently ignoring the inconvenient truth that their status here on Turtle Island has always been that of illegal alien occupiers. Their “Bilderberger” rulers are well aware of this, and so have no respect whatsoever for “rights” theamericanpeople don’t have anyhow.
Five hundred-plus years of rape, pillage and wholesale slaughter of Natives, all of it slap-happily aided and abetted by “ordinary americans,” and now gone “global,” have reached the inevitable CONclusion. “Main Street"ers are now the preferred prey of the “Wall Street"ers, whose crumbs the “....hudddled masses” have ‘enjoyed’ at the expense of Peoples around the world all these years. The vampires’ve returned to “the homeland” for one last feeding frenzy….before our Mother Earth shakes them all off like the pests they are.
The “problem” is BIOLOGICAL. Trying to ‘solve’ it with the same stupifying ideological/institutional/electro-mechanical CONtraptions that brought it about is….well, doomed to failure.
The Way out of this mess is to get together in the Organic Living Arrangement that is the Natural Form of Humanity, and to clean it up! There are no shortcuts, either.
Abusers are losers.
HokaHey!
Report thisBy garth, May 30 at 9:18 am #
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY! (From WRH)
“A people that wants to be free must arm itself with a free press.”—George Seldes, journalist
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I think the real hope is in the new surgence of citizen journalism. If, however, Obama’s Cyber Czar is just another big brother ploy for controlling the information that gets to the people, then, I can only hope that the energy driving the news seekers will overcome that obstacle, too. Sort of like the green growth that always forces its way through the cracks in concrete, it might be unstoppable.
Report thisI also think the people in the US are sick of this environment - The United States of Advertisement.
I, for one, would like a break from these bullshit artists posing as news reporters or subject experts sponsored by Viagra, Celebrex, or AIPAC.
Somedays it seems like the preponderance of shit will reach a level where there is no room for any more and the whole damn system is going to explode. It will be like the explosion in the molasses factory in Boston in the 1920s.
By Purple Girl, May 30 at 7:29 am #
With ‘news’ paper owners like Murdock and columnists like Rove or Yoo- who the hell gives a Shit about these Tabloid Rags.
Report thisWe haven’t had a real Free press in Decades.
they have become the print version of the cable ‘news’ channels.
The internet is kicking both their asses because we have the right to type in a Word/phrase/event and find out the facts, not just the crap the MSM wants US to hear.
americna are Sick of Being Spoon Fed Horse shit by those who claim and seize Rights afford under our consitition. They spew their lies under the Guise of ‘news’ and the proclaim their propagandaised Talking points as ‘Free Speech’. If these outlets are talking their marching orders from Politicos or their Corp overseers- that is neither a Free press nor their Free Speech- mindless parroting is NOT What our founders had in mind.
As far as I’m concerned there are many outlets who should be prosecuted for treason. These are not State run media outlets- they not only have the right to Report the facts and Speak freely- It is their Innate Responsiblity to do so in this Free Democracy. It is more than merely ‘dereliction of Duty’, it is a Prescribed Duty.
Worse yet is when ‘balance’ is sought many of these outlets allow these propagnadaist to be featured as though they were truely reproting facts or voicing a real PERSONAL opinion- when it is just more designated Talking points. this then brings not only their intentions in to question,but their creditablity.
‘News’Papers are Dead because they failed to pursue investigative and objective reporting. sifting through their crap is as much an act of mental gymnastics as Cable ‘news’.
The Internet - Everything you always wanted to know, but were not allowed to ask the myopically complicite monologue of print and TV.
By Hawkeye, May 29 at 5:35 pm #
REF: Abigail David
Yes, I will take the pledge! If I must die, please let it be after the “sheriff” puts the several thousand investment banksters and hedge fund traitors be taken away in handcuffs to the gallows. I pray that I last long enough to see that happen.
Report thisBy AWM, May 29 at 2:38 pm #
100+ of the worlds most powerful people meet every year in total secrecy. It is no secret as to why the msm never reports on the Bilderbergers. They are members and have sworn an oath of secrecy The following link is to a list of suspected attendees to this years meeting.It includes name such as Charlie Rose Condileeza Rice Bernanke, Paul Gigot, Editorial Page Editor, The Wall Street Journal Kissinger Yet not a peep from the msm
http://www.americanfreepress.net/bilderberg2009.pdf
Report thisBy garth, May 29 at 2:14 pm #
I remember an interview I saw with two journalists, James Bamford, a freelance investigate reporter, and some ham ‘n egger, wannabe reporter for the Washington Post. The guy from the post was so busy checking his portfolio (Thomas Oliphant pointed this out as the difference with new repoters and those of his day.) that he let his self respect slide to point where he was facing the future of journalism in a seasoned investigative reporter and yet, he was still young and just becoming aware of the change.
The neophyte in a Brooks Brothers suit was lamenting that he could not do what Bamford had done. He depended on his check, his 401k, his travel expenses. Bamford simply said, “Why not, I did it.”
Now, the following quote might give a hint as to the direction in which new journalists should head.
“This focus on money and power may do wonders in the marketplace, but it creates a tremendous crisis in our society. People who have spent all day learning how to sell themselves and to manipulate others are in no position to form lasting friendships or intimate relationships… Many Americans hunger for a different kind of society—one based on principles of caring, ethical and spiritual sensitivity, and communal solidarity. Their need for meaning is just as intense as their need for economic security.”—Michael Lerner, journalist
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Some phoney, scared news people decry the internet because the facts aren’t checked.
I’d rather read some article and check the facts myself than read something with no facts or with nothing useful at all.
As an exapmple, the Boston Globe, which is owned by the NY Times, today shows Tom Brady, the QB for the Patriots, all smiles. He’s back, and his ACL and NCL are on the mend. And he’s the darling of the news media with his new wife and child on the way.
That can be summed up as BFD. Big Fuckin’ Deal
The headline says the FBI is investigating some sex misconduct at the T Academy.
This is common fare for the Globe, and that is why I cancelled it today.
BTW: Their reporting on Social Security a few years ago was disgraceful. They want to end Social Security and Medicare because according right-wing conservative logic, the elderly would be better off starving and dying alone, out of view. Those two programs are two examples of how the government can do something right.
Lower taxes? Right, lower them until no one has a job and we can eat each other.
I think Sirota should keep harping about how miserable the US press is.
Report thisBy P. T., May 29 at 1:59 pm #
I was kind of taken aback when I heard how frankly Geithner indicated that the Obama administration was willing to spend whatever it took to save the failing bankers.
Report thisBy Tommy, May 29 at 12:20 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
What planet has this guy been living on. We haven’t had a “fourth estate check and balance” in this country in decades. We wouldn’t be in Afganistan or Iraq, wouldn’t have the albatrosses of social security, medicare, medicade, the Fed, any number of economy killers if we had an actual investigative, honest press in this country.
Report thisBy rollzone, May 29 at 12:10 pm #
hello. the no rant zone. papers may be folding because they print crap that interests only the editors. truth is still hidden, journalistic interest is absent. full government disclosure is interesting. oil glut while prices rise is interesting. price fixing monopolies with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission asleep is interesting. a military budget beyond reality is interesting. electric cars that produce energy instead of demand more from the grid is interesting. green jobs that will turn profits are interesting. where are the dedicated journalists?
Report thisBy Mygoodness Sirotacant, May 29 at 10:43 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Fourth Estate check on state and corporate power? What and where is this ‘check’? Why is it called an Estate? Hmmm? Who remembers a “check” when the previous President started two illegal conflicts?
Report this...
David writes on behalf of Democrats, the other wing of the party that rules the US, and is equally concerned with protecting the status quo. There are great journalists out there, not dependant on the Fourth Estate papers.
By KISS, May 29 at 9:00 am #
Me wonders if I don’t subscribe to a nuisance paper will I be guilty of a crime, and would I be subjected to “Preventive Detention”?
Report thisFirst order of a ” One World Government” is to build more prisons, things are moving along quite nicely.
By samosamo, May 29 at 8:24 am #
It may have lost its shock value but when you understand that this basically gives the devious creeps of the world ‘carte blanche’ to keep driving this country to ruin, it would do well to start some kind of active measures to halt these that believe they have the right to ‘crush’ everybody else who would most likely try to remain within and live by the law than to go criminal and destroy other’s lives if not out right kill them by their ideology.
Short meaning, they have declared a war on the rest and the rules say they are free to do as they will while the rest of the people must stand still and take it.
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