Fred Ryan gets it right.
“Stable, peaceful societies, governed by leaders who respect the rights of their people, need journalists who can expose wrongdoing and hold the powerful to account. It is no mere coincidence that many of the worst abusers of press freedom are also some of the world’s most dangerous actors.”
From the “we need to do better” files
I know I am guilty of it and perhaps it is because I think most things that come out of his mouth are bullshit and self-aggrandizing bullshit at that. So I presume everyone is as skeptical as I am.
Still the point is well taken:
“A pattern has emerged: Trump’s proposals are usually reported quickly — often credulously passed along in headlines and tweets — before thorough vetting later yields more skeptical reports.”
And a suggestion on how to do better:
“The key to resisting that tactic, according to journalists and media experts, is not ignoring what the president says but adding context, even if it means taking longer to publish a story.”
As reporters and journalists our credibility is the coin of the realm. Let’s not let Trump make us squander it.
As Belichick says, do your job.
Me included
Read it all here> Source: Press struggles with amplifying Trump’s pre-midterms claims – POLITICO
From the “why we can’t have nice things file”
C’mon NYTimes, you can do better than this.
When we try to convince people journalists are not the enemy of the people, this does not help…Get it right or don’t do it.
Editors’ Note: September 14, 2018
An earlier version of this article and headline created an unfair impression about who was responsible for the purchase in question. While Nikki R. Haley is the current ambassador to the United Nations, the decision on leasing the ambassador’s residence and purchasing the curtains was made during the Obama administration, according to current and former officials. The article should not have focused on Ms. Haley, nor should a picture of her have been used. The article and headline have now been edited to reflect those concerns, and the picture has been removed.
Source: State Department Spent $52,701 on Curtains for Residence of U.N. Envoy – The New York Times
Updates:
Media critic Eric Wemple weighs in the same day with an op/ed in the Times:
Backlash to the initial New York Times presentation has been robust, as well it should be. There are plenty of examples of bona fide Trump-era abuses of taxpayer money — see Scott Pruitt’s strange security purchases and Tom Price’s travel expenses. No need to fashion a headline suggesting that Haley belongs to that group.”
Source: New York Times wrongs Nikki Haley with curtain headline
And you people are not helping either:
Reporters in Hurricane Florence, please stop acting like you’re hanging on for dear life
The WaPo takes a look:
New York Times backtracks on a tale about some expensive curtains
Fighting words from Chuck Todd
Chuck Todd writes in the Atlantic:
“American democracy requires a functioning press that informs voters and creates a shared set of facts. If journalists are going to defend the integrity of their work, and the role it plays in sustaining democracy, we’re going to need to start fighting back.”
Worth the read and importantly, time to take some action.
“I’m not advocating for a more activist press in the political sense, but for a more aggressive one. That means having a lower tolerance for talking points, and a greater willingness to speak plain truths. It means not allowing ourselves to be spun, and not giving guests or sources a platform to spin our readers and viewers, even if that angers them. Access isn’t journalism’s holy grail—facts are. ”
Source: Chuck Todd: It’s Time for the Press to Fight Back – The Atlantic
When Bill McRaven speaks we damn sure should listen
When Trump yanked former CIA director John Brennan’s security clearance it provoked a response from someone of unimpeachable character, Willaim H. McRaven. McRaven is a retired Navy SEAL Admiral who is an exemplar of all that is contained in that title. When he is pushed so hard he has to take to the paper of record in the nation’s capital to respond then we a) should take the time to read his words, and b) heed their call. Bravo Zulu Admiral!
Dear Mr. President:
Former CIA director John Brennan, whose security clearance you revoked on Wednesday, is one of the finest public servants I have ever known. Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John. He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don’t know him.
Therefore, I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.
Like most Americans, I had hoped that when you became president, you would rise to the occasion and become the leader this great nation needs.
A good leader tries to embody the best qualities of his or her organization. A good leader sets the example for others to follow. A good leader always puts the welfare of others before himself or herself.
Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities. Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation.
If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken. The criticism will continue until you become the leader we prayed you would be.
Source: William H. McRaven: Revoke my security clearance, too, Mr. President – The Washington Post
Senate shines a light on press freedom
Today, Senator Brian Schatz put the U.S. Senate on record in defense of the Constitution, the First Amendment, freedom of the press and most importantly affirmed that the press was not the enemy of the people.
“We swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution, including the First Amendment,” said Senator Schatz. “Today, every senator upheld that oath by sending a message that we support the First Amendment, and we support the freedom of the press in the face of these attacks. As Thomas Jefferson put it, ‘our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.’ ”
While Senator Schatz is from Hawaii he payed homage to James Madison and the Declaration of Rights of the Commonwealth of Virginia, “The freedom of the Press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic Governments.”
The resolution is straight forward and direct, saying “the press is not the enemy of the people” and “condemns attacks on the institution of the free press and views efforts to systematically undermine the credibility of the press as a whole as an attack on our democratic institutions.”
It is an unfortunate sign of the times that the such a statement by the U.S. Senate is needed, fortunately Sen. Schatz helped them make it and the Senate unanimously passed it.
Here is the full text of the resolution [PDF]:
Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects the press from government control and suppression;
Whereas the freedom of the press—
(1) has been recognized as integral to the democratic foundations of the United States since the beginning of the United States; and
(2) has endured and been reaffirmed repeatedly throughout the history of the United States;
Whereas Benjamin Franklin in 1722 wrote, “Whoever would overthrow the Liberty of a Nation, must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech.”
Whereas Thomas Jefferson in 1786 wrote, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”
Whereas James Madison in 1789 introduced the freedom of the press in the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of the United States;
Whereas James Madison based the freedom of the press on the Declaration of Rights of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which in 1776 declared, “The freedom of the Press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic Governments.”
Whereas President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August 4, 1985, as Freedom of the Press Day, stating that “Freedom of the press is one of our most important freedoms and also one of our oldest.”
Whereas President Reagan also said, “Today, our tradition of a free press as a vital part of our democracy is as important as ever. The news media are now using modern techniques to bring our citizens information not only on a daily basis but instantaneously as important events occur. This flow of information helps make possible an informed electorate and so contributes to our national system of self-government.”
Whereas Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in International Soc. for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. v. Lee, 505 U.S. 672 (1992), “The First Amendment is often inconvenient. But that is beside the point. Inconvenience does not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech.”
Whereas the United States Supreme Court also affirmed the history and intent of the freedom of the press in New York Times Co. v. United States, 403 U.S. 713 (1971), stating, “In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors. The Government’s power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government.”
Whereas tyrannical and authoritarian governments and leaders throughout history have sought to undermine, censor, suppress, and control the press to advance their undemocratic goals and actions; and
Whereas the United States, including its long-held commitment to and constitutional protection of the free press, has stood as a shining example of democracy, self-government, and freedom for the world to emulate: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that:
(1) The Senate –
(A) affirms that the press is not the enemy of the people;
(B) reaffirms the vital and indispensable role the free press serves to inform the electorate, uncover the truth, act as a check on the inherent power of the government, further national discourse and debate, and otherwise advance our most basic and cherished democratic norms and freedoms; and
(C) condemns attacks on the institution of the free press and views efforts to systematically undermine the credibility of the press as a whole as an attack on our democratic institutions.
It is the sense of the Senate that it is the sworn responsibility of all who serve the United States by taking the oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States to uphold, cherish, and protect the entire Constitution, including the freedom of the press.