‘I ask myself every day why the media have become so complacent’

June 19, 2006

I’m still working my way through Helen Thomas’ new book, “[tag]Watchdogs of Democracy[/tag]?,” which I’m enjoying very much, and it’s encouraging to see that the veteran White House reporter isn’t pulling any punches while she promotes the book.

White House legend [tag]Helen Thomas[/tag], the longtime United Press International reporter who is now a syndicated columnist for Hearst, takes aim at her colleagues in a new book, saying that when it came to questioning President Bush in the weeks before the Iraq war, they were more lapdogs than watchdogs.

“I ask myself every day why the media have become so complacent, complicit and gullible,” Thomas writes in Watchdogs of Democracy? (Scribner, $25), due in bookstores this week. “It all comes down to the 9/11 terrorist attacks that led to fear among reporters of being considered ‘unpatriotic’ or ‘un-American.’ “

NBC’s David Gregory told USA Today that he takes issue with some of Thomas’ conclusions, and defended his own work. “So I get it from both sides, but I don’t feel I held back in the least, or left questions unasked,” Gregory says. “I just don’t agree with the notion that we went easy.”

Unfortunately, that’s the wrong colleague to ask. Other than Thomas, David Gregory is the most assertive reporter in the briefing room. When Thomas complains about complacency, I suspect she’s not talking about Gregory specifically, but rather the political media establishment in general.

Nevertheless, I’m delighted to see Helen Thomas’ rabblerousing — demanding answers of the White House and challenging reporters who don’t demand answers of the White House. Tony Snow already seems tired of her after a month on the job. Good; it’s proof she’s doing her job correctly.

You’re right about Gregory. He is one of the only assertive guys left. You would think he’d know that Thomas isn’t talking about him, skip the defense and just second the comments in regards to the roomful of other lapdogs…

Excepting Gregory, Thomas has more balls than the whole lot of ’em.

  • “I ask myself every day why the media have become so complacent, complicit and gullible,” – Helen Thomas

    Because it’s owned by the same business interests who put frat Boy George II and his Texas Mafia into power in 2000.

    I would suggest that all America’s problems from the Spanish-American war on can be laid at the feet of corporate-owned media. If there is one business sector that should be off limits to any kind of ownership but one single owner, it’s media in all its forms. Rupert Murdock totally owning Fox is better in my mind than a corporate owned CBS (not that I’m sure Murdock owns 100% of Fox). At least we would know who to hate, like the Washington Times 😉

  • A network news show with any decent respect for journalism (vs. entertainment) would give Helen Thomas a five-minute commentary at least once a week. Sure would beat the trash that passes for news or commentary these days. Hell, such an arrangement might even get me to return to watching network news after about ten years hiatus. That five minutes anyway.

  • So Gregory is the most assertive after Thomas herself? That’s like saying he’s the finest hockey player in Ecuador. Ol’ “Stretch” Gregory has simped out plenty in his time.

  • Oh man… a weekly five-minute Helen Thomas political commentary would be so awesome.

  • Being on Tony Snowjobbingblowjobber’s “shit list” is a badge of honor. Helen Thomas is the last one left of the folks who originally had me thinking being a reporter was an honorable calling.

  • Helen Thomas has the kind of piss and vinegar courage and wisdom that comes with age. Experience tells her what’s wrong and allows her the luxury of no longer being concerned what others think. Reminds me of Byrd standing alone in the Senate wondering why no one was debating Bush’s Iraq resolution.

    There have been many books written about the demise of our fourth estate; one by Bill Moyers, and another by Craig Crawford come to mind. From these and other readings, I’ve come to believe there are a variety of influences that led us to this point. Media consolidation and ownership are certainly contributors, and the post 9/11 syndrome Thomas mentions plays a part — along with many other factors. But in my opinion, the largest factor has been the relentless bashing that the right have inflicted on a profession — journalism — that is by nature prone to question and critique itself. After decades of such abuse, the press is suffering a form of battered wife syndrome.

    Charges of liberal bias led many consumers to the Faux network, aided by claims like “fair and balanced” and “no-spin;” claims that would be laughable if they weren’t so blatantly deceptive and manipulative. So competition for ratings moved other networks toward a “fair and balanced” stance, which too often means looking for two opposing sides to every issue and reporting both without regard to whether they’re both accurate.

    It seems to me that journalism is essentially liberal, in that it values truth and rationale over ideology (or it should!), and juxtaposes differing points of view. What remains of mainstream media needs to realize that and get back to real reporting, because the right will never stop attacking them unless or until they follow the full party line like the apologists at Faux.

  • I can’t wait to get my copy of the book here in the next week or so — I actually learned journalism from a guy who used to work with her.

    Also, along the same lines, there was an amazing interview last night on PBS: Jim Leher with Ben Bradlee (former WaPo editor). While I didn’t necessarily agree with Bradlee on some issues, to hear someone with his experience and undeniable integrity was terrific.

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