And so does Barack Obama, who is no doubt thrilled with ABC’s “complete editorial control.” At this week’s Radio and Television Correspondents’ Dinner, Obama got a big laugh when he joked, “A few nights ago, I was up tossing and turning trying to figure out exactly what to say. Finally, when I couldn't get back to sleep, I rolled over and asked Brian Williams what he thought.” If the President himself admits you’re in bed with him, it’s hard to argue the point.
The more ABC to defend itself against accusations of bias and currying favor, the more obvious the travesty becomes. And a travesty it is, indeed. The press is the only non-governmental institution that is specifically mentioned in the United States Constitution. The drafters of the Constitution understood how vitally important it was for a free people to have a free press; one unfettered, uncensored, and uncontrolled by government. One utterly devoted to uncovering and exposing the truth. It is a mark of how spoiled, selfish and unforgivably ignorant our media have become that they have abandoned this sacred duty to the public, and cast all semblance of neutrality aside to give this President (or any political leader, for that matter) the kind of obsequious uncritical coverage that would give Ahmadinejad a tingle up his leg.
It is particularly heinous that this event comes even as we watch the trickle of information – that would be real news for those of you who have forgotten – seep out from Iran via Twitter and crude cell phone cameras, disseminated by an oppressed people who do not enjoy any of the freedoms we have – including a free press – and who are facing retaliation, imprisonment, injury, and death to keep the world informed about what is really going on there.
The bravery of these “amateur” reporters makes the cowardice and sycophancy of our Pravda press more than an embarrassment; it is a moral outrage.
On the other hand, there is some good news. Apparently, the ratings slide that the TV news shows have felt is continuing. So perhaps not that many people will watch after all. Or, perhaps – even better – they will, and that will seal the existing network news’ fates for good.
Either way, we still won’t respect them in the morning.
Laura Hirschfeld Hollis is a Clinical Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois.
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