TV newsman Dan Rather, who stepped down as CBS anchorman in the wake of a discredited report, on Wednesday night said the press "ought to be doing a better job."
"American journalism is in need of a spine transplant," Rather told about 600 people at the Star Forum at Cherry Hill High School West.
The newsman proposed "Rather's rules," saying reporters should "ask more questions, especially the tough ones." He said the media should offer less sensationalism and "more real analysis." It should also pay more attention to international events, he said.
Rather said media improvement was needed for society's well-being.
"American journalism at its best is a public trust and is deeply bound up in our system of checks and balances," he said.
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