Dan Rather: Journalism has "lost its guts," is lapdog, not watchdog

[DeepModem Mom]

CNET News: Dan Rather: Journalism has 'lost its guts'
In South by Southwest speech, the renowned broadcaster says his profession is in a "perilous state," despite Internet's ability to illuminate.
By Daniel Terdiman
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: March 12, 2007

AUSTIN, TEXAS--To longtime CBS broadcaster Dan Rather, American journalism in recent years "has in some ways lost its guts."

During his hour-long keynote address at South by Southwest Interactive, Rather opined at length on the state of his profession, in which too many journalists have become lapdogs to power, rather than watchdogs, he said.

"I do not exclude myself from this criticism...By and large, so many journalists--there are notable exceptions--have adopted the go-along-to-get-along (attitude)," he said.

So, because of this "access game," journalism has degenerated into a "very perilous state," he said in response to a question from his on-stage interviewer, FireDogLake.com writer Jane Hamsher....

In his speech, he touched on the state of the Internet as a way to get information and news to people.

"The Internet is a tremendous tool for not just news, (because) its potential is unlimited for that," Rather said, but for "illumination and opening things up."...

http://news.com.com/Dan+Rather+Journalism+has+lost+its+guts/2100-1025_3-6166528.html

[lpbk2713]

1. And CBS chose Katie Couric over him .....

Go figure :shrug:

[peacebird]

2. doh! No - really?

:sarcasm:

[bdamomma]

3. we already knew that Dan.

[Blackhatjack]

4. On target, and succinctly put -- but it goes further than that

Access = power for the reporter, who gets the higher salary, and who is reluctant to report anything that upsets his superiors(largely corporate owners who have an interest in supporting Republicans and this Administration).

In many cases we have made the reporters the story, praising them for their access, their looks, and star power, making the content of their reporting a secondary concern.

[RedEarth]

5. I'm glad to see him speak out about this.....maybe this will wake up some

of the current journalists ........... certainly won't hurt.

[ccpup]

6. a friend of mine

and I were discussing this last night. When the Media finds itself at the same cocktail parties or going to the same brunches, lunches, dinners as those they may have to report on -- or, God forbid, at the homes of the powerful --, things can get tricky. And I suspect many journalists who have befriended the "Lever Pullers" -- are a lot less likely to report the facts, as damning as they may be, and lose out on the opportunity to hob-nob with those in Power than to report what's necessary and find themselves no longer hangin' with the "cool kids".

[mod mom]

7. EXCEPTION: Keith! CBS should bring back Rather and dump Couric and watch

their ratings sky rocket.

[Greyskye]

8. "Dan Rather Reports" on HDNet

Has anyone else been catching these? Some amazing investigative and in-depth reporting being done by Dan. Here is the episode guide so far: http://www.hd.net/danrather_epguide.html Only about 16 episodes so far, but check out what his very 1st program was about:

Coming Home
Episode Number: 101
Synopsis: It's been said that war changes everything. On Dan Rather Reports, a look at American soldiers returning from conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan and how their lives are forever changed. For the wounded, advances in technology have saved thousands of lives, but is the government prepared for the long term cost of treating returning vets?

And the bonus is that it is broadcast in High Definition at 1080i. Well, it's a bonus if you can see it anyway.