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For CBS news anchor Dan Rather lashed out at the media for being too timid and blamed conservatives for what he sees as the media’s “self censorship”.
From Portfolio.
Dan Rather has gone from being a pillar of the press to a fierce critic of it.
At Time Warner’s Politics 2008 Summit, the former CBS anchor made some noise this morning, turning a panel on media bias into a forum for his complaints about the creeping timidity he sees in journalism.
“The press, in the main, has been in a defensive posture for some time,” he said, opining that complaints from conservatives, in particular, have succeeded in engendering “self-censorship” by big media organizations. “The press should be independent with a capital ‘I.’ Fiercely independent and even ornery from time to time.”
He picked up this theme again at the conclusion of the panel, delivering a peroration that drew spontaneous applause from the audience:
No one is fearless, but fear shouldn’t be in the DNA of an American journalist…. American journalism stands for clear-eyed, well-researched, know the facts, look ‘em in the eye, ask ‘em the tough question, don’t back down, don’t back away, just keep coming. That’s the kind of coverage the American public deserves.
It’s not the kind of coverage the American public has been getting from the presidential debates, however, Rather said.
“First of all. these aren’t debates. Let’s get that straight right from the beginning. They are a something, but they’re not debates.”
“These so-called debates are put on by the two major political parties, for the two major political parties and their candidates,” he added. “These so-called debates are not by the people, for the people. They are by the parties, for the parties. That’s what’s wrong with them.”
Rather is delusional if he thinks that conservatives have intimidated the media into not covering issues. Has he forgotten MSNBC and their strong liberal voice which has a take no prisoners attitude when it comes to going after the Republicans? It just doesn’t wash.
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About the author
Don Irvine is Chairman of Accuracy in Media. He is active on Facebook and Twitter. You can follow him @donirvine to read his latest thoughts.
3 Comments for Rather Decries Media Timidity
dan rather is a gigantic bore. he has done nothing his entire life except denigrate conservatives, republicans,christians,gun rights citizens and anyone who disagrees with him. he is in the top three worst news readers in the evening news business along with brokaw, and the canadian peter jennings whom is gone now (rip). the three new ones aren’t much better they lie, deceive and tell half truths. anything to push they’re communist agenda onto the very gullible american public. dan rather you are a disgrace to the news business, happy to see you gone.
The media is timid? What crack is Rather smoking?
If Obama loses – it will be because Rather’s buddies OVERDID their cheerleading for Obama as they bashed the opposition – and those Americans still unguiled saw through the scam.
Of course the fix has been in, but one can fix to put the fix in and fix it to much – and that will be what is their undoing. PERHAPS that is what Rather is seeing, and in an attempt to undo all that they have been doing that caused them to do too much, he is trying to make the fix look less fixed as save them from themselves?
If Dan Rather is refering to the presidential coverage … Hellooo… ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!?!
Dan, you sound like Obama supporters who RAIL at the press’ “negative ” Obama coverage when it was reported that Obama said the word “pie” 14 times in 86 seconds. They call this negative because it is the only type of media reports that exist that are remotely negative of Obama!
Yes the debates suck. But they are all we have. The coverage is even worse. The only thing worse than biased reporting is veiled biased reporting.
McCain says “that guy” and that is the most repeated news out of the debate. Obama says we should “subsidize the economies of the former USSR satellite nations” There has been absolutely nothing said by the media about this! NOTHING! Also Obama said he would “move the military into countries to prevent injustice.” Again nothing in the media. If McCain had made these comments, he would be crucified! The media would still be talking about it!
I can hear it now: “McCain wants to spend your tax money on the soviet breakup nations! He doesn’t even know the satellite nations were Poland, etc. We need an educated Harvard man that knows what he’s talking about! McCain , the warmonger, wants to invade African nations and Russian nations and probablly every other nation if he identifies injustice!” And if McCain had suggested that ALL young Americans should serve in the military or government service or peace corp. the press would have said “McCain wants to build a bigger military! This would double the size of the government payroll and your taxes! Maybe he expects volunteer service or forced free labor? some body tell him that was outlawed in 1865!”
And no one asks Obama the tough question for the REAL #‘s of how to pay for all the Free stuff and Lower taxes for all.
Finally when Obama says he will give businesses tax breaks for jobs creation. The press says nothing. No flip flop (he has previously said he would tax big business more and McCain told him that woul not creat jobs. It would cost jobs. Obama steals McCain’s policy as his own and the press is silent.
Dan, (to mimic Palin) what the heck are you talking about?