Access Journalism vs Defending Democracy from Fascism. That’s the choice all news organizations face. Thanks for making that point so clearly. I pray organizations like NBC News make the right choice, but I fear they won’t. They’re adducted to access, even if the people they want access to want to destroy America.
Far beit for me to say anything positive about Chuck Todd but I must say speaking out by denouncing McDaniel's hiring rates a baby step up from being the high priest of no pushback with guests clearly lying to his face. Polar opposite of a Mehdi Hasan, who exposed the "access journalism" for what it actually is. Mehdi's guests threatened to not return because he produced the receipts. MSNBC lost me as a regular viewer when he was sidelined as a weekend host. I curse the day when "fair and balanced" pierced our news lexicon and was deemed acceptable to legitimize lying to the American people.
Glad you are feeling better and still fighting the good fight, Michelangelo. I sincerely hope if NBC News has to pay out the ridiculous contract for that heinous nepo-baby MAGA liar, that every single employee there will receive a holiday bonus which matches that payout amount. It's the least the idiots in charge can do. Power To The People!
These are not normal political times. We now have a party that tried to overthrow the government. And these awful media outlets want diverse journalism inclusive of insurrectionists. How fuckn pathetic that this is what journalism has come to in this country. Trust me, any of these politicians will be kissing the asses of tv networks for the exposure. So no, you don’t have to stoop so low as to legitimize these horrible people.
Always love your take on things. No one should be hired by any news program that purports to present factual information to the debate, if they are know liars. Liars and sociopaths should not be normalized but unfortunately they are now a days. Not only is she a bold faced liar and conspiracy theorist but supported an insurrection. You want to have her on as a guest and say her piece and get soundly rebutted, fine. But hiring her would have given her a platform to misinform with impunity. She can spew her shit at Fox other outlets. I'm glad everyone spoke out in numbers. One person can't do it be a group can.
As usual…Michelangelo… you are spot on with your piece. Unfortunately, “access” journalism seems to be the only decision maker for the media, who are increasingly losing their courage by avoiding questioning lies & disinformation. Integrity in reporting is disappearing while networks allow election deniers & coup participants to obtain credibility by “soft” interviewing.
I love your analysis of the perspective that the media has on the "access" issue and also on the need to give equal weight to both sides. The both sides have evolved into the truth (or facts) and lies. They are giving equal support to the lies!
I have been trying to imagine an episode of the west wing where CJ tries to switch sides and be a journalist. Danny would blow his top and explain that it’s completely unethical for his employer to hire someone to cover politics who the day before served as White House press secretary.
Had this episode been made perhaps dems could see more clearly how wrong it was for NBC to hire Psaki. Perhaps we could do a reboot of the West Wjng to remind Biden supporters of the standards that existed before Trump dragged them all into the gutter.
I agree with everything you've written, Michelangelo., but would add that we shouldn't forget Kristen Welker's trip to Wisconsin before the first GOP debate to break bread with Trump campaign hacks Chris LaCivita, Jason Miller, and Steven Cheung. "Reporters" also there with her included Dana Bash, Shane Goldmacher, Bob Costa, Fin Gomez, Dasha Burns, Rachel Scott, Rick Klein, Josh Dawsey, Rob Crilly, Mario Parker and David Chalian.
It was a despicable abdication of journalistic ethics at the altar of access by all reporters involved. That's undoubtedly how Welker's first "guest" on her first day hosting Meet The Press was Donald J. Trump. Tim Russert must be spinning in his grave as if on a spit. And while I appreciate your strident condemnation of the GOP, Ronna Romney McDaniel and NBC, any plaudits of Welker or Todd are unearned. They're hacks. And McDaniel is a crook.
I think the only one who accurately captures what's going on at NBC and MSNBC (and all mainstream media for that matter) is Keith Olbermann. And if anyone would know about the creeps in the front office who allow this to go on (and the on-air talent that permits it) it's him. This is yesterday's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK9zM0kig_s
Access Journalism vs Defending Democracy from Fascism. That’s the choice all news organizations face. Thanks for making that point so clearly. I pray organizations like NBC News make the right choice, but I fear they won’t. They’re adducted to access, even if the people they want access to want to destroy America.
Far beit for me to say anything positive about Chuck Todd but I must say speaking out by denouncing McDaniel's hiring rates a baby step up from being the high priest of no pushback with guests clearly lying to his face. Polar opposite of a Mehdi Hasan, who exposed the "access journalism" for what it actually is. Mehdi's guests threatened to not return because he produced the receipts. MSNBC lost me as a regular viewer when he was sidelined as a weekend host. I curse the day when "fair and balanced" pierced our news lexicon and was deemed acceptable to legitimize lying to the American people.
Glad you are feeling better and still fighting the good fight, Michelangelo. I sincerely hope if NBC News has to pay out the ridiculous contract for that heinous nepo-baby MAGA liar, that every single employee there will receive a holiday bonus which matches that payout amount. It's the least the idiots in charge can do. Power To The People!
Thank you, Michelangelo, for pounding these phony journalists into the ground.
These are not normal political times. We now have a party that tried to overthrow the government. And these awful media outlets want diverse journalism inclusive of insurrectionists. How fuckn pathetic that this is what journalism has come to in this country. Trust me, any of these politicians will be kissing the asses of tv networks for the exposure. So no, you don’t have to stoop so low as to legitimize these horrible people.
Always love your take on things. No one should be hired by any news program that purports to present factual information to the debate, if they are know liars. Liars and sociopaths should not be normalized but unfortunately they are now a days. Not only is she a bold faced liar and conspiracy theorist but supported an insurrection. You want to have her on as a guest and say her piece and get soundly rebutted, fine. But hiring her would have given her a platform to misinform with impunity. She can spew her shit at Fox other outlets. I'm glad everyone spoke out in numbers. One person can't do it be a group can.
As usual…Michelangelo… you are spot on with your piece. Unfortunately, “access” journalism seems to be the only decision maker for the media, who are increasingly losing their courage by avoiding questioning lies & disinformation. Integrity in reporting is disappearing while networks allow election deniers & coup participants to obtain credibility by “soft” interviewing.
I love your analysis of the perspective that the media has on the "access" issue and also on the need to give equal weight to both sides. The both sides have evolved into the truth (or facts) and lies. They are giving equal support to the lies!
Glad your recovered and
Agreed Michael!
If we stand up, we will be heard and have to keep doing it!
.
I have been trying to imagine an episode of the west wing where CJ tries to switch sides and be a journalist. Danny would blow his top and explain that it’s completely unethical for his employer to hire someone to cover politics who the day before served as White House press secretary.
Had this episode been made perhaps dems could see more clearly how wrong it was for NBC to hire Psaki. Perhaps we could do a reboot of the West Wjng to remind Biden supporters of the standards that existed before Trump dragged them all into the gutter.
Access Journalism =$$$$ Defending democracy = ?
Hell, raised.
Access translates to eyeballs, to ratings, to 💰, which is the only thing that matters to corporate. Profits over democracy.
I agree with everything you've written, Michelangelo., but would add that we shouldn't forget Kristen Welker's trip to Wisconsin before the first GOP debate to break bread with Trump campaign hacks Chris LaCivita, Jason Miller, and Steven Cheung. "Reporters" also there with her included Dana Bash, Shane Goldmacher, Bob Costa, Fin Gomez, Dasha Burns, Rachel Scott, Rick Klein, Josh Dawsey, Rob Crilly, Mario Parker and David Chalian.
It was a despicable abdication of journalistic ethics at the altar of access by all reporters involved. That's undoubtedly how Welker's first "guest" on her first day hosting Meet The Press was Donald J. Trump. Tim Russert must be spinning in his grave as if on a spit. And while I appreciate your strident condemnation of the GOP, Ronna Romney McDaniel and NBC, any plaudits of Welker or Todd are unearned. They're hacks. And McDaniel is a crook.
What about the GOP establishing some fucking credibility with the media?
I think the only one who accurately captures what's going on at NBC and MSNBC (and all mainstream media for that matter) is Keith Olbermann. And if anyone would know about the creeps in the front office who allow this to go on (and the on-air talent that permits it) it's him. This is yesterday's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK9zM0kig_s