The article discusses the historical context and current challenges faced by American journalism, focusing on how journalists have historically defended their role in holding government accountable. It highlights the contrast between past journalistic practices that prioritized investigative reporting and accountability, even when it angered those in power, and the contemporary trend of using claims about "bias" to self-censor or deflect from criticism.
Key points include:
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Historical Context: The article references a 1970 New York Times column by Tom Wicker criticizing then-Vice President Spiro Agnew's attacks on journalists as biased and unpatriotic. Wicker argued that journalism should be about accountability, not just objectivity.
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Current Challenges at CBS News: It discusses the current situation at CBS News under Bari Weiss, who positions herself as an advocate for "free speech" but has made editorial choices favoring the Trump administration, such as killing a story critical of the White House.
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Historical Triumphs in Journalism: The article mentions past instances where journalism played a crucial role in exposing government misdeeds and holding officials accountable:
- CBS's "The Selling of the Pentagon" documentary (1971) faced congressional investigation but was ultimately vindicated.
Read the full article at TechDirt
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