On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:49:06 +0000, D Peter Maus wrote:

Dave wrote:
D Peter Maus wrote:


* Many reporters, when they go to work in the nation’s capital,
begin thinking of themselves as participants in the political process
instead of glorified stenographers.

I don't have time for your entire screed, but reporters ARE supposed to
be part of the process. They are supposed to speak truth to power and
stick up for the common person.


They're supposed to report facts, nothing more.

They are observers. Not participants.

Your ignorance regarding how our government works is typical of a WLS
hate junkie.

"Whether Web logs (known as blogs) or printed books, the media in a
democracy have a number of overlapping but distinctive functions that
remain fundamentally unchanged. One is to inform and educate. To make
intelligent decisions about public policy, people need accurate, timely,
unbiased information. However, another media function may be to advocate,
even without pretense of objectivity. Media audiences may benefit from
various, conflicting opinions, in order to obtain a wide range of
viewpoints. This role is especially important during election campaigns,
when few voters will have the opportunity to see, much less talk with,
candidates in person.

A second function of the media is to serve as a watchdog over government
and other powerful institutions in the society. By holding to a standard
of independence and objectivity, however imperfectly, the news media can
expose the truth behind the claims of governments and hold public
officials accountable for their actions."

http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pub...rief/media.htm

I am disappointed but not surprised.