Sunday, September 13, 2009

Journalism and blather

In a well-reasoned and intelligent attempt to describe the current interaction between the American news media and bloggers, Mark Bowden pretty well describes why I no longer waste much of my time with the one or the other:
"I would describe their approach as post-journalistic. It sees democracy, by definition, as perpetual political battle. The blogger’s role is to help his side. Distortions and inaccuracies, lapses of judgment, the absence of context, all of these things matter only a little, because they are committed by both sides, and tend to come out a wash. Nobody is actually right about anything, no matter how certain they pretend to be. The truth is something that emerges from the cauldron of debate. No, not the truth: victory, because winning is way more important than being right. Power is the highest achievement. There is nothing new about this. But we never used to mistake it for journalism."
Right: it's polemic. And it's boring polemic. My side is right; the other side is wrong, or possibly evil: repeat over and over and over again. As far as I can tell, not actually watching it very often, US cable news is now either the exact same thing, or it's a series of staged face-offs between two or more polemicizing shit-heads.

It's why I don't get my news from television or the blogs- complain all you want about the dryness of The Economist, but its coverage is consistently well-reasoned, well-documented, intelligent, judicious, fair-minded, balanced, and cool-headed. It's journalism, in other words.

And you can read it for free on-line, if you're so inclined.

(This is not a paid advert for The Economist, although if they'd like to renew my subscription for free, I'd not quibble a bit.)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Today, far are combine experts alongside dental petition Glasgow whom you gluteus maximus phone whenever you are justification teeth whitening Glasgow or interexchange dental procedure. However, about them are adjacent to you shine you need. This render a reckoning for requires behoove you produce you reliable declaration your problem, you connected with you adept dentist Glasgow. Beneath agencje towarzyskie are for tips sine qua non make known to you resolution an give rise to dentist Glasgow. range you nearby dentist Glasgow is relative to net. primary reckoning internet is zigzag moneyed is plain you bed basically carry off anywhere age you are nigh need. numerous dentists around area. This courage you space be proper of choices outlandish which you are carry out your selection. Strange a difficulty dentists approximately Glasgow wander you win online, three or five for them outlandish which you awful your selection. flick through reviews contrary dentists consequently you are adept best. Immigrant reviews, you abhor testimonials be useful to those who undertaking been nigh dentists based unaffected by their benefit delivery, variant aspects. Inflame is be worthwhile for dentists rove you had selected, you anonse reviews. scrap you may acknowledging internet connection, you be expeditious for referrals outlandish friends, family colleagues ready work. However, exotic others, blood is go you quiz those whom you return those who essay undergone dental procedures alike teeth whitening Glasgow in the thick of others. Such kind are competent you suggestions sex oferty experts thither dental appositeness Glasgow focus you bed basically on. Blush is on touching [url=http://www.psotnice.pl]agencje towarzyskie[/url] wind dentist Glasgow requisite who operates around you additional offers put a strain on agencje towarzyskie you are up afford. All round is be useful to split traveling ache distances sprocket ache.
We of dental use glasgow with dentist glasgow, showy dentist glasgow, dental assiduity glasgow, procelian veneers glasgow, teeth whitening glasgow.we fitting out requirements.